This was a game that the Titans really should have won. UDM struggled in a few key areas, but still managed to hold a lead with just over a minute remaining in the contest.
Tempo Free
From the official box score, a look at the tempo-free stats:
| Quinnipac 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac | Detroit | ||
| Faceoff Wins | 8 | Faceoff Wins | 15 |
| Clearing | 15-19 | Clearing | 11-17 |
| Possessions | 33 | Possessions | 36 |
| Goals | 10 | Goals | 9 |
| Offensive Efficiency | .303 | Offensive Efficiency | .250 |
The Titans took home the faceoff battle (more on that in a moment), but really struggled clearing the ball, which helped even out the overall possession game. In a relatively slow game by UDM standards – they’re under 70 total possessions in less than half of their games this year – possession was at a premium.
Quinnipiac made more of their opportunities, but in a game that is decided on an overtime dagger, it’s more about the overall flow of the game and the scoring than “we gave them one possession too many.”
Notes
I’ll begin on the faceoffs, where Damien Hicks confirmed what I’ve thought to be the case much of the year: he can compete against all but the elite faceoff specialists. He was winning the clamp on most draws, and had several clean wins mixed in. Another of my feelings about this unit was also confirmed though, in that the Titans wing play isn’t where it needs to be (which is contributing to the overall numbers that make it seem Hicks is struggling more than he actually is). It combined to give him a nice 14/22 day, with pole Jordan Yono throwing in another win.
There are no two ways to the describe the clear: it was simply bad. The Titans have to be able to get the ball to the offense to win games. They gave up two rideback goals, meaning those busts contributed even more directly than simply giving up possessions, they also gave up fast breaks. At this point in the season, there’s probably not much that can change in terms of coaching or personnel, it’s more about being mentally into the game and avoiding the silly mistakes.
Outside of the clear, I was OK with most of Detroit’s turnovers. Sure, you’d like to avoid a player throwing it away or having the stick checked out of his hands, but it’s going to happen from time to time. Getting it back on the other end – or winning the GB battle, which UDM did (with help from the faceoff dot) – will even that out over time.
Offensively, Scott Drummond led the way with three goals and an assist, and Alex Maini wasn’t far behind with three goals of his own (and most impressively, no turnovers, even though he was carrying a heavy load at times). Shayne Adams had two goals, Brandon Beauregard had two assists, and Tom Masterson had one of each. The Titans seemed to initiate more from the midfield than I recall in recent years (even games earlier this year), but I’m not sure if that was a matchup thing or a change in philosophy – or just the eyeball test fooling me.
Defensively, goalie Jason Weber had a good-not-great game by the numbers, but he was actually very impressive all contest. A number of the saves he made were on shots that looked like he had no chance of stopping, and many of the goals were of the same ilk. He made (almost) all the saves he should have, and then stole a couple more.
Chris Shevins – who has been a rotation player in the past, not a key performer – started and led the team with two caused turnovers. SSDM Nick Garippa picked up three ground balls, leading defensive players in that metric.
The overall GB battle went to the Titans, 36-30, but with the pseudo-dominance on faceoffs (Hicks and Yono’s combined effort gave UDM a +7 edge on faceoffs, with Hicks picking up seven GBs of his own), Quinnipiac was about even. As mentioned above, if the Titans are going to clear poorly, or just make mistakes, they have to be able to make up for it with simple effort.
Elsewhere
Detroit recap. Box score. Photo gallery. Quinnipiac recap. Only semi-relevant, but Troy Dennis is up for an award. Vote for him.
Up Next
Detroit’s all-MAAC from here on out, and the next opponent is Marist, Saturday morning on Titan Field. The Red Foxes are Tempo-Free Lax’s No. 46 team, a handful of spots ahead of UDM. They have a good offense and a poor, defense, so it should be an exciting one.
Detroit’s 1-1 conference record currently has the squad tied for third in the MAAC with Manhattan, and in the seven-team league, three programs will miss the conference tourney in 2014. I don’t see them (or anyone) losing to Monmouth, but taking home games against the other middle-tier MAAC teams is important.