By Isabella Apple and Zoe Jurmann
#3o, junior goaltender, Jordan Edelstein
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- This past weekend, the Syracuse Orange (6-18-0) took home both wins against the University at Buffalo (11-15-1) in their first weekend series sweep. They will look to carry this momentum into this weekend's matchup against ACHA rival the University of Delaware Blue Hens (16-11-2). This weekend is the last regular season series for the Orange.
Junior Mackenzie Murphy believes that, despite the season being over soon, this weekend sweep will have a positive effect on the team’s mindset.
“We’ve shown at times this season that we’re capable of playing a full 60 minutes and it was good that we were able to do that two consecutive nights in a row,” said the defenseman. “With the Oswego game not being played, it gave the guys a chance to get together on Saturday night and celebrate the sweep which is something we haven’t been able to do all that much of this season.”
The Orange have had struggles with protecting leads and defense this entire season, but this past weekend things seemed to have turned around.
Senior Colin Morrow recognizes the growth in the Orange’s play this weekend as they were able to hold Buffalo to just one goal through both games.
“We’ve cleaned up our defensive zone a lot. We’re sticking to our systems and picking up sticks in front of the net, limiting grade-A opportunities for the other team. This, combined with our stellar goaltending, made all the difference,” added the forward.
The Orange defense showed off their offensive skill this weekend, specifically Murphy and Alexander Oakes. The D-pair was more active in the offensive zone and were jumping into rushes much more than in past games.
Murphy believes that Buffalo’s style of play allowed for the Orange defenseman to have confidence in their own zone, which translated well to many of their offensive styles of play.
“I think the biggest part is taking care of our own end first. As a defenseman, if you can take care of things on your own end it will give you the opportunity to make plays when you have the puck. [Oakes] and I love to jump up in the play and we get that opportunity because we take care of things in our own end,” said the Junior.
Goaltender Jordan Edelstein was in net during Saturday’s shutout, recording the Orange’s first since 2019 in only his third ACHA start.
During the third period, Edelstein was able to keep himself level-headed, despite the likelihood of a shutout creeping closer.
“As a goalie [personally] there is no difference. If we are down a few goals or up a few goals I have the mentality that I need to stop whatever comes my way to give the team the best shot to win the game, said the junior netminder. “Team-wise however there is a massive difference just based on confidence. If we are up, we play with more confidence versus when we are down we begin to move away from our systems.”
Throughout the season, Edelstein believes this young Syracuse team has had to learn not only how to trust each other, but how to play for each other.
“We know it has been a tough year but know that we got to play for each other and that we need to compete to be successful,” said the goalkeeper. “This weekend especially we knew that Buffalo was a team that we could take two games from and used that motivation from the week of practices and put it all on the line this past weekend.”
The Orange are heading into their final series of the season with the confidence of their first sweep on their back, and the hope that they can send off the seniors with a win.
First-year assistant coach Jordan Alhart appreciates the growth this young team has shown over the course of the season.
“I think that this group has learned just how competitive this league is and how difficult it is to win games at this level,” said Alhart. “Given that we are such a young group I think we had to learn those lessons the hard way but it’s definitely shown here in the second half.”
The hard way - seen by the Orange’s record - doesn't really tell the true story of this season, however.
Syracuse has battled through tons of adversity, along with losing several close games because of a bad period, a bad penalty, or even just a difficult shift.
In spite of this, it’s no excuses from the Orange’s perspective.
“[We dealt] with the whole COVID-19 situation from the jump, and then having to deal with all the last-minute schedule changes and cancellations… but I think we did a good job of just taking what’s in front of us and playing the hand that gets dealt,” said Alhart.
For facing the Blue Hens this weekend, Alhart says at this point in the season it’s much more about themselves than worrying about opponents.
“[Now] we’re more focused on our own game – our compete level and how we execute more than focusing on who our opponent is. Delaware is a good team and they’ve been in and out of the top 25 all year for a reason so we know we have to come ready to play,” commented the coach. “When we played them in their rink back in October they do play on an Olympic sized rink (about 10 ft. wider than a normal rink) so they do sometimes tend to play a little differently on the road and we’d like to use that to our advantage this weekend.”
For the seniors, this is their farewell tour. After spending years of blood sweat and tears (of sadness and joy) within the walls of Tennity Ice Pavilion, they will lace up the skates for one of the final times in their home rink.
Help us send our incredible senior class off the right way, from the stands of Tennity Ice Pavilion on Friday at 7 pm, and Saturday at 2 pm for the official Senior Night ceremony as they take on the Delaware Blue Hens.
Contact me:
By Email: iengelha@syr.edu
By Twitter: @isabella_skye23
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