At the midpoint of the 2015-16 season, the men have their best record since 2005-06 at 10-5-2. They've essentially been exactly what people expected them to be, for better or worse, and this has lead them to a 10th place PairWise ranking and the fifth place spot in the ECAC standings.
Kyle Hayton has continued to be steady in net, the defense has been exceptional, allowing 2 goals per game, 1.86 in conference play, and the offense averages over three goals per game overall and in conference. The penalty kill operates at 87.8 percent, but had been higher before a brief stumble towards the end. The power play was the opposite, struggling for much of the first half but showed signs of progress, finishing at 10.4 percent.
They open 2016 much like they closed 2015, with a great opportunity to get wins against weaker teams. They didn't completely capitalize against UVM, taking a split, but with a series at Northeastern to kick off the new year, a sweep will be a good way to start.
While the future looks promising, it's time to recognize some of the good performances of the first half of the year.
Five match-ups to watch in the second half:
St. Lawrence vs Clarkson, January 12th:
The Saints shutout their rival at home in the first and will go for a huge ECAC sweep against the only team still winless in league play.
St. Lawrence vs Harvard, January 15th:
Harvard is one of the top teams in the ECAC, much like St. Lawrence. With a tough competition for the top four spots in the standings, these are games SLU needs to win. It's also an important game for the PairWise rankings.
St. Lawrence vs Yale, January 23rd:
As with Harvard, these are games SLU needs to win in order to secure their second straight first round bye.
St. Lawrence vs Cornell, January 30th:
Cornell is the one of the surprise teams of the ECAC this year, like SLU was last year. With Cornell having won the first game, SLU needs to avoid a sweep.
St. Lawrence vs RPI, February 5th:
Much like Cornell, RPI has been a surprise, and took the first matchup against the Saints. SLU needs to avoid a sweep in order to compete for a first round bye. It's also a big matchup regarding the PairWise.
Kyle Hayton has continued to be steady in net, the defense has been exceptional, allowing 2 goals per game, 1.86 in conference play, and the offense averages over three goals per game overall and in conference. The penalty kill operates at 87.8 percent, but had been higher before a brief stumble towards the end. The power play was the opposite, struggling for much of the first half but showed signs of progress, finishing at 10.4 percent.
They open 2016 much like they closed 2015, with a great opportunity to get wins against weaker teams. They didn't completely capitalize against UVM, taking a split, but with a series at Northeastern to kick off the new year, a sweep will be a good way to start.
While the future looks promising, it's time to recognize some of the good performances of the first half of the year.
First Half Awards:
Most Valuable Player: Kyle Hayton
At the halfway mark, Hayton owns a 10-4-1 record with two shutouts. He's posted a .938 save percentage and a 1.86 goals allowed average. A .934 save percentage in close game situations is one of his more impressive statistics and indicates his importance to the team. Whether the Saints are down by a goal or up by a goal, Hayton makes the saves.
Top Rookie: Mike Laidley
His statistics don't jump off the page and he hasn't played in every game for the Saints, but the contests in which he's appeared, he has made an impact. He has six points in 12 games for SLU, the most points and second most games played for a rookie.
He plays a grinding style of hockey not dissimilar to Gunnar Hughes, making a difference on the penalty kill as well as being an important depth player. Expect to see more of him in the second half of the season as SLU continues to be a difficult team to play against.
Unsung Hero: Joe Sullivan
He isn't flashy on the ice, with a few exceptions, but he makes an impact on every single game. He's spent time as the second line center and on the wing of the top line, recording 9 points in 17 games.
He takes a beating every game doing battle in the corners, playing physically and anchoring the penalty killing forwards with Brian Ward.
Five match-ups to watch in the second half:
St. Lawrence vs Clarkson, January 12th:
The Saints shutout their rival at home in the first and will go for a huge ECAC sweep against the only team still winless in league play.
St. Lawrence vs Harvard, January 15th:
Harvard is one of the top teams in the ECAC, much like St. Lawrence. With a tough competition for the top four spots in the standings, these are games SLU needs to win. It's also an important game for the PairWise rankings.
St. Lawrence vs Yale, January 23rd:
As with Harvard, these are games SLU needs to win in order to secure their second straight first round bye.
St. Lawrence vs Cornell, January 30th:
Cornell is the one of the surprise teams of the ECAC this year, like SLU was last year. With Cornell having won the first game, SLU needs to avoid a sweep.
St. Lawrence vs RPI, February 5th:
Much like Cornell, RPI has been a surprise, and took the first matchup against the Saints. SLU needs to avoid a sweep in order to compete for a first round bye. It's also a big matchup regarding the PairWise.
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