That means, we start by discussing the Dieppe Commandos. Or, to be more accurate, how the Commandos annihilated their competition last night, defeating Bridgewater 11-1. Zack Cahill and his six points (including his second four goal game against the Lumberjacks this season) led the charge, barely outscoring Robbie Graham (two goals, three assists) and Joel Blanchard (goal, three assists). All but three players on the Dieppe roster tallied at least one point in helping the club to it's 24th victory of the season. All this overshadowed another strong outing from Alex St-Arnaud, his 29 save effort earning him his third victory with the Commandos this year.
One aspect of the game that is often cited but easy to overlook is that all teams should do their very best to defeat the clubs below them in the standings in order to both stay competitive in the overall standings as well as to not take any opponent for granted. This is especially true for a mid-pack team like Dieppe, for whom the so-called "easy" two points could mean the difference between a first round date with the Woodstock Slammers or the much tougher Summerside Western Capitals. As well, two points could mean the difference between home ice in round one of the playoffs. In this regard, no squad in the MHL has taken greater advantage of teams lower than them in the standings. The 7th place Commandos have run the table so far this season against teams 8-11 in the overall standings (Miramichi, Campbellton, Bridgewater and Metro respectively) to the tune of 18-0. I don't think I've ever seen a run quite like this in any league before... but if it continues for the next three weeks, it could easily mean second place in the Meek Division for Dieppe. Of the seven games left in the regular season, four are against Miramichi and Campbellton (two each). How they fare in those four contests - plus one more crucial outing against Woodstock on March 5th - could make all the difference in where Jeff Leblanc's crew finishes the regualr season... and where they get to start the playoffs.
I've said it on here numerous time before and really, I'm not going to shut up about it (because that's just not me)... if you haven't seen this Commandos team in action, get to one of the three regular season games remaining at the AJL or make your way to a playoff game. This team has played some of the most consistently exciting hockey in the city the last two months. I sincerely mean it when I say you don't know what you're missing (and trust me... if you weren't missing anything I'd let you know).
Speaking of not missing anything, let's talk about the game in Saint John last night.
Is there nothing about this latest string of games for the Wildcats that hasn't been confusing and/or frustrating? As this season goes on, the common reaction to this club is that they can win the league... but there's a ton of emphasis on the word "can". They also "can" lose in round one (thank god the Sea Dogs are far enough down the standings that they most likely won't be a potential first round opponent for Moncton). I've resigned myself to one of two things when it comes to personal perspective on this team. Either a) I will never for the life of me figure out what this team is all about or b) I already know and am seriously trying to convince myself otherwise. Great teams are consistent. Losses are isolated incidents. Continuously frustrating or lackluster performances simply don't occur. If one player is out of the lineup - even if they're the best player on the team - the rest pick up the slack and find a way. And they also beat the teams they should beat.
To put this in perspective, Moncton currently sits in fifth place, ten points behind the fourth place Baie-Comeau Drakkar. if you take just half of the points the Wildcats have lost to PEI and Saint John this season and tack it onto their current overall record, they sit just two points out of fourth... with three games in hand. If they run the table against those two teams (unrealistic I know... but humor me just this once), they are breathing down Halifax's necks, just five points out (the Mooseheads would hold one game in hand). It's this aspect of the club more than anything that drives me nuts. They can and have beaten Halifax (takes one hell of an effort, but it's doable)... they can beat Blainville and Quebec and Baie-Comeau. Based on how Rimouski looked Monday night, they can beat them as well. If Moncton faces any of these clubs in a deep playoff round, it should prove to be an outstanding series. But if they have difficulty making it out of round one, it could also prove to be a moot point.
I also want to stress that I hate making posts like this. When they lose a game like last night's, it makes me shake my head and to be honest, it's disappointing If I'm frustrated, I can only imagine what the team feels like. I've been following and/or working for this team for 18 seasons and wish nothing but success for them. I also want them to prove everything I've said this year wrong... but the part that bugs me the most is that time is slowly running out for them to be able to do that.
Moncton heads to Halifax tonight to tangle with the Mooseheads. Which Wildcats team will skate through the zamboni entrance at the Metro Center tonight? Like everyone else, I won't know until the game is actually underway. You couldn't get me to bet on this team right now even if you gave me the money to do so.
Over at the JLL last night, the Acadia Axemen forced a third and deciding game in their opening round series against U de M, defeating the hometown Aigles Bleus 5-2. Is it just me or would anyone else like to see these opening round best of three series extended to best of five? A three game series has too much of a single game elimination feel to it... and for a level as high as AUS, I think it's only fair to all teams that they have to win three times to advance in any round. A two out of three leaves alot less margin for error and although exciting, could take a very good team out of the running before they even get their feet under them. Last night Alex Beaton paced the Axemen with a pair of goals and an assist while Evan Mosher - no stranger to frustrating the living crap out of Moncton based teams while a member of the PEI Rocket - made 27 saves in the win. The series - and someone's season - comes to an end Sunday in Wolfville.
Finally, the Habs and Flyer do battle tonight. For as long as I can remember, I've almost always loved watching these two teams tangle (except for back when LeClair, Recchi and Desjardins would continuously hand some of those awful Montreal teams their lunch). That being said, it was always a little more special stuff like this would occur:
Oh, and Carey Price has the flu. I'm assuming the Habs mulled over the option of either tying Price to the crossbar and hoping for the best or starting Peter Budaj. In any event, they went with plan "B" and gave 'ol Peter the nod.
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