Hockey: Providence looks to make a move

• Reprints

Zach Swanson, Mount Carmel hockey. | Supplied photo

Updated: February 20, 2012 8:18AM

Providence is sitting in fourth place in the Catholic League standings. The good news? The Celtics are just three points out of the top spot.

The bad? They’re just four points from dropping into fifth place.

Coach Nick Ianciancio is hoping his team can finish strong and inch up, rather that slip, in the standings. The Celtics have four games remaining in the regular season before the Kennedy Cup playoffs begin.

“We still have a pretty tough road ahead,” said Ianciancio, whose team has to play Brother Rice, Marist, St. Rita and Fenwick. “In all likelihood, we can finish third or fifth.”

Scoring hasn’t been a problem for the Celtics, who feature snipers Rich Yusa, David Follenweider and Ben Brandau. For some reason, Providence seems to play its best when Follenweider, a senior, is skating circles around opponents.

“When he plays well, the whole team plays well,” Ianciancio said. “When he has an off night, the rest of the team does, too.”

Despite the offensive firepower, Ianciancio would like to see the Celtics do a better job of finishing their chances.

“We have to finish plays better,” Ianciancio said. “There are times when we’ve had 48 shots and scored one or two goals.”

Goalies Brett Ernst and Justin Salazar have split time between the pipes. Whoever gets hot will get the nod in the playoffs, according to Ianciancio.

Caravan moving on

The resignation of Mount Carmel coach Russ Guzior hasn’t had an adverse affect on the club.

Assistant coach Patrick Philbin has taken over and the Caravan, sitting in sixth place, remains a team to reckon with.

Mount Carmel may lack firepower offensively, but goalie Zach Swanson is capable of leading the team to an upset or two come postseason. He has three shutouts and a sparkling 2.91 goals-against average.