Scout
09-16-2007, 09:37 AM
Better Late Than Never
Posted by Les Lazaruk on Sunday, September 16, 2007 at 07:21:00 AM.
The Saskatoon Blades finished their pre-season slate of games Friday with a 7-6 shootout triumph over the Prince Albert Raiders in Lloydminster.
For a team that scored just eight goals in its first four exhibition outings, they scored eight times in one game...albeit six in regulation and two in the shootout. And, while a win is a win is a win, the sobering point to this game was the fact that both goaltenders took turns at being porous.
The Blades scored all six of their goals in the first two periods on David Aime on just 19 shots before the Raiders rallied with four unanswered goals in the third period, on 15 shots, on Braden Holtby. The role reversal from the opening 40 minutes to the third period, led to overtime and the shootout, which left many in the crowd of nearly 2,000 at the Lloydminster Civic Centre thrilled.
Dustin Cameron and Travis Toomey each scored twice for the Blades...and once each on the power play...while Brett Ward on the man advantage and Derek Hulak added singles. Hulak and Chris Durand sniped in the shootout. For P.A., Devon Leblanc and rookie defenceman Nathan Deck scored two goals apiece with singles from Matt Robertson and Bryce Lamb. Robertson and Ryan McDonald were stymied by Holtby in the shootout. Both teams scored three times on the power play and the Blades out-shot Prince Albert 33-31. There were no fights in the game...one night after a line brawl and a total of 14 fighting majors and ejections at the Art Hauser Centre.
In speaking with P.A. general manager Donn Clark before Thursday's game, he hoped that Aime and 17-year-old rookie Steven Stanford would be able to get the job done in goal. Stanford showed that he's capable in two games against the Blades while Aime was, in the first 40 minutes, to quote former Blades and N.H.L. netminder Tim Cheveldae, "ruby, red rotten". The overage situation around the W.H.L. shows a few teams with too many, including a 20-year-old goaltender, or teams wanting to go with younger netminders and looking for a 20-year-old to fill a different role. The Raiders have a trio of 20-year-old defencemen in Jeff May, Mike Gauthier and John Flatters. (Although I overheard Flatters tell P.A. radio voice Drew Wilson that he'd be out for "a while" because of some sort of abdominal injury after being speared in the Thursday game with Saskatoon.) Among the 20-year-old goaltenders that could be/are available are Dustin Butler in Kamloops, Saskatoon product David Reekie in Everett, Saskatoonian Kris Westblom in Kelowna and either Joey Perricone or Kurt Jory in Moose Jaw. Rockets' bossman Bruce Hamilton was at both the Thursday and Friday games...and not just to see his son Curtis play some left wing for the Blades! Silvertips' G.M. Doug Soetaert was also suppossed to have been in attendance, but, apparently, his travel plans got fouled up.
Also at the game in P.A. on Thursday was Vancouver Giants' general manager Scott Bonner. Could any of the visiting G.M.'s have an interest in Blades' players? Possibly. Lorne Molleken does have 30 players still in camp, as of Sunday morning. He tells me he expects Justin McCrae (Carolina) and Garrett Klotz (Philadelphia) to be back and on the bus travelling to Brandon for the regular season opener on Friday. That leaves Colton Gillies at Minnesota camp...and he can't play in the first game because of a suspension from the W.H.L.
One young man who has helped out his situation is veteran 18-year-old left winger Dustin Cameron. The Saskatoon product led the Blades in pre-season scoring with six points, including three goals. All those goals and all of the points, except for one assist, came in the final two exhibitions with P.A.
All i know is that Molleken intended on meeting with each player individually today with the possibility of some decisions being made as to who stays and who gets re-assigned/moved. I know I wouldn't want to make them because the last two games muddied the waters, instead of clearing things up!!
Posted by Les Lazaruk on Sunday, September 16, 2007 at 07:21:00 AM.
The Saskatoon Blades finished their pre-season slate of games Friday with a 7-6 shootout triumph over the Prince Albert Raiders in Lloydminster.
For a team that scored just eight goals in its first four exhibition outings, they scored eight times in one game...albeit six in regulation and two in the shootout. And, while a win is a win is a win, the sobering point to this game was the fact that both goaltenders took turns at being porous.
The Blades scored all six of their goals in the first two periods on David Aime on just 19 shots before the Raiders rallied with four unanswered goals in the third period, on 15 shots, on Braden Holtby. The role reversal from the opening 40 minutes to the third period, led to overtime and the shootout, which left many in the crowd of nearly 2,000 at the Lloydminster Civic Centre thrilled.
Dustin Cameron and Travis Toomey each scored twice for the Blades...and once each on the power play...while Brett Ward on the man advantage and Derek Hulak added singles. Hulak and Chris Durand sniped in the shootout. For P.A., Devon Leblanc and rookie defenceman Nathan Deck scored two goals apiece with singles from Matt Robertson and Bryce Lamb. Robertson and Ryan McDonald were stymied by Holtby in the shootout. Both teams scored three times on the power play and the Blades out-shot Prince Albert 33-31. There were no fights in the game...one night after a line brawl and a total of 14 fighting majors and ejections at the Art Hauser Centre.
In speaking with P.A. general manager Donn Clark before Thursday's game, he hoped that Aime and 17-year-old rookie Steven Stanford would be able to get the job done in goal. Stanford showed that he's capable in two games against the Blades while Aime was, in the first 40 minutes, to quote former Blades and N.H.L. netminder Tim Cheveldae, "ruby, red rotten". The overage situation around the W.H.L. shows a few teams with too many, including a 20-year-old goaltender, or teams wanting to go with younger netminders and looking for a 20-year-old to fill a different role. The Raiders have a trio of 20-year-old defencemen in Jeff May, Mike Gauthier and John Flatters. (Although I overheard Flatters tell P.A. radio voice Drew Wilson that he'd be out for "a while" because of some sort of abdominal injury after being speared in the Thursday game with Saskatoon.) Among the 20-year-old goaltenders that could be/are available are Dustin Butler in Kamloops, Saskatoon product David Reekie in Everett, Saskatoonian Kris Westblom in Kelowna and either Joey Perricone or Kurt Jory in Moose Jaw. Rockets' bossman Bruce Hamilton was at both the Thursday and Friday games...and not just to see his son Curtis play some left wing for the Blades! Silvertips' G.M. Doug Soetaert was also suppossed to have been in attendance, but, apparently, his travel plans got fouled up.
Also at the game in P.A. on Thursday was Vancouver Giants' general manager Scott Bonner. Could any of the visiting G.M.'s have an interest in Blades' players? Possibly. Lorne Molleken does have 30 players still in camp, as of Sunday morning. He tells me he expects Justin McCrae (Carolina) and Garrett Klotz (Philadelphia) to be back and on the bus travelling to Brandon for the regular season opener on Friday. That leaves Colton Gillies at Minnesota camp...and he can't play in the first game because of a suspension from the W.H.L.
One young man who has helped out his situation is veteran 18-year-old left winger Dustin Cameron. The Saskatoon product led the Blades in pre-season scoring with six points, including three goals. All those goals and all of the points, except for one assist, came in the final two exhibitions with P.A.
All i know is that Molleken intended on meeting with each player individually today with the possibility of some decisions being made as to who stays and who gets re-assigned/moved. I know I wouldn't want to make them because the last two games muddied the waters, instead of clearing things up!!