Before I get into the game recap, an important note. Audio highlights and interviews have been reposted in a new embeddable player that should actually work. If there continue to be problems, let me know and I will post the direct link to the raw audio file up.... I apologize if this has been frustrating anyone... In general, audio highlights may take a day or two to get posted.
Now that that's out of the way, on to the news, notes, and game recap.
Period 1
Direct audio link
The Trojans kicked off the season right with an explosive first period. The completely rebuilt first line of Nick Helmer, Cory Adler, and Adam Zakuto was responsible for a lot of the Trojans' success. The first goal of the game came off of a beautiful feed from the goal line extended to the front of the net, Helmer to Zakuto. USC's first goal of the season was also Zakuto's first as a Trojan as well as Helmer's first point. Zakuto wasn't done just yet. He added another tally less than 4 minutes later with a beautiful redirection of defenseman Matt Lewis' shot from the point. Not wanting to be left off of the scoresheet, Cory Adler took a hooking call with 2 minutes left. However starting goaltender Phil Adams and the USC defense stopped the Titans' 5 on 3 aspirations and took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.
Period 2
Direct audio link
For whatever reason, USC decided to take a period off. The Titans Chris Houlihan ended Adams' shutout with a goal just more than 5 minutes in. Noah Comisar quickly re-extended USC's lead to two goals with a high effort, but relatively flukey unassisted goal. Houlihan answered back for CSUF, slipping in behind the USC defense, and sliding the puck through a crack of daylight between the post and Adams. Phil definitely wanted that one back. Although the Titans fell short on their first 5 powerplay opportunities, the made no mistakes with a sixth chance. This time it was Fullerton blueliner Payne Sauer burying a Houlihan rebound past a diving Adams. That tied things up 3-3. If this were the 2008-09 season, USC would've lost this game in heartbreaking fashion....
Period 3
Direct audio link
But this is a new season, without the heartbreak this time. The Trojans came out of the locker room with a determination that's been missing for so long. Just 6 seconds into their second powerplay chance of the game, Adler won a draw to Helmer who forced his way to the net and slipped a puck past Brandon Heethuis. That momentum kept rolling. Minutes later, third line forward Max Szentveri gathered in a loose rebound from James Anderson's shot and found the back of the net to give USC a more comfortable margin. An Elan Dunaev goal brought the Titans within 1 again, but Adams and the Trojans held firm. With under two minutes to go, Nick Helmer finished off the Titans for good with a truly unassisted goal in which he: was tripped up, blanketed by defensemen, skated through all of them like pylons, and sending the puck into the bottom of the net. Simply incredible. The Titans kept pressing, but Adams held his ground and the Trojans finished off a tough 6-4 win.
Some notes from the game:
- The new additions for USC are really lighting things up. Every one of them seemed to make a contribution in some area of the ice. Nick Helmer had three points, including two clutch third period goals. Adam Zakuto chipped in two goals. Alex Hite made some incredible defensive plays, including completely shutting down a breakaway. Max Ernst made effort play after effort play. Scott Mason brought a nice physical edge to the ice as a forward. Adam Kwon gives USC the confidence of having a third goaltender. The new guys made some noise out there.
- Max Szentveri is far from a new guy, but I've simply never seen him play as well as he played tonight. He was a physical force, despite his relatively small stature, making one particularly jaw-dropping hit in the first period. He skated harder than I've seen him skate. He had 4 legitimate scoring chances and wasn't afraid to pull the trigger. His game-winning goal was the reward for a night of hard work. After the game he told me that he knew in the first period that he was going to score that night. Sensational game.
- Speaking about sensational games, Phil Adams announced himself as a legitimate heir to Buttweiler's throne. He made some ridiculous saves tonight. Adams was an artist with his glovework. On a breakaway in the second period, he denied Kyle Oyama by flashing the leather and snatching the puck away. In the third, Oyama had a rebound chance pop onto his stick, sent it towards the open side of the net, but Adams made a beautiful reflex save. He may not be the most technically sound netminder, but boy is he fun to watch and USC would've surely lost without him.
- Maybe it's a mark of the Mike Gawlik era, but one thing is for sure. Physicality is back in Trojan hockey. USC bullied CSUF with punishing hip checks and free trips into the boards. Everyone hit. Everyone played physical hockey. A possible reason for USC's third period success is that the Titans were tired.
- Cory Adler needs to play more disciplined hockey. The top line center had 12 penalty minutes during the games, and often took penalties at incredibly inopportune times.
- Despite being played on USC's home ice, Fullerton fans outnumbered the Trojan faithful 2 to 1.
- Rumor has it Alex Lofthus will not be playing for USC this season. The Ryder Fyrwald comeback may not amount to much either.
- Dante Caravaggio has a blazing slapshot, so it's not a surprise that he was the Trojan that fired the puck that hit me in the eye. I'm just glad it deflected a couple of times first.
OFFICIAL TROJAN SCORING
1st Period
Zakuto - 1 (Helmer)
Zakuto - 2 (Lewis)
2nd Period
Comisar - 1
3rd Period
Helmer - 1 (Adler) PP
Szentveri - 1 (Anderson, McClanathan)
Helmer - 2
Hope everyone can tune in to tomorrow night's broadcast.
