By ALEX SPONSELLER The Warwick co-op boys hockey team is off to a solid start this winter season, skating out to a 2-0-1 record through its first three games as a unit.

The club has a solid balance of upper and underclassmen contributors, including freshman Ryan Barlow, who leads the team with three goals on the hat trick he recorded on opening night. Seniors Max Savaria and Sean Noel have scored a pair of goals, while other goal scorers include Charlie Clements, Ethan Pazzulo, James Cook, Jacob Pickering, Gerard Schifino and Daniel DeRobbio. Noel leads the team with six points.

Goalie Nathan O’Keefe has also been solid between the pipes with a .897 save percentage.

“They’ve done a good job and have shown some resilience, you’re really proud of that, showing the determination and character of the team. This year, they have a great attitude and work ethic so we’ll keep working at it,” said coach Mike Boyajian.

With the two teams joining forces this winter, it has provided the program with depth which has already been an advantage in the early going.

“What has helped us is that we roll three lines throughout the entire game. We want to accomplish that, play heavy, deliver big hits, stay out of the penalty box and keep the flow going,” said Boyajian. “We’ve got five solid defensemen, three good forward lines and we have had few penalties which is good to see. There is room for improvement, but overall, we’re happy as a program.”

Seeing the team jump out to a strong start has been a relief for the coaching staff, as well as seeing the chemistry that has already been apparent between the players.

“Many of these kids played Warwick Junior Hockey together for years. Many of the other players have played for top travel teams as well. Right now, we’re competing with private schools, so I think we got this going just in time and we want to keep that going. We have nine kids from Toll Gate, nine from Pilgrim which is great. They are gelling, you see it on the bench, talking to each other, celebrating goals. They have already gelled as a unit with the coaching staff and we’re proud of it,” said Boyajian, who is also excited to see how the new junior varsity program makes out. “Our JV team is playing East Greenwich’s JV squad, we’re playing Hendricken, both are Division I schools. We’re excited about that and we really want to get everyone involved that is within our program. For them to feel part of it, that’s what we need to do in order to develop an overall program.”