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Orange Get Swept on Alumni Weekend

Isabella Apple

By Kevin Dorr

#27, Forward, Anthony Larkin


Syracuse, N.Y. -- On Alumni Weekend, the Syracuse Orange (3-8-0) dropped the first game against the Rhode Island Rams (6-6-0) 6-1, and fell 4-2 in the Sunday matinee.


Alumni weekend is a special time, as former and current players come together and bond over a program that has given countless opportunities, friendships, and memories.


Forward Colin Morrow recognizes the value of having a strong program.'


“The ceremony was amazing,” said the senior. “It’s so cool to see all the people who have built this program from the ground up. It really makes us appreciate all we have now.”


With alumni and friends in the stands on Saturday, the Orange played an alright game, but defensive zone turnovers and poor decision-making ended up being the difference in the 6-1 contest.


The Rams struck first, just under two minutes into the first period. A defensive zone turnover led to a prime scoring opportunity in the slot for Jackson Shevelin, and he buried the puck to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.


Syracuse responded three minutes later, courtesy of an Anthony Larkin goal on a 2-on-1. Freshman Brock Alvers made a nice play to push the puck forward to Larkin, who beat the URI netminder with a slapshot from the top of the left circle.


The Rams retook the lead with 3:10 left in the period when Luke Judge went around a Syracuse forward off the rush, kept the puck away from a defenseman, and slipped the puck through goalie Nik Manousos. After one period, the Orange registered just four shots on net and trailed 2-1.


The Rams doubled their lead 1:36 into the second period on a 2-on-1 after a poorly executed Orange pinch in the neutral zone. Judge ripped a wrist shot from the top of the circle to make it a 3-1 game. The Rams added to their lead when a loose puck was whacked to the back of the net.


Down 4-1 early in the second period, the Orange did not quit. After the fourth URI goal, Syracuse began to dictate the pace of play. The Orange were physical, including J.D. Florio who delivered two big hits within maybe five seconds of one another.


“When you bring physical play into a game the other team is scared to pick up the puck with their back turned to you” said Florio, a physical presence on Syracuse’s blue line.


The Orange also controlled the puck in the offensive zone and generated scoring chances, which is something that they will have to do going forward.


This five-minute stretch was ended when Matthew Zarb took a retaliation roughing penalty, which was killed successfully. Evan Vassilovski went to the box for a hook 47 seconds after Zarb’s penalty. This time, Rhode Island capitalized on the man advantage and further added to their lead. Goalie Nik Manousos made some big saves in the game, but he was pulled by Coach Timmons after the fifth Rams goal. Although the effort was not shown on the scoreboard, the Orange played a strong period. Costly mistakes and penalties overshadowed puck possession in the offensive zone.


Freshman Zach Goldenberg knows the importance of consistency.


“We have to make sure we play the entire 60 minutes,” said the defenseman. “It’s those 5-minute intervals where they capitalize and outwork us and we have a huge hill to climb.”


The third period started with a breakaway bid from Vassilovski, who was sprung by Makenzie Murphy. The freshman was unable to tuck the puck around the pad of the Rams goaltender.


The third period was a strong defensive period for the Orange, as they allowed three shots on goalie Cal Stewart. The Rams did score in the third period with a perfectly placed puck, making it a 6-1 game. At this point, the game went quickly as both teams turned their focus to Sunday’s game.


Going into Sunday’s game, the Orange remained confident. The score of Saturday’s game was not entirely representative of how the game went. Goldenberg knew that a change in style of play was not necessary.


“We need to bear down to finish our opportunities and limit theirs,” said the rookie. “The system worked yesterday (Saturday) so the game plan will work for us if we stick to it.”


The Orange took an early lead after Tim Kalinowski found the back of the net 1:42 into the game. Brock Alvers went around a Rams player on the right side of the ice and found Kalinowski alone in the slot. Kalinowski passed the puck to the back of the net for his second goal of the season.


The Rams tied the game with just over four minutes left in the first. A poor pass in the defensive zone eventually led to two scoring chances; with the second being the equalizer. Outshot 15-6, the Orange were even with the Rams after 20 minutes.


Down 2-1 in the third, Colin Morrow scored a fantastic goal that evened the score at 2. Morrow went through a Ram’s defender and roofed the puck. However, the Rams responded quickly. They scored two goals within two minutes of Morrow’s equalizer. The Orange were unable to generate consistent pressure and ended up dropping Sunday’s game 4-2.


Despite getting swept, there were many positives to come out of the losses. The team responded well after the Rams scored. They played hard but going forward they need to limit their mistakes.


“As a whole, we’re playing decent hockey but we take a few shifts off every game and it’s costing us wins” stated Morrow after Sunday’s loss.


The Orange will head downstate this weekend to Stony Brook, where they will play a two games series, and look to get back in the win column.


Contact me:

By email: kcdorr@syr.edu


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