Full marks to the Wildcats in their 6-1 victory over PEI last night. The effort from Moncton was actually at about the same level as the last time these two teams met at the Coliseum (also a 6-1 victory). There was nothing in terms of fisticuffs this time (and unlike last time)... and by the end of the game there was more emphasis placed on getting Yannick Veilleux the hat trick anyway (which he did). Priorities!
Dimitij Jaskin and Philipe Danault continued to show why the should probably be in a higher league by dictating the flow of the game on virtually every shift and racking up three and two points respectively. If there's one thing Danault does that I enjoy watching more than anything, it's protecting the puck in open ice. As soon as he gets the puck on his stick, he keeps his legs wider apart and pretty much cradles the puck on his stick. The closest I can come to describing it is that it's almost like watching a person in one of those races where you have to balance an egg on a spoon... someone whose an expert egg race balancer, that is. To do that as well as take on the increased defensive responsibility that a checking center absorbs makes him something special.
Then there's poor little Alex Dubeau... he's quickly going (once again) from the favorite whipping boy (and I will say that there have been times in which he needs to be better but some of the criticism was unwarranted) to a key factor in some of the more recent victories. As this team goes up, down and back up again it's becoming even more obvious that this team will live and die by goaltending. Fortunately, this recent string of weaker opponents appears to have been a boon for the Cats starting netminder. Last night, he passed what has pretty much been his hardest test of 2013 thus far with flying colors and stopped every puck thrown his way that he possibly could. This is what he must continue to do... and knowing that he can is comforting. Building on the success he's currently experiencing would be even more comforting. Hopefully he will do just that on Friday, when Moncton travels to Bathurst to face off against the Titan.
The focus now shifts from one island team to another as Dieppe plays host tonight to the Summerside Western Capitals at 7:30PM at the AJL. The Commandos are looking to build on a modest three game wining streak, while the Caps are looking to build on their slightly (and by "slightly" I mean "incredibly") less modest 12 game winning streak. Summerside hasn't tasted defeat since December 7th of last year in Woodstock. That was of course before they changed their personnel from "really good Jr.A roster" to "roster that could beat a few major junior teams". If you want an up close and personal look at players who've experienced the way of life in such wondrous OHL outposts as London or Sudbury, Ontario, come down to the rink tonight. This Caps team will be the most talented one you see all year at the AJL... but their opponent might be the most determined... and if you don't believe me, ask those aforementioned Woodstock Slammers.
The biggest storyline in tonight's game is, of course, the return of former Commandos' center/league leading scorer/league MVP candidate Danny Chiasson. Of course, Chiasson was dealt back on December 21st after requesting a trade. Despite the obviously frustrating situation it caused for the Commandos, GM JF Damphousse and coach Jeff Leblanc have downplayed the situation as much as possible, even looking at the positives that have come out of the unfortunate situation. The biggest one being the play of Shane Dallaire on the top line. When you have three players who look like they've been playing the entire season together after only one game - which was the case for Dallaire, Joel Blanchard and Robbie Graham - you know you have something good going for you. How will the that top line - and Dieppe's second line - fare against one of the toughest defensive units in all of the Canadian Jr.A ranks? What extra element might the return of Chiasson bring to the game, both in the Dieppe dressing room as well as on the ice? Can the Commandos play the Caps as close as they had before they bolstered their lineup (their last meeting on November 23rd being the lone exception)? Tune in or come down to the AJL and find out for yourself.
One thing I can guarantee from my perch in the booth. If the Commandos fail to come out on top tonight, it won't be due to lack of effort. Or confidence. So please, join us. The hockey is good. The beer is cheap. If that's not an invitation with arms wide open, I don't know what is.
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