Post by dogcatcher on Jan 5, 2008 8:31:32 GMT -4
Returning rookies prompt question
QMJHL: Saint John takes on St. John's tonight in second game of rare three-game set in Newfoundland
Andrew McGilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday January 5th, 2008
Appeared on page C6
ST. JOHN'S, NL - Saint John Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu has a decision to make - albeit an enviable one for a bench boss.
Where do you insert two first-round draft picks into the lineup with a team playing solid hockey and riding a four-game win streak?
Defenceman Simon Despres and forward Steven Anthony may return to the Sea Dogs fold tonight against the St. John's Fog Devils in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. The first and 10th overall selections in the 2007 QMJHL draft were on loan Team Quebec and Atlantic for the World Under-17 Hockey Championship in London, Ont.
Beaulieu said he hasn't decided if the two will suit up just yet.
"I don't know yet, we're going to see where their energy level is at," Beaulieu said. "They've played a lot of hockey and there's some travel involved, so we'll see what happens."
Despres was part of Team Quebec that went 2-2-1 in the tournament and defeated Anthony and Team Atlantic in the seventh place game. For his part, Anthony was the top forward for the Atlantic squad with three goals and one assist for four points in five contests.
If they play Saturday, they'd be welcome additions. The Sea Dogs blue-line logged some major minutes in Thursday's 4-1 win with Alex Grant, Yann Sauve and Pascal Amyot playing well over 20 minutes apiece. Defenceman David Stich is feeling under the weather, so adding Despres into the lineup could help with back-to-back games today and Sunday.
As for Anthony, he'll be coming back to a lineup averaging just under six goals in the last four contests.
The line of Scott Howes, Alexandre Picard and Keven Charland were the top trio for the Sea Dogs on Thursday with one goal each. Howes was the best forward in the game with three points - adding to his five-game point streak that includes six goals and eight assists.
Beaulieu said he was impressed with Howes play.
"He was very good," the bench boss said. "He had good puck pursuit, cycled the puck well and was bringing it to the net."
For his part, the Toronto product credits his linemates for his solid numbers.
"Charland, Picard and I have really begun to click." he said. "The key is to get the puck to (Picard)."
No matter who's in the lineup, team captain Grant said the Sea Dogs have confidence.
"It will be good to get those two guys back and it will help for sure," Grant said. "But we've shown we can play without top players in the lineup when Picard and Sparling were out."
"We've shown that if we play hard when we're down some players and show a little extra heart we can play with anybody."
Saint John takes to the ice tonight against the Fog Devils in a 6:30 p.m. start. The teams play the third game of the mini-set on Sunday at 1:30 p.m
QMJHL: Saint John takes on St. John's tonight in second game of rare three-game set in Newfoundland
Andrew McGilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday January 5th, 2008
Appeared on page C6
ST. JOHN'S, NL - Saint John Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu has a decision to make - albeit an enviable one for a bench boss.
Where do you insert two first-round draft picks into the lineup with a team playing solid hockey and riding a four-game win streak?
Defenceman Simon Despres and forward Steven Anthony may return to the Sea Dogs fold tonight against the St. John's Fog Devils in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. The first and 10th overall selections in the 2007 QMJHL draft were on loan Team Quebec and Atlantic for the World Under-17 Hockey Championship in London, Ont.
Beaulieu said he hasn't decided if the two will suit up just yet.
"I don't know yet, we're going to see where their energy level is at," Beaulieu said. "They've played a lot of hockey and there's some travel involved, so we'll see what happens."
Despres was part of Team Quebec that went 2-2-1 in the tournament and defeated Anthony and Team Atlantic in the seventh place game. For his part, Anthony was the top forward for the Atlantic squad with three goals and one assist for four points in five contests.
If they play Saturday, they'd be welcome additions. The Sea Dogs blue-line logged some major minutes in Thursday's 4-1 win with Alex Grant, Yann Sauve and Pascal Amyot playing well over 20 minutes apiece. Defenceman David Stich is feeling under the weather, so adding Despres into the lineup could help with back-to-back games today and Sunday.
As for Anthony, he'll be coming back to a lineup averaging just under six goals in the last four contests.
The line of Scott Howes, Alexandre Picard and Keven Charland were the top trio for the Sea Dogs on Thursday with one goal each. Howes was the best forward in the game with three points - adding to his five-game point streak that includes six goals and eight assists.
Beaulieu said he was impressed with Howes play.
"He was very good," the bench boss said. "He had good puck pursuit, cycled the puck well and was bringing it to the net."
For his part, the Toronto product credits his linemates for his solid numbers.
"Charland, Picard and I have really begun to click." he said. "The key is to get the puck to (Picard)."
No matter who's in the lineup, team captain Grant said the Sea Dogs have confidence.
"It will be good to get those two guys back and it will help for sure," Grant said. "But we've shown we can play without top players in the lineup when Picard and Sparling were out."
"We've shown that if we play hard when we're down some players and show a little extra heart we can play with anybody."
Saint John takes to the ice tonight against the Fog Devils in a 6:30 p.m. start. The teams play the third game of the mini-set on Sunday at 1:30 p.m
