St. Lawrence Aiming to Fix Sagging Power Play

The following article appeared in the January 31 issue of The Watertown Daily Times.

By Max DelSignore

Jared Ross has seen the St. Lawrence University men's hockey team's power-play psyche go from fearless to fragile.

What once appeared like an effortless task for the Saints has suddenly turned into an overwhelming onus. St. Lawrence hasn't produced a power-play goal in its last 26 chances - a slump that's lasted through five games.

Ross, a junior defenseman and captain, said that the power-play woes are a major factor behind the Saints' four-game losing streak. The team provided three critical keys to get its production with the man advantage back on track:

Keep away from one-on-one scenarios

Nothing made Saints head coach Joe Marsh cringe more this past weekend than seeing his players become individualistic on the power play. St. Lawrence lost its cohesion with the extra attacker against aggressive Union and Rensselaer penalty-killing units.

"We struggled to get the puck in the zone," Saints associate coach Chris Wells said. "Obviously, if you don't have the puck in the zone, you won't do well on the power play. Teams have done a good job of forcing the issue early on our breakouts."

When the Saints were in their offensive zone, they became hesitant to unload shots and orchestrate enough scoring chances. Trailing RPI 2-0 to start the second period, SLU had a prime opportunity to rebound with a five-on-three power play. But the Saints were unable to produce any legitimate shots.

"Maybe this weekend, we were a little passive I guess," Ross said. "We were trying to make the perfect play, but we were trying to get the goalie moving."

Create havoc up front

Once the goalie starts shifting, Kevin DeVergilio feels, the Saints need to increase the traffic directly in front of the goal.

St. Lawrence has struggled mightily with scoring on rebounds. Most of the opposing goalies' saves have been gobbled up and cleared by the defense. The Saints haven't capitalized on many second or third chances since their three-game winning streak ended over a week ago.

"We're not getting into the lanes, moving our feet and following up in the slots when the puck is laying there," DeVergilio said. "We're not there to pick them up."

It places added duress on players like Ross, who hopes his mighty slap shots from the point somehow get past the goalie.

"I just want to get it on net," Ross said. "You're obviously not going to score from there if the goalie can see it. Hopefully, you can get a tap or a rebound."

Reclaim their swagger

Even though SLU's third-period comeback felt short against RPI, Wells was impressed with the team's passionate play.

The Saints generated a number of power-play sequences with crisp perimeter passing and several quality shots in front of Engineers goalie Jordan Alford. Though they were unable to convert, St. Lawrence's assertiveness was duly noted. It was as relaxed as they'd been in two weeks.

"I know it's been in the back of everyone's head," DeVergilio said.

DeVergilio refrained from even mentioning the word "slump." But the Saints are building confidence from that third period. Despite scoring six goals overall in their last four games, Wells believes the next power-play tally will lift the entire offense.

"I think it was a bit of a saving grace," Wells said of the third period. "After the weekend, to see us play so inspired, I think that's a sign of things to come."