USC Trojans vs. UW Huskies: Pac-8 Championship Rematch-2nd Period Analysis

USC came out in this period looking to capitalize on a double minor by UW at the end of the first period, but it was their own penalties that did them in this period, allowing the Huskies to score two unanswered goals. Any momentum they got was quickly erased by unfortunate penalties, putting them down 3-1 after 2.

USC came out into the period on the power play, thanks to a 4 minute double minor from Husky Jordan Chernesky, but almost immediately USC was in the box themselves, taking 2 minutes out of their power play and not allowing them to get into a rhythm. The Huskies struck very soon after Chernesky came out of the box, when a Daniel Carson shot got through a lot of traffic and past Freshman goalie Alex Caravaggio. USC held on even though they faced multiple penalty kill situations, including two separate 5-3's. The Huskies struck again with 35 seconds remaining in the period after Caravaggio lost sight of a Washington shot, sending the Trojans to the locker room down 3-1.

USC again is having a lot of trouble with penalties and cannot get into a rhythm. One major consequence of that is their inability to break the puck out of their own zone, giving UW more chances to put the puck on Caravaggio. Look for the defense, especially Junior Assistant Captain Dante Caravaggio, Senior Assistant Captain Jason Bush, Senior Captain Mike Gawlik, and Freshman Tom Duffy to take the puck out themselves if the Trojan forwards cannot get it out.

I'll be back after the game with my postgame analysis.

James