By JAMES BESSETTE

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WEST WARWICK — The baptismal by fire continued on the for the young Coventry hockey team last night and, unfortunately, the Oakers were burned once again by the defending champions.

For the second-straight game, the Oakers had a difficult time containing the taller, more physical Cumberland squad in a 4-0 loss in their home opener at Ben Magiera Ice Rink.

Although that chance at a first victory will have to wait until the team takes the ice at URI’s Brad Boss Arena tonight against Division II-newbie South Kingstown, Coventry made some noticeable adjustments in order to cut down the number of strong chances by Cumberland on offense.

Coventry head coach Ken Bird moved junior Ryan Galvin and freshman Peter Stringfellow from the forward position back to defense, bringing quickness to the back line as well as some toughness by giving up the body on a few point-blank shots, along with Zach Faria and Alex Zanella.

Even though the shot total was still well in favor of Cumberland – 26-14 – the quality of chances were limited for most of the night.

“We were outshot tremendously last week,” Bird said, “and we did get outplayed tonight. There’s no question about that. But I think we did a better job in front of our net in not giving up as many quality shots. Last week, we gave up tons of quality shots.”

Bird added that there is still some considerable work to be done to tighten things up further on defense in not leaving open space in the middle of the zone for the opposition to work. The second goal for the Clippers was evident of that when Michael Darlington grabbed the puck near the side boards, made a few quick moves as he skated into the middle before he wristed a shot glove side past Coventry goalie Spencer Patti a little over six minutes into the second period.

The other problem that Bird knows will be a work-in-progress is getting the offense for Coventry in order. Last night, the inexperience of the team showed when the Oakers had difficulty getting the puck off the boards and out into the open ice. Even when Coventry has possession and making the charge up ice, the passing on long breaks is still a little suspect.

But, the Oakers had a strong chance to tie the game late in the first period. Forward Nicholas Paiva skated along the left side and made a quick feed into the middle to Benjamin Adamo for a point-blank opportunity but the shot sailed wide right of Cumberland goalie Michalangelo Federici – who posted his first shutout of the season.

“The offense is usually the last thing that comes to a young team,” Bird said. “But, I think what we need to do is keep improving defensively to get the scores down to around the 3, 2 area. Now, you pop the puck in the net and you’re right in the game. That’s the type of hockey that we need to play.”

Cumberland got the scoring started at the 3:41 mark of the first period when Andrew Bouchard skated into the zone and ripped a slap shot just inside the point past the right pad of Patti for a 1-0 Clipper lead.

In the second period, 13 seconds after Darlington’s tally, Matthew Hayes carried the puck into the zone and maneuvered around Faria near the left post and shot a wrister short side over Patti’s right shoulder for a 3-0 Cumberland lead.

Andrew Barlow closed the scoring late in the third period when he pounced on his own rebound in front and snuck the puck past Patti’s right pad with a little under three minutes remaining.

If there are any frustrations on Coventry’s part three games into the season, the team certainly isn’t showing it on the ice. Unlike in year’s past, the Oakers have played a cleaner game, not getting in trouble where the team would be down a player or two because of a penalty, which certainly pleases Bird to no end. Last night, Coventry had only one player get sent off for two minutes.

“That’s important for a young team to do,” Bird said. “They’re staying out of the box for the most part. If a young team gets short handed a lot, the score could get a lot worse.”

Cumberland 4, Coventry 0

Cumberland    1          2          1          -           4

Coventry         0          0          0          -           0

First period: C – Bouchard (Howard) 3:41.

Second period: C – Darlington (Kinch) 6:02. C – Hayes (unassisted) 6:15.

Third period: C – Barlow (Donnelly) 12:20.