Photo by Philip Southern Captain Aaron Shencopp and the Berkley hockey team have turned some heads in the first half of the 2009-10 season. After going 10-15-1 a year ago, the Bears were 7-0-2 nine games into the season.

Hot start has Berkley hockey team on the map

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

BERKLEY — It’s not too often a coach likes to admit to being surprised by their team.

But when asked whether he was even a little amazed by how well his team has played thus far, Berkley High hockey coach Jeff Fleming could only laugh.

“Absolutely,” said the first-year coach, whose team was 7-0-2 overall, 2-0-2 in the Oakland Activities Association White Division, prior to a Dec. 30 game against Oxford High.

“When I took over in August, I would have never expected to be without a loss nine games into the season. We’re taking things one practice, one game, one shift at a time. So far, that’s worked.”

Considering Berkley ended last season 10-15-1 overall, it’s easy to see why Fleming was surprised at the standings.

But the transformation has been rather easy to explain.

“They’ve bonded since day one and played very well together,” Fleming said. “It’s been a complete team effort the whole way through.”

Through its first nine games, Berkley is averaging nearly five goals per contest with 12 different players lighting the lamp. Senior Derek Dimaya leads the team with nine, while junior Kyle Siporin has notched seven and senior John Matelic has six.

“The key, though, is it’s not one line carrying us,” Fleming said. “We’re getting contributions from every line.”

The same is true on the defense.

Berkley is allowing less than two goals per game thus far, and while Fleming gave a lot of credit to his three netminders — seniors Alex Batson and Adam Johnson, and junior Tyler Mikalonis — the defense has been just as stingy as the offense has been explosive.

“When you’re winning, you want to stick with what’s working,” Fleming said. “We’re keeping the work boots on. We’re keeping the tempo up, and we’re not backing off at all with anything we do.”

That includes the goals the team set prior to the season.

“We came into the season wanting to contend for an OAA title, and that hasn’t changed one bit,” Fleming said. “The second half of this season is going to be very tough — a great challenge. But with the start we’ve gotten off to, we believe in ourselves and what we have the chance to do.”

You can reach Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1038.