Stepping onto the ice on Jan. 5 against Robert Morris, one thought ran through senior forward Alysha Burriss’ mind: two more months.

In her and the other seniors’ final two months of collegiate action, Syracuse (8-14-2, 7-4-1 College Hockey America) wants to change the trend of losing in the CHA final, something it has done each of the past six years. With SU committed to breaking the streak, the seniors are dedicated to winning the CHA title in what could be the group’s final game.

“This is my last two months so I’m at the point where I just have to make the best of it,” senior defender Megan Quinn said. “I’ve been playing hockey since I was four and all the sudden, it’s almost over.”

This year’s seniors have seen its season end the same way since arriving on campus: a loss in the final. While the streak extends past these seniors’ arrival on campus, it is still a motivating factor for this group, Quinn said.

Last season, at the end of a heartbreaking two-goal loss to Robert Morris in the CHA final, the Orange collectively slumped onto the bench. Depressed with the outcome, SU was forced to watch its opponent hoist the CHA trophy from the losing side for the sixth time. The painful memories stung, but now Syracuse is simply more motivated than ever to win the first CHA title in program history, Burriss said.

“I just want to win the CHA this year,” senior goaltender Abbey Miller said on Oct. 10 before the season began. “That’s pretty much the only real goal I have this year.”

Still, as SU has struggled to stay above .500 all season long, head coach Paul Flanagan said he has appreciated his seniors’ focus on having more consistent performances. Whether it is Quinn, Burriss, senior forward Stephanie Grossi or Miller, Flanagan is grateful for the performance of his seniors on and off the ice.

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Specifically, Flanagan said Burriss has begun to play at a high level in 2018. After scoring one goal in the first 18 games of the season, she has had an offensive eruption as of late. In the first six games of 2018, Burriss has scored three goals herself and assisted on another, including a two-goal effort against Robert Morris on Jan. 5.

Off the ice, Burriss and the other seniors have maintained a positive and hardworking perspective throughout the season, thus influencing the freshman, Flanagan said.

Only 10 games remain until the CHA playoffs begin and the Orange understands that there is still room for improvement.

“We have been working really hard in practice,” Quinn said. “We’ve been really emphasizing lately that we play so much better when we work hard. We know we can beat anyone when doing that.”

After starting 2018 with losses in three of the first four games, the Orange swept an away series against conference rival Penn State. Currently, they’re third place in the CHA with 15 points. Facing first-place Mercyhurst this weekend in Syracuse, the Orange has an opportunity to tie the Lakers with two wins.

“(The seniors) know time is winding down,” Flanagan said. “They all know it’s not about me, me, me. They get it, it’s a collective effort.”

Published on January 23, 2018 at 9:54 pm

Contact Adam: adhillma@syr.edu | @_adamhillman