Post by dogcatcher on Nov 16, 2007 7:40:09 GMT -4
Dogs need to hit on all cylinders
QMJHL While offence rolls, defensive zone coverage concerns coach
Andrew McGilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday November 16th, 2007
Appeared on page B6
CHICOUTIMI, Que. - The power play was rolling, the penalty kill was strong and the secondary scoring is on fire.
So why are the Saint John Sea Dogs heading into tonight's contest against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens with one loss on their three-game road trip through the Telus division?
The Sea Dogs lost the opener of the trek 7-6 to the Quebec Remparts on Wednesday.
The answer is the team's strength through most of their 22 games - defence - wasn't up to par against Quebec.
"We've got to tighten up our (defensive) zone," said Saint John head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu. "Sometimes we left our man in the defensive zone uncovered and it lead to goals."
Six goals to be exact.
While the high-octane offence of the Remparts capitalized just once in eight chances with the man advantage, they reeled off six goals at even strength.
"It's got to be a six-man effort (on defence) and we didn't have that (against Quebec)," the bench boss said.
Sea Dogs captain Alex Grant said the defence corps was off on Wednesday and took responsibility for the sloppy play in their own end.
"We were dead out there and it started with me. I thought I played one of my worst games of the year," Grant said.
While they come into Chicoutimi with a loss, the Sagueneens should be wary of the Sea Dogs. It's not often the team's strong suit has been off and the scoring is kicking into high gear. Beaulieu's five-forward power play experiment hit its stride against Quebec with five goals in eight chances.
"I knew it would take some time to get that clicking," Beaulieu said. "They've been getting better the last four or five games, moving the puck well and getting more comfortable with one another."
Another reason for optimism is the play of the second line of Alexandre Picard, Scott Howes and Steven Anthony. The two 20-year-olds - Picard and Howes - are on five-game point streaks with 21 points over that span. First-year forward Anthony is gaining more confidence with each shift on the line and has a three-game point streak of his own.
While Saint John has cause to be optimistic, they can't take Chicoutimi lightly. The Sagueneens outplayed and outshot Saint John in a 4-3 loss at Harbour Station. Grant said the team is aware they need to be better when they hit the ice tonight.
"I told the guys to get their rest because we've still got two games left and they're not going to be easy," the captain said. "We've got to keep our heads in the game and stay focused."
RECORD: Picard set a new franchise record on Wednesday for points in a game. Picard had five points against the Remparts, eclipsing the old record of four. Chris Di Domenico, Ryan Sparling, Scott Howes and Bruce Crawford each scored four points for the Sea Dogs.
QMJHL While offence rolls, defensive zone coverage concerns coach
Andrew McGilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday November 16th, 2007
Appeared on page B6
CHICOUTIMI, Que. - The power play was rolling, the penalty kill was strong and the secondary scoring is on fire.
So why are the Saint John Sea Dogs heading into tonight's contest against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens with one loss on their three-game road trip through the Telus division?
The Sea Dogs lost the opener of the trek 7-6 to the Quebec Remparts on Wednesday.
The answer is the team's strength through most of their 22 games - defence - wasn't up to par against Quebec.
"We've got to tighten up our (defensive) zone," said Saint John head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu. "Sometimes we left our man in the defensive zone uncovered and it lead to goals."
Six goals to be exact.
While the high-octane offence of the Remparts capitalized just once in eight chances with the man advantage, they reeled off six goals at even strength.
"It's got to be a six-man effort (on defence) and we didn't have that (against Quebec)," the bench boss said.
Sea Dogs captain Alex Grant said the defence corps was off on Wednesday and took responsibility for the sloppy play in their own end.
"We were dead out there and it started with me. I thought I played one of my worst games of the year," Grant said.
While they come into Chicoutimi with a loss, the Sagueneens should be wary of the Sea Dogs. It's not often the team's strong suit has been off and the scoring is kicking into high gear. Beaulieu's five-forward power play experiment hit its stride against Quebec with five goals in eight chances.
"I knew it would take some time to get that clicking," Beaulieu said. "They've been getting better the last four or five games, moving the puck well and getting more comfortable with one another."
Another reason for optimism is the play of the second line of Alexandre Picard, Scott Howes and Steven Anthony. The two 20-year-olds - Picard and Howes - are on five-game point streaks with 21 points over that span. First-year forward Anthony is gaining more confidence with each shift on the line and has a three-game point streak of his own.
While Saint John has cause to be optimistic, they can't take Chicoutimi lightly. The Sagueneens outplayed and outshot Saint John in a 4-3 loss at Harbour Station. Grant said the team is aware they need to be better when they hit the ice tonight.
"I told the guys to get their rest because we've still got two games left and they're not going to be easy," the captain said. "We've got to keep our heads in the game and stay focused."
RECORD: Picard set a new franchise record on Wednesday for points in a game. Picard had five points against the Remparts, eclipsing the old record of four. Chris Di Domenico, Ryan Sparling, Scott Howes and Bruce Crawford each scored four points for the Sea Dogs.
