Talent, scoring, and positive energy: those are just three of the many things that East Haven hockey coach Lou Pane says the center on his first line, junior Richie DeCarlo, brings to the Yellowjackets.

"He is a scorer and a leader," says Pane. "He knows how to put the puck in the net. As he leads the team, we really do well because he's such a positive influence. He's very likable and brings that out from the locker room onto the ice. Guys like to rally around him."

In his three years with East Haven, Richie has given his teammates much to rally around by consistently coming through in the clutch. Against Conard last year, he scored a goal with nine seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Then against St. Bernard's, he had two assists and two goals, including the game-winner in overtime. He also scored another game-winner against Branford.

For Richie, returning to the first line this season came with a high level of pressure because, as in every season with Yellowjackets hockey, a state tournament bid is on the line. Richie has responded by stepping up his game, scoring and assisting at a higher pace than his 2009-10 season that saw him score 10 goals and contribute 20 assists. Halfway through the current campaign, East Haven is 6-3, needing only two more wins to qualify for the state tournament after beating Hand 5-3 this past weekend, a game that saw Richie score two goals.

"I just want to contribute to the team, move on, and win the state championship," says Richie. "I want to go All-State too and am working hard for that."

While he is the leader of the offense, Richie does not see himself as a scorer as much as a playmaker, creating opportunities for his teammates to score. Joining him on his line are wingers Andrew Hamilton and Steve Marsico, who are the Yellowjackets' leading goal-scorers. So far this season, the moment that really sticks out in Richie's mind is a goal on which he assisted Hamilton against West Haven.

"I came down the wing and Andrew was at the far post. I sent the puck to him and he hit it in," says Richie. "It was a great play."

As in nearly all sports, team chemistry is key to success in hockey. Unlike football where plays start with a snap at scrimmage, or basketball where a team can set up a play, the action in hockey is always moving. Players must know where their teammates are and how they play. A center needs to not only know his line, but also his defense, since he covers the entire ice. He must also be fast so he can go to wherever the puck is.

"Our line has really good chemistry. We have a lot of fun with it. We know where each other is. On the power-play we're doing really well," Richie says.

Richie credits his higher offensive production to increased experience over the past year and also hard work on the part of himself and his teammates, plus the impact of the Yellowjackets' coaches, who he he says have taught him a lot this season.

During the season, Richie and the team are on the ice six days a week with three-hour practices on the days they do not have games. Competing in the always difficult Southern Connecticut Conference Division I, there is no time to relax, nor look ahead.

"You have to go out and play as hard as you could, no matter the opponent," Richie says. "I just go in there thinking: I want to win."