The Cranston boys hockey co-op is working through a rebuilding winter, relying primarily on underclassmen in its quest to reach the Division II postseason.

Cranston entered the week with a 1-4-1 record, recently picking up its first win of the year in a 4-3 decision over St. Ray’s. Brady Scanlon led the way with a pair of goals while Justin Drohen and Nathan Kempe added goals in the win. Scanlon, Drohen and Jared Prior all lead the team with two goals this season.

Coach Matt Brannon has been pleased with the team’s compete level and feels that it has had a chance to win in every game to this point.

“The biggest thing that we’ve seen in the consistency factor is that in every league game, we have entered the third period either down a goal or tied. From a coach’s perspective, you can’t ask for anything more from the kids,” said Brannon. “They give everything they have, they have been trying to compete against kids that are juniors and seniors, it’s just that we run out of gas in the third period.”

The team is still looking for answers offensively, having only scored 10 goals through its first six games.

“It’s been fun getting back to the fundamentals. We’ve been working hard with the kids to generate some offense. We have been struggling to get consistency in scoring goals the way we have in years past. The kids are working hard, they’re sponges, trying to find ways to find scoring opportunities. Hopefully in the second half we can generate more offense,” Brannon said.

Cranston has been getting solid goaltending from junior Jaedon Case, who is in his first season as the team’s starter.

“He is a kid that didn’t play much last year but is getting the chance. He’s been a breath of fresh air back there. He’s kept us in pretty much every game, he’s made some big, timely saves. He’s been the key to the success that we’ve had this year and we get another year with him,” said Brannon.

Cranston will now take on the second half of its regular season schedule and faced Coventry on Wednesday, but the results were not available at press time. It will next host Mt. Hope on Friday night.

Ten of the 12 teams in Division II reach the postseason, and Cranston is confident that it will make the cut and improve in the back half of the regular season slate.

“(We) just (need) to take that next step forward,” said Brannon. “There will come that time when these kids hit that freshman wall, so we really are just looking to continue to grow as a program. Our goal is to make the playoffs and we’re in pretty good position to do that right now.”