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Syracuse constantly pressured Lindenwood. It fired off four-straight shots in 40 seconds before a wrap-around shot by Rhéa Hicks got stuck in a mass of bodies near the net. Defenseman Hannah Johnson then crashed the puck and struck the rebound hard into the net. 

“When there’s a lot of people low, then me jumping in never hurts,” Johnson said.

Johnson has seen an increased offensive role this season after the team’s top three shooters from last year graduated. She ranks third on the team in shots and goals this season, nearly passing her shot total from last year in half as many games. The increased offensive volume was a natural progression for Johnson, as a former forward.

In tenth grade, Johnson switched from forward to defender to fill a need on her squad at Stanstead College in Quebec. There were five Division I commits in her class, so she adjusted her position to get playing time.

“When I made the switch from forward, I was already a forward-minded defenseman,” Johnson said. “I think that how I play correlates with that background.”

Johnson’s high school coach, Bernie Pimm, compared her to Chay Genoway, a defenseman Pimm coached who eventually played in the NHL. Genoway had an elite skillset and speed, but wasn’t a good enough playmaker to remain at forward, Pimm said. Pimm said his decision to move Johnson back was based on similarities he saw between her and Genoway.

“Good players who can choose to get on the board, check, but maybe not see the window or opportunity to make plays as a forward,” Pimm said. “It was evident really, really early that she can see the whole ice back there and have a greater impact on the game from back there.”

This season, Johnson said having experience as a forward helped to make her mark on offense.

She also said every skater should try switching positions at some point to get a different perspective on the ice and understand the roles of their teammates.

“I think that experience really helps my game and my vision on the ice,” Johnson said. “You see a different side of the game, especially wing versus center versus defense.”

Johnson shot a combined nine times for two scores in as many games against Lindenwood. Both goals against the Lions came in the game’s opening minutes to give the Orange an early advantage.

In the first game, she scored eight seconds into the power play, where Sarah Thompson won the faceoff and passed to Johnson, who couldn’t find a lane just beyond the right circle.

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As soon as she passed the puck to Hicks, Johnson crept toward the net. When Hicks fired a slap shot off of the goalie and the puck spun out to the right, Johnson crashed the net to score a wide-open putback.

Head coach Britni Smith said Johnson’s speed is what allows her to get close to the net and make plays on the puck without giving up too much defensively.

“She’s pretty shifty, which allows her to, when she’s carrying the puck at F1 speed, make that next play,” Smith said.

Smith said Johnson and Mae Batherson, who has a team-high seven assists, have stepped up on offense in the absence of some of last year’s playmakers.

Graduate defender Jessica DiGirolamo was the Orange’s leading shot-taker last season. With her departure, Johnson and Batherson have filled part of that role. Johnson said DiGirolamo is a much different player than herself, but she and Batherson together have taken some of that responsibility.

Smith said finding offensive reads and making those decisions to be involved is part of Johnson and Batherson’s natural playing style as defenders.

“You can see them jumping into the play from breakouts, joining rushes and transitions on the offensive blue line, or continually moving their feet trying to find opportunities to be involved,” Smith said.

On her first goal of the season, Johnson received a pass from Tatum White after a scuffle on the boards and immediately fired from outside. She quickly followed her shot, and after a save by the goalie, the puck bounced right back to Johnson and she scored in a hurry to give SU the lead.

All three of her goals this season have been the first of the game. Bimm said he wasn’t surprised by that, as Johnson was always an aggressive defender who was looking to score.

“Offense was never a question,” Bimm said. “Her aggression is make-or-break… She really gets beneath the hens and uses her size to her advantage.”

Published on November 17, 2022 at 12:25 am

Contact Wyatt: wbmiller@syr.edu