I honestly didn't know what to expect going into yesterday afternoon's tilt between Dieppe and the Metro Shipbuilders. On one hand, Metro had a grand total of four wins to their credit all season going into this matchup. They were in the midst of an eight game losing streak and had gotten trounced in about the most thorough fashion possible the night before in Summerside. Oh, and they were dressing 13 skaters. On the other hand, they had roared out to a 3-0 lead against Dieppe in each of the previous three meetings between the two clubs this season, only to lose each time. In theory, Dieppe should win with relative ease. In reality, history says to expect the unexpected.
And of course, the unexpected happened. The Commandos won, 6-5, and just as the score indicates, it wasn't your typical, garden variety kind of win.
This gets my vote for most back and forth game of the season. There may have only been 13 skaters dressed for Metro, but they were 13 very determined players. As cliche as it sounds, Metro played a great road game. They certainly showed more patience and energy than a short-staffed last place team, they made the most of their chances when they got them and did a very good job at affording themselves extra time and space in Dieppe territory. Dieppe's breakouts were more effective overall, create the most dangerous chances around the Metro cage, but the top line of Dallaire, Graham and Blanchard appeared snakebitten by and large. Not to worry however, as the offensive prowess of Joslin Gallant and Cody Taker was there to pick up the slack. Yeah... it was one of those games.
By the midway point of the second it became perfectly clear that Dieppe's key to victory was going to be simply outlasting their opponent. They did... but barely. This game played out like some sort of cheesy horror movie. As soon as the intended victim appeared to in the clear, out of nowhere the villain would once again appear, each time in more and more absurd fashion. Mitchell Jones' goal to tie things up at five was not only a complete fluke, it was one of those type of goals that can deflate a team in a hurry. To the Commandos credit, they kept focus, came out strong the next handful of shifts, hemmed the Shipbuilders in their own zone for extended periods and were rewarded for their efforts with just under three and half minutes to go when Zach Cahill zipped a wrister on the rush from around the right faceoff circle past Metro goalie Maxim Feener for the game winner - a goal that Feener, who kept the Ships alive on more than one occasion - clearly wanted back.
For Dieppe's part, they weren't at the same level as they were against Miramichi last Sunday... but it certainly wasn't the worst game they've played this season, either. They just had time on their side, and they took advantage of that fact. Most importantly, this was the sort of game that once upon a time gave birth to the term "you win as a team, you lose as a team". This was most definitely a team effort. It was also enough of an effort to get Alex St-Arnaud the win in his first game in the MHL in a season and a half.
The Commandos are back at it Friday night when they travel to Campbellton to take on the Tigers in a 7:30 start. Last time Dieppe ventured into New Brunswick's far north, they won 8-4 and the bus caught fire on the way home. Hopefully only one of those things happens again this weekend.
Congrats to the Moncton Flyers on becoming the 2013 Atlantic Ice Jam tournament champions yesterday, coming back from 3-1 down after the first to defeat the Valley Wildcats 5-3. The 18-4-1-1 Flyers are back to their regular season schedule Saturday at 7:30PM when they host the Cornwall Thunder at the Red Ball Internet Center.
Finally, although I totally understand why the Canadiens have decided to make Scott Gomez stay home for the season, am I the only one who can envision this backfiring on the Habs? I mean, if this happened to Dustin Penner, I certainly wouldn't bet against it happening to 'ol Scotty boy.
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