Providence storming Back.

[SKATNMIASOV]

Don't look now, but the early H/E favorite providence seems to be on a roll. I myself could not believe the start they had, but it looks as if things might be turning around for them. I have heard a new system was the cause of the early stumble, but it looks like it may be taking hold.
In looking at their losses most of them seemed to be close games. A big win against H/E leader New Hampshire and the win against the now rated Brown leads me to believe the friars have some nasty left in them. It may be the right time for Prov. to start peaking going into March.

[cavbim]

Not quite sure if I'd go that far. First the record is still spotty beyond the 3 game winning streak. Second I don't think you'd get good odds they will catch UNH for 1st. Lastly they will be one of 3 teams with a real chance to win at Mathews come 3/21 if they are in the finals. Even then you might even make the case for 2 of the other teams.

That said yes they have looked better. The real funk was the stretch against Ivies in late Oct early November. In the 16 games since they are only 8-8. However 7 of the 8 losses were by 1 goal, 1 in OT, several after giving up the lead. The other loss was the high scoring 8-6 duel w/ DC from which there was good things to take away from. Coincidently this stretch of 1 goal losses coincided with the loss of Ashley Payton from the lineup and most occured before the emergence of Sonny Watrous as an offensive weapon. Payton has 4 goals in her 6 games back and Sonny is on a 9 goal in 8 game streak. I think they've found a solid 1st line in Sonny, Rush Zimmerman and Darlene Stephenson (who must have 10 assists in the same 6 game stretch). In turn their play has opened ice up for the engine which drives this team. Kelli going back to the UConn series (8 games strech) is 8-7-15 and playing exceptional defense.

Getting these guns going was one of the early problems. I don't think anyone would fault the play during the season of the role players. To succede they will need some offense from them but all year players like Emily Gryp and Christina Redmond have been solid.

I think the next 2 keys that must fall into place are 1) Karen Thatcher returns does her part to play the PC system and that her teammates play off her playmaking skills letting her spark the second line. 2) Jana has to have more efforts like the 2nd UNH game.

On the cautionary side. This team is less deep then most of the other HE teams. For instance Sunday strictly matching lines, Maine with Droog on their 3rd line created a mismatch for PC. Against Maine since they appear to only use the 3 lines and 5 D PC survived as the extra players Deraney was able to pop in the lineup as he mixed and matched gave them fresher legs. The same holds true for 2nd UNH game. In the 3rd period the ice was severely slanted to the UNH offensive zone as PC was unable to mix lines to get fresh legs in against UNH depth. Jana held on in that game.

At this point even with Watrous' emergence they've still bleed talent out of its graduating classes they have not replaced with their freshmen class for the 2nd straight year. I think it has begun to take a toll. The PC administration is forcing them to play with 1 hand tied behind their back.

I do think a lot of little things also added up to the slow start some probably very intangible. However losing proven 4 year players who had seen loads of ice time like Ruzzi, Butsch and Culgin and in place trying to indoctinate 1/3 of the skaters into a system when compounded by nagging injuries left them befuddled.

Bottom line I wouldn't bet against them if they can stay healthy from here on out and as long as for the 3rd straight year they can satisfy themselves with their league playoff championship.

[rufff]

Is Thatcher out with an injury?"