Hey everyone,
USC entered tonight with a 4-game losing streak, an 0-1 Pac-8 record, and a lot of guys not quite on the same page. While the chemistry isn't completely there just yet, the Trojans took a big step forward in tonight's game. Here's the recap:
Period 1
USC was looking for a measure of revenge after Cal pasted them 10-1 in the first period under difficult circumstances last time. The result of the first period wasn't as dramatic as the Bears' was, but satisfying nonetheless. Killing off a Matt Lewis interference penalty midway through the first, the Trojans drew a delayed penalty in their own zone and took advantage. Defenseman Jason Bush broke down ice and slipped a puck past Cal netminder Peter Tartaglia for a shorthanded goal and a 1-0 USC lead. Later in the period, on a powerplay of their own, Bush struck again. Pinching in from the point, he sent a perfect pass across the crease to Nick Helmer who couldn't help but finish it off. Minutes later, Adam Zacuto found a rebound between the faceoff circles and wristed an absolute beauty that clipped the crossbar on its way into the corner of the net. A sensational goal that sent USC to the locker room with a cozy 3-0 lead.
Period 2
That 3-0 lead may have been a little too cozy. The Trojans came out of the room and Cal made them pay. Cal's Wesley Borja waltzed to the front of the net and stuck a puck past Zack Keith. All too easy of a goal for the Bears. The rest of the period went back and forth, with the Trojans getting the better of the chances but Tartaglia denying them at every turn. They had to wait until under 2 minutes to go in the period to extend their lead again. Cory Adler forced his way to the near side of the net and sent a low shot on Tartaglia. The goalie made the initial save, but left a shallow rebound. Helmer jammed at it once before it came loose towards the far side post. Helmer backhanded it along the ice underneath a diving Tartaglia to renew a 3 goal lead. Then, right off of the faceoff, Helmer stole a puck off of a Bear forward's stick in the neutral zone, split the two defensemen, and came in on a short breakaway. He slid the puck low once again underneath Tartaglia's pad to give USC a 5-1 lead and Helmer a hat trick.
Period 3
It's easy to say a 5-1 game in the third period is never in doubt, USC's play made a comeback for Cal impossible. Although the Trojans only goal came from a beautiful Alex Hite top shelf slapshot, they outshot Cal 22 - 5 in the third period and never took their foot off the gas. If Tartaglia had been even remotely off of his game, this would have gotten truly ugly. Either way, USC finished off a satisfying 6-1 win that appears to have gotten things back on track.
Some news/notes from the game:
- Nick Helmer has really been the man at forward for USC so far this season. He held the team lead in goals coming into the night, and increased that lead with his MVP performance. Helmer seems to have a nose for the back of the net. He gets his goals working down low, and he gets down low with his incredible stickhandling ability. Great night for him.
- That whole first line is looking great in general. They scored 4 out of the 6 Trojan goals tonight and are very much in sync with one another. If this line has an off night, then it will be a looooong game for USC...
- The performance of that first line is good to see, but there isn't a solid following act in that second line like in past seasons. The "Gold" line made little impact on the game, and had even less chemistry. Although Josh Frazier had a solid game, and Comisar was certainly robbed on a golden opportunity, Mitchell Landsinger had one of the sloppiest games I've seen from him in quite a while. He did great on faceoffs as always, but simply looked lost offensively. My guess is that this line will get much better with time.
- We finally saw the performance we were looking for from Zack Keith. He certainly wasn't perfect, suffering with his rebound control at times, but he looked more like a starting goaltender than I've seen him look all season. Next it will be Phil Adams' turn to make a similar statement against Oregon.
- Alex Hite has scored only two goals so far this season, but both have come against Cal on slapshots into the top corner of the net. He doesn't have the hardest slapshot on the team (that title belongs to Dante Caravaggio) but he is certainly accurate with it.
- This is the most talented fourth line I've seen on a Trojan team since I've been broadcasting. Scott Mason plays as well as anyone on the third line. Clark McClanathan has developed significant stick handling ability and would be a third liner on previous Trojan teams. James Anderson still needs to develop a little bit as a forward, but plays well with the other two. Coach Wilbur has never had a problem rolling all four lines, and this year should be no exception with this bunch.
- The shots were lopsided in this game. I shortchanged USC on air. They actually had 60 pucks on goal, while the Bears had a paltry 22.
- The next games against Oregon will be big measuring sticks to see where the chemistry and talent level is on this Trojan team at the moment. Tonight's game told us that USC is not bad. A sweep or split against the Ducks next weekend will show us that this team is good.
OFFICIAL TROJAN SCORING
1st Period
Bush - 1 (Szentveri) SH
Helmer - 5 (Bush, Caravaggio)
Zacuto - 4 (Adler)
2nd Period
Helmer - 6 (Adler, Zacuto)
Helmer - 7
3rd Period
Hite - 2 PP
1 comment:
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