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Entering 2025, Syracuse already matched its 2023-24 win total and sat second in the newly-formed AHA conference, a stark contrast to last season’s four wins at the winter break. However, similar themes that plagued the Orange recurred as Minnesota Duluth swept them to begin the new year.
After completing the first half of its schedule, SU had numerous goals it had yet to accomplish — one of them being success against ranked opponents. While the Orange have enjoyed some early leads against top opponents, the game script often feels the same.
SU defends well early, finds limited yet sufficient success in the attack, but fails to keep up in the final period and a half of play. In six of its eight losses to ranked opponents before Friday, Syracuse either led or tied at some point in the second period. The script was no different as the Orange took on the Bulldogs.
Syracuse (7-14-0, 5-3 Atlantic Hockey America) fell to No. 4 Minnesota Duluth (13-5-2, 8-4-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) 2-1 Friday, succumbing to a sweep after Thursday’s 6-2 loss. A valiant defensive effort was enough to keep SU in the game, but offensive struggles plagued its upset bid. The Orange were outshot 38-7 in the final two periods of play.
One of Syracuse’s few slip-ups defensively came just four and a half minutes into the game. Danielle Burgen tapped a shot from close range that Allie Kelley batted away from the top right corner of the goal. The puck spilled into the slot, and Clara Van Wieren buried a backhander through Kelley’s legs.
Seven minutes later, SU had an answer. The Orange fired 10 shots on goal throughout the period, and the efforts were punctuated by a power-play goal by Rylee McLeod. After Nea Tervonen’s shot was saved by goaltender Tindra Holm, McLeod pounced on the rebound and lit the lamp for SU. While the Orange totaled just 15 shots in their loss to the Bulldogs Thursday, their first period on Friday indicated greater efficiency in the attack.
In the second period, Syracuse earned seven minutes on the power play, a golden opportunity to snag its first lead of the two-game series. However, the Orange died out offensively.
Following a lengthy review, UMD’s Hanna Baskin was sent to the box for a five-minute major for high sticking. SU mustered just four shots, one of which was on goal, as the Bulldogs earned the five-minute kill. Seconds after returning to full strength, Syracuse was gifted another opportunity on the power play. Again, it came up empty with no shots on target.
Despite spending nearly half the second period up a skater, the Orange spent most of it in the defensive zone. Kelley tallied 12 saves as SU was outshot by eight in the penultimate period.
More of the same ensued in the third. Kelley spent the period defending shots from all angles and did well to keep up with the Bulldogs’ ruthless offensive efforts. After three early shots, one clattering off the post, UMD finally found its go-ahead goal. Caitlin Kraemer received the puck from Burgen and sped down the left side of the ice. She cut in front of Kelley’s goal, deked the keeper and slotted in the would-be winner for the Bulldogs.
Kelley saved 25-of-26 shots fired her way in the third period. Yet, on a night when Syracuse’s offense sputtered, one slip-up was all it took. The Orange managed just three shots on target as they watched a potential upset bid slip away late in the game.
It’s a familiar feeling for SU, which has now dropped each of its nine games against ranked opponents. In seven of those games, it’s lost a lead or tie in the final two periods.
While the Orange have no more ranked games scheduled in 2025, finishing in the third period will be a major point of emphasis as SU looks to advance to its conference tournament for the first time since 2023.
The post Syracuse swept by No. 4 Minnesota Duluth in 2-1 loss appeared first on The Daily Orange.