The Hopkinton/Dover-Sherborn girls ice hockey co-op team is rounding into form ahead of the upcoming state tournament, coach Ron Chin said, and the talented mix of veteran players and skilled newcomers has the team primed to make a playoff run.

“All the girls are working really hard and we really have it going right now,” Chin said. “We are playing well.”

Hopkinton/D-S started February with an 8-6-1 overall record. The new year got off to a bit of a bumpy start with three consecutive losses. But the Hillers were able to right the ship after that stretch, posting five wins and a tie over their next six games.

“We are ready to finish the season and do well in the postseason,” the coach said.

The year has been marked by improvement in Chin’s second as coach. He said the forward strides were expected.

“The girls are more familiar with my expectations on how to play the game,” he said. “We have become accustomed to the system, the pace and the things we want to improve on and work on and how we want our game to flow.”

He added, “I am encouraged that they have picked it up so quickly.”

The team has a strong group of contributors from Hopkinton, including a pair of athletes who are not yet in high school. Eighth grader Kelsey MacPherson is one of the team’s top offensive threats at left wing.

“She has made a tremendous difference for us,” Chin said.

Fellow eighth grader Emily Coito is a standout at the other end of the ice as one of the team’s goalies.

“They have both done a great job,” Chin said. “It’s like they are not eighth graders at all. They fit right in.”

Senior forward Savanna Rivera is another strong offensive weapon for Hopkinton/D-S.

“She has been a tremendous leader,” Chin said. “She has also pretty much doubled her offensive production. She is leading on and off the ice, I can’t say enough about what she has meant to the team and done for the team.”

Junior Lucy Jean is described by her coach as a positive contributor and someone the Hillers can count on all over the ice.

“She is the rock of the team,” Chin said. “We are very dependent on her going both ways, on offense and defense.”

While the spot was not officially locked up, Hopkinton/D-S began February in good shape to qualify for the postseason. Chin said heading toward the tournament, his team needs to take a page from Bill Belichick’s book and make sure everyone is doing their job.

“We want the girls to focus on making a positive contribution every time they are on the ice,” he said. “If everyone does that, I think we can be very competitive in the tournament.”