nivek_wahs
03-07-2007, 04:47 AM
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=7503c645-4229-4326-b305-f7d4ae160412
Blades get boost in push for playoffs
Doug McConachie, The StarPhoenix
Published: Wednesday, March 07, 2007
At this point in the Saskatoon Blades' schedule, with only seven games remaining and in last place, any positive news has to be considered great news.
Therefore, the return of 16- year-old defenceman Teigan Zahn -- missing for two months and 24 games with a broken jaw -- couldn't have come at a better time.
"He gives us fi ve defencemen," coach Lorne Molleken said Tuesday as his club buses into Kootenay for a game tonight, the start of a four games in fi ve nights series that could end the Blades' season early. Five defenceman might not seem like much, considering most teams have seven, sometimes even eight blue-liners. But, considering the Blades' tank has been running on empty when it comes to defensive pairings during the past six weeks and some nights there's been only three regulars in uniform, it almost makes you want to jump for joy.
Zahn, despite his youthfulness, was one of the team's top four defencemen leading up to Christmas. He will add depth to that position, but Molleken says there's much more needed from the entire club if it hopes to make the post-season.
Scoring has dried up, both equal strength and on the power play. Unless that changes, the Blades have virtually no hope of catching Prince Albert, now six points up in fourth spot in the WHL East Division. In three of their last fi ve games, the Blades have been held off the scoresheet. In two other games, the Blades scored just one goal in regulation.
Saskatoon's 161 goals is lowest in the 11-team Eastern conference. After Ryan Menei, with a team-leading 35 goals, nobody else on the team has even half that number. Only fi ve players have more than 10 goals. "We have to make sure we put pucks on the net," Molleken says, hoping that some shots will score or players will be able to cash in on rebounds and bouncing pucks.
Even if the Blades start winning, it might not be enough, Molleken says. "We've got to get some help." A combination of three Swift Current wins or Saskatoon losses would put the Broncos out of reach, while the magic number with Prince Albert is fi ve.
Most nights, the effort has been there, Molleken says of his squad. But at the start of the year, with a team as young as the Blades were, it would take a full effort every game from everybody to win. "Some nights we've had every guy going, but some nights it's only been a handful." Next year, "there will have to be some changes," he says.
Kootenay, having already clinched a playoff berth, lost 4-2 to Swift Current during the weekend at home.
One win by the Ice and they'll clinch home-ice advantage through the opening two rounds of the playoffs.
If Saskatoon can come out of their western swing (Lethbridge Friday, Red Deer Saturday and Calgary Sunday), they return home to face Moose Jaw March 14, then fi nish off in Prince Albert two nights later, returning to Credit Union Centre March 17 to end the regular season.
dmcconachie@sp.canwest.com
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007
Blades get boost in push for playoffs
Doug McConachie, The StarPhoenix
Published: Wednesday, March 07, 2007
At this point in the Saskatoon Blades' schedule, with only seven games remaining and in last place, any positive news has to be considered great news.
Therefore, the return of 16- year-old defenceman Teigan Zahn -- missing for two months and 24 games with a broken jaw -- couldn't have come at a better time.
"He gives us fi ve defencemen," coach Lorne Molleken said Tuesday as his club buses into Kootenay for a game tonight, the start of a four games in fi ve nights series that could end the Blades' season early. Five defenceman might not seem like much, considering most teams have seven, sometimes even eight blue-liners. But, considering the Blades' tank has been running on empty when it comes to defensive pairings during the past six weeks and some nights there's been only three regulars in uniform, it almost makes you want to jump for joy.
Zahn, despite his youthfulness, was one of the team's top four defencemen leading up to Christmas. He will add depth to that position, but Molleken says there's much more needed from the entire club if it hopes to make the post-season.
Scoring has dried up, both equal strength and on the power play. Unless that changes, the Blades have virtually no hope of catching Prince Albert, now six points up in fourth spot in the WHL East Division. In three of their last fi ve games, the Blades have been held off the scoresheet. In two other games, the Blades scored just one goal in regulation.
Saskatoon's 161 goals is lowest in the 11-team Eastern conference. After Ryan Menei, with a team-leading 35 goals, nobody else on the team has even half that number. Only fi ve players have more than 10 goals. "We have to make sure we put pucks on the net," Molleken says, hoping that some shots will score or players will be able to cash in on rebounds and bouncing pucks.
Even if the Blades start winning, it might not be enough, Molleken says. "We've got to get some help." A combination of three Swift Current wins or Saskatoon losses would put the Broncos out of reach, while the magic number with Prince Albert is fi ve.
Most nights, the effort has been there, Molleken says of his squad. But at the start of the year, with a team as young as the Blades were, it would take a full effort every game from everybody to win. "Some nights we've had every guy going, but some nights it's only been a handful." Next year, "there will have to be some changes," he says.
Kootenay, having already clinched a playoff berth, lost 4-2 to Swift Current during the weekend at home.
One win by the Ice and they'll clinch home-ice advantage through the opening two rounds of the playoffs.
If Saskatoon can come out of their western swing (Lethbridge Friday, Red Deer Saturday and Calgary Sunday), they return home to face Moose Jaw March 14, then fi nish off in Prince Albert two nights later, returning to Credit Union Centre March 17 to end the regular season.
dmcconachie@sp.canwest.com
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007