Post by dogcatcher on Sept 29, 2007 9:09:46 GMT -4
A little bit of everything
Top trio: The Saint John Sea Dogs have a line that is capable of offensive output
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday September 29th, 2007
Appeared on page C12
SAINT JOHN - Chris Di Domenico, Payton Liske and Ryan Sparling are making Saint John Sea Dogs history this season.
For the first-time in the franchise's three years, the club has a marquee line opponents need to fear.
In the first five games of the season, the talented trio has combined for 27 points.
Tonight they'll look to add to that number against the Moncton Wildcats, who visit Harbour Station for a 7 p.m. game in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action.
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said the line does several things well.
"The biggest thing is that they're composed when they have the puck and that creates a lot of offensive opportunities," he said.
Each one of the linemates brings something different and when their ingredients are mixed together, it's a tough combination to stop.
Liske, the biggest of the three, provides the size and the room for the other two to operate. He also possesses another attribute, one that Sparling said is key to their success.
"I think he's got the best shot on the team," the Sydney, N.S., native said. "Liske is the shooter and if we get him the puck in the slot, not many goalies will have a chance."
Di Domenico said his job is to find the open man and, more often than not, it's Liske.
"He also causes a lot of problems in front of the net," Di Domenico said.
As for the Sea Dogs' leading scorer from last year, Beaulieu said he's just picking up from where he left off last season.
"The guys work hard to get him the puck and when they do, (Di Domenico) gets to work his magic," the Saint John bench boss said.
As for Sparling, his job is to get the puck to the other two. How he goes about doing this is plain old hard work. While a rink without corners could be built for other skill players, Sparling is not one of them. A good portion of his game is getting in the corners and digging the puck out.
"Growing up, my dad always stressed that you couldn't be scared of stuff like that," Sparling said. "It's part of the game and if you get knocked down, you get back up and keep going."
So how does the trio feel about facing the other team's toughest line night in and night out? All three said they love the opportunity to show what they can do.
"We don't mind it," Liske said. "It makes you go even harder to know you're up against the top line. It gives you a little more boost."
Top trio: The Saint John Sea Dogs have a line that is capable of offensive output
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday September 29th, 2007
Appeared on page C12
SAINT JOHN - Chris Di Domenico, Payton Liske and Ryan Sparling are making Saint John Sea Dogs history this season.
For the first-time in the franchise's three years, the club has a marquee line opponents need to fear.
In the first five games of the season, the talented trio has combined for 27 points.
Tonight they'll look to add to that number against the Moncton Wildcats, who visit Harbour Station for a 7 p.m. game in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action.
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu said the line does several things well.
"The biggest thing is that they're composed when they have the puck and that creates a lot of offensive opportunities," he said.
Each one of the linemates brings something different and when their ingredients are mixed together, it's a tough combination to stop.
Liske, the biggest of the three, provides the size and the room for the other two to operate. He also possesses another attribute, one that Sparling said is key to their success.
"I think he's got the best shot on the team," the Sydney, N.S., native said. "Liske is the shooter and if we get him the puck in the slot, not many goalies will have a chance."
Di Domenico said his job is to find the open man and, more often than not, it's Liske.
"He also causes a lot of problems in front of the net," Di Domenico said.
As for the Sea Dogs' leading scorer from last year, Beaulieu said he's just picking up from where he left off last season.
"The guys work hard to get him the puck and when they do, (Di Domenico) gets to work his magic," the Saint John bench boss said.
As for Sparling, his job is to get the puck to the other two. How he goes about doing this is plain old hard work. While a rink without corners could be built for other skill players, Sparling is not one of them. A good portion of his game is getting in the corners and digging the puck out.
"Growing up, my dad always stressed that you couldn't be scared of stuff like that," Sparling said. "It's part of the game and if you get knocked down, you get back up and keep going."
So how does the trio feel about facing the other team's toughest line night in and night out? All three said they love the opportunity to show what they can do.
"We don't mind it," Liske said. "It makes you go even harder to know you're up against the top line. It gives you a little more boost."