It was another fun one at the dome. Would have maybe felt a little more nervous about it being close still in the third, but our main issue earlier was finishing wide open shots, so it never felt in jeopardy. Was good to see Thomson shake off the yips. He and Spallina also deserve some credit as gb machines and strong riders. I love when we play quick to slide/semi zone defenses since it gives the guys an opportunity to show their skills at spinning the rock. Nobody in the country does it better. That Leo goal early was one of the more bananas finishes I have seen in the dome. No idea how you think to do that on the fly.
Spallina is one of the best to ever do it in an orange uniform. Yes I know we have some great passers in our history, but he is certainly the best I have seen in my lifetime. Only a couple guys in any jersey that I would put in the same conversation. Nobody is better at instantly punishing tiny off ball mistakes. It was fitting for him to break the points record with a pinpoint btb pass to punish a momentary lapse off ball.
With the faceoffs, I do not have too many complaints from the LSMs on the wing. Chuck K and Vinnie B are both relentless on the gbs. I like the season Jake Spallina and McCarthy are putting together at ssdm and effort is not their issue on the wing, but their relatively small size means they can sometimes get outmuscled on the gb. Same could be said for Hahn when he is on the wing.
One guy I would love to see back there is McIntee. He is faster than our other options, and also a larger guy who is less likely to get pushed off the ball. He made some great plays off the wing earlier in the year and makes good hustle plays during loose balls on offense as well. Seems like a no brainer to try him again with our other short stick options struggling. I noticed last week that Ochoa was not dressed and wearing a brace of some kind on his ribs. If we ever get him back, maybe he is another wing option, since he is also a bigger stronger guy. Could be a good role for him if we do not want to put him back at ssdm full time.