Norwin hockey team puts focus on details

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 12, 2018 | 7:03 PM

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System in place? Check. Culture in place? Check. Depth in roster numbers? Check. Talent? Check. The little things? Negative.

It’s goes without saying the Norwin soccer team has come a long way since third-year coach Dennis Tokarski took over a few years ago. The Knights struggled through a two-win season in 2016, Tokarski’s first year. They more than doubled their win total last season, landing in the win column eight times. And now, it’s all about the details.

“It’s doing the little things right and worrying about the next shift that you’re playing,” said Tokarski, describing where his team is at this season. “I don’t know if they realize it yet, but it’s coming to them. I see glimmers of it in practice.

“They’re starting to understand how the drills fit into the game and starting to transition that into a game situation.”

Tokarski likes the 2018 version of the Knights (2-0), a lot. He’s not going to go out on a limb and make any crazy predictions, but he’s confident this team will be in the playoff hunt once the calendars flip to 2019.

“By the end of December, I want to be in (playoff) position, know where we stand,” Tokarski said. “I don’t want to be looking at the schedule saying that we’re going to the playoffs because I know we’re going to win this game or that game. I want to already know that we’re in the position to be there.”

All of that should be no problem if the Knights continue to play in the system — a brand of hockey that is predicated on speed and aggressiveness.

“Our strategy is to attack in all zones and try and be as unrelenting as we can,” Tokarski said.

That’s the attitude and style Tokarski has been preaching for two seasons. But the difference this season is Norwin has numbers. If a team is going to speed around the rink and challenge every puck, there better be reinforcements sitting on the bench.

“This year is one of the first years that we have players from freshmen to seniors,” Tokarski said.

The other big difference is an increase in talent. So much so, that Tokarski stops short of naming his top three lines. They’re all just lines and whichever line is doing the best, that’s the line that will see the most ice time.

“We have three to four forward lines, and we have no problem with rolling them,” Tokarski said. “I try not to call it that. It’s whoever is playing hot.”

The Knights have three lines that can only be defined by their personalities. The puck possession and checking line consists of Luke Russman, Sal Cerilli and Logan Marsalko.

Another line is loaded with emerging talent in Jake Dally, sophomore newcomer Aiden Roscoe and Logan Connelly. Connelly plays at a high level with his travel hockey team and is expected to bring some fire power.

The last line is filled with veterans, beginning with last year’s scoring leader in senior Mason Pivarnik. Pivarnik is joined by seniors Josh Hoffman and Nick Diak. Tokarski also promoted sophomore forward Dom Barca from junior varsity to add more depth.

“They’re all playing the same way,” Tokarski said. “I almost look at it that I can interchange players.”

Tokarski is just as excited about his defense.

He touted Nick Pingree’s toughness.

“I think what we’re looking at is that we got three strong defensive lines,” Tokarski said. “Our blue line is very strong and I’m confident in any of them and have no problem with putting any of them in there in a situation.”

Norwin also has depth between the pipes. Daniel Soltysiak got the nod early in the season. Soltysiak was promoted from junior varsity where he got plenty of starting time last season. Eric Miscampbell is also back but has been slowed by an injury.

“I want them to make my job hard so that I have a difficult situation as to who I put in net,” Tokarski said. “That will make the whole team better.”

Norwin is tied for first place with Westmont Hilltop atop the Class A Southeast division. It’s a sight that hasn’t come too often in recent history. The Knights picked up wins over Kiski Area (7-2) and Greensburg Salem (9-4). Both wins are over division rivals.

“As we come into the meat of the league and start playing the Westmont Hilltops, Bishop McCourts, Indianas and (Thomas Jefferson’s), we need to beat those (teams) to prove who we are and what we do,” Tokarski said.

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

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