USC came into the game on a three game losing streak and trying to shake the memory of a 5-4 late night loss to UCLA from the previous night. The good news? They were coming home and added star forward Adam Zacuto and effort player Clark McClanathan. Here's what happened:
Period 1
Zach Keith started the game for USC, but didn't last long, leaving with illness less than a minute into the game (I didn't notice it for a long time). That meant it was up to Phil Adams to carry the load for the second straight night. And also for the second straight night, Zack Tenney scored a goal for UCLA. A few seconds into their first powerplay of the game, the Bruins were tied up off of the draw. Tenney swooped in, scooped up the puck and fired a high wrister from between the faceoff circles. A disallowed goal later in the period kept the hole from getting any bigger.
Period 2
But the team didn't wake up during the intermission. USC had, at most, 3 shots on goal during the second period. It was painful to watch. The Bruins doubled their lead when Michael Carder followed a very short rebound from a tight shot off of Phil Adams and tapped it home during a bullrush at the net. The Trojans entered the second intermission still sound asleep.
Period 3
At least initially, whatever locker room speech Coach Langille gave did not work. A comeback looked highly unlikely. But then came the alarm clock. Speedy Bruin forward Daniel Vaynter came in along right wing on a 2-on-1. Vaynter threw a hard pass that deflected off of a sprawling Michael Gawlik and past Adams. The realization of a 3-0 hole got things going in a big way. Midway through a 5-on-3, Matt Lewis fed Adam Zacuto down at the bottom inside corner of the far faceoff circle. Zacuto waited patiently before snapping a puck through Al Ricciardelli to narrow the deficit. Then, with 3 minutes left in the game, USC came even closer. Jason Bush joined the attack and took the puck behind the Bruin net. He threw one in front to Zacuto who finished off the play right as the net was being dislodged. The goal stood and the Trojans were within a goal. Penalties, however, finished off USC. Nick Helmer went to the box first with 2:13 left in the period. Then Mitchell Landsinger took a double minor with just over a minute remaining. The Trojans applied pressure until the final horn sounded, but couldn't get a quality chance on net with as few players as they had. UCLA walked off of Anaheim Ice with a 3-2 win and a 2-0 lead in the Crosstown Cup.
Some news and notes:
- The Trojans skated 4 defensemen the whole game. They did a reasonable job protecting Adams, especially considering the sheer number of rebounds given up.
- Phil Adams played a great game. His reaction saves and pad saves were simply ridiculous. On a breakaway late in the third, he made a save with his right pad that he had absolutely no business making. The only consistent problem he had was a lack of rebound control. There were a shocking number of pucks just sitting in front of the crease after the first shot.
- Daniel Vaynter scored the game winner for the Bruins and was as good as advertised. He will give plenty of other teams nightmares as this season goes on.
- This was USC's third straight one-goal loss.
The Trojans hit the road next weekend in what should be some tough games against ASU.
OFFICIAL TROJAN SCORING
Period 1
NONE
Period 2
NONE
Period 3
Zacuto - 8 (Lewis) PP
Zacuto - 9 (Bush, Helmer)
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