Marsh: We have to get better...

With one game left in the first semester, it's time to reflect. Where does St. Lawrence stand, and where is it going in the new year?

“Overall, it's been pretty good,” coach Joe Marsh said. “We want to come back refreshed and get after it.”

St. Lawrence's most striking contrast from last season comes during the penalty kill. Last year's squad killed nearly 90 percent of penalties. So far this season, its' 71.6 percent.

“It's better than it looks,” Marsh said. “There were a couple right at the very end that they scored. We gotta close the deal.”

It's true. St. Lawrence has allowed 27 power-play goals this season, 11 of which came in the final 30 seconds of the man-advantage. The Saints have allowed seven power-play scores with less than 10 seconds left to kill.

“I think our penalty kills need to be more aggressive,” Marsh said. “We have to be putting ourselves in a better position. There's plenty we can work on.”

And that's what the team worked on all week.

“Obviously the special teams are a key particularly,” Marsh said. “We have to get better at that.”

While the penalty kill has been problematic, the power power play is statistically improved over last season. The Saints are converting 21.2 percent of power plays, up from 17.6 percent last year.

“Everybody has a little different formula,” Marsh said. “You have to keep guys fresh.”

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INJURY REPORT

The Saints are finally back to relatively full health, although several players are battling minor injuries.

Not playing this weekend are:

Matt Dyer — AC sprain, which Marsh said is “not as bad as Flanagan's was.”

Jared Keller — Concussion. He missed the Clarkson series after getting hit in Maine. He's been on the mend for three weeks now, and will not risk it again on Saturday. “We're not rushing him at all,” Marsh said. “I want to make sure we get him back.”