As we approach the colder months of the year, the colder sports come with it. This means that the coldest sport out there, ice hockey, is in full swing.

Although their year officially started two weeks ago, they’ve been prepping for this since the last season ended. They have had open rink practices, captain practices, and conditioning practices. It takes a lot of work to play hockey, and the players need to be at a certain level athletically to achieve success on the ice.

This team is loaded with potential as they have an abundance of senior leaders on the team. With key seniors such as Nicholas Volonnino, David Ely, Christian Alfaro, Greg Bowers, and Martin Paro, this team could possibly soar to heights that they haven’t been to before.

Unfortunately, the team also suffered some key losses to graduation last spring; however, role players from last year’s lineup such as juniors Nick Palmer and Alex MacPhee are expected to perform bigger roles this season.

“I think this year will be our strongest year,” senior captain Volonnino said.” We have tons of experience that I feel like no other team has and that gives us a huge advantage.”

They had a tuneup scrimmage against AL Johnson, and it went very well. It was their first time really out on the ice this year, so there were destined to be flaws. The game ended in a 3-3 tie, with each team scoring three straight times.

They had their first regular season game of the year against Colonia and they won that matchup 6-0. Ely contributed two goals while Paro recorded a shutout.

Last Friday, the Raiders took the ice again matching up against Pingry. While it was a very close game, the Raiders came up short in a 2-0 loss.

The losing skid continued with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Hunterdon Central on Saturday.  This loss was particularly disappointing since it was against a big rival.

With a 1-2 record, the team is looking to get back on track and even their record at 2-2. The Raiders take to the ice at 4:20 p.m. tomorrow against Rodge. They play at home this Friday against huge rival Bridgewater in a very winnable game. The contest gets underway at 3:15 p.m. Both contests will be held at Protec.