Ben Lovejoy Pleased to be in Scoring Column So Soon

BY JONATHAN BOMBULIE
STAFF WRITER

WILKES-BARRE TWP. ? The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins will play their third game of the season when they host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers tonight, and defenseman Ben Lovejoy already has a one next to his name in the goal column on the stat sheet.

He couldn't say that last season until March 12.

Things are obviously looking up for the second-year pro out of Dartmouth.

“It's definitely a good feeling,” Lovejoy said of the goal that gave the Penguins a lead they did not relinquish in a 4-3 victory over Philadelphia last Saturday. “I kind of joked the whole preseason and the rookie tournament that I was going to be screwed for the rest of the year because I had a couple. I was worried that I used them all. It was kind of a lucky shot that I don't think the goalie saw and it trickled in.” Professional hockey teams often have a competition among their more defensive-minded defensemen to see who will be the last to hit the goal column during a given season.

Lovejoy said the Penguins didn't have such a bet, but if they did, his money would be on physical blue liner Deryk Engelland.

Just then, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Engelland walked into the room and reminded Lovejoy that he's never had a pro season without at least one goal.

Lovejoy didn't back off his prediction, but he did soften the blow with some kind words for his teammate's offensive abilities.

“I think Engelland is going to score,” he said. “He shoots hard. I'm not worrying about him putting at least a couple away.”

The fact that Lovejoy was the first Penguins defenseman to put one away this season isn't mere coincidence.

In fact, at times during training camp, he looked calm, composed and downright dangerous with the puck on his stick.

Coach Dan Bylsma said he saw that process beginning at the tail end of last season.

“I think Ben, much like Alex Goligoski last year, had two parts to his season,” Bylsma said. “One was the initial get your feet wet, take in the information, take in the higher level, take in the speed. With that, you're almost swimming with a weight vest on. Then the weight vest comes off and the game gets a little easier. You start to read the play better. You start to be involved a little more.”

But, Bylsma cautioned, Lovejoy's bread and butter is playing in his own end. If he makes it to the NHL, the coach said, it will be because of his defensive prowess.

Lovejoy didn't disagree.

“Ideally I want to be a penalty kill, defensive defenseman,” he said. “Obviously there are going to be times when I am counted on to carry pucks and chip in offensively. That's the role I'm in. I'm on the second power-play unit. You don't want to be chipping pucks in there or you're not going to be on it.

“There are definitely going to be times when I need to execute and make plays, but I need to concentrate on playing against the other teams' top lines. I think I can contribute to the team better that way.”