Why is Providence's power-play so effective? Two words - "Jason Ialongo".
This junior defenseman has 8 power-play tallies and about 11 overall ...
just a few behind the nation's leader Anthony Cappelletti (senior
defenseman - Lowell) who has 13.
 
Ialongo's critical asset is a rocket of a shot, nearly always on target.
I've seen teams double team him on the point when he's looking to shoot.
Having someone that dangerous so high up in the offensive zone is cirtical
to opening up acres of space for a sniper like Keefe. Only good
shot-blocking teams like Lowell and UNH can stop the Prov. power-play
effectively. Providence is 3-for-35 (9%) against these two teams and
40-for-142 (28%) against the rest.
 
The "Ialongo-Keefe-effect" has been silent lately however, not connecting
since striking twice in 0:41 seconds against Merrimack on Feb. 19. In the
four games since, Providence has gone 6-for-25 (24%) bolstered by a 4-for-8
performance against B.C. while also being stifled by an 0-for-9 snafu
against Helenan and the Minutemen (despite putting nearly 40 shots on net.).
 
So, Ialongo and Keefe may make the first unit deadly, but the second unit is
nearly just as effective by senior Troy Lake (17g, 8 on pp), a talented
sniper who is finally connecting with regularity.
 
My advice to teams playing Prov., stay out of the box. But, if that can't be
managed, keep a forward on Ialongo up high at all times, at least close
enough so that he can't tee it up if he gets a pass. Let your other 3
forwards cover the four remaining attackers. Then, once you've survived the
first unit and totally exhausted your best penalty-killers, pray for rain!
(Ialongo-Detain-and-pray-for-Rain)
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.