By: Isabella Cucci and Chloe Martinez
Gates Mills, Ohio – Once again on the road, Syracuse split their two-game series at John Carroll University. On Friday, the Orange maintained the lead throughout, ultimately defeating the Blue Streaks 6-5. However, on Saturday, the team couldn’t carry over the momentum, as significant lineup changes due to injury led to a 4-2 loss.
With the return of Head Coach Timmons, Syracuse entered the weekend with a full coaching staff, but faced the Blue Streaks without their captain, Sam Hutchinson.
Between the pipes, Syracuse goaltender AJ Finta started the series determined to bounce back from last weekend's shootout loss to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The Orange started early on a power play, but they couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. Soon after, both teams received roughing penalties. Shortly after 4 on 4 play, senior Evan Vassilovski found the back of the net to put Syracuse up 1-0.
Less than a minute later, Anthony Larkin scored with an assist from Max Gargurevich. To close out the period, Vassilovski, with help from freshman Cam Gaffney and junior Jack Wren, added another goal, ending the first period with Syracuse leading 3-0.
“Shooting has been a skill I’ve improved a lot since last season,” Vassilovski said. “I’ve noticed I’ve been scoring a lot more in practice too, and it’s been translating to games pretty well for me, where I’ve been working on trusting my shot and putting myself in positions to score.”
Syracuse began the second killing off a minor penalty. After the successful kill, JCU senior Tristan Weigand one-timed a pass into the back of the net from his teammates Sam Herr to get the Blue Streaks on the board. As the period continued, junior Jack Alecia suffered an upper-body injury and had to leave the game. After Larkin got sent to the box for tripping, Weigand found the net yet again, securing a power play goal and cutting the Syracuse lead to 3-2.
The Orange responded after senior Aidan Conway got an interference penalty, leading to a Ryan Thomas score a power-play goal, his second of the season. At the end of the second period Syracuse held a 4-2 lead.
Entering the third, junior Issac Arnold gained control of the puck in the JCU corner and made a move to the front of the net, burying the puck behind Blue Streaks goaltender Jack Zuchlewski. JCU’s Tanner Plenta quickly responded five seconds later, cutting the deficit to 5-2. Maintaining momentum, the Blue Streaks kept chipping away at the Orange lead asTristan Weigand completed his hat trick and brought JCU within 1. Syracuse answered back, as Brock Alvers found the net, adding to their lead, 6-4. JCU was able to score one more goal in the final minute of the game but ultimately fell short to the Orange 6-5 in game one of the series.
Coming into Saturday's game, the team faced many unexpected lineup changes. After multiple injuries following Friday night's game, six new players would lace up their skates to take the ice on Saturday's game. In addition, junior goalie John Angelino would sub in for previous starter Finta, playing his first game since earning a win against Kent State a month prior.
The first period saw multiple penalties, starting with sophomore Jake Brown, followed by another from Syracuse’s Eli Pendergrass. Despite having several power play opportunities, the Blue Streaks couldn’t capitalize. Instead, it was at even strength that John Carroll got on the board, with Sam Herr scoring the first goal of the game. Following the goal the Blue Streaks were able to find the net again. Defenseman Payton Fogarty was able to tuck it in behind Angelino with the assistance of freshman Tanner Plinta and senior Ryan Young. Now it was the Orange who trailed the Blue Streaks 2-0.
The second period saw both teams rack up multiple penalties. JCU headed to the box first with an interference call against Sam Wade. Jared Topf received a five-minute major for kneeing. The Blue Streaks’ Tristan Weigand followed with a holding penalty. However, the only goal of the middle frame came at even strength when Syracuse forward Aiden Emery scored on a rebound to put the Orange on the board. The goal was the freshman's first of his collegiate career.
“I just tried to find the soft spots in the offensive zone, Brock [Alvers] made a really good pass, and I was able to bury it,” Emery said. “I was super excited and I think especially because of the high emotions in the game it felt absolutely amazing to finally leave a mark on the scoresheet.”
In the final period, John Caroll struck first with an unassisted goal from Tanner Plinta. Following the goal, Syracuse was given the chance twice to get a goal on the man advantage but wasn’t able to capitalize. Evan Vassilovski brought 'Cuse back within 1 with 4 minute to play, notching his third goal \of the series. With the score 3-2, the Orange pulled Angelino in an attempt to tie the game. However, with 30 seconds left on the clock, the Blue Streaks sealed the win by scoring into the empty net, making it 4-2.
“After performing well this weekend, I hope to continue helping us score and get opportunities as we have a string of important conference games to close out the first semester, and the overall goal going into every game will be to win and do what I personally can to make it happen,” Vassilovski said.
Syracuse sets out on the road again next weekend, facing the University of Pittsburgh at 7:20 p.m. on Friday and 1:20 p.m. on Saturday. Both games will count toward ESCHL conference play.
All home games are held at the Tennity Ice Pavilion on Syracuse University’s campus and are free for students and the general public. Home games are also streamed live on the SU Hockey Network.
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