Weekend Superlatives: Jan. 15-17
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I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out how to translate the (frankly preposterous) amount of hockey I watch every weekend into a fun, engaging format for this newsletter, and I think I’ve finally figured it out. Welcome to Weekend Superlatives.
Every week, I’ll share some of my favorite plays from around the Big Ten or the rest of college hockey, if something catches my attention. In no particular order, here’s the first edition.
Best faceoff goal
This was actually a tough choice, because Minnesota-Notre Dame on Friday brought us a faceoff goal from each team. I give the slight edge to this goal from Alex Steeves, both because it was the tying goal and because absolutely no one on the ice saw it coming. Steeves’ quick reflexes and even quicker release catches everyone by surprise — even Jack LaFontaine, who doesn’t get beat like that very often.
Best almost goal(s)
Perhaps the fact that I couldn’t choose between these two near-misses and the fact that Minnesota got swept for the first time all season are related. Who’s to say? Jeff Jackson’s Notre Dame teams are known for being sound defensively, which makes these two opportunities for the Gophers all the more intriguing — particularly the first one, when both Mike Koster and Ben Meyers get behind the Irish defensemen for a point-blank chance. On the second, Sammy Walker’s quick cut past Spencer Stastney is just straight-up fun to watch. Walker is one of the fastest players in the league, and I’ll never say no to a chance to watch him flash his wheels.
Best assist after nearly being knocked out
This also could’ve been titled best teammate-on-former-teammate crime as former Wisconsin Badger Sean Dhooghe was the recipient of a high hit from Roman Ahcan. Ahcan received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct on the play, and Dhooghe picked up the primary assist on Michael Mancinelli’s (very nice) goal. Maybe that eased the blow of the hit a little (no pun intended).
Best assist (without a hit to the head)
Thomas Bordeleau’s vision stands out every time I watch him. As he goes for the loose puck here, he picks his head up just enough to see Brendan Brisson with time and space, and Bordeleau’s quick little backhand pass across the zone might be one of his better plays so far this season. He makes it look easy, and it definitely isn’t.
Best individual effort
Pretty much everyone who came back to college hockey after playing at the World Juniors in Edmonton has played really well since returning, and Jackson LaCombe is no exception. I’ve watched this goal probably 15 times and it just gets better every time. The play could’ve been dead long before the puck hit the back of the net as LaCombe almost got stuck along the wall, but Jake Boltmann was no match for LaCombe’s elusiveness. With at least six or seven skaters in front of the net, Notre Dame goaltender Ryan Bischel probably never saw the shot coming, but that doesn’t make LaCombe’s effort any less impressive.
Best breakaway
Just 13 seconds into the Michigan-Ohio State game on Saturday night, Johnny Beecher was sprung on a breakaway. Goaltender Tommy Nappier made the save on that one, but if you give someone with Beecher’s speed two breakaways in the first three minutes of a game, he’s not going to miss twice. That forehand-backhand-five hole move is Beecher’s go-to, and it’s worked for him at least four or five times so far in his Michigan career. This one was just as nice as all the rest.
Best larceny
Wisconsin forward Ty Pelton-Byce took a hard hit in front of the net on this power play and as he eventually made his way off the ice, he took the stick right out of Benji Eckerle’s hands. While Eckerle looked around for a referee to do something about it, Linus Weissbach noticed Eckerle didn’t have a stick and quickly fired a shot that got all the way through to the back of the net. I didn’t notice Pelton-Byce’s theft when I first watched this goal, but it’s one of the funnier things I’ve seen in a game in a while. There’s quite the rivalry brewing between the Badgers and the Sun Devils after four hard-fought games this season, and moments like this just keep stoking the hatred fire. I love it.
Best overtime winner
Yes, Alex Limoges’ overtime goal from Friday night was the weekend’s only overtime winner, but it was still a pretty good one. The saucer pass from Tim Doherty is sweet, and Limoges’ finish is even better. After starting the season 0-5, Penn State has now won seven of its last nine games — including three wins in overtime. One thing is for sure: the Nittany Lions are never boring. Doherty, a graduate transfer from Maine, has fit in seamlessly on the top line with Limoges, and as long as they keep combining for goals like this one, I’ll be happy.
I hope you enjoyed this new format! It won’t replace my deep dives and breakdowns, but I think it’s a fun addition to my coverage. If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can do that right here. If there’s something you’d like to see me cover, please reach out! My Twitter DMs are always open or you can email me.
As a reward for those of you who read to the bottom, here’s a picture of the four-month-old lab puppy I’ve been dog-sitting for the past few weeks. His name is Caymus and he is perfect.