Battalion take a bite out of the Wolves

The Brampton Battalion are back to their winning ways, at least for the time being anyways. With the victory over the Sudbury Wolves on Sunday, the Battalion have put together a string of three straight wins since Coach Stan Butler returned from his eight-game suspension.

It wasn’t a pretty win and in fact, the Battalion had to dig deep against a Sudbury team that has played them tough each and every time they’ve visited the Powerade Centre this year.

It took nearly a whole period for the first goal of the game. Barclay Goodrow netted his 23^rd goal of the season on a beautiful shot that beat Sudbury goalie Johan Mattsson. Sam Carrick and Zach Bell would draw the assists at 19:15 of the first period.

Heading into the second period with the lead, the Battalion soon found themselves with an obstacle to overcome. A checking from behind penalty to Goodrow gave the Wolves a five-minute power play to work with. It also forced the Battalion forward from the game in only the first minute of the second period. On the ensuing power play, Wolves forward Michael Sgarbossa cashed in with his 37^th on the season to tie the game at 1-1. Josh McFadden and Josh Leivo would draw assists on the goal.

Just over two minutes later, Battalion Sam Carrick sniped a shot past Mattsson to put the Troops ahead 2-1. Matt MacLeod and Zach Bell picked up the assists on the go-ahead goal.

MacLeod would make it 3-1 Battalion from Sam Carrick just beyond the midway point in the period. The game misconduct to Goodrow opened the door for MacLeod to join Brandon Robinson alongside Carrick on the top line. After two consecutive shifts of non-stop pressure in the Sudbury zone, they were rewarded for their hard work with the goal.

Sgarbossa would cut the Battalion lead to 3-2 before the end of the second period. Leivo picked up his second helper of the afternoon. Samuel Schutt also assisted on the goal. To end the second frame, Brandon Robinson and Marcus McIvor took penalties 13 seconds apart, giving the Wolves a two-man advantage to end the second and start the third period.

A Josh McFadden slap shot beat Matej Machovsky once again knotting the score up, this time at 3-3. Michael Kantor and Sgarbossa picked up the assists after setting the power play up in the Battalion zone. Sgarbossa would complete his hat-trick with just over five minutes to go in the game, converting a pass from Leivo in front of the net.

With the Wolves holding their first lead of the game, the Battalion turned up the pressure offensively. A Patrik Machac tip on a Cameron Wind point-shot forced a video review. The play was confirmed as a goal knotting the score once again at 4-4. The remainder of regulation proved uneventful and overtime was needed.

It took almost the whole period, but Mitchell Porowski broke in on a partial breakaway before being hauled down. Much to the dismay of the Wolves, a penalty shot was awarded on the play. Porowski would make the best of his opportunity, reaching around Mattsson to slip the puck in to make it 5-4 and giving the Battalion their third straight win.

“I had my move set and as soon as I got in I turned back and it was a great feeling” Porowski said. “I think it might help that I can go side to side with these long arms.”

“It’s tough not getting two points when you’ve got the lead and you’re working hard but bounces and calls aren’t going your way” said Sudbury forward Leivo. His three assists on the afternoon give him 58 points in 53 games.

“It’s hard, overtime and a penalty shot, the game ends like that and it’s always tough” said Sgarbossa who set a new personal best for himself with his 39^th goal. “It’s nice to get that, but it puts a damper on the mood when you lose like that.” With the four points in the game, Sgarbossa currently sits tied for second with Tanner Pearson in the OHL scoring race.

The Wolves won’t need to wait long to get back on the ice as they visit Mississauga at 2:00pm on Monday. Brampton heads to Peterborough to try to make it four in a row Monday afternoon as well.

Sparks Fly In Guelph- Sting vs Storm January 22, 2012

The Sarnia Sting made the trip to the Sleeman Centre on Sunday in hopes of getting back in the win column after losing 3-2 to the Spitfires Friday night. The Storm themselves were coming off a loss of their own as they fell in Barrie the night before.

