I have no idea why the Detroit and Michigan previews from Saturday didn’t go up – but WordPress has tried to eat this post alive a couple times as well. I think (hope) I’ve fixed the problem.
As expected, the Titans were able to open MAAC play with a road victory. In the grand scheme of things, that’s step one toward a conference championship and a possible berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Tempo Free
From the official box score, a look at the tempo-free stats:
| Canisius 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | Canisius | ||
| Faceoff Wins | 15 | Faceoff Wins | 18 |
| Clearing | 17-26 | Clearing | 13-22 |
| Possessions | 50 | Possessions | 49 |
| Goals | 17 | Goals | 12 |
| Offensive Efficiency | .340 | Offensive Efficiency | .245 |
I had a weird feeling that Detroit would be OK on faceoffs in this game, even though Canisius has a couple decent options at the position. That prediction came through, and a stalemate was a win there.
Both teams had an awful time clearing. I’m not sure if there was some weather anomaly or if it was just a sloppy day for both, but they certainly weren’t setting any records for efficiency there.
Finally, it was obviously a rather successful day on offense for Detroit. It was a quick-paced game, and they were efficient with most of their opportunities. Based on pace and scoring, this was probably a fun game to watch, if a little sloppy at times.
Notes
The goaltending situation looks to be back in A.J. Levell’s hands with his healthy return to the lineup. He went the distance and made 10 saves, while allowing 12 goals.
It was a record-setting day for the Titan offense, particularly Joel Matthews. He scored seven goals and notched eight total points, tying a school record with the former and breaking one with the latter. It was also the most goals scored in a conference game in the young history of Detroit’s program.
As for the rest of the offense, it’s weird to me – as someone who started following the team last year, when Matthews sat out – to see Shayne Adams take such a secondary role. He still put up three goals and an assist, but Matthews is the clear focal point of the offense.
Alex Maini and Tim Lehto each scored two goals for the Titans, Tom Masterson and Troy Dennis had two assists apiece, and Scott Drummond had one of each to round out multi-point performances.
Defensively, there were no real standouts. It was a well-balanced performance, with no Titan causing more than two turnovers, but five players reaching that mark. 17 caused turnovers for the game is an impressive number, even if it came during a contest with a relatively brisk pace.
Brandon Davenport won 14 of 26 faceoffs, one of his best performances in the past two years. Nick Garippa and Tyler Corcoran struggled to 0/2 and 1/5 marks, but Davenport’s dominance (at least relative to some other games) saved the day there.
The Titans committed nine penalties in the game, well within the realm of expectation (Canisius opponents have been penalty-prone so far this season). The Golden Griffins converted only once in six man-up opportunities, a solid performance by the Titan man-down unit.
Up Next
At long last, a true home game for Detroit. The Titans face Marist on Saturday at noon from the friendly confines of Titan Field.
The Red Foxes are 3-2 on the year, with a 9-7 victory over Jacksonville under their belt in MAAC play.
As long as AJ is healthy I expect him to play all important minutes the rest of the season. If they get up big on Jacksonville or Manhattan I can see them getting Kelly some time or maybe against Bellarmine if they’re rolling since it’s a non league game.
Joel had a huge game but on the season the G’s are 22/18 for Joel/Shane. Going into this game they were tied 15/15. Joel is racking up the assists w/ 13 compared to Shane’s but I still see them co leaders of this team rather than Shane being the secondary option on the offense. Remember too that Shane is coming off a huge knee injury. All that matters to them though is that they are winning.
The goal differential between Matthews and Adams isn’t huge, but Matthews has been much more involved in scoring overall, with a big contribution in the assist department, as well. It also seems like, in the games that the offense has struggled, it’s been Matthews rather than Adams has been the one who’s been able to get at least a little bit going. Of course, we’re really just splitting hairs here, and deciding “who is the more awesome offensive player” is obviously a very good problem to have.
Coming from last year, when the offense was often “Adams or nothing,” it’s a huge step in the right direction to not only have two excellent offensive options, but a more well-rounded cast of supporting pieces who can step up in any given game, as well.
Agree with last 2 comments l have been to 4 of the games so far and Shayne is just fine especially coming off a serious acl and mencius tear….from my vantage he is just missing and could easily of had 4 0r 5 more goals… just in the last few games. Matthews is hitting lights out which will only make Detroits offense continue to roll in the maac…Definately think Detroits Attack is the best in the maac and top ten in the country and these guys i believe are only sophomores ? Which bodes well for the following 2 years…
Michiganlaxer, UDM’s offense hasn’t reached double-digits against any of their big-name opponents…yet you somehow think they’re a Top 10 attack unit in the country? Seriously?
The real MichiganLaxer here.. (don’t accept an imposter!). I think the other michiganlaxer’s point is that the duo is exceptional and is one of the best duo’s in the country. If you use NCAA stats there are only 10 teams with 2 people in the top 50 in goals per game and Detroit is one of them.
rank name team games goals gpg
6 Todd Heritage Bucknell 7 22 3.14
44 Billy Eisenreich Bucknell 7 15 2.14
5 Simon Giourmetakis Canisius 3 10 3.33
35 Jimmy Haney Canisius 3 7 2.33
1 Peter Baum Colgate 8 33 4.13
34 Ryan Walsh Colgate 8 19 2.38
12 Mark Matthews Denver 6 17 2.83
21 Eric Law Denver 6 15 2.5
14 Joel Matthews Detroit 8 22 2.75
40 Shayne Adams Detroit 8 18 2.25
21 John Snellman Fairfield 8 20 2.5
49 Sam Snow Fairfield 8 17 2.13
44 Carter Bender Hartford 7 15 2.14
44 Aidan Genik Hartford 7 15 2.14
4 Mike Sawyer Loyola Maryland 6 21 3.5
17 Eric Lusby Loyola Maryland 6 16 2.67
7 Will Manny Massachusetts 7 21 3
29 Kyle Smith Massachusetts 7 17 2.43
30 Conrad Oberbeck Yale 5 12 2.4
41 Brandon Mangan Yale 5 11 2.2
(I’m not sure if these are all attackman. Some may be middies)
The argument against double digits doesn’t hold as much water as it would have in previous seasons. Detroit with 10.75 goals per game is in the top 20 (18th) nationally ahead of some teams like Harvard, Delaware, and Cuse. Only half the teams in the country are averaging double digits per game this season.
And yes, they are both sophomores, as is their other line mate Maini. Add in Beauregard (freshman) and that is a pretty solid attack unit going forward.
Real Michiganlaxer, I accept your “duo argument”, but I stand by my contentions as well.
I disagree with your “double-digit” counter-claim. I took a quick look at 25 “big name” teams, and they all had at least one double-digit offensive output against another “top level” team.
Again, UDM has not scored double-digits against a “big name” opponent.
I think there is far too much comparison going on here…we are talking about 2 different players, 2 different styles…one right handed, one left handed…if you actually watch the game, Shayne doesn’t get the passes when he is WIDE OPEN…there has been an awful lot of selfish play out there…all I can say is every player has a position…and there are expectations of each position, based on what the COACHES want…so look at each player for their talent, skills and ability…this is not a race, its an embrasing of talent for the good of the school…the offense has plenty of talent…PLENTY enough to make a huge impact for the next few years!!
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