Lead by senior captains, left wing Jimmy Philbin and Billy Savino, a returning all-state center, the Glenbrook South men’s varsity hockey team has battled its way to a 17-13-3 record this year.

According to head coach Jim Philbin, Sr., the team has set itself up well for the postseason.

“[At the beginning of the season] we wanted to accomplish finishing in the top half of our division out of 12 teams, and we have secured the fifth position in conference, going into the playoffs,” Philbin Sr. said.

In order to accomplish this, the team journeyed to Jamestown, New York earlier this season. According Philbin, Sr., the team found the trip very positive.

“It was a great experience for the players,” Philbin Sr. said. “We got a lot out of it and ended up winning one game, losing one and tying one. The kids had a tremendous time and things from that tournament are really beneficial to the team on the ice.”

Philbin, Jr. agrees, especially noting the bonding experience the trip provides.

“The trip to Jamestown [was] awesome,” Philbin said. “It’s a roadtrip with the boys [where] everyone’s happy and you’re with each other for the whole weekend.”

Now back home, the team hopes to parlay its strengths into successes on its home ice. According to Philbin, Sr., preventing the opponent from scoring is one of the team’s strong suits.

“We play a good defensive game [and] our goaltending has played well,” Philbin,  Sr. said.

Junior Jack Washburn agrees, stressing the value of veteran starters.

“I’d definitely say [our strength is] our defense,” Washburn said. “We’ve got five returning defensemen from last year, so they’ve been getting used to playing with each other for two years now.”

The team has high hopes for the year, according to Philbin, Jr. He believes the team is set up well for a deep run in the state playoffs.

“I think we have a really good shot at [the state title] this year, probably the best out of my four years [on varsity],” Philbin said.

Philbin, Sr. also has confidence in his team, and has aspirations of a triumphant run in the playoffs.

“We’d like to go deep in the state [tournament], we’d like to get to the finals, obviously, and [win] the state championship,” Philbin, Sr. said.

As a reward for their performances this year, three members of the team were selected to represent the Metro-North All Star team in the Metro League All Star Game. Savino, Philbin, and sophomore defenseman Conor Dunham played in the game, which occurred last Sunday. Savino and Philbin each tallied two goals in a 9-1 victory for the Metro-North team.

The team’s regular season continues with Glenbrook North tomorrow at 7:50 p.m., and will finish against Stevenson one week later. The team then will compete in the state playoffs throughout late February.