A common request I have received from fans is a post spotlighting the programs top players. The request makes perfect sense. When you watch a game, you naturally look for the stars. They are usually the most exciting, and have the most effect on a team’s chance of winning.
For this team, however, I don’t think a spotlight of the team’s best players is appropriate. This team has made the frozen four on the strength of all 31 players, not a select few.
What makes this Dutchmen team so dangerous is its talent and hard work. All four lines work relentlessly to secure a loose puck, finish a hit, and block shots. And, most importantly, all four lines can score.
To expand on that a little, here are the forwards lines from the NCAA tournament games, with the total goals scored from the members of that line:
Matt Hatch - Kelly Zajac (A) - Wayne Simpson - 33
Daniel Carr - Jeremy Welsh (A) - Josh Jooris - 54
Kevin Sullivan - Kyle Bodie - Daniel Ciampini - 15
Cole Ikkala - Max Novak - Sam Coatta – 14
Now let’s look at the lines again, but take away goals scored shorthanded or on the power play:
Matt Hatch - Kelly Zajac (A) - Wayne Simpson - 21
Daniel Carr - Jeremy Welsh (A) - Josh Jooris - 30
Kevin Sullivan - Kyle Bodie - Daniel Ciampini - 10
Cole Ikkala - Max Novak - Sam Coatta - 13
Those numbers are a little more even now. And this isn’t including seven goals for players who have manned the third and fourth lines this season, but did not start in the tournament. What this goes to show you is in even 5-on-5 play the Dutchmen are getting solid contributions from all four lines they send out.
On top of that, several of the players from the third and fourth line, are big contributors to the power play and penalty kill for Union. Both those units rank in the top 10 in the entire nation.
While this does a good job of illustrating the offensive depth Union has, it does not begin to describe its defense, which currently ranks first in the nation.
Defensively the team is led by captain Nolan Julseth-White. He anchors a unit that gives up an average of 1.8 goals a game. The next best defense in the nation is Boston College, and they give up 2.07 goals a game, a big jump.
Like the forwards, you will not find a bad line in the bunch. And, again like the forwards, there will be guys sitting in the stands that would be starting on other teams.
Besides individual players, their defensive success comes from coaching and the system they run. Union is a team you will hardly ever see giving up a breakaway, or an odd man rush, and they give up very few shots a game.
Overall, Union allows 25.9 shots a game. To compare that to the other teams in the Frozen Four, Ferris State allows 27.5, Boston College allows 26.9, and Minnesota allows 24.9. Not coincidentally, all four of these teams are in the top 10 in defense. Just to harp on this a bit longer: in both NCAA games Union played, they only allowed 13 shots through the first two periods.
None of this takes into account the play of their goaltender, Troy Grosenick. While he will be the first to admit the guys in front of him make his job easier, he was nominated for the Hobey Baker for a reason. He has been a revelation in net for the Dutchmen this season, and is just as responsible for the strong defensive numbers as anyone. You don’t finish in the top 2 in both GAA and Save Pct. by accident…even with a strong defense in front of you.
On top of all the statistics, come the intangibles these guys have. Every time you talk to them, every time you see them play, every time you hear one of their quotes, you can’t help but walk away impressed. They just seem to do everything right.
You’ll rarely hear a player who scored the game winner take any credit for the goal. You’ll never hear a player call someone out. You’ll never see a player dog it through a game.
With the chemistry, leadership, and talent that this team has shown this season, it is no wonder they are here in the Frozen Four. Just don’t expect one player to get the credit for it.
SIDE NOTE:
If you really really want some names to focus on during the games this week, check out this article.
Just know it doesn’t list even half of the big time performers for this Dutchmen squad, and comes nowhere close to explaining why they are one of just four teams remaining in the tournament.
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