The Storm faithful turned out in full force for the afternoon game and did not have to wait long before the opening goal. Hunter Garlent put the Storm up twenty-three seconds in, not the start Sarnia was hoping for. The remainder of the period seen Andrey Pedan throw a big hit that he was called for a head check, I didn't see any contact with the head from where I was sitting. Once play stopped Sting Defence men Adrian Robertson challenged Pedan and the spirited bought ended in a draw, but more importantly a Sting power play. Guelph would go on to kill the penalty. With just under eight minutes later Guelph would add to their lead after some magnificent passing that started in their own end when Dickenson sent a bank pass off the side boards right on to the tape of Francis Menard sending him on a two on one with Zack Mitchell. Once the Sarnia defence men went down to take the pass away Menard sent a beautiful saucer pass over the defender right to Mitchell who made no mistake and beat J.P. Anderson, putting the Storm up 2-0. Later in the period the Sting went back on the power play and with twelve seconds to go in the first, Sarnia defence men Connor Murphy sent the puck past Garret Sparks to cut the lead to 2-1. As the first came to end the game would see its second fight of the period, this time between Sarnia's Tyler Brown and a much younger Tyler Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi not only held his own but landed some serious bombs and took all the momentum back.

The second period would start with a bang too. At the 2:29 mark of the period the game would see its third fight, this time between Guelph's Spencer Turcotte and Sting forward Justice Dundas. This one was only some jostling before Turcotte got the take down. At the halfway point of the frame Guelph would get a five on three, but couldn't capitalize as Matt Finn would get a double minor just thirty seconds into their two man advantage. Finn was intially called for holding but received an extra two for unsportsmanlike conduct for voicing his opinion on the holding call. Guelph goalie Garret Sparks had been solid all game long and that wouldn't change as he continued to stimmie the Sting, as they killed off yet another of Sarnia's power plays. After two periods the Storm still lead 2-1 and Sparks had turned a side twenty-seven of the twenty-eight Sarnia shots he faced.

The third period Guelph showed they can hang with the big boys as they held Sarnia to only eight shots in the period and Sparks made multiple big saves throughout the game when his team was leading by a goal. Sparks was rewarded by his teammates when they were on a two man advantage late in the period. Francis Menard put the game away when he scored to extend the lead to 3-1 with 2:42 to go. Guelph would finish the game by killing off a late penalty.

Guelph won the game 3-1 in front of a home crowd of 4,033 fans. Sparks finished the afternoon with thirty-five saves and a first star nomination that was much deserved. Francis Menard chipped in with a goal and an assist, while Jason Dickinson had two assists.

With the win the Storm once again hold the last playoff spot in the west one point ahead of the Sault Grey Hounds. Guelph however has four games in hand on the Grey Hounds. Meanwhile the Sting still remain in fourth spot in the west and miss an opportunity to put some ground between them and fifth place Owen Sound. Yakipov remained out with a knee injury.

The Storm's penalty killers played a great game too as they killed off six of the seven power plays that were awarded to the Sting.

Garret Sparks played his best game of the season that I have personally seen him play. His positioning was good and he never panicked when the puck was loose around the net. Sparks's made it look easy as he turned away shot after shot. Look for my post game interview with Sparks on the website.

Next up for the Storm are the Niagara Ice Dogs on Friday the 27th at 7:30PM in Guelph.


Feel free to give me a follow on Twitter @ChrisMcdonald91

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Q&A with Windsor's Kenny Ryan

I recently sat down with Leafs Prospect and Windsor Spitfires forward, Kenny Ryan. Here's what he had to say:


How did you get into hockey? And who was your biggest influence early on to push you to where you are now?

My brothers were my biggest influence in my hockey career and they motivated me to play from a very early age.  We had a backyard rink so this is where I first started to develop. 

If you could describe your game to Leaf fans, what would you tell them? Is there a current NHL’er who you try to model your game after, or who you watch for tips/tricks?

I’m a two-way forward who is reliable defensively and who never takes a shift off.  In terms of NHL players that I model my game after and that I watch closely, I’d have to say Ryan Kesler from the Canucks and Dustin Brown from the Kings. 

When you came into the new OHL Season, did you set any personal goals for yourself?

Personally, I was looking to score more points in every situation and have a bigger year offensively, which I’ve been able to accomplish already.  I knew that I was going to have a bigger role this year as a leader on and off the ice, so this was something I was also looking forward to.  I try to do whatever will help the team to win. 

With every player, scouts and player personnel managers see ‘flaws’ to their game. Is there anything you’re trying to improve on specifically as a player as you look to make the next step?

I think the big thing is trying to be consistent night-in and night-out and to work hard every shift and every game so this is something I really focus on.  To make the next step, continuing to develop as a player and to keep progressing are the main things that will help me accomplish my goal of playing in the NHL.

