Hockey, like a live telecast, is a lot more fun when the red light is on.

Call it scoring goals, potting ginos, ripping the twine or just lighting the lamp. No team in the country does it as well and as frequently as the Endicott College men's hockey team.

Streaking into the first round of the Division 3 NCAA tournament, the Gulls (23-3-2) bring a relentless and ridiculous offense to meet host Hobart Saturday night (7 p.m.).

Just check out this second-year program's ranks in various offensive measurements: they average 5.00 goals per game (first nationally), convert 29 percent of their power plays (second in the country), have 367 total team points (first nationally), lead the nation in assists (227) and they average43 shots on goal per game.

"Top to bottom, it's a lot of unselfish guys that respect their roles," sophomore Ryan Dougherty, the Gulls' captain. "No one's worried about who's putting it in the net. They're worried about how many times we're putting it in as a team."

Endicott prides itself on being a team that can score with all four lines and that's true: the Gulls have seven players with 10 or more goals, and five players that have more than 28 points (which would lead Hobart's individual ledger).

Nevertheless, the Gulls' top line has been the most dangerous trio in the country. Sophomore Cam Bleck uniting with Jason Kalinowski, a transfer from Hockey East's UNH, and fellow sophomore Tommy Besinger has made magic on the ice.

Bleck's 21 goals lead the team and rank fourth nationally, Kalinowski has 11 goals and 24 assists (13th nationally) and Besinger is the country's third-leading scorer with 48 points on 17 goals and 31 assists (also third in the nation).

What makes this trio so dangerous?

"Speed," Bleck said. "We move the puck well, we get a lot of shots to the net and we're all on the same page."

"I think we just like to play fast," echoed Besinger, who transferred to Endicott from West Point. "We think shoot first. We're not out looking for the perfect pass; we're looking to get it to the net. The majority of our goals are pretty sloppy because we get it to the net, then try to make things happen."

Endicott came within an eyelash of winning its conference title last year in its first varsity season, losing the championship game at home. Besinger played the last seven games of that year after his Army discharge came through, notching six goals and eight points in those limited contests.

The slippery-skating Milton native loved Endicott right away when he was looking to transfer from West Point. The Gulls have another ex-Black Knight, last year's captain Connor Costello, on the roster that made the transition even smoother.

"I knew a few of the guys and coach was great about understanding how long it takes. From my first weekend here I felt like I was part of the team," said Besinger. "Once I saw this campus and this rink, I couldn't turn that down."

The trio combined for the game-winning goal in last Saturday's thrilling conference championship win, with Kalinowski springing Bleck with a pass from the seat of his pants with only nine seconds left in regulation.

"Kal's been making plays like that all year," said Bleck, who believes his line's success has come in part because the team hasn't had to make many changes.

They started by manufacturing a 3-3 tie at No. 1 ranked Norwich in December and haven't looked back; Blec has scored in five straight games and Besinger is in the midst of 12-game point streak, having been held off the scoresheet just three times all year.

"We haven't had to switch things up too much, and that's got the chemistry going. We've practiced together every day and everything has clicked," said Bleck. "What's really huge is that we don't have to rely on one line, so there's no pressure on us."

Sophomore Ross Olsson (17 goals) is a huge part of that depth for Endicott, along with junior Jack Musil (13 goals) and sophomore Josh Bowes.

Then there's junior defenseman Logan Day, who's as a good a two-way rearguard as there is in the country. His 15 goals, 22 assists and 37 points making him the kind of puck mover that all hockey coaches covet.

"You look at the scoring and power play success, and I think it's connected to 3-4 phone calls I got from recruits last spring saying 'Coach, I'm in.'," said head coach R.J. Tolan. "You get great players, and all of a sudden my theories on the universe look pretty good."

Tolan has built one of the country's most formidable Division 3 teams in the blink of an eye. While deferring credit to his players, the way he and his staff have brought them together and fostered a culture of consistency is no small part of Endicott's success.

"Right when I got here and saw everything, I'm thinking 'How does something this great fall into your lap?'," said sophomore Tommy Daniels. "The you meet 30 guys that become as close as family, and one day after another it's been better than the last."

GOALS FOR GULLS

Some Endicott hockey offensive factoids:

Goals per game: 5.00 (1st nationally)

Power play: 29 percent (2nd nationally)

Leading scorer: Tommy Besinger (48 points, third nationally)

Double-digit goal scorers: Seven

Total shots: 1,206

Team points: 367 (1st nationally)

Team assists: 227 (1st nationally)

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Speed, chemistry drive Endicott hockey's record setting offense ... - The Salem News