Yes and no.
In the first I thought the defense was not great. There was one play where their top player walked in from the blue into the slot unchallenged... it took so long and I have no idea why a forward didn't go challenge him. He waited for a screen and put it just inside the right post. Swayman couldn't see it at all. Another play generated behind the net, and the d didn't ceil it off and constrict the passing lane, puck come up across inside left circle edge of slot and was one timed. Swayman had no time to react as he had to guard right post, then establish position on shooter, and puck was by him before he could react to the puck. The other goal was players going to the net and traffic and bumping Swayman and they banged in the rebound.
In the second Swayman mishandled a puck after a terrible decision to try to outlet to d man with the only forechecker cover that d man. Guys got best assist he could hope for with a net with no goalie in it from about 10 feet away. Two other goals JSS put in accidently while trying to make plays. He dove to try to disrupt a forward in on Swayman. Swayman made the save but JSS momentum took Swayman, puck, and JSS into the net and off mornings and into end boards. The other one puck trickled behind Swayman and he was slowing laying back in hopes of laying on it, but JSS scooped it and tried to flip it away from goal line. Unfortunately it hit Swaymans back and bounced back in. I don't know if it was a goal if it was never handled. But tough to fault JSS for either as he was trying to make plays. The 4th goal that period was a softy that Swayman stops 99 percent of the time. I think all 4 goals in the second were not neccessarily the fault of the defense.
Seems like if the defense plays solid and if the goaltending is there they can compete. I am hopeful. Need to grind hard for 60 minutes and every shift to try to beat this UMD team. Their team defense and d pairs look fantastic. Reminds me of when Maine had Campbell Blair coaching the pairings in front of Howard when we lost to Denver in the finals. Just had a knack for keeping the shots to 20 or less a game for the opponents wether it be taking the body, stick checking, blocking shots, etc... They seemingly are strong in all areas. I bet MUD is top team in country before too long.
