The ice hockey team continues to dominate its competition, with the latest proof Saturday night's 8-1 win at Stonehill. The blowout marked the Jumbos' second consecutive successful journey to Bridgewater, MA in a week, and improved them to a 3-0 ECAC record, and an impressive 5-0 mark overall. Tufts' offensive juggernaut showed itself again, as it erased a 1-0 first period deficit to scorch the nets 8 consecutive times. v Sophomore Mike Carceo showcased his scoring prowess by netting two goals and two assists. No other Jumbo had a multiple goal game, but senior tri-captains Natan Obed, Dan Mahoney, and Scott Hayes, as well as sophomore Rob LaQuaglia and freshmen Pat Byrne and Tim Schatz all tallied single goals for Tufts.

In opinion of blue-line anchor Mahoney, this widespread scoring attack is a big reason behind Tufts' fast start.

"We have a lot of good forwards - a lot of guys who can put the puck in the net" he said. "At this point, everyone is so disciplined. Everyone knows their role and where they fit in on the ice. We're following the systems in the defensive zone and up front and that is opening up a lot of opportunities."

Saturday night, coach Brian Murphy used a game plan similar to the one that worked so well in the Jumbos' 7-4 win on Nov. 25th, the first Stonehill game.

"We played pretty well without making the mistakes we made in earlier games," Murphy said. "We had a tape to work with, but we basically too the same approach."

Mahoney agreed. "We didn't try anything different. We were shocked when we fell behind 1-0 early, but we knew we'd be alright if we did our jobs."

Even more encouraging than the Jumbos' offensive output was their improved play in the defensive zone, an area of play that has plagued Tufts thus far this season. Mahoney, a blue-line all league and New England selection last year, saw this as a sign of things to come.

"The defensive sloppiness is getting a lot better. We had some early breakdowns Saturday, but we tightened it up quickly. It was our best defensive game of the year," he said.

If the lack of defensive sharpness has been an unpleasant surprise for the brown and blue, the offensive production of freshman Pat Byrne represents is just the opposite; he, along with Carceo, leads the team with seven goals apiece.

"Pat Byrne can score," coach Murphy remarked. "He's scoring a lot. He has a lot of potential, and also a lot to work on, but he has a great hands and good sense around the net."

"Byrne's been really consistent this year. He's a great addition," Mahoney said. "Playing on a line with [Obed] and Jason [Boudrow], two proven scorers, has helped him a lot, but he knows what to do around the net."

While Byrne's production is surprising teammates and opponents alike, the offensive prowess of junior Boudrow astonishes no one. Boudrow is most likely the league's finest forward, and his play through the team's first five games has only accentuated that point. He leads the ECAC in scoring with an amazing 5 goals and 13 assists in only 5 games. He is averaging 3.6 points per game, a full point and a half better than his nearest competition.

"We expected this much from [Boudrow]. His production is not a surprise to anyone," Murphy said of his star forward. "This is a kid who led the league in scoring as a freshman, we knew he'd put up this type of production."

With production coming from veterans and rookies alike, the focus falls upon Wednesday's competition, Salve Regina. Though the Jumbos already boast a punishing 7-2 win against the school earlier this year, coach Murphy knows the game will not be a pushover.

"Salve Regina is not an opponent to be taken lightly. They won at New Hampshire College on Saturday and are playing good hockey."

While their true tests will most likely come after winter break when Tufts plays a series of perennial ECAC powerhouses, the Jumbos' early season play has certainly elevated their status in the league to elite. As the old sports saying goes, "You can only beat who you play." The men's ice hockey team is beating everyone they play, and beating them convincingly.