Post by dogcatcher on Oct 26, 2007 7:34:13 GMT -4
Dogs' fourth line comes up aces
QMJHL: With three games in four nights, Saint John relying on its bench strength
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday October 26th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - They are not the highest scoring line, they rarely get selected among the three stars of a game, but Saint John Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu is sure glad he's got Brett Gallant, Mike Thomas and Matt Stoddard.
The trio were a big part of the Sea Dogs 3-1 win over the Lewiston Maineiacs on Wednesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Saint John (9-3-0-1) travel to Bathurst tonight to take on the Titan (6-7-1-1) at 7:30 p.m.
"I thought they were exceptional," Beaulieu said. "We had them on the ice in the last minute of the game to protect our lead and they stuck to the system."
Thomas said the chance to play in an important situation was a confidence boost for all three players.
"I thought we were playing well and the coaches gave us the chance," he said. "Our line puts a lot of pressure on the puck and we're a good tough line."
A lot is made in hockey about players taking their opportunities when they're presented and Beaulieu said the road win in Lewiston is a prime example.
"The match up Lewiston wanted was a checking line against Di Domenico's line and that forced us to play our other players a lot more," the head coach said.
That meant the third and fourth lines saw the ice more than usual and it paid off. Third-line centre Steven Anthony scored a goal and the trio of Gallant, Thomas and Stoddard played in key situations.
"I thought we got production out of all four lines in some way," Beaulieu said. "Those are the guys who get limited ice time sometimes and they earned the respect of the coaching staff."
Being able to rely on the full complement of forwards will take on extra significance over the next few days.
Including the Lewiston game, this is the first time this season Saint John will play three games in four nights. Getting contributions from all four forward combinations will be key if the Sea Dogs hope to keep up their winning ways. Thomas said he and his linemates will look to do the same thing tonight as they did against the Maineiacs.
"We need to play our role defensively," he said. "We played a nice safe road game (against Lewiston)."
The Sea Dogs return to Harbour Station Saturday when their expansion cousins the St. John's Fog Devils come to town for a 7 p.m. game.
QMJHL: With three games in four nights, Saint John relying on its bench strength
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Friday October 26th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - They are not the highest scoring line, they rarely get selected among the three stars of a game, but Saint John Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu is sure glad he's got Brett Gallant, Mike Thomas and Matt Stoddard.
The trio were a big part of the Sea Dogs 3-1 win over the Lewiston Maineiacs on Wednesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Saint John (9-3-0-1) travel to Bathurst tonight to take on the Titan (6-7-1-1) at 7:30 p.m.
"I thought they were exceptional," Beaulieu said. "We had them on the ice in the last minute of the game to protect our lead and they stuck to the system."
Thomas said the chance to play in an important situation was a confidence boost for all three players.
"I thought we were playing well and the coaches gave us the chance," he said. "Our line puts a lot of pressure on the puck and we're a good tough line."
A lot is made in hockey about players taking their opportunities when they're presented and Beaulieu said the road win in Lewiston is a prime example.
"The match up Lewiston wanted was a checking line against Di Domenico's line and that forced us to play our other players a lot more," the head coach said.
That meant the third and fourth lines saw the ice more than usual and it paid off. Third-line centre Steven Anthony scored a goal and the trio of Gallant, Thomas and Stoddard played in key situations.
"I thought we got production out of all four lines in some way," Beaulieu said. "Those are the guys who get limited ice time sometimes and they earned the respect of the coaching staff."
Being able to rely on the full complement of forwards will take on extra significance over the next few days.
Including the Lewiston game, this is the first time this season Saint John will play three games in four nights. Getting contributions from all four forward combinations will be key if the Sea Dogs hope to keep up their winning ways. Thomas said he and his linemates will look to do the same thing tonight as they did against the Maineiacs.
"We need to play our role defensively," he said. "We played a nice safe road game (against Lewiston)."
The Sea Dogs return to Harbour Station Saturday when their expansion cousins the St. John's Fog Devils come to town for a 7 p.m. game.