Where: Jacksonville
When: Saturday February 21, 7:00 p.m.
St. Johns gets to escape the frigid temperatures of the northeast as they travel down to Jacksonville, Florida to take on the Jacksonville Dolphins. St. Johns enters the game 1-1 after a loss to UMass and a win against Stony Brook. Meanwhile, Jacksonville got blown out in its home opener 20-4 to Army.
Can Jacksonville pull off a mini-upset or does the Red Storm continues the Dolphins losing ways?
St. Johns offense vs Jacksonville defense
Edge: St. Johns
It’s no secret that Jacksonville needs a little while to build a program. Last week Army scored 20 goals on 32 shots in their blowout win. St. Johns doesn’t have the star like Army did in John Glesener, however, St. Johns has a balanced offense, especially at attack.
The attack unit, despite an entire new unit due to graduation, continues to be the heartbeat of the offense. In their win against Stony Brook, the Red Storm’s attack registered 16 points in their 13-8 victory.
Jacksonville’s goaltending is also worrisome as Bass Barfield allowed 19 goals on 25 shots before getting pulled after three quarters. Does Jacksonville go back to Barfield or do they go to sophomore goaltender Addison Sherwood who had six saves and allowed only one goal?
Regardless of who plays in goal, St. Johns will handle the Jacksonville defense.
St. Johns defense vs Jacksonville offense
Edge: St. Johns
The Red Storm’s defense is led by Mark DiFrangia who has four caused turnovers in two games, three of which came against Stony Brook. Goalie Joseph Danaher has also played very well for the Red Storm as he has saved 13 and 16 shots in back-to-back games. He and DiFrangia should lead a very solid defensive effort against a Jacksonville offense that really struggled against Army last week.
Jacksonville’s offense had a nice burst against Army in the second quarter with three goals but they were held scoreless for the last 36 minutes and 14 seconds of the game. Army’s defense is better but St. John’s still provides a strong goalie and a good defender so any threat that Jacksonville boasts will be easily neutralized on Saturday.
Faceoffs
Edge: St. Johns
Justin Corpolongo has had a very strong start to the season as he has won 10-of-19 faceoffs in each of his first two games. The fact that he beat out one of the best faceoffmen in the country in Rutgers’ Joseph Nardella in the season opener.
Therefore, he should have no trouble against Jacksonville who went 12-of-26 against Army in their season opener.
Prediction:
St. Johns should have no trouble handling Jacksonvile in Florida on Saturday. Led by a strong attack unit and a good faceoff man and defense, the Red Storm will control possession and rack up the points. Expect a score somewhere around 14-6 in favor of St. Johns.
