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Boys Hockey: Highland Park’s Block shoots — and scores a hat trick
Alex Block fashions himself a slick passer, and while such unselfish play is usually appreciated, one observer forced the Highland Park High School junior to make a change.
The defining moment in Saturday’s 7-1 victory over Lake Forest occurred late in the second period.
“Alex has a great shot,” said Giants coach Sean Freeman. “Rather than look to set someone up all the time, he has to start taking advantage of his opportunities.”
Block heard that speech during the game.
“I threatened to bench him if he didn’t start shooting,” Freeman said.
The warning was heeded, as Block scored on his next two shots. He lit the lamp with 1:50 left in the second period and scored again just 36 seconds into the third. Block completed his hat trick with 18 seconds remaining in the game.
Block has 12 goals and 15 assists in Metro North action.
“I’ve been calling him Chuck Woolery from ‘Love Connection,’ ” related Freeman, referring to a TV game show that aired from 1983-94. “He’s always setting everyone up.”
Numbers game: Block is currently atop the Metro North scoring list, sharing the No. 1 slot (27 points) with HP defenseman Zach Kalter.
The Giants (10-3-2 Metro North) are all over the league leaderboard. Noah Pickus is tied for third with 26 points (16 goals, 10 assists), while Alec Shapiro is tied for sixth with 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists).
Block, Pickus and Shapiro all skate on the same line, while Kalter has done his damage as a defenseman.
“Zach is always giving everything he’s got,” Freeman said. “His bad night is a good night for most people.”
Other scorers against Lake Forest were Kalter (2 goals, 2 assists), Pickus (goal, 2 assists), Jonathan Chudacoff (goal), Shapiro (2 assists) and Jordan Fox (assist).
Unsung heroes: Koby Schneider hasn’t amassed many points (goal, 3 assists). But the sophomore center has emerged as a valuable player.
“Koby plays great defense,” Freeman noted. “He has been the unsung hero.”
Fox (4 goals, 3 assists) also has delivered despite some switching of lines. Following an injury to Andy Guo, Fox has been matched with Schneider and Griffin Rutstein.
“Those three are not the biggest guys, but they’re always aggressive and very annoying to play against,” Freeman said. “Their physical play makes it easier for the other guys to do their thing.”
The Giants continue to enjoy solid goaltending as well. In 14 games, Michael Gordon has a 2.29 goals-against average with a save percentage of .880. Ethan Fischbein also has a save percentage of .880 in seven games, along with a 1.86 GAA.
Aiming high: As the Giants steam into the second half of the season, Freeman expects his players to aim for the top.
“I believe we’re a top-five team in the state,” the coach said. “I believe we’re going to win a state championship.”
The Giants are second in Metro North (GBN leads at 12-0-1). Freeman sees his club ripping off a long winning streak.
“We have seven games left in Metro,” the coach said. “My goal is to be 17-3-2.”
Highland Park is 23-5-3 overall, but Freeman is encouraging his players to be humble.
“If someone asks how your season is going, I want them to say, ‘We’re working hard and enjoying the fruits of our labor,’ ” Freeman said. “Let someone else (a parent or fan) say that the team is 23-5.”
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