Post by dogcatcher on Dec 7, 2007 8:26:33 GMT -4
Forwards Sparling, Picard to miss contest against Acadie-Bathurst
Rematch: Saint John looks to rebound from 3-2 home loss to Titan
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday December 7th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs 3-2 loss on Wednesday against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action was a frustrating one.
It broke a franchise best six-game win streak, saw forward Ryan Sparling go down with an injury, but most of all, the team lost despite outplaying the Titan for the majority of the contest.
The biggest factor in the Acadie-Bathurst win was the play of goaltender Antoine Tardif. The 17-year-old was sensational making 40 stops, several of the spectacular variety as Saint John applied pressure.
Sea Dogs forward Scott Howes said the team plans on testing him again tonight as the teams meet up for the back end of a home-and-home series in Bathurst at 7:30 p.m.
"I don't know too many goalies in the (National Hockey League) who will stop 80 shots in two games," he said. "Hopefully, we'll throw just as many at him and get a better outcome."
If the Sea Dogs want to pick up their eighth road win, they'll have to keep shooting and try to keep the Titan's top line of Mathieu Perreault, Tomy Joly and Danny Masse in check. The trio accounted for six points and at least one them was in on all three goals.
Howes said there's no special trick to checking the line.
"I think we just have to work harder than them," he said. "They're an honest team and the top two lines work really hard."
A strong work ethic from all three lines will be important as Saint John heads into a stretch of three games in as many nights - with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in town for a pair of weekend games. The balanced attack is made more important as two of the teams top three scorers won't play tonight. Forwards Alexandre Picard and Sparling will miss the contest with a shoulder and knee injury, respectively.
Second-year forward Payton Liske will play his second-straight game after being sidelined for a month with an ankle injury. Before going down with the injury, Liske was off to a solid start with 15 points in 18 games.
"It's tough to jump into the lineup after a month off and it will take a few games to get back to where I was," Liske said.
Head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu was happy with Liske's play on Wednesday. The forward took a few shifts on the top line with Chris Di Domenico and Alexandre Leduc.
The key in tonight's matchup could be special teams. Three of the five goals on Wednesday were special teams markers with each squad registering a power-play goal and the Titan getting the game-winner shorthanded.
The Sea Dogs are looking to close out the first half on a positive, so a road win against a provincial rival would be a good start.
"We've just got to go out there, keep playing hard and keep throwing pucks at the net," Liske said. "I'm sure some have to go in."
Rematch: Saint John looks to rebound from 3-2 home loss to Titan
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday December 7th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs 3-2 loss on Wednesday against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action was a frustrating one.
It broke a franchise best six-game win streak, saw forward Ryan Sparling go down with an injury, but most of all, the team lost despite outplaying the Titan for the majority of the contest.
The biggest factor in the Acadie-Bathurst win was the play of goaltender Antoine Tardif. The 17-year-old was sensational making 40 stops, several of the spectacular variety as Saint John applied pressure.
Sea Dogs forward Scott Howes said the team plans on testing him again tonight as the teams meet up for the back end of a home-and-home series in Bathurst at 7:30 p.m.
"I don't know too many goalies in the (National Hockey League) who will stop 80 shots in two games," he said. "Hopefully, we'll throw just as many at him and get a better outcome."
If the Sea Dogs want to pick up their eighth road win, they'll have to keep shooting and try to keep the Titan's top line of Mathieu Perreault, Tomy Joly and Danny Masse in check. The trio accounted for six points and at least one them was in on all three goals.
Howes said there's no special trick to checking the line.
"I think we just have to work harder than them," he said. "They're an honest team and the top two lines work really hard."
A strong work ethic from all three lines will be important as Saint John heads into a stretch of three games in as many nights - with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in town for a pair of weekend games. The balanced attack is made more important as two of the teams top three scorers won't play tonight. Forwards Alexandre Picard and Sparling will miss the contest with a shoulder and knee injury, respectively.
Second-year forward Payton Liske will play his second-straight game after being sidelined for a month with an ankle injury. Before going down with the injury, Liske was off to a solid start with 15 points in 18 games.
"It's tough to jump into the lineup after a month off and it will take a few games to get back to where I was," Liske said.
Head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu was happy with Liske's play on Wednesday. The forward took a few shifts on the top line with Chris Di Domenico and Alexandre Leduc.
The key in tonight's matchup could be special teams. Three of the five goals on Wednesday were special teams markers with each squad registering a power-play goal and the Titan getting the game-winner shorthanded.
The Sea Dogs are looking to close out the first half on a positive, so a road win against a provincial rival would be a good start.
"We've just got to go out there, keep playing hard and keep throwing pucks at the net," Liske said. "I'm sure some have to go in."