The Emmaus varsity ice hockey team was just beginning to find its groove before the season took a hiatus. Following their first victory of the season in their fourth game back on November 9, the Hornets slipped up in their next two games by a combined deficit of just three goals.

But then high school athletics and all recreational activities were put on hold for a three-week period from mid-December until January 4. Emmaus was unable to practice, and as an inexperienced team, losing that time is valuable. But, like every other team, they made due and did what they could.

On the first day that the restrictions were lifted, the Green Hornets were back out on the ice, but fell to Southern Lehigh. Then last Friday night at the Lehigh Valley Ice Rink, they were matched up against the first-place team in Central-Becahi, and came out on the wrong end of that as well.

This season, however, game results are taking a back seat, while the student-athletes, coaches and fans are just happy to be able to watch the sport they enjoy.

“They’re definitely glad to be back,” said third-year head coach Keith Hurlburt on his Green Hornets team. “They’ve been a little winded the last couple of games because we haven’t been able to be on the ice much. They needed to get their legs back from under them after that break. We’re starting to get back into playing shape and I think we’ll see better play overall.”

Emmaus is led in total points by Hunter Engelman, who has 11 (two goals, nine assists). Tyler Adams leads the team in scoring with five goals and nine points total (four assists). Liam Porreca also has contributed nine points thus far (two goals, seven assists). Goalie Angelo Greek has 229 saves overall and an .854 save percentage with one shutout on the season.

“We have a younger team, talented, but young,” Hurlburt said. “They’re a lot of fun to watch this year. This team may not look great in the win-loss column, but they play together, they pass and communicate well. Their size, compared to other teams, restricts what they can do sometimes, but they compete. I really enjoy watching them play.”

After a game against Northampton played this past Monday night, the Green Hornets are back out on the ice on Monday, February 1, when they take on Southern Lehigh at the LV Ice Rink.