Suffering from an almost terminal case of stickhandlers' disease and an
aversion to anything remotely physical, the UConn Huskies huffed and puffed
to a 6-4 win over the Fairfield Stags last night in Storrs. The final
result was in doubt until late in the third. Ugly, ugly, ugly.
 
        Except from Fairfield's standpoint.
 
        Credit should go where credit is due. Michael Doneghey's squad looked
nothing like the team which played in Storrs two months back. For one
thing, they skated so much better than the last time it was just amazing.
Much better mechanics and much better work rate. They were not intimidated.
And they made UConn pay for the silly lack-of-respect type of mistakes by
the Huskies' defense. While only taking 9 shots on the game, 4 of them went
in -- usually in numbers-up situations. Doneghey has done a fantastic job
with the Fairfield team in a very short period of time. It will be
interesting to see them next year when they have had the chance to do some
serious recruiting.
 
        UConn has got to be concerned about the way they have played since the
start of the new year. Simply stated, they haven't been driving to the net
without the puck, they haven't been moving the puck quickly, they haven't
been hitting (at least in the games I have seen), and they have fallen in
love with skating through neutral ice in single file. (The latter is so
counter-intuitive that it appears to be a tactic of choice and very jarring
when you see it.)
 
        Several times last night, players were observed looking up to see a wing
streaking for the blue line with no one on him and a clear passing lane.
The puck was never moved. It was rushed instead. Nothing like slowing up
the pace of a game for a weaker opponent. Stickhandlers' disease -- which
could prove fatal next weekend in Buffalo.
 
        UConn does manage to fairly consistently outshoot their opponents. Last
night it was 47-9. But those statistics are very deceiving. A large
percentage are saved easily. UConn recently lost 4-1 to Sacred Heart while
outshooting them 44-12. Opposing goaltenders love to play in Storrs. Good
for the stats. UConn almost never has anyone in front of the net. Well, why
would anyone want to even go there if the puck isn't going to get moved in
front? And if players stop going to the net, then the stickhandlers don't
move it quickly and the two effects couple and reinforce. A matter of
timing. And from down low the puck rarely even goes back to the point.
Maybe after ten or so touches and a spin move or two, but never quickly ...
like on the first touch when the opposition might have collapsed down low
and the points are wide open. Oh well ....
 
        Here's hoping that the Huskies can get things straightened out before the
rugged trip to Canisius next weekend. They are a very talented team and a
lot of fun to watch. I wish them well for the rest of the inaugural MAAC
season, which from my standpoint has been a resounding success. I will also
be looking forward to Senior Night in two weeks' time when outstanding
forwards Geoff Angell and Dan Sheehan and stellar defenseman Rob Martin
will hand the flowers to their parents. It would be appropriate if we
serenaded them with a verse of Auld Lange Syne. They've been fun to watch.
 
        -- Dick Tuthill
 
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