Holly Carrie-Mattimoe likes to maintain a pass-first mentality. She never really considered herself a great goal scorer.

Neither did her teammates.

‘They’re a little surprised (when I score),’ Carrie-Mattimoe said. ‘They make fun of me.’

But after scoring two goals in Syracuse’s last two games against perennial powers Cornell and McGill, the Syracuse forward has proven she is more than a passer. Carrie-Mattimoe is tied for the team lead in goals with four on the season. The junior’s offensive outburst has been crucial for the ice hockey team that lost its top four goal scorers from last season.

Carrie-Mattimoe scored one of Syracuse’s two goals in its 9-2 loss to No. 3 Cornell on the penalty kill. And in a 2-1 win over McGill, she scored the game-tying goal on a deflection in the second period. Carrie-Mattimoe’s recent performance earned her a spot on the College Hockey America Weekly Honor Roll.

The forward looks to continue her goal-scoring streak when SU (5-7, 0-0 CHA) takes on Ohio State (5-4-1, 5-4-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. at Tennity Ice Pavilion after more than a week off from game action.

Though Carrie-Mattimoe may be surprised about her newfound success scoring, SU head coach Paul Flanagan is not. Flanagan said Carrie-Mattimoe has developed into an elite offensive forward in her time with the Orange. She showed flashes of that ability her freshman year when she was fourth on the team in scoring and second in assists.

‘She’s one of our more consistent players in all three zones, in all three areas of the ice,’ Flanagan said. ‘She came in here originally because she was a real solid defensive player. Lo and behold, her freshman year she had 27 points. … She just has good instincts all over the ice.’

Carrie-Mattimoe saw a drop in production on offense last year, recording just 17 points, but she emerged as the defensive player Flanagan expected and blocked 17 shots. This year, she returned as the offensive threat she was her freshman year after scoring just six goals last season.

Aside from her spike in scoring this season, Carrie-Mattimoe is still the gifted passer she has always been. That ability makes her a key part of Syracuse’s offense, which depends on moving the puck well. The Orange’s passing has been lackadaisical this season, and that has caused the team to struggle on the power play.

‘On the power play you want the puck to do the skating for you,’ Flanagan said. ‘ … We’ve really struggled when we’re not making tape-to-tape passes. Just making good passes is critical, it’s essential.’

As SU aims to improve, Carrie-Mattimoe will need to be a playmaker.

Though the Orange hasn’t been sharp at all times, she credits her recent goal-scoring spree to her teammates’ passing ability.

‘I work very well with my line,’ Carrie-Mattimoe said. ‘They’re getting me the puck, too, so I guess they’re helping me out.’

Flanagan and Carrie-Mattimoe both said the team is at its best when passing the puck well. Forward Megan Skelly said the Orange gets more scoring opportunities when the puck is in motion, which leads to more goals.

Skelly has noticed the team’s confidence grow in handling the puck on offense.

‘It’s hugely important, especially power play.’ Skelly said. ‘ You can move that puck fast, especially on the offensive zone.’

And with the newfound team emphasis on passing, Carrie-Mattimoe should only put more pucks in the back of the net as the season goes on. After serving as a role player her first two seasons, Carrie-Mattimoe has earned her shots, and she’s going to keep taking them.

‘I’m getting used to it,’ Carrie-Mattimoe said. ‘Maybe a couple more passes, but I’m getting used to it.’

dbwilson@syr.edu