The Skyhawks began the season 1-7-1 in November and December, but they have begun January with three wins and a tie.
The Stonehill College hockey team struggled through the opening part of the season, going 1-7-1 in the first semester.
The Skyhawks began with a 4-3 overtime win over UMass Dartmouth on Nov. 2, then failed to win in the next eight games.
But since returning from the semester break on Jan. 4, Stonehill has gone without a loss, putting together a 3-0-1 stretch with wins over SUNY Potsdam, Johnson & Wales and Post while tying Westfield State.
The Skyhawks (4-7-2, 1-3-1 in the Northeast-10 Conference) will try to keep that streak going with a pair of games at Southern New Hampshire on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
"We have individual meetings with the players before the break and everyone was positive,″ said coach David Borges. "It was refreshing, and then we had a great first week of practice. We went back to emphasizing some of the basics and starting that foundation again.
"Just winning that first game back gave us confidence that if we do things the right way, we can continue this.″
Three of Stonehill's seven losses in the first semester came by just one goal, and they have outscored opponents, 17-8, since the season resumed this month.
"We just couldn't get out of that rut,″ said Borges. "But our team's been resilient, even in games, all year. We've been down all year, but they are resilient. They came back with a more determined attitude.
"It was like a few bounces of the puck here and there, a little better effort here and there and a little more discipline staying out of the penalty box could make a big difference and it has.
"We're not taking the penalties that we were before. Our power play is clicking and our penalty kill has been a lot better since the break. A lot of the things we needed to resolve, we have so far. Hopefully those things continue.″
Goaltender Matthew Schoen has a 2.98 goals against average and a conference-lead .923 saves percentage. He was named the NE-10 goalie of the week after making 70 saves in two games while recording his first career shutout against Johnson & Wales.
"He's played tremendous since coming back from the break,″ said Borges of the senior.
Cameron Wright (eight goals, seven assists) and Kayser Raei (five goals, seven assists) plus freshmen, Brendan Nehmer (three goals, nine assists) and John Peloso (five goals, five assists) are the leaders on offense.
Peloso was picked as the NE-10 rookie of the week after getting four points in two games.
Mike Seoane (four goals, six assists) and defenseman Zach Frament (three goals, seven assists) are also in double figures for points while Charles Page has five goals.
Senior Jack Hall, who missed a majority of the first semester with an injury, has returned to bolster the Skyhawks.
The defense has been led by seniors Mike Seibold and Frament along with juniors Seth Murrary and Sean Conley.
"It's been a bunch of guys stepping up and knowing the role they have to fulfill and playing at a high level,″ said Borges. "We've got to worry about the small details.
"We needed to get back to the process, and if we stick to the process, work hard and pay attention to details, we're going to get the results we're looking for.″
Borges is joined on the bench this season by his brother, Darrell, who is in his first year as a Stonehill assistant after being both an assistant coach to David Borges as well as the head coach at Coyle-Cassidy High.
"We were together 13 years Coyle, and every year someone left my staff, I asked him if he was interested,″ said David Borges. "I had another leave this past year. The opportunity and timing was right for him this time.
"He's made a huge difference helping me out. Like when my son (Dana, now an assistant at Colgate) was here, we were basically on the same page. Coaching with him 13 years, you kind of read each other's mind. He's been a big contributor to the team.″
Stonehill's next home game is Tuesday night when Saint Michael's College visits the Foxboro Sports Center.
Jim Fenton's Colleges appears Wednesday and Friday in The Enterprise. He may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.
