By Owen Sienko
Syracuse, N.Y.-- The Syracuse Orange (0-0-0) will kick off their season this weekend with an away double header against the Kent State Golden Flashes (0-2-0). Syracuse holds a record of 0-0-1 against the Golden Flashes, meaning Friday’s game is the teams’ second meeting in history.
Syracuse’s first game of the season is scheduled to start on Friday, October 4, at 7:30 p.m. Fans can catch all the action live from the KSU Ice Arena at https://ksuhockey.sportngin.com/live.
Last weekend, Kent State hosted the University of Pittsburgh for a double header. The Panthers doubled their opponents’ shot total, peppering goaltender Tyler Geloneck with 42 shots. Despite a solid 38-save performance, Geloneck’s heroics were not enough to put his team over the top. Pitt would take that game 4-2.
Pittsburgh continued to get pucks on net. In the second game of the series, firing 41 shots to Kent State’s mere 23. Tyler Geloneck put on another solid performance with 36 saves, and freshman Koby Greenberg registered a goal and an assist. Once again, the task proved too daunting, and the Panthers would leave Ohio with a 5-2 victory.
The last time Syracuse met with Kent State was on October 7, 2016, almost exactly three years ago. Then-freshman Peter Owen Hayward notched a hat trick and an assist for Syracuse, showcasing his game-changing talent early on in his career. Kent State outscored the Orange 7-6, taking home an overtime win after a highly offensive tilt.
“Honestly I don’t remember a whole lot, it was a while ago at this point,” Hayward said, now the captain of the Orange. “I think the takeaway is that we need to come out better.”
The Orange hope to pick up a couple of early wins this weekend and start their season off on an upswing.
“I think everyone is excited to be finally playing some games. It’s been a few weeks of just practices so, everyone is more than ready,” senior alternate captain Matt Jacobs said.
Don't forget to tune into tonight’s live action at https://ksuhockey.sportngin.com/live starting at 7:30 p.m.
Contact me:
By email: oasienko@syr.edu
On Twitter: @OsienkO