It was a rough first semester for USC, no doubt about it. The Trojans faced a number of challenges with injuries, attendance, and occasionally bizarre circumstances and ended up 6-11.
Here are some high notes, low notes, players, and goals to remember from the first semester.
Best Game of the Semester
This was a difficult decision to make. USC had two imperfect, but truly exhilarating back-to-back road victories. One was a 5-4 slump buster against ASU and a come-from-behind 5-4 shootout win against LMU.
Thinking back on the two games, the Sundevils win gets the edge for a few reasons. One, it was a critical Pac-8 win. Two, it snapped a five-game losing streak. Three, ASU is, with all due respect, a significantly better team than LMU. Four,
Worst Game of the Semester
This was an easier decision. Although the back-to-back losses against UCLA were disappointing to watch as a Trojan, and USC never really seemed present in either SJSU game, none of those 4 losses had as big of an effect on the first half as the clear winner..... the dreaded I-5 Game.
Let me be clear, the result of this game wasn't the Trojans' fault in any shape or form. For those of you who forgot, a jacknifed semi truck blocked the interstate, allowing only the broadcasters and 6 players to make it to the game on time. Cal scored 10 goals in the first period, on the road to an unimaginable, unavoidable upset.
USC got their revenge a few weeks later at home with a 6-1 performance, but the loss threw the Trojans for a loop the rest of the way. They lost 7 of the next 8 games that followed and seemed out of rhythm. The game was jarring and frustrating more than anything else.
Best Goal of the Semester
There were a few candidates for this award.
Nick Helmer's off-the-endboards rebound goal against Stanford was great. Any of Adam Zacuto's penalty shot/shootout goals could count. Alex Hite's goal from outside the blue line in a losing effort was ridiculous.
But none of them were as spectacular as the only USC goal that didn't make it onto the broadcast. Against LBSU, Noah Comisar fed Adam Zacuto as he broke in down the right wing inside the faceoff circle. Zacuto was hauled down from behind, but it didn't affect his shot. From his knees, the "Sniper of Troy" picked his favorite corner - top shelf inside the near post (also known as glove-side high in this case). A spectacular goal.
Offensive MVP
"Handy" Nick Helmer. The freshman leads the Trojans in points and goals (14 scores, I'm too lazy to tally the points but just trust me). He's fantastic with the puck on his stick, but his nose for the back of the net is what really sets him apart. USC is simply better when he's on the ice.
He can't do it alone though. I'm hopeful to see how he fits into the offense when all of the top 6 Trojan forwards are back in action.
Honorable mention goes to Adam Zacuto.
Defensive MVP
Phil "Crazy Legs" Adams. The wily senior is not your typical butterfly-style goalie. He does whatever he has to in order to keep the puck out of the net. Arms, legs, helmet, stick, skate. Sometimes it looks like he's flailing a little bit, just throwing himself in front of whatever he can. Although it might look unconventional, the results don't lie. Adams often faced a barrage of shots from the doorstep, and came through big. He kept USC in games that the Trojans should have been blown out of.
The starting goaltender job is still up for grabs, but Adams made a strong case during the first semester.
Honorable mention goes to Dante Caravaggio.
Check the blog soon for a new poll and the second half preview!
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