As I did with Michigan earlier, giving this just a brief look, since the game is nearly two weeks old. Unlike Michigan’s last two games, this one and the loss to Manhattan Saturday had pretty different characteristics.
Tempo Free
From the official box score, a look at the tempo-free stats:
| Siena 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Siena | Detroit | ||
| Faceoff Wins | 12 | Faceoff Wins | 9 |
| Clearing | 15-18 | Clearing | 15-17 |
| Possessions | 32 | Possessions | 29 |
| Goals | 9 | Goals | 8 |
| Offensive Efficiency | .281 | Offensive Efficiency | .276 |
This game was very close in possession and efficiency, and that’s no surprise for a contest that was decided on literally the last possession (as all overtimes do, by definition). Detroit was a little worse on draws, but made it up with slightly more success riding.
The teams were about dead even until overtime, when Siena got the final faceoff and turned it into the game-winning goal.
Notes
UDM mixed things up on faceoffs, giving both Damien Hicks (8/15) and Tyler Corcoran (1/5) a go. They both have their share of success and failure, and this time was Hicks’ chance to outshine Corcoran. They’re approximately equal overall from the observer’s point of view (though the stats say Hicks is better), and I’d say the primary difference between them is explained away by randomness and the mediocre wing play that affects them both.
UDM was very clean in the turnover department in this one (serving to make the following game – against a much worse defense – even more frustrating), and they were a bit more accurate than usual in their shooting. Those two factors together can partially explain sticking with a team that probably matches up better across most positions on the field.
Another explanation for that? Jason Weber might be one of the country’s best goalies. Detroit’s defense is struggling a bit in front of him, but he’s putting together ridiculous performance after ridiculous performance. UDM is touting him for leading the NCAA in a couple key statistical areas (though “most saves per game” is not a good thing, in fact it’s sort of an indictment of the rest of your defense. Save percentage is) and it’s with good reason.
Every offensive starter for the Titans recorded exactly two points, which is a balance that we don’t usually see out of the UDM offense. Shayne Adams and Scott Drummond had two goals, Alex Maini had two assists (and only one turnover), and Tom Masterson, Brandon Beauregard, and Mike Birney all had one of each.
The flow of this game was very good. Detroit got the scoring started midway through the first quarter, and neither team ever led by more than two goals. It was back-and-forth action with ties at every score between 1 and 9 except six (Siena took that game’s only two-goal lead at 7-5 to start the fourth quarter, before three straight by the Titans).
Games like this show that UDM is right there with the best of the conference, and it’s unfortunate that they had to follow it with a clunker like the one against Manhattan Saturday. That takes their destiny for the MAAC Tournament out of their own hands… about which more tomorrow.
Elsewhere
Boxscore. UDM recap. Photos. Postgame interview with coach Matt Holtz. Siena recap.