7-2 win for the Cats over Drummondville last night... a game that was all about quality rather than quantity. How many times does a team hold the advantage in territorial play, quality chances and overall momentum and win by five... but get outshot 29-26? If you counted the shots that just went wide on Moncton's part, you'd probably have a total closer to 50 rather than 26... and probably a score in the double digits. That's how good the Cats were last night.
Dimitrij Jaskin came back and decided to let everyone know it. A goal and two assists - the goal being something that I think I've only seen previously as a glitch in NHL '94, where the puck somehow squeaked between the base of the post and the seemingly well positioned skate of Volts netminder Dominic Graham.
It was also one of those games where it felt like all four lines could've - and should've - scored. It seemed like every time the fourth line was out there, the puck absolutely refused to leave the zone... or even the area beyond the hash marks. The sustained pressure from Stephen Johnson, Lucas Batt and that adorable little Conor Garland fellow was a treat to witness.
Now to take a moment to again gush about #8 on the Cats, who last night played his second game since coming back from a broken finger. When he first arrived, I think alot of people were under the impression that although he was obviously skilled, opponents would figure out how to contain him rather quickly. After all, he's small, he's 16 and he's largely condemned to the fourth line on a team ripe with offensive talent. Here we are two months later and that hasn't actually happened... and I'm inclined to believe it won't. What Conor Garland lacks in size and strength, he makes up for in outstanding offensive awareness and poise. When you're that small, even when you get knocked down, you tend to get up very quickly and regain your focus on the puck and the play. As seen last night, if you take him down, you better hold him down (and try not to take the ensuing penalty) because he's going to find a way back in the play immediately. If he can add a few inches to his frame (out of his control, of course) and gain some muscle (which is more in his control), it would not surprise me to see this kid put 100 points up in a season. I tend not to crow about a younger, still fairly unproven player like this, but I watch him right now and just can't see anything but a dynamic, successful, David Desharnais-type force on this team over the next few years.
As great as it was to see Jaskin and Garland make their way back into the lineup this week, another returnee in recent times deserves a mention as well. If a player accumulated points for doing the little things that don't show up on the scoresheet but win games nonetheless, Mark Tremaine would be challenging for the team scoring lead. The old adage on defensive defensemen has long been "If you don't notice them, they're doing their job". The same can be applied to defensive forwards in a sense as well. This team simply plays more responsible overall with #7 on the left side each game. His overall awareness is amazing. He checks his man, his positioning is usually spot on, he plays the angle and closes gaps and lanes as efficiently as most defensemen and he's quietly strong with the puck. You often hear coaches and analysts say "you win games with guys like that" and to the untrained ear, it may sound like something to say about a player of which you can't say a whole lot about but you have to say something. In actuality, it's true. Mark Tremaine plays a big (albeit understated) part in winning games for the Moncton Wildcats. Not by putting up huge numbers or going for the big hit or being all flash and dash. He helps you win by simply being a consistent stabilizing force. That Dickie's "hardest worker" award that the team gives after each game this season? It was devised with guys like Mark Tremaine in mind.
One final note on last night; I don't know who picked the three stars (I'm willing to bet either Neil Hodge or Stephane Paquette) but whomever did made a very wise decision by handing one over to Alex Dubeau. So often in one-sided games, a very good goaltending performance gets overlooked. Last night, Dubeau kept this game from perhaps playing into the hands of the visiting team on at least two occasions. There are times when the big save means the difference between victory and certain defeat. There are other times when it simply allows that goalie's team to regain momentum that was otherwise slipping away. Dubeau as much as any other player on the ice last night ensured the latter for his team.
Back at it tonight... this time the PEI Rocket come to town. I could easily see the result from last night duplicating itself... PEI and Drummondville are similar teams, I find (although the Rocket are more top heavy offensively). Then again, it's the Rocket... and we all know how much fun (re:agonizing) many of the encounters between these two clubs have been over the last couple seasons. This is one of those games where I really feel the Cats will miss a guy like Ross Johnston (who's saga I will give my take on at a later date since it's being talked about to death in recent times) and/or Kyle Haas. The Rocket - thanks to the leadership of Gordie Dwyer - have that ability to find momentum in a number of ways. They can score the big goal, receive the big save or engage in the big fight. Much like every other game between these two teams since the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, I'll not predict anything other than to say the game will be played tonight at 7 at the Coliseum and I'll probably come close to breaking my neck in that building's treacherous parking lot once again.
Meanwhile in Dieppe, the Commandos served up some food and some fun at their annual auction last night. It's the biggest fundraising event of the year for the team and if you're ever able to make it out (as ironically I wasn't last night) do yourself a favor and buy a ticket for it. The auction items are diverse and the money raised goes towards an organization that truly deserves it. As well, if you're inclined to go in an upcoming year, plan in advance. This year's event was sold out (which also explains why I didn't mention it earlier). Here's hoping this year's auction was a successful as those from previous years.
The Commandos will now go back to (hopefully) serving up some exciting action on the ice for the remainder of the weekend. Tonight it's a visit to Amherst for a game against a Ramblers squad that has quietly hung in with the stronger teams in the MHL this season. Jimbo and Co. sport a 30-10-4-2 record going into tonight's action as well as seven wins in their past 10, keeping them within striking distance of the Eastlink Division leading Yarmouth Mariners. For Dieppe, they'll be charged with the task of not only staying in the rear view mirror of the Woodstock Slammers in the race for second place in the Meek Division, but also trying to avenge a 10-5 loss to the Rams just after New Year's in which defensive stability was not their friend and the dasher boards at the Stadium - not to mention some of the crowd in attendance that night - were not Mathieu Newcomb's fans after the rookie forward received a rousing cheer upon breaking his nose. To be more accurate, the doctor that treated Newcomb in the dressing room got the cheer after being summonsed on the PA system. I guess one should never overlook the opportunity to applaud the work of a professional, no matter how tasteless it may seem.
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