Post by dogcatcher on Dec 19, 2007 7:06:32 GMT -4
Dogs set new standards
Hockey With 22 wins at halfway point. Saint John assured of best season in franchise history
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday December 19th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - Halfway through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season and two words keep popping up when the Saint John Sea Dogs are mentioned - franchise record.
The team has set new standards for wins, points, shutouts, points in one game, goals in one contest and most goals in a season by one player. With that in mind, it would be easy to give the Sea Dogs an A grade on their first 35 contests. However, the team isn't being judged on past seasons, but where they stack up in the QMJHL.
So overall, the first half grade for Saint John is an A. The grade was calculated by evaluating four areas - offence, defence, goaltending and special teams.
DEFENCE: A
What was being called the strength of the team at the start of the season has been just that for the Sea Dogs. Only the Chicoutmi Sagueneens and Baie-Comeau Drakkar have allowed fewer goals than the Sea Dogs' 113 this season.
Saint John has six solid blue-liners led by captain Alex Grant. The first overall pick in the 2005 QMJHL entry draft has come into his own this season and sees time in all situations. In fact, Grant sees the ice as much as any player in the league and this alone has made him invaluable to the club.
"I think I'm playing a more complete game this season," Grant said. "I've been playing in all situations and I like being an all-around defenceman, not just one dimensional."
Simon Despres, the first overall pick in the 2007 QMJHL draft, has looked comfortable at the major junior level and has played like a veteran rather than a 16-year-old rookie. His solid all-around game was recognized by the league when he joined teammates Chris Di Domenico, Yann Sauve and Grant on the QMJHL's squad for the Canada/Russia Challenge.
A quick scan of the numbers shows a dramatic change from previous years in that only Sauve has a negative plus/minus rating amongst defencemen at -3.
Head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said defence will continue to be the Dogs' strong suit in the second half.
"We need to maintain good (defensive) zone coverage and limit scoring chances," Beaulieu said. "That's the way I feel we're going to win in the second half."
OFFENCE: B
Star players have to be star players in order for their teams to win and second-year forward Chris Di Domenico has been just that for the Sea Dogs. The Woodbridge, Ont. native is tied for third in goals with 26 and tied for fourth in league scoring with 53 points.
The 18-year-old has point streaks of 14, nine and six games this season and has only been held off the score sheet in five games. Another factor in the Sea Dogs' solid offensive numbers is the acquisition of 20-year-old forwards Scott Howes and Alexandre Picard. The duo have provided solid second-line scoring for Saint John, combining for 57 points. Howes has stood out as a great pickup with his touch around the net and hard-nosed play, making him a threat whenever he's on the ice.
First-year forwards Michael Kirkpatrick and Steven Anthony have been good and with half a season under their belts, and their offensive numbers should increase in the second half. Anthony was recently honoured as the Sea Dogs' mid-season rookie excellence award winner, which was selected by Beaulieu.
"(Anthony) has 13 points in the first half of the season and we thought he developed really well and come a long way since September," Beaulieu said.
The bench boss admits it was a tough choice between Anthony, Despres and Kirkpatrick.
For his part, Anthony thinks he's improved from the start of the year, but doesn't focus on individual goals.
"I'm part of a team and I want to contribute in any way I can," Anthony said. "I've become more comfortable playing in the league as the season goes on, but my main focus is always how to help the team win."
Third-year forward Ryan Sparling has put up great offensive numbers as well this season, but shoulder problems have kept him out of 12 games.
GOALTENDING: A
The goaltending duo of Riverview's Travis Fullerton and Swiss import Robert Mayer have given Saint John a chance to win almost every night.
Of the two, Fullerton has been the most consistent whereas Mayer has struggled in a few games. Fullerton is in the top 10 in the QMHJL in goals-against average and save percentage while Mayer has recorded a couple of shutouts, giving him the most by any Sea Dog in franchise history. Third goalie Troy Passingham looked solid in his only start - a 31-save 4-3 loss to the Moncton Wildcats.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B
Both the penalty kill and power play units are amongst the 10 best in the QMJHL, so it's easy to give the Sea Dogs high marks in this regard.
However, the power play has been hit or miss at times. In the first month or so, the play with the man advantage struggled, but got rolling thanks to some juggling by Beaulieu, who put five forwards on the unit, or four forwards and Grant. The change was dramatic as the Sea Dogs vaulted from the bottom to the top half of the league in terms of power-play efficiency.
The penalty kill has been steady for most of the year, with a few lapses mixed in. The only concern with the special teams is many players skate on both units and fatigue has taken its toll in the latter stages of games.
Beaulieu said the overload of ice time is a problem and the coaching staff will look to rectify it in the second half. Players returning from injury - notably Picard and Sparling - should help spread the workload around.
"It really hurts our special teams when (Sparling) is not around," Beaulieu said. "He's a half boards player on the power play, kills a lot of penalties and a top line player, so it hurts us dearly when he's not around."
Once both players return, the Sea Dogs will have two power-play units and Kirkpatrick will see more penalty kill time, giving Saint John six forwards they can use when down a man.
