As we get closer and closer to next season, I thought it would be important to look back at the season now in the rear-view mirror. It also gives me a chance to demonstrate the new audio highlights system this blog will incorporate. If you hadn't figured it out already, you can hit the play button and listen along. Here are the 5 plays (they're sort of, but not really, in chronological order):
1) Michael Nijjar's Statement Game
The Trojans were playing Game 2 of their weekender series against Stanford. Michael Nijjar was just getting reinstated after questions surrounding his eligibility kept him out of numerous games for USC. The Cardinal shocked the Pac-8 by winning Game 1 6-5 on Joe Ulerich's back, but Nijjar made sure there was no way the Trojans were going home swept. Michael finished off a hat trick in the third period off a sweet feed from Alex Lofthus.
2) Dante Caravaggio Puts Long Beach to Bed
It was a late October night, and the Trojans were trying to deal with the always pesky Long Beach State 49ers on Anaheim Ice. There was one problem. The 49ers wouldn't go to bed on their own accord. They scored with less than a minute remaining to tie the game and extend their bedtime. Less than halfway into overtime though, blueliner Dante Caravaggio put the 49ers to rest. He fired a rocket off of a faceoff win in LBSU territory that ripped past Ricky St. Louis and into the net. Good night, game over.
3) Clark McClanathan Slays the Dragons
This was the most ridiculous, over-the-top goal call I've ever made. Midway through the third game of the China road swing, on Thanksgiving, Clark McClanathan entered the Beijing Dragons' zone one-on-one close to the near-side boards. Instead of going closer to the boards or towards the center of the ice with the puck, Clark went straight at the Dragons defender. He put the puck between the defenseman's legs, scooped it up on the other side before beating the goalie with a quick wrist shot. It was his second goal of the season from a move I expect more from a Michael Joyce or an Alex Lofthus, not Clark McClanathan. Add that to the fact that Clark is one of the team's best locker room guys and one of my favorite players, and I just flipped out. No it wasn't the "prettiest goal you'll ever see", but I still liked it just fine.
4) Matt Buttweiler = Access Denied
It's Game 1 of a two-game series right before the Pac-8 tournament, and Matt Buttweiler has a problem. Dante Caravaggio has turned the puck over to Robbie Vaughn, and Vaughn is coming in a hurry. Vaughn thinks he sees an opening, but Buttweiler and his left pad have other plans. Vaughn gets robbed, and within a few minutes, the Trojan first line scores a goal on the other end of the ice. USC may have lost that game and the series, but nobody could point the finger at Buttweiler after his performance.
5) Joe Scialfa Goes Out On Top
Flashback three seasons ago. UCLA is hosting the Pac-8 Championships in 2007. The final game is USC vs. Oregon with the Trojans looking for a second straight Pac-8 title. Less than a minute left in overtime, fourth liner Jay McKee finds a loose puck near the blue line spins around and launches it towards net. The puck may have hit Jason Filantres in front (but I don't think it did). Either way, USC wins their second consecutive title off the stick of a little used fourth line player. Joe Scialfa's goal wasn't as fluky or as important, but it did shut the door on the Cougars and the season and allowed the fourth line senior to finish his brief USC career with a flourish.