Is there someone in the Maple Leafs organization with whom you stay in communication with? What are they stressing to you about your game for further growth and development?

Christian Hanson is someone that I keep in touch with from the organization and when we talk, he’s been stressing the importance of developing every time you go out for practice or that you play and also to do something each game and each practice to make yourself better.

How does it feel to be a part of the Maple Leafs organization? Did you grow up a Leafs fan?

It’s great to be part of the Leafs organization, they’re an original six team which is great and Toronto is the mecca of hockey with the way Leafs fans follow the team.  I didn’t grow up a Leafs fan but I certainly am one now.  

Any parting thoughts or comments to the masses of ‘Leafs Nation’?

I hope Toronto is able to continue on their hot run and get into the post-season and I also hope to be wearing the “Leaf” and be a part of Toronto’s organization very soon.

LEAFS TRADE - JAN. 31/10

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made another gutsy move, much like the Kessel deal, by acquiring defenseman Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom and Keith Aulie for Matt Stajan, Nick Hagman, Ian White and Jamal Mayers. Stajan, Hagman and White were listed in the top 5 point-getters for the Leafs this season, Stajan with 41 pts, Hagman with a team-leading 20 goals and 33 points, and White with 26 points on the back-end.

So far, Phaneuf has been having a career low season, with 10 goals, 12 assists, and a +3 rating, the only consistency is his penalty minutes (49), but they have been mostly minor penalties. White has 9 goals, 17 assists, and 29 penalty minutes with a +1 rating. Similar? I think so... Phaneuf has a better track record, but has struggled this year, most notably being left off the Team Canada Olympic roster. Brian Burke has taken a huge gamble on this one. Like the Kessel trade (giving up possibly either Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, or Cam Fowler, plus 2011's 1st rounder), Burke has put faith before reason.

Although near the same age, Phaneuf has been a key part of the Flames for longer than White has been an impact player in the NHL. However, White, 25, still has many years to develop and in my opinion, and has been one of the most consistent players for Toronto's back end this year, next to Tomas Kaberle.

And we're only comparing these two players there - lets not forget Hagman and Stajan, both huge contributors to the Leafs power play and first-hand scoring this year. With them gone, a massive onus will be put on Phil Kessel - Oh, wait, there already has been, and Kessel has produced the mere equivalent of a secondary scorer (17G, 16A, -4). This may however allow young guns in Tyler Bozak and Viktor Stahlberg to get a chance to prove themselves, but I still have a major concern as to where Toronto will produce their offense for the remainder of the season with these key contributors traded away.

Mayers is a decent 4th liner able to contribute an average of 10 points per season plus a few handfuls of fight majors, but he asked for a trade and was no significant loss to the Leafs. I'd be surprise if he even cracks Calgary's roster for consistent playing time.

My next question is, what will the Leafs have left to trade for some offensive power?

I called it with the Kessel trade, that it was not as great as everyone built it up to be, and that the Leafs would still lack a superstar sniper. Burkey is really risking his neck on this trade, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, Phaneuf will be an assest, but the Leafs should still be looking for someone who can score goals, and they have traded almost everything that other teams might be interested in away.

One person I know who will like the deal is Pierre McGuire - he will now get to say "Dion Phaneuf" on a much more regular basis, along with his classic "that's a double Dion!" line.

Where Burke did a fine job today was acquiring J.S. Giguere for Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake. Originally the Leafs were supposed to get a 1st round pick out of the deal as well, but I guess the Ducks decided to learn from Burke's move with Kessel to not give away a 1st rounder on something that isn't a sure thing. (Although the Ducks do have two 1st round picks this year, one from Philly).

Giguere wants to play, and he will not get his wish in Anaheim. He could step his game up and become a starting goaltender for the Leafs, and is certainly worth giving up Toskala for. The BEST move out of the deal is dropping Jason Blake and his 4 Million/year contract. Wow, I can't believe a team would actually take that off the Leafs' hands. Blake was a secondary contributor, and although he scored 50 goals with NYI a few years back, it pains me every time I see Blake take the puck to the net on his own. He is the best I have seen at hitting the crest on the goalie's sweater.

Maybe this huge free-up in cap space will lead to Burke's next big move - signing soon to be free agent Ilya Kovalchuck... ?

- Jeff Blay

jeff.blay@hotmail.com