With Matt Schmidlin as its last line of defense, the Baldwin High School hockey team believes it can be competitive against anybody in PIHL Class AA.

Schmidlin is one of the top goalies in the classification and is among a core group of talented players poised to lead the Highlanders back to the Penguins Cup playoffs.

"Matt is a great goalie. I can't say enough about him," Baldwin captain Nick Jaczesko said. "He's helped us in past seasons, been through it all with us. I know I can say he's the best goalie I've seen in this league."

Schmidlin, a senior who also plays for the Junior Penguins organization, was a PIHL Class AA All-Star last season, posting a 3.31 goals-against average, .900 save percentage and one shutout for Baldwin.

Schmidlin allowed only one goal in the Highlanders' season-opening 4-1 win against Erie Cathedral Prep. Baldwin plays Monday at PIHL powerhouse Meadville.

"He's our anchor," Highlanders coach Kevin Becker said. "Matty and [Meadville's Taylor] Nickerson are the top two goalies in the league, and he gives us a chance in every game."

Baldwin isn't totally bereft of scoring touch. Speedy junior Ryan Abbott had 15 goals last season, the gritty Jaczesko had nine in 21 games as a junior last season, junior Josh McCue is an amateur travel team-level player whom Becker calls "a middle linebacker on skates," and junior Neil Isler is another highly skilled forward.

But if the Highlanders are going to have a winning team this season, it will be goal prevention that likely leads the way, Becker said.

In addition to Schmidlin, the defense corps is anchored by seniors Jason Duerr and Zach Grant and junior Ray Reinecker, who, like McCue, joined the team this season after previously concentrating on his amateur team.

"Ray really knows how to play hockey," Becker said. "Defensively, he's solid, and he's smooth with the puck and getting it out of the zone.

"We have a little experience on the back end. Up front, we have to make some call-ups [from the junior varsity on a game-by-game basis]."

Seniors Casey Kluczkowski and Jesse Schuler, each of whom had goals against Erie Prep, add depth on offense, and junior Brian Proud is another solid defenseman.

Tyler Grant, Zach's brother; Dallas Becker, Kevin's son; and Zack Alaimo are regularly called up from the junior varsity team. Junior Mike Cundra is in his second season as the Highlanders' backup goalie.

"We're trying to play a smart game, get the puck to the red line, dump it into the zone and set up down low," Becker said. "That's what we did [against Erie Prep]. There were no pretty goals, but we managed to get three in and then got an empty-netter, and that's how we have to do it his year."

Becker has been impressed with the leadership shown by Jaczesko, a smart hockey player whom he calls "a banger and a plugger."

"Nick Jaczesko is a great captain and a great kid," Becker said. "Every shift and even in practice, he doesn't take a shift off. He has one of the best work ethics for a kid I've ever had. He's just a fantastic kid."

Becker views Peters Township and Bishop Canevin as the teams to beat in Class AA but believes the Highlanders are in contention with just about everyone else in the classification.

If the team can overcome its small roster size -- already, injury, suspension and temporary ineligibility are taking their toll -- Baldwin believes it can qualify for the postseason and advance when it gets there.

"I'm feeling pretty confident about our season this year," Jaczesko said. "I've been with these kids, like, all my life, and I couldn't think of a better group of kids to be around this year when I'm a senior. Even though we have a short bench, I'm expecting some good things out of us this year."

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