Post by dogcatcher on Oct 24, 2007 6:24:14 GMT -4
Tough guy should be in lineup against Maineiacs
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday October 24th, 2007
Appeared on page B7
The Saint John Sea Dogs should have some extra toughness tonight when they step on the ice in Lewiston to take on the Maineiacs at 8:30 p.m.
Tough-guy Brett Gallant is expected to make his return to the lineup after missing time with a hand injury.
"(Gallant) had a full practice Monday and it looks like there's a 95 per cent chance he'll play," said Saint John head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu.
The Summerside, Prince Edward Island native is excited to get back into the swing of things.
"It's been frustrating sitting out, but it happens when you're fighting I guess," Gallant said. "The hand is feeling good right now and I should be ready to go."
The other walking wounded Sea Dog, top-line forward Ryan Sparling, isn't ready to come back. Sparling suffered a separated shoulder in the Sea Dogs' 3-0 win over the Quebec Remparts on Oct. 6. The forward from Sydney, Nova Scotia has missed the last five contests and tonight will make six.
When he went down with the injury Sparling had 10 points in eight games playing on the top line with Chris Di Domenico and Payton Liske. The Sea Dogs have auditioned a few different players in Sparling's spot, most notably Scott Howes and Francois Gauthier.
"We looked for someone defensive-minded who can get pucks out because (Di Domenico) and (Liske) want to go and are pretty offensive-minded," Beaulieu said.
When Gauthier moved to the first line, it opened the door for Keven Charland on the French Connection trio with Alexandre Picard and Alexandre Leduc.
The 20-year-old Howes has played portions of the last few games on the third line with rookies Steven Anthony and Michael Kirkpatrick.
The Sea Dogs forwards will face a stiff test tonight as Lewiston goaltender Jonathan Bernier makes his first start of the season after being sent back to the QMJHL from the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings.
"With (Bernier) you've got to get in front of him because if he can see the puck, he'll stop it," Beaulieu said. "We need to get traffic in front, get rebounds and score some ugly goals on him."
INFORMATION: An information session for parents and players on U.S. prep schools and U. S. College hockey programs will take place Friday at 7 p.m. in the media lounge of Harbour Station. The presentation will talk about issues such as financing and how to apply to the U.S. institutions. For more information contact Jim Fleming at 640-2326.
ONLINE AUCTION: The pink warm-up jerseys worn this month by the Saint John Sea Dogs in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month are up for auction online. Fans can place bids on their favourite players jersey by going to the Sea Dogs website. The auction ends Saturday.
HIRING: The Prince Edward Island Rocket hired 51-year-old Guy Chouinard as head coach on Tuesday after firing Yanick Jean on Monday. Chouinard is a 17-year veteran of the QMJHL and holds records for wins with 515 and championships with four.
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday October 24th, 2007
Appeared on page B7
The Saint John Sea Dogs should have some extra toughness tonight when they step on the ice in Lewiston to take on the Maineiacs at 8:30 p.m.
Tough-guy Brett Gallant is expected to make his return to the lineup after missing time with a hand injury.
"(Gallant) had a full practice Monday and it looks like there's a 95 per cent chance he'll play," said Saint John head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu.
The Summerside, Prince Edward Island native is excited to get back into the swing of things.
"It's been frustrating sitting out, but it happens when you're fighting I guess," Gallant said. "The hand is feeling good right now and I should be ready to go."
The other walking wounded Sea Dog, top-line forward Ryan Sparling, isn't ready to come back. Sparling suffered a separated shoulder in the Sea Dogs' 3-0 win over the Quebec Remparts on Oct. 6. The forward from Sydney, Nova Scotia has missed the last five contests and tonight will make six.
When he went down with the injury Sparling had 10 points in eight games playing on the top line with Chris Di Domenico and Payton Liske. The Sea Dogs have auditioned a few different players in Sparling's spot, most notably Scott Howes and Francois Gauthier.
"We looked for someone defensive-minded who can get pucks out because (Di Domenico) and (Liske) want to go and are pretty offensive-minded," Beaulieu said.
When Gauthier moved to the first line, it opened the door for Keven Charland on the French Connection trio with Alexandre Picard and Alexandre Leduc.
The 20-year-old Howes has played portions of the last few games on the third line with rookies Steven Anthony and Michael Kirkpatrick.
The Sea Dogs forwards will face a stiff test tonight as Lewiston goaltender Jonathan Bernier makes his first start of the season after being sent back to the QMJHL from the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings.
"With (Bernier) you've got to get in front of him because if he can see the puck, he'll stop it," Beaulieu said. "We need to get traffic in front, get rebounds and score some ugly goals on him."
INFORMATION: An information session for parents and players on U.S. prep schools and U. S. College hockey programs will take place Friday at 7 p.m. in the media lounge of Harbour Station. The presentation will talk about issues such as financing and how to apply to the U.S. institutions. For more information contact Jim Fleming at 640-2326.
ONLINE AUCTION: The pink warm-up jerseys worn this month by the Saint John Sea Dogs in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month are up for auction online. Fans can place bids on their favourite players jersey by going to the Sea Dogs website. The auction ends Saturday.
HIRING: The Prince Edward Island Rocket hired 51-year-old Guy Chouinard as head coach on Tuesday after firing Yanick Jean on Monday. Chouinard is a 17-year veteran of the QMJHL and holds records for wins with 515 and championships with four.
