KINGS OUTLAST JETS; SHARKS HOLD ON LATE AGAINST CYLCONES
Monday, November 3 - It's a new year with new opportunities looming for every team. With the reigning Damascus Cup Champion Sting no longer in the league (all players graduated), it leaves the door wide open for a new champion. The heavy favourites this year are the Kings, coming off their 3rd straight Damascus Cup Finals appearance. Aside from some minor changes, the core remains the same. New coach, James Langridge came over from the Cyclones in the offseason along with Josh Pronchuk and Brandan Nicholson. The Kings also picked up rookie Ryan Walchuk in the weeks leading up to the opener.
Jets vs. Kings
The Jets come into the season having experienced the biggest roster changes. Only captain, Richmond Fillion and Cody Wood remain from last year’s team. But with Jerry Baker entering his 4th year as head coach, he’s confident that they will be a tough team to beat.
The game didn’t start that way for the Jets as the Kings jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead. Austin Owen snapped a shot five-hole on goalkeeper, Andrew Courchene on their first shot of the game. The Kings would then make it 2-0 and 3-0 before the period was done.
The Jets would respond in the 2nd. They took over the game, possessing the ball for a high majority of the frame. They bombarded Kings goalkeeper, Aaron Lagimodiere with shots but couldn’t find an answer. Finally, while on the power play, Maurice Ducharme scored off a nice feed from Seth Henderson. The Kings would add another to restore their three goal lead.
The Jets continued their dominate play in the 3rd. Keeping all of the possession in the Kings’ end, the Jets moved the ball around beautifully, creating several scoring chances. Henderson and Fillion would each add one in the final frame but the comeback was cut short as Lagimodiere was phenomenal, stopping 35 of 38 shots on goal. The Jets finished the game with 70 shots attempts, but only three goals as they drop their season opener 5-3 to the Kings.
Players of the Game: Seth Henderson (1 goal, 1 assist) & Aaron Lagimodiere (3 GA, 35 saves, .921 S%)
Sharks vs. Cyclones
After losing their Vezina winning goaltender, there were question marks for the Sharks in goal. So they signed prospect, Tyler Clark to an entry level contract. They also called up Walker Hobbs, who had been waiting in the Sharks’ junior system for a chance with the big club. Along with Hobbs came rookie Akhil Rooprai.
The Cyclones made one of the biggest splashes of the off season by luring Dylan Gagnon and Derek Orne away from the Jets in free agency. Gagnon comes into a Cylcones line up to play alongside longtime friend Jacob Holloway, while Orne bolster up a blueline that already has veteran Scott Canard. Also joining the squad are Rance Abraham and Brandon Brass-Skeet of the Samson Division Gryphons. Rance led the Samson Division with 36 goals and 46 points last season. Finally, Marc-Nicholas Martin-Paulichenko (formerly of the Sting) signed on as head coach. Along with him is recently retired, Lindsey Campbell, who steps into an assistant coaching role.
The Sharks had a 5-0 record against the Cyclones and looked to continue their dominance in their season opener. They would get out to a hot start as Brayden Silva slid a one-timer past Brass-Skeet to make it 1-0. They would keep the pressure all period as Walker Hobbs notched his first two of the season, along with goals by Branndyn Gagnon and Jamie Wilson. The Cyclones added one off a blast from the point by Scott Canard. The Sharks led 5-1 after one.
The 2nd was more well rounded by both teams. The Sharks extended their lead to five before Canard erased it by scoring his second of the game.
The 3rd was all Cyclones. They found some momentum after Canard completed the hat-trick on a power play. The Sharks on the other hand, began to get frustrated and started to unravel. Abraham and Campbell each contributed to the comeback but it wasn’t enough as the Sharks would hold on for a 6-5 victory.
Players of the Game: Tyler Clark (5 GA, Win) & Rance Abraham (1 goal)
