A year ago at this time, SU junior Anonda Hoppner had yet to tally a point for Colgate. The Carp, Ontario-native is now the first Orange player to receive College Hockey America’s “Player of the Week” award this season.

Hoppner earned the award with four points in back-to-back wins against Lindenwood two weekends ago. She said, though, that she is hardly the reason SU (2-6, 2-2 College Hockey America) secured the victories.

“It’s cool to get recognition and all that, but three of my points were assists and those aren’t assists without my teammates putting the puck in the net,” said Hoppner. “The player of the week award really reflects the whole team effort.”

Coach Paul Flanagan is not surprised by how well the Colgate transfer has adjusted.

“It’s not like she’s a rookie or anything, I mean she played for a real good program in the past,” said Flanagan, “and she’s friends with some of the girls on our team.”

Hoppner has played with junior Lindsay Eastwood since high school. They also trained together for the Canadian Under-18 National team.

The two are comfortable enough to talk to each other and even get on each other for the better of the team, says Eastwood.

Eastwood remembers one time in practice where she wasn’t crashing the middle of the ice hard enough. Hoppner came to her and said, “Come down the middle hard; when I’m on a 5-on-3, come down the middle hard.” The following trip down the ice, Eastwood positioned better and Hoppner found her for a scoring opportunity.

The two also have a good awareness of each other’s style of play. That chemistry was soon recognized by Flanagan, who now has the girls on the same power play line.

Syracuse has notched eight goals in 32 opportunities with an extra skater. Their 25 percent success rate ranks 13th in the nation.

“When we’re on the power play, I always know Lindsay is really effective on the blue line,” said Hoppner, “I know when she’s shooting I need to get on the other end and tip this, because if I do my job it’s going in the net.”

Hoppner now has five points through eight games with SU. Flanagan believes that is purely a function of instinct and creativity.

“You just gotta let the kids play and do what comes naturally,” Flanagan said.

Published on November 1, 2018 at 12:50 am

Contact Tim: tnolan@syr.edu