www.sunjournal.com/story/230891-3/LocalSports/Sea_Dogs_dispatch_fragile_Maineiacs/Sea Dogs dispatch 'fragile' MaineiacsBy Justin Pelletier , Assistant Sports Editor, Online
Monday, September 24, 2007
Battered, beat-up and broken, the Lewiston Maineiacs returned home Sunday night.
The road home from Saint John - the shortest distance the Maineiacs travel all season - was about as long as it's ever been.
For the third straight road game, Lewiston struggled to find its offense, and a once-vaunted defense wilted under a strong Saint John attack as the Sea Dogs beat up on the Maineiacs, 6-1, at Harbour Station.
"We're coming home with a very fragile hockey team," Maineiacs coach Ed Harding said. "The leadership is very poor. Our guys, and I'm talking about the older guys, cannot handle adversity right now."
In three road games since a 1-1 home stand to begin the season, teams have outscored the Maineiacs 18-4 and out-shot them 119-70.
"These guys know who they are," Harding said. "It's the veteran leadership. It's going to be a long season for them if they don't realize what needs to be done."
Sunday, things started well. Lewiston gave Saint John just eight shots on net, and trailed 1-0 after the first period. Billy Lacasse notched his first goal of the season on a feed from Danick Paquette early in the second, and the train seemed to be on the tracks.
"We went into the locker room (after the first period) and we said, 'Boys, we're going to win this hockey game if we keep playing like we are,'" Harding said. "The first 10 minutes or so in the second period, we played well and we tied it up. They scored to go ahead 2-1, and instead of our veterans showing some leadership, they just got deflated and figured that was the game. This is what has happened in all three games on the road."
Saint John got goals from Chris DiDomenico, Matthew Stoddard, Alexandre Leduc and Simon Despres in the second period to bolt out to a 5-1 lead. In the locker room between the second and third periods, Harding asked Peter Delmas, back in net after an injury forced him to the bench Friday, how he felt.
"I wasn't pleased with his answer," Harding said. "We want to be careful with him as well, so he gave me the wrong answer, and it was easy to put Kirk Rafuse in."
Rafuse played much better Sunday than Friday, allowing one goal on nine shots.
"He was nervous and scared (in Bathurst)," Harding said.
Lewiston will next skate against the Halifax Mooseheads in Halifax on Friday and Saturday.
Comments
Posted By:BigFan at September 24, 2007 6:15 PM (Suggest Removal)
Ed Harding can't coach.
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