JNP must put recent struggles against Chieftains behind it

The Johnston/North Providence Co-op hockey team has been the third-best team in Division III all season long.

This season, the Panthers have taken a big step from where they were a season ago. At this time last year, JNP’s players were no longer practicing and were maybe trying out for a spring sport. JNP finished in 12th out of 15 teams in a Division II league that had a lot of depth, winning just four games and compiling eight points.

But not this year.

The move down to Division III did wonders for JNP. Not only did it move to a division where it belonged, but it also put itself in a spot to contend for a championship.

The Panthers are rolling into the semifinals this weekend against second-seeded Ponaganset, notching back-to-back shutouts in the quarterfinals in a series sweep of sixth-seeded Woonsocket, earning 3-0 and 7-0 wins over the Novans. In game two at Mount St. Charles’ Adelard Arena on Saturday night, JNP wrapped up the series, thanks in large part to Sam DaCosta and Nick Threshier, who each tallied two goals in the win.

The sweep was impressive, but it was on par with how JNP’s season has gone.

To win from here on out, the Panthers will have to be better than the third-best team in the division – or they’ll end the season as just that.

JNP went 12-0 against the teams below it in the standings – Warwick Vets, Scituate, Mt. Hope and Woonsocket. But against the top two teams – West Warwick/Exeter-West Greenwich Co-op and Ponaganset – the Panthers struggled mightily. JNP particularly had a tough time with its semifinal opponent – the Chieftains.

JNP went 0-3 against Ponaganset throughout the course of the season, getting shutout 6-0 and 3-0 and losing the other game 3-1.

The 6-0 loss is still fresh in JNP’s mind, as the Chieftains frustrated the Panthers in their final regular season game at Burrillville’s Levy Rink less than two weeks ago.

The frustration that built up in that loss will have to be quickly forgotten if JNP hopes to have a finals berth.

After the 6-0 loss, DaCosta felt that the team can play much better, falling short of their capabilities.

“Quite frankly, I think we have a lot more potential than some of these teams,” DaCosta said. “We have depth, more solid lines and a good defense when we play the way we can play.”

He also felt that the playoffs are, essentially, a new season and a fresh start. If that is the case, JNP is trending in the right direction at the right time.

“It’s a different season and [playoffs] is kind of what matters,” DaCosta said. “Regular season means nothing once you get to the playoffs.”

The beauty of the playoffs is that records go back to 0-0 and stats go out the window. The Panthers are hoping that their fortune will change this weekend against a team that has had their number all season.