Bowling Green State University Athletics
Matsumoto Continues To Improve For Falcon Icers
February 08, 2007 | Ice Hockey
Feb. 8, 2007
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Jonathan Matsumoto entered his junior season at Bowling Green with high expectations.
Probably too high.
The ultra-talented forward has played well, although admittedly not as well as he'd like as he and his Falcon hockey teammates have struggled to find their desired results.
Still, Matsumoto's overall game continues to improve and he's still the focus of opposing teams when they play BG.
 Matsumoto and the Falcons host Michigan on Friday night.  |
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Matsumoto, a third-round draft pick of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers in June, was thought to be headed for another superb season after totaling 20 goals and 28 assists in 36 games last season.
But going into the Michigan game, he has just 10 goals and 15 assists in 31 games, and may not match his freshman output of 32 points in 36 games.
His decreased production is one reason the Falcons are last in the CCHA in goals per game (1.84) and power-play conversions (9.0 percent, 19 goals in 31 games).
"The good parts of the season have been real good," he said. "Unfortunately, there have been a lot more not so great games. I'm playing really well at times, then a stretch of not so well. It's frustrating."
Matsumoto was terrific early in the season, totaling three goals and five assists in his first five games and then slumped. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder picked it up again with five goals and three assists in five games midway through the season.
Since the hot start, Matsumoto has just seven goals and 17 points in 26 games.
He's been pointless in 14 of BG's 31 games. He's had seven multiple-point games and the team is 5-2 in those games. The Falcons are 4-4-1 when Matsumoto scores a goal.
"He's a dynamic player ... a threat to score any time he's on the ice, no matter what his stats might be," Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson said. "His speed, his skill, his anticipation and his ability to make plays are outstanding. You really have to be aware of him."
Matsumoto was expected to duplicate and maybe even improve on last season's output. But he also lost linemate Alex Foster, who skipped his final seasons to sign with the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs. Foster totaled 11 goals and 40 assists last season.
"At times, I've put a little bit too much pressure on myself and maybe that's hurting me a bit," he said. "I really expected a lot more out of myself. I came into this year with a little higher aspirations than what I've accomplished so far."
Matsumoto's also received close attention from BG's opponents, who almost always use their two best defensemen against him. The opponents also often play their best defensive line or best offensive line against Matsumoto.
And the opponents have been physical against him at every opportunity. BG has been able to keep Matsumoto away from the close checking at times at home where it has the last line change. But on the road, the opponents have the last change.
"You have to play through that because all of the good players face that," he said.
Interestingly, his shots on goal totals are similar to last season. He's averaging 3.4 shots per game this season, compared to 3.3 last season and 2.6 as a freshman.
Falcon coach Scott Paluch said the actual number of scoring chances Matsumoto has had this season is similar to the last two seasons. "Last year, a lot of marginal pucks went in and that hasn't been happening this year," Paluch said.
Alhough Matsumoto hasn't played as well this season as he has in the past, his overall play has improved this season.
He's still made the clever offensive plays and shown bursts of speed, but he's been more physical and finished more checks, and has been better defensively. He's even skated on the penalty-killing unit. Matsumoto, like most talented offensive players, never had to play much defense until he came to college.
"He's really worked hard on improving his play away from the puck. That's really helped his all-around game," Paluch said. "He's played hard every day and he still has that little kid enthusiasm. He works hard in practice every day."
He's also battled through a number of nagging injuries, including a sore back.
"If you're not creating chances and putting up points, you'd better be sound defensively or you won't see the ice," Matsumoto said.
Had Matsumoto had another big season, he undoubtedly would have been headed to the Flyers after this season. Now, he may not. He's expected to graduate on time in the spring of 2008 with a degree in communications.
"I've tried to keep (the Flyers) in the back of mind and when the season is over, I'll worry about the future," Matsumoto said. "I just want to concentrate on finishing our season strong, so we can get on a good roll and build some momentum for the playoffs."
