Syracuse has benefited from its extra time at home during its current five-game homestand. But with two games left in the lengthy stretch at Tennity Ice Pavilion, the Orange still has to be mindful of one thing.

Don’t get distracted.

‘Once we open those doors, it’s all about hockey,’ freshman defender Allie LaCombe said. ‘At that point it doesn’t matter who is watching, you just have to shut it down and play.’

Syracuse (3-6, 0-0 College Hockey America) snapped a four-game losing streak, scoring five goals in the third period of a remarkable 5-3 comeback win against Union last Saturday. Now, SU will try to keep its focus during the long stretch at home heading into the weekend when it faces off against Connecticut (1-5-2, 1-1 Hockey East) at 7 p.m. Friday night in Tennity.

The homestand began dismally for the Orange back on Oct. 19, when it showed little emotion against Colgate in a 3-1 defeat that head coach Paul Flanagan said was the worst game he ever coached. But the team rebounded and dismissed its woes on home ice by staging a comeback against Union. SU even overcame the loss of sophomore defender Akane Hosoyamada, who broke her leg in the second period.

‘After the second period, we were all like, ‘Oh my God, did that just happen?” freshman forward Casey Hirsch said. ‘One of the biggest things was not getting down on ourselves after something like that.’

Now, Hirsch, LaCombe and the rest of the Orange will take advantage of every minute spent at home this week in preparation for its two-game set against Connecticut.

And that means plenty of rest.

In between team practices and scheduled classes, Hirsch said players are managing their time wisely. Sleeping well and maintaining a healthy diet are among their top priorities when they step off the ice.

SU’s extended stay at home has also allowed for more instructional time. LaCombe said coaches make players run circuits every Monday and Wednesday during practice, and they also hold after-practice skating sessions to help keep players sharp in between games.

Senior forward Megan Skelly said not having to travel keeps the team well rested.

‘We’re not used to playing three games in a week, so our legs get a little more tired,’ Skelly said regarding SU’s three home games last week. ‘We don’t have to travel, so we can take this whole week to prepare, so come Friday night we’re 100 percent.’

It is always tough on the body to travel, Flanagan said. Not to mention that players are more comfortable skating on home ice than on the road, where they are forced to adjust to their surroundings, including the temperature of the rink.

The support from the crowd amplifies the players’ energy and provides good vibes, junior forward Holly Carrie-Mattimoe said on Oct. 18.

But Flanagan also understands the importance of not getting too relaxed at home, especially with the increased number of family and friends who come to visit players on weekends. He doesn’t want his team to get distracted and lose sight of the obstacles that lay ahead, which includes playing consistent hockey for all 60 minutes against Connecticut.

Flanagan said he tells his players to plan ahead of time if they have family or friends visiting for the weekend to eliminate distractions.

‘As long as the team manages friends and family being in town and the balancing act of being to as many classes as possible, they’ll be fine,’ Flanagan said a day before the team’s first game of the homestand Oct. 18.

SU, which finished with a mediocre 9-8-3 record at home in 2010-11, will try to repeat its performance against the Huskies from last season when it destroyed UConn 7-1 at Tennity. The homestand has given the team extra time for practice and rest, keeping them focused and limiting distractions.

‘When we show up at the rink, it’s hockey,’ Hirsch said. ‘Our phones are off two hours before the game, even at team meals. Everyone is in the zone. We’re pretty good at not getting distracted.’

awmirmin@syr.edu

 

Published on October 25, 2011 at 12:00 pm