Post by dogcatcher on Oct 17, 2007 7:09:16 GMT -4
So far, so good
QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs bolt out of the gate to start 2007-08 season
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday October 17th, 2007
Appeared on page B8
SAINT JOHN - It might be a little early for report cards, but the Saint John Sea Dogs are approaching the top of the class in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
With a 7-3-0-0 record through 10 games, the team is off to the best start in franchise history and earns at least and A- for a grade. On defence the squad gets an A , on offence an A and on special teams a B.
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu gives high marks to the entire team for the quick start.
"It's been a group effort," Beaulieu said. "The guys have bought into our system and we've been successful."
The Sea Dogs' strength has been defence. The squad has allowed a league low 27 goals this season. The goaltending duo of Robert Mayer and Travis Fullerton has been solid and is the best tandem the franchise has ever had. As for the defence corps, it all starts with captain Alex Grant. The third-year player is logging a tonne of ice time and providing leadership on and off the ice.
"Alex has been outstanding for us," the Sea Dogs bench boss said.
As for the blue-line corps as a whole, they're living up to the pre-season hype of being one of the top groups in the QMJHL.
"We're very happy with they're progress. They're big, talented and they can skate," he said. "Those are all pretty good attributes for defencemen."
Second-year rear guard Yann Sauve said the group still has room to improve.
"We can still get better," he said. "We have to because when we get to the playoffs, defence will be the key."
On offence, the squad hasn't been filling the net, but it's the type of markers they've scored that counts.
"We've got a lot of timely goals this season," Beaulieu said.
Take for instance, the third period marker from Keven Charland against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Sunday. The Sea Dogs dominated the game but couldn't put one by Titan starter Antoine Tardif. Acadie-Bathurst got a lucky goal off a skate to take the lead, but Charland tied the game less than a minute later giving the momentum back to Saint John.
Forward Ryan Sparling thinks the offence is benefitting from finding the right chemistry. He said the line of Chris Di Domenico, Payton Liske and himself have gelled all season as well as the second line of Alexandre Leduc, Alexandre Picard and Francois Gauthier.
"The French Connection line is going well. They've been really good together and scoring a lot of big goals for us," the Sydney, Nova Scotia native said.
Chemistry on the ice is one thing, but Sparling and Beaulieu said it's extended off the ice.
"They're a fun group to coach, they like to have fun and are pretty loose," the head coach said. "Usually teams that are loose have success because they're not afraid to make mistakes and not gripping their sticks too tightly."
Sparling said this is the most fun he's had in a Saint John uniform.
"We've got more experience and a lot more fun in the room," the 19-year-old said.
Coming to the rink last season was tough at times due the teams struggles, but that's not the case this season.
"We all love coming to the rink everyday," Sparling said. "I can't wait to get here and see the guys."
The only thing not working for Saint John is the power play.
"The (penalty kill) seems to be getting better in the last five games, but the (power play) seems to have dropped in the last five," Beaulieu said.
"It's one of the things we're going to have to address over the next 10 games."
If the special teams get better, the team could be at the top of the class and not just headed in that direction.
RECORDS: The 2007-08 version of the Saint John Sea Dogs have already tied three franchise records this season. Goaltender Robert Mayer tied Jason Churchill for most shutouts with one, Chris Di Domenico and Ryan Sparling have tied the record for most points in a game with four and Di Domenico has tied the franchise record for most goals in a game with three.
FAMILIAR FACE: Following assistant coach Marc-André Dumont's resignation, the Gatineau Olympiques organization announced Tuesday that Mario Richer is back with the organization. Richer will join the team during the current road trip.
After two seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Richer worked as an assistant coach with the Gatineau Olympiques during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons prior to accepting the head coaching position at Harrington College in the America East Hockey League.
NEW SITE: The Saint John Sea Dogs announced Tuesday the team has launched a revamped website with a new design as well as several new features. The team's official URL remains www.saintjohnseadogs.com.
In addition to offering a fresh look, the Sea Dogs' new site displays enhanced scheduling and statistical information; the site also offers an easy-to-use online ticketing option that management hopes fans will utilize.
QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs bolt out of the gate to start 2007-08 season
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday October 17th, 2007
Appeared on page B8
SAINT JOHN - It might be a little early for report cards, but the Saint John Sea Dogs are approaching the top of the class in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
With a 7-3-0-0 record through 10 games, the team is off to the best start in franchise history and earns at least and A- for a grade. On defence the squad gets an A , on offence an A and on special teams a B.
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu gives high marks to the entire team for the quick start.
"It's been a group effort," Beaulieu said. "The guys have bought into our system and we've been successful."
The Sea Dogs' strength has been defence. The squad has allowed a league low 27 goals this season. The goaltending duo of Robert Mayer and Travis Fullerton has been solid and is the best tandem the franchise has ever had. As for the defence corps, it all starts with captain Alex Grant. The third-year player is logging a tonne of ice time and providing leadership on and off the ice.
"Alex has been outstanding for us," the Sea Dogs bench boss said.
As for the blue-line corps as a whole, they're living up to the pre-season hype of being one of the top groups in the QMJHL.
"We're very happy with they're progress. They're big, talented and they can skate," he said. "Those are all pretty good attributes for defencemen."
Second-year rear guard Yann Sauve said the group still has room to improve.
"We can still get better," he said. "We have to because when we get to the playoffs, defence will be the key."
On offence, the squad hasn't been filling the net, but it's the type of markers they've scored that counts.
"We've got a lot of timely goals this season," Beaulieu said.
Take for instance, the third period marker from Keven Charland against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Sunday. The Sea Dogs dominated the game but couldn't put one by Titan starter Antoine Tardif. Acadie-Bathurst got a lucky goal off a skate to take the lead, but Charland tied the game less than a minute later giving the momentum back to Saint John.
Forward Ryan Sparling thinks the offence is benefitting from finding the right chemistry. He said the line of Chris Di Domenico, Payton Liske and himself have gelled all season as well as the second line of Alexandre Leduc, Alexandre Picard and Francois Gauthier.
"The French Connection line is going well. They've been really good together and scoring a lot of big goals for us," the Sydney, Nova Scotia native said.
Chemistry on the ice is one thing, but Sparling and Beaulieu said it's extended off the ice.
"They're a fun group to coach, they like to have fun and are pretty loose," the head coach said. "Usually teams that are loose have success because they're not afraid to make mistakes and not gripping their sticks too tightly."
Sparling said this is the most fun he's had in a Saint John uniform.
"We've got more experience and a lot more fun in the room," the 19-year-old said.
Coming to the rink last season was tough at times due the teams struggles, but that's not the case this season.
"We all love coming to the rink everyday," Sparling said. "I can't wait to get here and see the guys."
The only thing not working for Saint John is the power play.
"The (penalty kill) seems to be getting better in the last five games, but the (power play) seems to have dropped in the last five," Beaulieu said.
"It's one of the things we're going to have to address over the next 10 games."
If the special teams get better, the team could be at the top of the class and not just headed in that direction.
RECORDS: The 2007-08 version of the Saint John Sea Dogs have already tied three franchise records this season. Goaltender Robert Mayer tied Jason Churchill for most shutouts with one, Chris Di Domenico and Ryan Sparling have tied the record for most points in a game with four and Di Domenico has tied the franchise record for most goals in a game with three.
FAMILIAR FACE: Following assistant coach Marc-André Dumont's resignation, the Gatineau Olympiques organization announced Tuesday that Mario Richer is back with the organization. Richer will join the team during the current road trip.
After two seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Richer worked as an assistant coach with the Gatineau Olympiques during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons prior to accepting the head coaching position at Harrington College in the America East Hockey League.
NEW SITE: The Saint John Sea Dogs announced Tuesday the team has launched a revamped website with a new design as well as several new features. The team's official URL remains www.saintjohnseadogs.com.
In addition to offering a fresh look, the Sea Dogs' new site displays enhanced scheduling and statistical information; the site also offers an easy-to-use online ticketing option that management hopes fans will utilize.