Scout
09-08-2007, 08:50 PM
P.A. 4, Blades 3 (O.T.)
Posted by Les Lazaruk on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at 12:06:00 AM.
To say the deck was stacked against the Blades at the Art Hauser Centre Friday night is being kind.
The Bridge City Bunch's first pre-season game was a chance for G.M. and head coach Lorne Molleken to get a look at almost all of his young hopefuls who are looking for a shot at being the depth in the line-up. Saskatoon's average age for the 20 players dressed was 17.1 years old. No 20-year-olds dressed and only one 19 in right winger Craig Cuthbert, who wore the "C". Only five regular veteran skaters from last season suited up. That compares with 11 for P.A. They're average age was 17.75 and they had 20-year-old defenceman John Flatters plus five 19-year-olds in the line-up.
Having said that, Molleken has to be thrilled with the effort...especially from 16-year-old rookie goaltender Matthew Krahn. Several of his 39 saves were of the sensational variety...mostly by way of covering a great deal of the bottom of the net on bang-bang centring-pass plays from behind the goal line.
Beyond that, 16-year-old Stefan Elliott may have been the best Blades' defenceman. He showed his ability to carry the puck and create space for himself on the ice with his agility and mobility. Also, 18-year-old Colton McPherson showed some intestinal fortitude by coming back and playing the body after a first period check resulted in a few stitches to repair a cut under the nose.
Up front, Kirk Belyk and Jordan Braid accounted for the goal-scoring, Belyk with two, all on the power play. They had help up front from 16-year-old Curtis Hamilton who was one of the few Bladces' players who got better as the game went along.
All in all, pretty decent for the first game. I have to miss tonight's game at C.U.C. because of a Hilltops' game. But, I expect Regina will bring a tough challenge for the young Blades! Game time is 7:05.
Posted by Les Lazaruk on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at 12:06:00 AM.
To say the deck was stacked against the Blades at the Art Hauser Centre Friday night is being kind.
The Bridge City Bunch's first pre-season game was a chance for G.M. and head coach Lorne Molleken to get a look at almost all of his young hopefuls who are looking for a shot at being the depth in the line-up. Saskatoon's average age for the 20 players dressed was 17.1 years old. No 20-year-olds dressed and only one 19 in right winger Craig Cuthbert, who wore the "C". Only five regular veteran skaters from last season suited up. That compares with 11 for P.A. They're average age was 17.75 and they had 20-year-old defenceman John Flatters plus five 19-year-olds in the line-up.
Having said that, Molleken has to be thrilled with the effort...especially from 16-year-old rookie goaltender Matthew Krahn. Several of his 39 saves were of the sensational variety...mostly by way of covering a great deal of the bottom of the net on bang-bang centring-pass plays from behind the goal line.
Beyond that, 16-year-old Stefan Elliott may have been the best Blades' defenceman. He showed his ability to carry the puck and create space for himself on the ice with his agility and mobility. Also, 18-year-old Colton McPherson showed some intestinal fortitude by coming back and playing the body after a first period check resulted in a few stitches to repair a cut under the nose.
Up front, Kirk Belyk and Jordan Braid accounted for the goal-scoring, Belyk with two, all on the power play. They had help up front from 16-year-old Curtis Hamilton who was one of the few Bladces' players who got better as the game went along.
All in all, pretty decent for the first game. I have to miss tonight's game at C.U.C. because of a Hilltops' game. But, I expect Regina will bring a tough challenge for the young Blades! Game time is 7:05.