Just like in 2009 when the Windsor Spitfires started the Memorial Cup tourney 0-2 and faced a Kelowna team already in the cup final in game three, the Kootenay Ice will attempt to repeat the feat when they face the Saint John Sea Dogs tonight in the club's third and final round robin game.
It's win or go home for the Ice tonight.
The Sea Dogs having nothing on the line tonight and the Ice could also catch another break with the Sea Dogs' coach Gerard Gallant confirming to Sportsnet's Patrick King that he will rest at least one veteran tonight, goaltender Jacob Deserres.
Whether or not the likes of Dog stars Jonathon Huberdeau, Simon Despres or Stanislav Galiev sit out or see limited action is something else entirely. No the Q-champs don't have anything to play for but unless things get really physical or those top three are nursing some bumps and bruises, look for them to play.
That will mean that Kevin King will not get to face good buddy and fellow Calgary product Deserres in a face-off for bragging rights unless it's in the final.
Matt Coxford at the Townsman has some more great coverage here.
It'll be interesting to see the lines Ice coach Kris Knoblauch will throw out tonight against the Sea Dogs. In an attempt to find some scoring and kickstart the likes of Matt Fraser late in the game against the Majors, Knobluach broke up the line of Antilla-Reinhart-Fraser for the first time in the playoffs placing Fraser with Eakin and King with little success.
The club will welcome back captain Brayden McNabb back from suspension, which will help.
There's only so many facecards in the Ice deck however and anything less than the likes of King, Fraser and Reinhart going will translate into an early plane ride home.
1 comments:
Two penalties to the ICE early in the game. Pathetic. Very disappointing officiating for such an important championship. I can't believe that in the year 2011, and how far so many things have come, that the referees still run the hockey show, and the leagues let them do it. I am a very positive person but am finding it difficult to find anything positive with the officiating.
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