For reference, I’ve posted the CHA standings for the past seven years, below. Look how close the race between first and second is, for the past three years (click to enlarge):
Previously we discussed Robert Morris University Colonials, and the Mercyhurst University Lakers. Today it's Syracuse, located 240 miles east of Erie.
Syracuse University Orange
Location: Syracuse, NY
Joined the CHA: 2008
Coaching Staff: Paul Flanagan, Brendon Knight, Julie Knerr
2017-2018 Record: 13-21-2 (CHA 11-8-1 3rd place
regular season, Eliminated in CHA Semi-Final)
The Orange joined the conference in 2008. They are coached by Paul Flanagan, Brendon Knight, and Julie Knerr. Prior to starting the program at Syracuse, Flanagan coached at Saint Lawrence in upstate New York for many years. The Saint Lawrence Saints were a program that Mercyhurst tried and tried to beat, but for as long as Flanagan was there, the program was a step ahead, not just beating Mercyhurst, but making Frozen Four appearances. Gina Kingsbury, current Director of Women's Hockey for Hockey Canada, was a star at SLU under Flanagan.
When Flanagan came to Syracuse I wondered if that ECAC success would translate to a CHA school. So far, although Syracuse has been respectable, they have not achieved the success that Flanagan saw at SLU, and are still looking for their first CHA regular season championship or tournament championship. They are coming off of six consecutive seasons of being over .500 in conference play, and have appeared in six CHA Tournament Championship games, in ten seasons.
Without a doubt, the main storyline at Syracuse is when will this team win a CHA Championship?
This lack of championship is a credit to how good the rest of the league is, and how good some of the individual talent is that has rolled through this league. Syracuse has had to face the likes of Meghan Agosta, Brianne McLaughlin, Nicole Hensley, and Brittany Howard, all individual talents that can take over a game. The lack of championship is also credited simply to bad luck. Just last year in the CHA Tournament, Syracuse took Mercyhurst to OT before conceding. In the title game RMU goaltender Elijah Milne-Price didn't have a great game. Would that have been a winnable game for Syracuse, had they been there? Definitely. Syracuse had beat Robert Morris in regular season play, no reason to not be able to in the tournament.
For a long time, CHA followers would say keep an eye on Syracuse, this is the year. And for good reason. In the past seven years, they have 4 second place finishes in league play, and one of those was only one point off of first. Looking at last year, Penn State gave RMU and Mercyhurst fits, tying each of them three times (and losing once to each of them). Meanwhile Syracuse went 3-0-1 against Penn State. Syracuse took Mercyhurst to OT in the regular season and in the CHA semi final. Mercyhurst prevailed in both cases but Syracuse is undeniably right there in the conversation for winning a CHA Tournament Championship, if not a regular season championship. In non-conference play the Orange got only one win, against Providence who took second in Hockey East.
This is the year I am going to say Penn State will make a leap to third in the conference and someone will drop to fourth. Probably at my peril, but I will say Syracuse will drop. Not because they are getting worse, but because Penn State is taking steps forward. Now, I remember what Ovechkin and the Capitals did when people finally gave up on them, after years of picking them to win. I will be ready and not too surprised if I have to eat my words.
One concern I have for the Orange this year, is their inexperience in net. Their roster only includes two goalies. Former Canada U18 team member Edith D'Astous Moreau was a freshman goalie last year, poised to take over the starting job but she is no longer on the roster. The Orange have defender Allie Munroe though, who recently attended Canada's Fall Festival, and who the Orange will rely on to lead the team. In net the Orange have Maddi Welch (senior) and Ady Cohen (junior), neither of whom has experience as a starter. I expect Maddi Welch to get the starting job against Boston College next weekend, the first game of Syracuse's season.
Why they're fun to cheer for: Because by all intents and purposes they should have a CHA Championship by now. You have to believe it's going to happen sometime, and as a sports fan you don't want to stop believing and have it happen right after.
What they're trying to prove: That a CHA Championship can come back to the state of NY. RIT, the other New York team, and undeniably a less talented hockey team than Syracuse, is two for two in CHA Championship games. That's got to drive Syracuse nuts, and fuel their desire to win.
Why they’ll win the
CHA regular season: One thing that may help Syracuse is I expect the top half of the league to trade losses with each other. The Orange don't need to be perfect to win the conference, as RMU and Mercyhurst will have some conference losses for sure.
Why they won’t: No matter how good Allie Munroe is, the inexperience in net could prove costly for a team that already gives up too many goals in league play. Last year, the Orange GF/GA in conference play was 53/43. Mercyhurst, in 2nd place had just five more goals at 58, but almost 20 fewer goals against with just 24 goals against in league play.
The bottom line: Syracuse's goaltending is currently a question. It will determine how the season goes. I don't count them out in short term tournament play, but a CHA regular season championship will be a tall order this year.
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