The Dieppe Commandos spent a good portion of their day challenging what they felt was unjust authority yesterday. They lost on one front and are still awaiting the outcome of the other.
First, they issued an appeal to the MHL relating to the Patrick Byrne suspension. The Miramichi forward orchestrated an ugly incident early in the first period of the T-Wovles/Commandos game Sunday afternoon at the AJL. After jostling along the boards with Dieppe forward Alex Murray by the Miramichi bench, Byrne ripped off his gloves and delivered a series of punches to the head of the defenceless Murray. This was the second incident between the two players in the past month, as Byrne attempted to enter the Commando dressing room in a game at the AJL on February 7th in an attempt to fight Murray after both players were sent off with misconducts late in the game. As a result of the latest outburst, Byrne was assessed an aggressor minor, fighting major and game misconduct on the play while Murray was sent to hospital for what was originally believed to be precautionary measures. It is now apparent that whatever injuries sustained by the Commandos winger are more severe than originally thought as Murray was not dressed for last night's contest against Woodstock and there is as of yet no timetable set for his return.
Yesterday, the MHL handed down a three game suspension to Byrne (he had been suspended two games for the previous altercation involving Murray). The Commandos feel this punishment is not harsh enough as there was obvious malicious intent, an injury was sustained on the play and Byrne has a history of aggressive behaviour in games against Dieppe this season. The Commandos are still preparing to present their case in the matter and a decision should be rendered shortly following that presentation.
In the evening meanwhile, the Commandos set out to face their pre-determined first round opponent in round one of the MHL playoffs, the Woodstock Slammers. It was a must win game for Dieppe as anything less than a victory in regulation would allow the Slammers to clinch second place in the Meek Division and home ice in their upcoming playoff series. In the end, the Slammers would send the Commandos off disappointed as they would pump three goals home after a scoreless first and second period to win 3-2. However, it was the work of Lyndon Pike that would send the Commandos off incredibly frustrated.
Through 40 minutes, noone had managed to bulge the twine behind Commandos goalie Connor Wilkinson or Slammers netminder Simon-Pier Chamberland. It was a back and forth affair with excellent defensive work, hard hitting, decent scoring opportunities and outstanding goaltending... and only two minor penalties. It literally felt like a chess game being played out on the ice surface. Even the shots were equal after two period... 18 per side.
Sometime between the second and third periods, The guy who was skating around as an obvious impostor for referee Pike was replaced by the genuine article. The result? The game became a show for the head official, a number of borderline at best infractions were called and as a direct result, a couple of deserved penalties out of frustration on the part of Dieppe soon followed. Three powerplay goals, a game misconduct for Commandos head coach Jeff Leblanc and one attempted Dieppe comeback later and the final buzzer had sounded with Woodstock in second place for good.
All of this is not to say that the Slammers didn't play well enough to win. In essence, both teams did that. As well, the Commandos could've done a better job in certain circumstances to hold their emotions in check. However, none of this takes away from the fact that what should've been - and for two periods, was - the most exciting game of the season should never have been decided in the manner that it was. Because one person on the ice - who isn't even a player - couldn't keep up with the action, a potential instant classic was tarnished.
One last point regarding last night's events - it should not take away from the fact that these two teams are about the face off in what will be a wildly entertaining playoff series. Of all the potential first round matchups that are starting to form, this could be the best of them. All bets are off when these two teams collide - except to say you always get your money's worth when they face each other. All the best to the coaches, players and fans on both sides who are going to be participating in and enjoying this series. My only hope is that the players and coaches are the ones who get to decide the victor.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And with that, I'm outta here for a while. While I'm taking the time to soak up the sights and sounds of the sunny south, alot of hockey will be played and even more excitement will fast approach. Here are just a few things I boldly predict will take place during the next week and a half.
- The Commandos will win their appeal in the Partick Byrne case, and the suspension will be lengthened to around 5-7 games. They will defeat Miramichi in the last game of the regular season on Friday night, sweeping that season series.
- Truro - still fighting to clinch first in the Eastlink division - will defeat Woodstock in their final game, giving them a first round date with the Pictou County Weeks Crushers who will handily defeat Bridgewater in their 3 game "mini-series".
- Dieppe will lose Game 1 of their series on the road. I will be back in time for Game 2 (most likely) and will get the chance to call an OT victory for the Commandos which will even the series. I will not pick a winner, but this series will go the full 7 based on this logic. If I'm wrong (again) and Dieppe wins game 1, I suspect they win the series in 6.
- The Wildcats - who play six times over the next 11 days - will go 5-1 over that stretch, defeating Cape Breton (road), Halifax (road... yes, you read that right), Saint John (home), PEI (road) and Bathurst (road) while losing at home to the Moose. They will finish in 5th place overall and by the time I'm wearing a new tan will be getting set to face the Gatineau Olympiques in round one of the QMJHL playoffs, a series Moncton wins in 5.
- Dimitrij Jaskin will reach both the 50 goal and 100 point plateaus on the season but will finish third in league scoring behind Jonathan Drouin (105 pts) and Peter Trainor (103 pts).
- The Times-Transcript will not hire a proofreader for their newspaper articles, however fans will continue to be amazed at the play of rookie Corey Garland.
- The Bruins will be in first place in the Eastern Conference (not even going to talk about the forgone conclusion that is Chicago in the West) by the time I touch Canadian soil again (March 16th, for the record). They will lose in round two of the playoffs, however. Their defeat will come at the hands of a revitalised New York Rangers team. Claude Julien will somehow blame PK Subban.
- Speaking of those pesky Blackhawks, they will lose in regulation in the next week. Pencil me in for Friday night's game in Colorado. They are my - and many others - favourite to win the Stanley Cup this year. Corey Crawford will win the Jennings with Ray Emery, then find himself a finalist for the Vezina (finishing third in voting behind Carey Price and Tuuka Rask). For the amount of time the 'Hawks stuffed him down in the minors, he deserves the bloody Masterton as well.
Enjoy your time away from this place, folks... I'll be sure to have one for all of you.
No comments:
Post a Comment