Alex
The Trojans kicked off the season right with an explosive first period. The completely rebuilt first line of Nick Helmer, Cory Adler, and Adam Zakuto was responsible for a lot of the Trojans' success. The first goal of the game came off of a beautiful feed from the goal line extended to the front of the net, Helmer to Zakuto. USC's first goal of the season was also Zakuto's first as a Trojan as well as Helmer's first point. Zakuto wasn't done just yet. He added another tally less than 4 minutes later with a beautiful redirection of defenseman Matt Lewis' shot from the point. Not wanting to be left off of the scoresheet, Cory Adler took a hooking call with 2 minutes left. However starting goaltender Phil Adams and the USC defense stopped the Titans' 5 on 3 aspirations and took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.
Period 2
Direct audio link
For whatever reason, USC decided to take a period off. The Titans Chris Houlihan ended Adams' shutout with a goal just more than 5 minutes in. Noah Comisar quickly re-extended USC's lead to two goals with a high effort, but relatively flukey unassisted goal. Houlihan answered back for CSUF, slipping in behind the USC defense, and sliding the puck through a crack of daylight between the post and Adams. Phil definitely wanted that one back. Although the Titans fell short on their first 5 powerplay opportunities, the made no mistakes with a sixth chance. This time it was Fullerton blueliner Payne Sauer burying a Houlihan rebound past a diving Adams. That tied things up 3-3. If this were the 2008-09 season, USC would've lost this game in heartbreaking fashion....
Period 3
Direct audio link
But this is a new season, without the heartbreak this time. The Trojans came out of the locker room with a determination that's been missing for so long. Just 6 seconds into their second powerplay chance of the game, Adler won a draw to Helmer who forced his way to the net and slipped a puck past Brandon Heethuis. That momentum kept rolling. Minutes later, third line forward Max Szentveri gathered in a loose rebound from James Anderson's shot and found the back of the net to give USC a more comfortable margin. An Elan Dunaev goal brought the Titans within 1 again, but Adams and the Trojans held firm. With under two minutes to go, Nick Helmer finished off the Titans for good with a truly unassisted goal in which he: was tripped up, blanketed by defensemen, skated through all of them like pylons, and sending the puck into the bottom of the net. Simply incredible. The Titans kept pressing, but Adams held his ground and the Trojans finished off a tough 6-4 win.
Some notes from the game:
- The new additions for USC are really lighting things up. Every one of them seemed to make a contribution in some area of the ice. Nick Helmer had three points, including two clutch third period goals. Adam Zakuto chipped in two goals. Alex Hite made some incredible defensive plays, including completely shutting down a breakaway. Max Ernst made effort play after effort play. Scott Mason brought a nice physical edge to the ice as a forward. Adam Kwon gives USC the confidence of having a third goaltender. The new guys made some noise out there.
- Max Szentveri is far from a new guy, but I've simply never seen him play as well as he played tonight. He was a physical force, despite his relatively small stature, making one particularly jaw-dropping hit in the first period. He skated harder than I've seen him skate. He had 4 legitimate scoring chances and wasn't afraid to pull the trigger. His game-winning goal was the reward for a night of hard work. After the game he told me that he knew in the first period that he was going to score that night. Sensational game.
- Speaking about sensational games, Phil Adams announced himself as a legitimate heir to Buttweiler's throne. He made some ridiculous saves tonight. Adams was an artist with his glovework. On a breakaway in the second period, he denied Kyle Oyama by flashing the leather and snatching the puck away. In the third, Oyama had a rebound chance pop onto his stick, sent it towards the open side of the net, but Adams made a beautiful reflex save. He may not be the most technically sound netminder, but boy is he fun to watch and USC would've surely lost without him.
- Maybe it's a mark of the Mike Gawlik era, but one thing is for sure. Physicality is back in Trojan hockey. USC bullied CSUF with punishing hip checks and free trips into the boards. Everyone hit. Everyone played physical hockey. A possible reason for USC's third period success is that the Titans were tired.
- Cory Adler needs to play more disciplined hockey. The top line center had 12 penalty minutes during the games, and often took penalties at incredibly inopportune times.
- Despite being played on USC's home ice, Fullerton fans outnumbered the Trojan faithful 2 to 1.
- Rumor has it Alex Lofthus will not be playing for USC this season. The Ryder Fyrwald comeback may not amount to much either.
- Dante Caravaggio has a blazing slapshot, so it's not a surprise that he was the Trojan that fired the puck that hit me in the eye. I'm just glad it deflected a couple of times first.
OFFICIAL TROJAN SCORING
1st Period
Zakuto - 1 (Helmer)
Zakuto - 2 (Lewis)
2nd Period
Comisar - 1
3rd Period
Helmer - 1 (Adler) PP
Szentveri - 1 (Anderson, McClanathan)
Helmer - 2
Hope everyone can tune in to tomorrow night's broadcast.
Alex
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