Hometown: Ronkonkama, Long Island, NY
Kevin participates, along with John Poulianos, in the Ronkonkama THL, which uses the ???? board.
NYCTHA's Inaugural Regular Season
Kevin participated in the NYCTHA's Inaugural Season, attending in December 2006 and March 2007.
With 40 of a possible 124 games played, Kevin finished the regular season ranked 3rd on offense (3.50 GFA), 5th on defense (2.10 GAA) and 6th in the final points standings.
In his NYCTHA debut, Kevin tore up the NYCTHA, finishing second on the day in highest winning percentage, .719%. Only the great Lou Marinoff finished with a higher winning percentage, .969%. He barely lost his first game with Lou Marinoff, 2-3. Kevin finished his debut, second in goals against (2.05) and third in goals for (3.25) averages.
Like any player or team, they really prepare mentally and physically prepare to do battle with a top ranked player.
For example, in their first pair of matchups against Kevin Struss, Greg Scoma and John Power went 0 wins, 4 losses by a combined total of goals 20-5! But, in their pair of rematches, Scoma won both games by a total of 11-0, and John Power won both of his games by a total of 7-4 (or 17-4). A complete reversal. (Had they met a third time, in the playoffs, who knows what Kevin might have done in a re-match.) Against, Roger owens, they split their two games, Owens 3-2, Struss 6-4.
Of important note: In both December and March, Kevin significently widened the gap between his first round's goals for and against averages and differentials and his second round's goals for and against averages and differentials (December +8 to a +12, and March +10 to +26). That means, he's a good player playing cold and even though the other players are warmed up after a round, Kevin is an even better player once warmed up.
Playoffs
Kevin qualified for, but could not attend, the playoffs. Most assuredly, had he attended he would have shook up the results.
Prognosis: Expect Kevin Struss to be at the top of the pile in a dogfight for a top finish in the NYCTHA's upcoming 2007-08 season.
