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| And this guy would like to inform you that it's a long way to the top |
Today's matchup between Dieppe and Bridgewater was one of those games the Commandos on paper should've won. And that they did, coming out on top 6-1, looking good in the process and vaulting two positions in the Meek Division standings, from fourth to a tie for second (it's now a tie because Miramichi just won in Truro, since Truro has decided running away with the division really isn't that fair to the other kids). With the exception of a couple of stretches in the first half of the game in which they refused to clear the puck out of their own end under any circumstances, Dieppe was solid at all positions. On an afternoon where Bridgewater's defense was consistently backing off in their own zone - especially while shorthanded - the Commandos did a great job of exploiting that extra real estate. The also did a great job of capitalizing on a good number of their best scoring chances, something that was a problem earlier in the season.
Defensively, Justin MacDonald - the 18 year old in a 20 year old's body - pretty much controlled the game anytime he stepped on the ice, moving or rushing the puck whenever one or the other was required, the best example being the springing of Zack Cahill on a breakaway that led to Dieppe's 5th goal (Cahill actually went one-for-two on the breakaway today after failing to convert on a second period opportunity).
Connor Wilkinson was sharp virtually all game, the only chink in the armor a shot from along the boards from Luke Warner that he'd probably like to have a mulligan on. Wilkinson shook it off however and battled the rest of the way, making a handful of key stops both when the game was close and when it was not. My color commentator, Frank Robidoux, noticed when the score was 5-1 that Wilkinson was playing with the focus of a goalie in a scoreless game and that pretty much sums it up perfectly.
On another note, it was great to see a handful of Lumberjacks fans who made the roughly four hour trek to get there, part of a father/billet father trip put on by the team. Unfortunately, they watched their boys lose both games on the trip by a cumulative 16-2 score (Amherst beat them 10-1 last night). As tough as that had to be, give credit the Lumberjacks for putting on a very worthwhile excursion. Lumberjacks stay in 5th place in the Eastlink Division and have the final playoff spot firmly in hand as the Metro Shipbuilders - procurers of two wins so far this season - are probably more interested with not folding midseason than anything that takes place on ice right now.
Next up is the Summerside Western Capitals (aka the 2013 RBC Cup host team, aka Billy McGuigan's Flying Circus). The Commandos will be looking for consecutive win number five and more importantly, will be looking to distance themselves from the other 12 teams (or so it seems) that are within two points of them.
Elsewhere, congrats to the Moncton Flyers on capturing the Monctonian AAA Challenge, ending a 28 year drought. They defeated the highly touted Mississauga Steelheads 3-1 in the semis, turning the tables on the GTA squad after losing to them in the round robin. They then downed the Valley Wildcats 3-2 in OT to capture the tourney. By the same token, it was great to see Valley - a team that usually gets overlooked trying to compete with strong AAA programs in other corners of the province - reach the final. Commandos' 2012 territorial pick Luc Eagle picked up an assist for the tournament champs in the final.
Finally, I was looking for Lumberjacks star forward - and former Gatineau Olympique - Jacob Conrad on the ice the entire first period to no avail. He was not a scratch, but also wasn't on the bench. He got into the game in the second period... right after having dental surgery performed! I know people who take half a day off work to have a friggin cleaning done! Somewhere, Eddie Shore is smiling... and tying a goalie to the crossbar at the same time.
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