Post by dogcatcher on Jan 11, 2008 7:06:59 GMT -4
Sea Dogs look to regain penalty killer instinct
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday January 11th, 2008
Appeared on page B6
SAINT JOHN - After getting back in the win column on Wednesday night, the Saint John Sea Dogs hope to improve an area that's contributed to the team playing .500 over its last four contests.
For much of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season, the Sea Dogs were among the best penalty killing units in the league. However, over the past five games, the team has surrendered eight power-play markers. Look no further than the back-to-back losses against the St. John's Fog Devils for proof. The Fog Devils scored a late power-play goal to win 3-2 in the second of the three-game set and then notched another three in a 6-1 victory.
Even Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan was an example. Both Titan goals against were with the man-advantage. The 75 per cent efficiency has sent the Sea Dogs to the bottom of the league heading into tonight's game against the Shawinigan Cataractes. Head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said the teams needs to do the little things right to get back on track.
"We just haven't been sharp lately," he said. "We're not getting sticks in the lanes, not activating pressure quick enough and allowing other teams to make plays."
One of the Sea Dogs top penalty killers - Alexandre Leduc - said he's not sure why the team has fallen on hard times when down a man.
"I think we need to focus on the task more," he said. "Maybe we're thinking more about scoring shorthanded than stopping the other team from scoring."
"We just need to be sharper and block more shots."
Francois Gauthier often shares penalty killing duties with Leduc and said shutting down opposing teams power plays has been a source of pride most for the duo.
"We're proud of our role and we don't like to be scored on," Gauthier said. "One thing we like to do is forecheck and create pressure because if they're not in our zone, they can't score."
Beaulieu said changes are on the way to get the special teams unit heading in the right direction.
"We're going to have two systems now - one pressure and one passive," the head coach said. "We'll adjust to teams as we have to."
The Sea Dogs coaching staff are also working on developing more penalty killers such as Mike Thomas and Michael Kirkpatrick.
Another area of improvement that could benefit the penalty kill is in the faceoff circle. Saint John has struggled winning draws lately and the teams best faceoff man, Matthew Stoddard, doesn't play much on the penalty kill.
"Faceoffs are huge," Beaulieu said. "Every time you win a faceoff on the (penalty kill) you're killing about 30 seconds. "¦ Were not overly good at faceoffs and I think that has to do with our centres being small and not overly strong."
The bench boss added the coaches will look to work Stoddard onto the list of penalty killers.
The Sea Dogs take to the ice against Shawinigan tonight in a 7:30 p.m. start at Harbour Station.
AUCTION: The Sea Dogs are auctioning off white game jerseys from last year's team. To make a bid, go online to saintjohnseadogs.com and click on the auction link. The auction ends Jan. 15 at 5 p.m.
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday January 11th, 2008
Appeared on page B6
SAINT JOHN - After getting back in the win column on Wednesday night, the Saint John Sea Dogs hope to improve an area that's contributed to the team playing .500 over its last four contests.
For much of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season, the Sea Dogs were among the best penalty killing units in the league. However, over the past five games, the team has surrendered eight power-play markers. Look no further than the back-to-back losses against the St. John's Fog Devils for proof. The Fog Devils scored a late power-play goal to win 3-2 in the second of the three-game set and then notched another three in a 6-1 victory.
Even Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan was an example. Both Titan goals against were with the man-advantage. The 75 per cent efficiency has sent the Sea Dogs to the bottom of the league heading into tonight's game against the Shawinigan Cataractes. Head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said the teams needs to do the little things right to get back on track.
"We just haven't been sharp lately," he said. "We're not getting sticks in the lanes, not activating pressure quick enough and allowing other teams to make plays."
One of the Sea Dogs top penalty killers - Alexandre Leduc - said he's not sure why the team has fallen on hard times when down a man.
"I think we need to focus on the task more," he said. "Maybe we're thinking more about scoring shorthanded than stopping the other team from scoring."
"We just need to be sharper and block more shots."
Francois Gauthier often shares penalty killing duties with Leduc and said shutting down opposing teams power plays has been a source of pride most for the duo.
"We're proud of our role and we don't like to be scored on," Gauthier said. "One thing we like to do is forecheck and create pressure because if they're not in our zone, they can't score."
Beaulieu said changes are on the way to get the special teams unit heading in the right direction.
"We're going to have two systems now - one pressure and one passive," the head coach said. "We'll adjust to teams as we have to."
The Sea Dogs coaching staff are also working on developing more penalty killers such as Mike Thomas and Michael Kirkpatrick.
Another area of improvement that could benefit the penalty kill is in the faceoff circle. Saint John has struggled winning draws lately and the teams best faceoff man, Matthew Stoddard, doesn't play much on the penalty kill.
"Faceoffs are huge," Beaulieu said. "Every time you win a faceoff on the (penalty kill) you're killing about 30 seconds. "¦ Were not overly good at faceoffs and I think that has to do with our centres being small and not overly strong."
The bench boss added the coaches will look to work Stoddard onto the list of penalty killers.
The Sea Dogs take to the ice against Shawinigan tonight in a 7:30 p.m. start at Harbour Station.
AUCTION: The Sea Dogs are auctioning off white game jerseys from last year's team. To make a bid, go online to saintjohnseadogs.com and click on the auction link. The auction ends Jan. 15 at 5 p.m.
