Early in the season, Pascack Valley hockey coach Ken DelSanto’s main goal was getting high seeding in the county and state tournaments.

The team was firing on all cylinders throughout its first seven games, earning a record of 4-2-1 and putting itself in position to obtain a good seed in the upcoming county tournament. Recently, however, the team has trended slightly downward, dropping three games in a recent holiday tournament and playing to a tie in a game against Tenafly.

Despite the fact that they dropped those three games, DelSanto is pleased with how his team played.

“I was bummed about the three losses, but we played well despite missing some guys and playing competitive teams,” he said of their play over the break.

One positive from the week came in the team’s 4-4 tie against Tenafly, as Aidan Tuffy, Matt Truglio, and Avery Zaretsky each scored, with Zaretsky adding a second goal.

DelSanto was impressed with Zaretsky’s performance.

“Avery skated well,” he said. “He did a great job.”

Despite the tie and good team play, DelSanto was quick to point out what they could have done better.

“It was a game we should have won, but we couldn’t get the little things done, and when that happens we fall apart,” he said.

After the tie and the holiday tournament, the team’s record sits at 4-5-2, putting them under .500 and potentially on the outside looking in for the county tournament.

Aidan Tuffy’s goal was the first of his career, and DelSanto was happy for him. “I was happy for [Aidan] Tuffy. He skates so hard every single game and drives the net a lot. He deserved to score,” said the coach.

The team plays St. Joseph’s on Friday, whom Tenafly recently played two goalies against in protest for having to play a parochial school. While PV won’t be employing that strategy, as long as they give it their best shot, DelSanto will be happy. “Even if we lose 10-0 I don’t really care,” he said. “If we do the little things well and don’t fall apart, I’ll be happy.”

The team also held a holiday food drive in conjunction with River Dell’s hockey team, something DelSanto said he was “happy they did because it was the right thing to do.

DelSanto submitted a bid for the county tournament where if PV gets in, it will most likely be the Number 12 seed. If this is the case, they will have to face tough competition, but DelSanto is confident that the Indians can hold their own and play well.