Apparently, it was an offensively charged evening in the Maritimes last night.
First off, the 12-2 Cats victory at the Coliseum over Cape Breton... really, what can you say? It was one of those games where you knew the potential was there for it to be a blowout and the only questions were would the Cats take the foot of the gas and could it get ugly in areas other than the scoreboard? The answers were no and (minus one viewing of "The Jimmy Oligny Show" no.
Discussing the squad from CB with a fan from that area last night, the topic of how many MHL teams could beat the Eagles in a playoff series. Based on what I've seen from both the Jr.A ranks and Marc-Andre Dumont's crew, I figure at least six - probably even seven - MHL teams could win a best of 7 from that squad with varying degrees of difficulty (or lack thereof). It's an unfortunate situation for the fans in that neck of the woods, who will almost certainly see their team miss the playoffs for the first time ever (and the first time for the franchise in general since they were the Granby Bisons back in 1993) and even more frustrating for the kids on the ice. Honestly, at this point and time it can be very tough to beat the Eagles without embarrassing them... unless you bring the competitive edge down a notch. Tough situation to be in.
The Cats didn't bring their compete level down. However, the way they dictated the play was commendable. They basically threw the puck around when it got to a certain point in the game and although they continued to find twine, it was the likes of Conor Garland and Ryan Penny (both with hat tricks) providing the offence in the later stages as opposed to Dimitri Jaskin and Phillip Danault. When one good team is that on and one rebuilding team is that off, nights like this will happen. Take the two points and venture forward.
For the Cats, venturing forward means a jaunt to Rimouski and Quebec City this weekend. Friday night's game from the Colisee de Rimouski will be televised on Sportsnet. Channel your inner RJ Broadhead and tune in.
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That made it 22 home team goals within a few blocks radius as the Moncton Flyers got off on the right foot in their first round playoff series against Miramichi. Among the highlights in the Flyers' 10-4 victory was a five goal, six point effort from Joey Richard, a 6/10 success rate on the powerplay and a four goal third period that saw the home team finally pull away in what was up until that point a see-saw affair, the two teams heading for the dressing room after 40 minutes tied at six. This first to eight points series resumes tomorrow night in Miramichi.
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Meanwhile in Dartmouth, the Amherst Ramblers walked into the Sportsplex (that in itself was most likely a harrowing team effort) and trounced the Metro Shipbuilders 10-3. Now yes, this is the Shipbuilders, who have as many wins as what some teams manage in a week and a half (four, to be exact), but even this result adds to my theory that if I'm any team in the Eastlink Division, I'm not looking forward to potentially locking horns with the Rams in the postseason. Simply put, they're good. It's a different kind of "good" than last season as well. Whereas last season Jim Bottomley was trying to mold a talented team on paper into an outfit that he can get through to (which was alot easier said than done), now he has a group that are out for blood - and looking out for the greater good - every single night.
As impressive as certain now bygone names on that squad from last year were, one guy who remains epitomizes that Amherst team to a tee - Kody Orr. That kid should get serious consideration for league MVP. There are some players who do nothing great, yet do everything good. Orr goes everything great. Last night he had two goals, three assists and 14 PIMS. Really, it's a perfect microcosm of what he can bring to the table every night.
In a season during which the Caps and Bearcats and Mariners are the talk of the league, don't be surprised if this Amherst team finds a way into the finals. As tough as it will most likely be for the Commandos to face the Slammers in round one, I'd honestly rather it be them than the Ramblers as an initial test in a best of seven.
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Speaking of those Commandos, they hit the road on Friday, facing off against the Campbellton Tigers in a 7:30 start. In the process, Dieppe will look to go a perfect 7-0 against the Tigers this season while also looking to sow up at least third in the division (and stay in the race for second). On Sunday afternoon, it's back to the AJL to face the Miramichi Timberwolves, another team whom a) the Commandos have been perfect against this year and b) always seem to bring their "A" game against Dieppe. Please join us and watch what you've been missing.
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