Is it still run and gun when only one team is running (and gunning)?

No Huskies zone

For the first three shifts of tonight's game at the Coliseum between the Cats and Rouyn-Noranda, the Huskies really impressed me with their speed, their aggressiveness and their ability to hem the Cats in their own zone.

For most of the next 60 or so shifts, that feeling pretty much went away.

Tonight's 8-3 Cats' win reminded me a lot of the two games Moncton played down here a couple weekends ago. Maybe not a 60 minute effort, but certainly a 50 minute one. Once the Cats discovered they could beat the Huskies along the wall and that their speed and strength could overcome the speed with lack of strength on the Huskies, the game was determined. Time and time again, being cut off at the pass along the wall, Rouyn would try to break out up the middle and simply end up shooting themselves up the foot with poor passing, lack of patience or lack of communication. Included among this was what I believe was the first time I recall seeing an outlet pass up the middle that actually bounced off an official and became yet another turnover for the Cats at the Huskies' blueline. Essentially, several moments of this game looked like this (with all apologies to Mr.Huddy)

The Huskies this year remind me of the 97-98 edition of the Wildcats. Most of their top players are in the 17-18 age group with a sprinkling of vets added in. Also, it's a team that is largely devoid of playoff experience. That Wildcats team could go on long winless streaks as well as healthy winning streaks, finally ending around .500, reaching the second round of the playoffs before bowing out. I could see a similar fate in Rouyn-Noranda's future, only with a better record when all's said and done.

On the Cats side, they won race after race for the puck and simply didn't give it up once they had it (mainly because they weren't challenged much of the time). Despite a first goal he'd probably like back, Alex Dubeau nonetheless made a few key saves while things were still close and the entire defense corps were in the habit of showing patience with the puck and looking before passing. In particular, Fredericton product Brayden Wood continues to impress me more and more each game as his rising confidence and steady but not flashy play continues. Up front, Yannick Veilleux might as well have gone out with a can of spray paint during powerplays and wrote "Yannick's spot" in the slot as he was given enough space there to raise a small family. Two goals with the man advantage and a five point night easily got him first star honors as everyone from one to twelve up front did a great job working the wall, switching gears and pressuring Huskies' defensemen. Kris Hodge in particular keeps giving Mr.Flynn plenty of reasons to keep him out of the stands. Oh, and you know you've had a successful Euro draft when your second pick is pushing 20 goals in mid-November. Tomorrow the Val d'Or Foreurs make their way into town. Big, physical vs. big, physical team. Should be a fine old time.

Oh... and did I hear the name "Moncton Alpines" announced over the PA tonight??? I had no idea such careless antics were allowed!

Elsewhere, the back end of the Commandos/Tigers home and home goes down tomorrow at 7:30 in Campbellton with Dieppe hunting for win number 10 on the season as well as their third in a row. Finally, if you have a couple hours to kill over the weekend, do yourself a favor and take in part of the annual Monctonian AAA tournament. Keep an eye out there and take names... you'll be seeing a lot of those kids out there today in the Coliseum again in the coming years.