Syracuse Ice Hockey Gets Shut Out For the First Time This Season

John Boccio I @JohnBoccio23

Syracuse Ice Hockey faces defeat for the fourth consecutive game in a 4-0 loss to 10th ranked Quinnipiac Friday night. This is the first contest this season for SU without a score. Not only did the Orange not light the lamp, they were outshot 45-7. That’s the second occasion this season where SU allowed its opponent to fire the puck on target 40 or more times. In terms of total shot attempts, QU registered 77 opposed to SU’s 20. Although a bright spot of the constant shots fired, was Syracuse’s blocks. The Orange brought the intensity once again with 16 blocked attempts in this game which marked five out of six games with double-digit blocks this season. Another bright spot for SU was how it fended off the advantage. Headed into this game, it was tied for the 12th worst penalty kill in the nation. Tonight, the Orange were 4-4 on the PK. On the flip side, Syracuse was the third best power play offense in the country headed into this game. However, in its two opportunities it went scoreless. In the grand scheme of the game though, the Bobcats showed why they are a ranked squad. Quinnipiac controlled the puck all game long, starting and ending each period with possession. It also controlled the neutral zone and kept Syracuse in its defensive zone all game long. The QU forecheck was dominant throughout. Although it didn’t score any goals in transition, it managed to keep SU’s head on a swivel constantly when it was on the attack. After this game, Quinnipiac jumps into the top five nationwide for goals scored. Along with that, it will maintain or potentially jump in the scoring defense rankings. The Bobcats currently clock in at number six in the country for goals allowed with just seven in eight games.