Caruso
will take the Derek Lowe approach this season: move from
elite reliever to a top-notch starter.
Key
Statistics: Played in 14 games, including 11 starts,
posting a 9-3-0 record, a 1.97 goals against average and a
.924 save percentage. He helped the Buckeyes to their first
league playoff championship since 1972, earning victories
in each of OSU's three games at the CCHA Super Six.
What
He Does: Last season, Caruso was to the Buckeyes
what Frank Reich used to be to the Buffalo Bills of the 1990's
– the likeable, team-first backup who'd patiently bide
his time behind the starter, then perform with no appreciable
drop-off when given the chance. More of a scrambler in goal,
Caruso likes to challenge shooters and rely on his lateral
quickness to make saves.
The
Bigger Picture: Now that he's the Buckeyes' most
experienced netminder, Caruso must prove he can consistently
win games as opposed to shining in relief duty. He's an adequate
skater who likes to handle the puck and never gives up on
a play – the quickness that allows him to move so well
from side-to-side also lets him recover fast enough to get
out of trouble.
According
to Caruso: "When I'm not having fun, I'm not
playing well. It's rolling with the punches. You're going
to have good periods and bad periods. You have to persevere."
