Czech Mate!

Dimitrij Jaskin the Moncton Wildcats defeated Gatineau 5-3 last night, improving their record to 26-16-1, good for 7th place in the Q. In terms of territorial play, it was no contest. Moncton held the edge in puck possession, quality chances and overall play in all three zones. Based on the performance in nets, had the goaltenders been reversed the score could've been much more one-sided as Robert Steeves bailed his teammates out numerous times. It was quite obvious throughout the game that the O's were suffering from fatigue, this being their third game in four nights. They made the best of their situation, took advantage of a couple of defensive miscues and managed to get a couple of pucks past Alex Dubeau that I'm sure he'd want back. In the end, the better rested and more talented Wildcats prevailed... but man, did that ever feel like a closer game than what it should've been.

This game was a strong confirmation that this team will go as far as Dimirtij Jaskin will take them. Don't get me wrong, there were a number of bright spots out there last night. The Wildcats third line as it stands right now is certainly one of the very best in the league, as it has been for the last two months. Almost every time Mark Tremaine, Chris Lalonde and Ryan Penny step out on the ice, they dictate the tempo of the game and either maintain momentum for the Cats or steal it back from the opposition. Ivan Barbashev, moved to the left side on what I'm trying hard not to simply refer to outright as the first line with the acquisition of Phil Danault, had one of his stronger outings during a season in which he's progressively looked more and more comfortable on the ice. The defence as a whole were a strong unit, keeping opposing shots to the outside as much as possible while effectively controlling the breakout (except for when the brand new five forward powerplay unit was thrown out there, of course). However, Jaskin took control of this game when it was unnecessarily slipping away. Alot of players that have arrived in Moncton over the years could easily be labelled as "exciting". However, there are very few - if any - that have combined such a high level of excitement with the same level of effectiveness - particularly in the clutch - as #26 on the right side for Moncton has.

So, should the fact that this one player has continuously pulled the team's collective posterior out of the fire be a concern? In a way, yes... in another way, no. For me, I feel his play, as well as that of the top three line in general, should be viewed as an opportunity to spread the duties assigned to certain players around more than before.

As much as I appreciate what the Saulniers and their various linemates have brought to the table over the last three and half seasons, it's obvious they are no longer the "go to" guys for the game breaking offensive performance any contending team needs in order to survive. However, how much of this is connected to their use in key defensive situations as well?

Since the beginning of their 18 year old seasons, Allain and Alex have been the first players looked upon in powerplay situations as well as five on five. More often than not, they've also been the first over the boards for penalty killing duties, key defensive zone draws and any number of key late game situations. After so long, this responsibilty has to become taxing on any player. I'm not writing this to downgrade the twins, nor am I nessecarily bringing it up to question how they have been utilised by the coaching staff. What I am saying - or at least am hopeful for - is that with the acquisition of a more than legit second top centerman in Danault as well as the continual rise to prominence of the third line in all situations, perhaps the time has come that the reliance on the Saulniers to be the key factors on offense once again should be highlighted, while the reliance on them in certain other situations should be less pressing. This team could bring to the forefront a deeper arsenal on both sides of the puck that I feel is there already.

One thing I will say regarding the twins directly is this, however. They have an awesome kid centering their line. He wears #67 and Gerry Green is not exaggerating when he has in the past referred to him as a "bear". His name is Yannick Veilleux and sometimes, it feels like he gets lost in the shuffle when out there with his linemates. I'd like to see that line work with each other a little more consistently than they do now. It would make a ton of difference in the way opponents would have to strategize against this team night in and night out.

Over at the AJL this afternoon, the Commandos play host to the Metro Shipbuilders in a 2:30 start. The Commandos are looking for a positive outing after dropping a 4-1 decision in Woodstock on Friday night, while the Shipbuilders are just looking for anything that closely resembles a positive. Metro currently sits dead last in the MHL with a record of 4-32-0-1, they're in the throws of an eight game losing streak, they were trounced in Summerside last night by the score of 7-1 while being outshot by a mind-numbing count of 71-15, they traded their former top scorer - JP Harvey - at the deadline (ironically, to Summerside... he had a goal and an assist for his new team last night) and they're playing in front of the most paltry home crowds in the league. All signs point to the MHL leaving the Halifax Regional Municipality next season, the next two months being the Shipbuilders attempt at playing out the string as best they can.

However, they have had the uncanny ability to push the Commandos to the brink in each of their previous three meetings this season. They held a 3-0 lead over Dieppe during the Commandos home opener back on September 15th, only to lose 5-4 in a shootout. They once again led Dieppe 3-0 in their second meeting of the season at the Sportsplex on October 23rd, eventually falling by a final score of 7-4. Finally, on December 4th in Dartmouth, the Shipbuilders held a - you guessed it - 3-0 lead midway through the first before the Commandos came storming back, peppering Metro goalie Maxim Feener with 59 shots in a 6-4 victory for the road team. Can the road weary Ships make life interesting for Dieppe in this fourth and final regular season meeting? Time will tell.

Also this afternoon, the Moncton Flyers will attempt to defeat a familiar foe in yet another tournament final as the East Coast Ice Jam comes to an end this afternoon in Bedford. The 2PM start pits the Flyers against the Valley Wildcats, no strangers to each other this weekend or this season. It was the Wildcats that took the Flyers to OT in the Monctonian final in November before falling 3-2 to the hometown squad, the first Monctonian win by the host club since 1984. On Thursday night the Flyers prevailed once again over their Nova Scotia foes in the round robin by a final score of 5-4. The Flyers are hoping to build off the momentum of their - to this point - undefeated play, their most recent win a 4-2 semi-final decision over Rothesay Netherwood. For the Wildcats, they're simply hoping the third time's the charm.

Finally, if you were disgruntled at the actions of Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr during the lockout, it could've been worse apparently. Replace Fehr with Eric Cole and you're probably still looking forward to the end of the dispute.