“You just have to move on to the next one”: Sean Sconone challenging the hot shooters
By Sarah Griffin
Feb 25, 2023
The flashy two-pointers and speedy transition goals with the picture perfect finish at the crease may be what catches people’s eyes in the Championship Series, but the goaltending performances in this format might be the most impressive part of it all.
Sean Sconone leads all goaltenders in the tournament in save percentage with a 53.4% over the course of the three round robin games. While a 53.4% save percentage might not jump off the page, in sixes, it might as well be an 83.4%. To put into perspective how impressive that is, Atlas’s Jack Concannon, another standout goaltender in this tournament, is second in the league with 40%.
One of the biggest questions a lot of people had coming into the Championship Series was how in the world any goalie would make a save in this format. Between the 13-yard 2-point arc and shorter field, no long poles to help defend, a 30-second shot clock, and just the general increase in the speed of the game, it all seems to be the perfect nightmare for a goalie.
“As goalies we know they’re going to score. It's a very fast-paced game,” said Sconone. “It’s all about the next possession and wasting no time. You just have to block it from your brain and move on to the next one.”
In such a chaotic version of the game, Sconone’s looked cool and composed as ever. He’s done his job and more, helping produce offense from the opposite end of the field both with smart and strong clears. He has some of the best hands in the game as a goaltender. His quick hands translate perfectly to sixes to match the quick and high-volume shots. Just like in the field game, he’s nearly impossible to score on from the right side.
Even with the high volume of shots and some shooters seemingly tailor-made for this format, Sconone’s done an excellent job of cooling off even the hottest of shooters.
In last night’s victory over the Whipsnakes, Sconone held the Whips to just 14 goals. Their best shooter Brad Smith was able to get just one by Sconone, shooting 20%. Jay Carlson put up the Whipsnakes’ high in goals last night with three. It was a very quiet night for an offense vying to break open thanks to Sconone.
With the third seed in the playoffs, Sconone and Chrome LC will see the Archers again in the semifinals tonight after an overtime loss to them Tuesday night. With plenty of hot shooters on their end, we’ll see how Sconone answers them a second time around.
