Some random thoughts on Saturday night's huge win.
-Great production from the attack, combining for 13 points. The team did a much better job of working to get Spallina involved. He didn't really ever beat his man 1:1 that I can remember, but he worked off ball, he worked through picks, he played his game and still produced. He had four turnovers but that's just something he's going to have to work on. Hiltz was dialed in and was much more aggressive. He's such a great shooter, he has to be the guy taking the most, or second most shots for this team. Hopefully this game gives him some extra confidence.
-Jake Stevens with one of the more ... interesting stat lines I can remember - three goals on 10 shots (team high), three groundballs and four turnovers. Obviously he needs to tighten things up (his shooting in the first half had me pulling out my hair), but you saw what a difference maker he was on the wings, and he's very good at getting his own shot. I didn't see him playing much defense this game, perhaps the coaches are trying to keep him healthy.
-Defense was great in the first half with Will Mark locked in, timely slides and good 1:1 slides. The second half not so much, as Mark had just three second half saves after posting eight in the first. Hopkins has very good shooters, but it's still frustrating to see that sort of inconsistency. Obviously not all of this was his fault, but if this team wants to make a deep run, he's going to have to finish above 50% against top teams (he has yet to do so against Hopkins/Army/Maryland).
-I am a bit mystified as to why they are still rotating back and forth between Caccamo and Kol at close defense. It seems like they trade off spots after one of them makes a mistake. I'm higher on Caccamo than Kol but each make me a bit nervous. I agree with Quint that at some point I think they just need to put Olexo back down at close. The team has a solid LSM in Matt Wright, and they have Dylan Sageder who plays man down available (and has starting experience from last year). Drago also seems like a player who could see time and be a contributor.
-I've said a lot about the face-off group, but Kohn was so so good on Saturday. He is so athletic and good with the ball in his stick that once he's won the clamp, you have such high confidence that he will maintain possession. I can't remember a recent SU fogo who was so good at escaping from pressure.
-SU did struggle mightily against Garrett Degnon as he had five goals, a lot of which seemed to come from wide open spots. Some was on the defender (both Kol and Dwan were ball watching on two of the goals), some he made a nice dodge to get open. He ended up taking 14 shots, so the efficeincy wasn't great, but he was the one player SU really had a problem with. Should be interesting to see how they make adjustments with Syracuse facing another very good lefty shooter in Mike Robinson this weekend.
-Last thought, it's hindsight but I don't mind the strategy of trying to burn as much clock as possible in the last eight minutes. It was risky, but I think it's better than risking an Irelan save and quick goal from Hopkins. The defense was really struggling (only three second half clears which I thought was a typo at first), and while they had the face-off advantage, Irelan was really locked in. Ultimately, they got a bit lucky with that last shot resetting the clock and then maintaining possession, but I never felt like they were doing anything reckless in the moment.