Hockey With 22 wins at halfway point. Saint John assured of best season in franchise history
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday December 19th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - Halfway through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season and two words keep popping up when the Saint John Sea Dogs are mentioned - franchise record.
The team has set new standards for wins, points, shutouts, points in one game, goals in one contest and most goals in a season by one player. With that in mind, it would be easy to give the Sea Dogs an A grade on their first 35 contests. However, the team isn't being judged on past seasons, but where they stack up in the QMJHL.
So overall, the first half grade for Saint John is an A. The grade was calculated by evaluating four areas - offence, defence, goaltending and special teams.
DEFENCE: A
What was being called the strength of the team at the start of the season has been just that for the Sea Dogs. Only the Chicoutmi Sagueneens and Baie-Comeau Drakkar have allowed fewer goals than the Sea Dogs' 113 this season.
Saint John has six solid blue-liners led by captain Alex Grant. The first overall pick in the 2005 QMJHL entry draft has come into his own this season and sees time in all situations. In fact, Grant sees the ice as much as any player in the league and this alone has made him invaluable to the club.
"I think I'm playing a more complete game this season," Grant said. "I've been playing in all situations and I like being an all-around defenceman, not just one dimensional."
Simon Despres, the first overall pick in the 2007 QMJHL draft, has looked comfortable at the major junior level and has played like a veteran rather than a 16-year-old rookie. His solid all-around game was recognized by the league when he joined teammates Chris Di Domenico, Yann Sauve and Grant on the QMJHL's squad for the Canada/Russia Challenge.
A quick scan of the numbers shows a dramatic change from previous years in that only Sauve has a negative plus/minus rating amongst defencemen at -3.
Head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said defence will continue to be the Dogs' strong suit in the second half.
"We need to maintain good (defensive) zone coverage and limit scoring chances," Beaulieu said. "That's the way I feel we're going to win in the second half."
OFFENCE: B
Star players have to be star players in order for their teams to win and second-year forward Chris Di Domenico has been just that for the Sea Dogs. The Woodbridge, Ont. native is tied for third in goals with 26 and tied for fourth in league scoring with 53 points.
The 18-year-old has point streaks of 14, nine and six games this season and has only been held off the score sheet in five games. Another factor in the Sea Dogs' solid offensive numbers is the acquisition of 20-year-old forwards Scott Howes and Alexandre Picard. The duo have provided solid second-line scoring for Saint John, combining for 57 points. Howes has stood out as a great pickup with his touch around the net and hard-nosed play, making him a threat whenever he's on the ice.
First-year forwards Michael Kirkpatrick and Steven Anthony have been good and with half a season under their belts, and their offensive numbers should increase in the second half. Anthony was recently honoured as the Sea Dogs' mid-season rookie excellence award winner, which was selected by Beaulieu.
"(Anthony) has 13 points in the first half of the season and we thought he developed really well and come a long way since September," Beaulieu said.
The bench boss admits it was a tough choice between Anthony, Despres and Kirkpatrick.
For his part, Anthony thinks he's improved from the start of the year, but doesn't focus on individual goals.
"I'm part of a team and I want to contribute in any way I can," Anthony said. "I've become more comfortable playing in the league as the season goes on, but my main focus is always how to help the team win."
Third-year forward Ryan Sparling has put up great offensive numbers as well this season, but shoulder problems have kept him out of 12 games.
GOALTENDING: A
The goaltending duo of Riverview's Travis Fullerton and Swiss import Robert Mayer have given Saint John a chance to win almost every night.
Of the two, Fullerton has been the most consistent whereas Mayer has struggled in a few games. Fullerton is in the top 10 in the QMHJL in goals-against average and save percentage while Mayer has recorded a couple of shutouts, giving him the most by any Sea Dog in franchise history. Third goalie Troy Passingham looked solid in his only start - a 31-save 4-3 loss to the Moncton Wildcats.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B
Both the penalty kill and power play units are amongst the 10 best in the QMJHL, so it's easy to give the Sea Dogs high marks in this regard.
However, the power play has been hit or miss at times. In the first month or so, the play with the man advantage struggled, but got rolling thanks to some juggling by Beaulieu, who put five forwards on the unit, or four forwards and Grant. The change was dramatic as the Sea Dogs vaulted from the bottom to the top half of the league in terms of power-play efficiency.
The penalty kill has been steady for most of the year, with a few lapses mixed in. The only concern with the special teams is many players skate on both units and fatigue has taken its toll in the latter stages of games.
Beaulieu said the overload of ice time is a problem and the coaching staff will look to rectify it in the second half. Players returning from injury - notably Picard and Sparling - should help spread the workload around.
"It really hurts our special teams when (Sparling) is not around," Beaulieu said. "He's a half boards player on the power play, kills a lot of penalties and a top line player, so it hurts us dearly when he's not around."
Once both players return, the Sea Dogs will have two power-play units and Kirkpatrick will see more penalty kill time, giving Saint John six forwards they can use when down a man.