York, PA - Kennard-Dale's Geoff Kemp was a little nervous when he heard that his hockey team was moving from Tier 2 to Tier 1 in the Central Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League for this year.

The leading scorer during the Rams run to the Tier 2 Viola Cup last season, Kemp is off to a red-hot start this season.

The senior recorded a hat trick in each of the first five games this year, including his latest effort during Wednesday's 8-5 win against Lower Dauphin.

"I'm trying to be more focused for each game," Kemp said. "We're playing some pretty tough teams."

The Rams (3-1-1) are holding their own so far in the top tier. In each of the team's wins, they have scored eight goals.

"We

Kennard-Dale's Geoff Kemp moves the ball past Lower Dauphin's Michael Regan, left, and David Schindler during Wednesday's game. Kemp has notched a hat trick in each of the Rams' games this season, including Wednesday's victory. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Kate Penn)
got a little sloppy at times," Rams head coach Steve Buckley said of the win. "We got a little tired towards the end."

Kennard-Dale raced out to a 3-0 lead after the first period and outshot the Falcons (0-6) 20-1 during the frame.

"Our strongest period has usually been the first," Buckley said.

David Myers started the scoring for the home team, with Kemp and Phillip Rice adding markers in the period for the Rams.

Kemp also picked up two assists to go with his three goals. He currently has 15 goals and eight assists, good for 23 points on the young season.

"I've been playing Tier 2 my whole life, so I didn't know what to expect (in Tier 1)," Kemp said.

In the second period, the Falcons closed within a goal at 3-2, when Lower Dauphin's Trevor Rowe and Ryan Grubb scored less than three minutes apart.

But Kemp gave the Rams a two-goal lead back on a great individual effort with 9:20 to play in the frame. The center beat a Falcons defender one-on-one up the left side.

The puck rolled vertical down the center of the ice as Kemp drilled his shot past Lower Dauphin goalie Jason Henry-Linn.

"I was just hoping it went in, I just slapped it as hard as I could," Kemp said of his second score.

By the end of the period, the Rams opened up a 7-3 lead as Rice scored his second goal of the night. Ryan Frear scored two of the Rams' four second-period goals.

In the third period, the Falcons outscored the Rams, 2-1, as Kemp posted his final goal of the game.

"A lot of the teams have a lot more depth," Buckley said of a difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2. "I think the depth has been a significant factor."

With a smaller bench, Buckley is hoping his veterans (Kemp, Rice, Frear) who were a part of the championship team a year ago help the younger players develop.

"They are continuing to improve," Buckley said of his senior leaders. "They are obviously very good players. I've challenged them to bring the rest of the team up."

Adam Myers got the win in goal for the Rams with 21 stopped shots.