Hockey fans might do a double-take the first time they see Eisenhower play.

The Eagles, known in recent years for scoring in bunches, take a different approach on the ice this season.

“We play ugly,” coach Bob Hall said.

The Eagles scored 40 goals in six MAC Red games last season.

They have 14 through four division games in 2018-19.

“This is one of the more defensive teams we’ve had,” Hall said Monday after the Eagles defeated Grosse Pointe South 4-1 in the MAC Showcase.

It was Ike’s seventh consecutive victory following a 0-6-2 start.

“Our game starts at our goal line and comes out,” Hall said. “We don’t start at the other end and come back.

“We’ve had to learn how to play a certain way. We’re not a pretty team.”

The Eagles have one of the more effective goalies around in Sal Carabelli, who was named the team MVP for the Grosse Pointe South game at Mount Clemens Ice Arena.

“He had a really solid game for us,” Hall said.

At any level of hockey, coaches say the goalie has to be the team’s best penalty killer.

With Eisenhower, there’s an emphasis on what Carabelli does in all situations.

The Eagles rely on him to steer the puck to areas where skaters can collect it and clear the zone.

“We need him to eliminate second (scoring) chances and control rebounds,” Hall said.

Eisenhower gave up a second-period goal at even strength against Grosse Pointe South.

“We’re doing the nitty-gritty things right now,” Hall said. “Our boys are responding. We’ve just got to keep doing it that way.”

Eisenhower, the defending MAC Red champion, plays Anchor Bay in a division game at Suburban Ice Macomb at 8:30 p.m. Friday.

The Eagles also have upcoming games with Dakota and L’Anse Creuse Unified. Ike trails both of those teams in the standings.