Post by dogcatcher on Dec 7, 2007 8:28:53 GMT -4
Sea Dogs' success credited to the core
QMJHL: Players also point to key acquisitions as a reason for team's success through 30 games
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday December 7th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - Two early acquisitions and the team's ability to quickly build chemistry has enabled the Saint John Sea Dogs to surpass expectations through 30 games of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season, says team members.
After two seasons with a combined 35 wins, the Sea Dogs head into the holiday break in solid position to make the playoffs and are challenging for home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Veteran newcomer Scott Howes said the solid position is result of leadership, attitude and cohesion. He attributes the change in the team to a group he calls the core - Ryan Sparling, Alex Grant and Brett Gallant.
"This year we've got a great group of guys and the core guys, even though there's only three, have been fantastic," Howes said. "They've been great from the start and they kind of hold us all together."
Howes is part of the new group of players to the team, having been acquired early in the season from the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
The off-ice cohesion has translated into solid play on the ice. Howes said the players have developed good chemistry and the coaching staff has done well in keeping those players who work well together on the same line.
"Injuries have kind of bit us now, but overall, I think it's chemistry and character in the room that's been the biggest thing," the Toronto native said. "Guys have stepped when they had to and that's been a big help."
Heading into tonight's game against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, the Sea Dogs have a record of 19-8-1-2, good enough for third in the East and five points back of the first place Halifax Mooseheads. These are big numbers for a team that didn't reach the 20-win plateau last season until March 11.
Even head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu thinks the Sea Dogs are ahead of the curve.
"I had a personal goal that I wanted to reach 20 (wins) before the Christmas break," he said. "Are we a little ahead of schedule? I think we are and probably the two transactions early with the overage players put us a notch above where we should be."
Beaulieu is referring to 20-year-olds Alexandre Picard and Howes. The pair have added some second-line scoring punch to Saint John, complementing Chris Di Domenico's line. The duo has accounted for 20 goals and 31 assists in 24 games this year.
Despite the increase in scoring, the strength of the team from day one has been defence. The Sea Dogs have allowed 98 goal against this season, fourth best in the QMJHL and second in the East.
"The kids have really bought into the system and played good team defence," Beaulieu said. "You keep your goals against down and you're going to win hockey games."
With five games left before the break, three of them at home, where would Saint John like to find themselves on Dec. 16?
"Our goal is to win the next five games," Beaulieu said. "Whatever our record is at the break we'll take it. However it falls we'll be satisfied."
INJURIES: Just as forward Payton Liske returned to the lineup another Sea Dogs has gone down with an injury. Forward Ryan Sparling left Wednesday's game with an injury to his left shoulder, the same one that sidelined him earlier this year. No time frame has been set for his return.
TICKETS: The Sea Dogs Family Fun Pak ticket package is now available. The offer includes four upper bowl tickets - two adult and two children - for $32. The offer is available for all remaining Sea Dogs Sunday afternoon home games, starting this weekend with the second of two games versus the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles at Harbour Station beginning at 4 p.m.
FINED: The Quebec Remparts organization has been fined $2,000 for an "extreme game misconduct penalty" for unsportsmanlike conduct, levied upon their head coach, Patrick Roy, following Sunday's game in Cape Breton. After a 5-4 overtime loss, Roy walked onto the ice and verbally berated an official.
QMJHL: Players also point to key acquisitions as a reason for team's success through 30 games
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday December 7th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - Two early acquisitions and the team's ability to quickly build chemistry has enabled the Saint John Sea Dogs to surpass expectations through 30 games of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season, says team members.
After two seasons with a combined 35 wins, the Sea Dogs head into the holiday break in solid position to make the playoffs and are challenging for home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Veteran newcomer Scott Howes said the solid position is result of leadership, attitude and cohesion. He attributes the change in the team to a group he calls the core - Ryan Sparling, Alex Grant and Brett Gallant.
"This year we've got a great group of guys and the core guys, even though there's only three, have been fantastic," Howes said. "They've been great from the start and they kind of hold us all together."
Howes is part of the new group of players to the team, having been acquired early in the season from the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
The off-ice cohesion has translated into solid play on the ice. Howes said the players have developed good chemistry and the coaching staff has done well in keeping those players who work well together on the same line.
"Injuries have kind of bit us now, but overall, I think it's chemistry and character in the room that's been the biggest thing," the Toronto native said. "Guys have stepped when they had to and that's been a big help."
Heading into tonight's game against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, the Sea Dogs have a record of 19-8-1-2, good enough for third in the East and five points back of the first place Halifax Mooseheads. These are big numbers for a team that didn't reach the 20-win plateau last season until March 11.
Even head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu thinks the Sea Dogs are ahead of the curve.
"I had a personal goal that I wanted to reach 20 (wins) before the Christmas break," he said. "Are we a little ahead of schedule? I think we are and probably the two transactions early with the overage players put us a notch above where we should be."
Beaulieu is referring to 20-year-olds Alexandre Picard and Howes. The pair have added some second-line scoring punch to Saint John, complementing Chris Di Domenico's line. The duo has accounted for 20 goals and 31 assists in 24 games this year.
Despite the increase in scoring, the strength of the team from day one has been defence. The Sea Dogs have allowed 98 goal against this season, fourth best in the QMJHL and second in the East.
"The kids have really bought into the system and played good team defence," Beaulieu said. "You keep your goals against down and you're going to win hockey games."
With five games left before the break, three of them at home, where would Saint John like to find themselves on Dec. 16?
"Our goal is to win the next five games," Beaulieu said. "Whatever our record is at the break we'll take it. However it falls we'll be satisfied."
INJURIES: Just as forward Payton Liske returned to the lineup another Sea Dogs has gone down with an injury. Forward Ryan Sparling left Wednesday's game with an injury to his left shoulder, the same one that sidelined him earlier this year. No time frame has been set for his return.
TICKETS: The Sea Dogs Family Fun Pak ticket package is now available. The offer includes four upper bowl tickets - two adult and two children - for $32. The offer is available for all remaining Sea Dogs Sunday afternoon home games, starting this weekend with the second of two games versus the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles at Harbour Station beginning at 4 p.m.
FINED: The Quebec Remparts organization has been fined $2,000 for an "extreme game misconduct penalty" for unsportsmanlike conduct, levied upon their head coach, Patrick Roy, following Sunday's game in Cape Breton. After a 5-4 overtime loss, Roy walked onto the ice and verbally berated an official.