The Reinhart Bros show continued on the road last night in Saskatoon as Max sniped three goals while younger brother Sam notched four helpers as the Ice dumped the Blades 6-1.
Brock Montgomery with his 8th goal of the season, along with Eric Benoit with his 8th and rookie Jon Martin with his 2nd rounded out the scoring for the Ice.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 20 of 21 shots for the win.
Benoit returned after missing five games with an upper body injury.
The win gives the Ice a little breathing room atop the Eastern Conference and WHL standings, with a 19-5-1-2 record, good for 41 points, the first WHL club to break that barrier.
It's the sixth straight win for the Ice and seventh consecutive road win dating back to before the home stand, a team record.
There are highlites here and the Star-Phoenix has a recap here.
If you haven't seen it on Gregg Drinnan's blog over on the right, the mid-season leader for quote of the year goes to Blade GM and coach Lorne Molleken to Saskatoon Star-Phoenix writer Daniel Nugent-Bowman on the loss, which he alludes to as ugly or at the very least, not pretty. “That was like some of the girls you used to date, Daniel."
The four point night for Sam continued the rookie's torrid pace on the road trip with 18 points in his last six games, giving him 26 points (8g, 18a) on the season, good for 5th in the Rookie scoring race and tops among 16-year-olds.
Max's hat-trick gives him 15 goals on the season and he sits 15th in league scoring with 34 points on the season.
You'd have to think Max is just gearing up for his shot at the World Juniors starting December 10 with the selection camp. With WHL coaches Don Hay and Ryan Huska as assistant, Max's defensive play is likely the best shot he's got to make this team.
On that note one wonders how Hockey Canada could fudge the dates on Nathan Lieuwen's drivers license back a year. The season the 20-year-old is having would almost certainly put him in the running, especially given the goaltending situation with Team Canada and the perceived lack of star power at the position.
Question for today - or the next couple of weeks if you like. I asked it awhile back but it resonates now more than then: Does this club make a move prior to the deadline to beef up the blueline or the forwards in anticipation of a long run again this spring?
In two years this group (15's, 16's and 17-year-olds) is projected to be scary good. The present group is proving they can do just as good as last season - they're two wins ahead of last year's pace at this time - but another forward who can score or a top-five D-man wouldn't hurt the cause. You'll have until January 10th or so to discuss.
Dylen McKinley (team suspension), Jaedon Descheneau and Jeff Hubic were the scratches, finishing up the six-game, six player stretch that a veteran sat out for violation of team rules in which the club never missed a beat. The club is completely healthy for the first time this season.
Friday the road trip continues into Prince Albert, who now occupy the WHL's basement with a 6-21-1-1 record and 14 points, tied with Everett for last overall. Moose Jaw is Saturday with the road trip wrapping up Sunday night in Swift Current.
The CHL rankings came out yesterday, prior to the Blades-Ice game. Kootenay's in at 7th while the Blades are 5th, pre-6-1 Ice win.
Speaking of rankings Buzzing the Net (link over on right), one of the best Junior Hockey rolls on the net, has a completely different system based on toughness of recent schedule that produces the Dynamic Dozen. Though curiously the top CHL ranked club, the London Knights, is 13th. The Ice check in at 7th while the Blades are 6th. And for an answer posted there about why the two Reinhart brothers don't have their respective initials on their jerseys, they didn't want them. Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth ordered the letters for them but they chose not to have them put on.
In some alumni news former Ice assistant coach Brad Lauer moved from Syracuse to Anaheim yesterday - bring your Sandals - as former Washington Capital head coach Bruce Boudreau was out of work all of two days when the Ducks fired Randy Carlyle (head coach there since 2005 and just this summer signed a three-year deal) and replaced him with Boudreau. The whole staff was let go in the purge and Lauer was added as an assistant with the Ducks. He was an assistant under Cory Clouton with Ottawa last season before joining another former Ice coach, Mark Holick with the Ducks affiliate in Syracuse.
18 comments:
I found myself asking the question about a pre deadline trade. But for the life of me I just don't know who you would trade away. There are no glaring holes with a team that has great chemistry. The super six sixteen year olds is to big of a price for half of a season. Draft picks are your future and we have already traded the excess. And finally with such a balanced team would one player make such a difference?
I believe on D it would.
As the grind of a 72-game season wears own the younger players will inevitably fall-off somewhat, well, maybe not Sam but on the back-end it's a lot to ask of guys like Wand, Hubic and Simpson.
How much, if you assume the Cougars are going to be on the outside looking in again, would a Marancin cost? He's a Top two D-man that's signed by the Oilers and won't be back next season. He could be too pricey but even adding a depth-guy at the number 5-6 spot would provide insurance in case of injury.
Scoring, well, it might not be a big of a concern now that things are rolling the way they are.
Jeff do you have twitter?
Those are interesting thoughts Jeff. I see your point on a rugged D-man. However what direction would you take on what you would be willing to give up. Do you limit it to a 3rd or 4th rounder. Or are you willing to give up prospects other that the six sixteen year olds?
I was going to ask Jeff the same question. Who would he trade to get Marancin? This team is doing better than expected right now and I don't think thats going to change. Lots of players could step up out of midget aaa or jr a to fill in if the injury bug comes along. Congrats Ice on setting a new team road win record!
I'd say Hubic, Luke Philp and a 2nd rounder could land us Marincin.
That last one is pricey. My point was I think they need some depth on D, even though given up goals isn't a problem. Marancin might be too pricey or not even available. Just using him as an example.
And no, haven't got around to the Twitter thing yet. I'm probably too long-winded for 140 characters
Columbus just returned F Oliver Gabriel, 20, to the Portland Winterhawks the other day, do you think there is a chance the Flames organization could do the same with D James Martin? He would fill the need for experience, grit and leadership.
Yes he would, but at a cost of giving up what all 3 20yr olds are contributing to the team now-- #1goal tender and top two gritty forwards in the whl not sure there is a gain. The goals against would drop slightly but the goals for would drop significantly if either 20yr old forward were bumped.
I think the bench boss lost that one last night. He failed too realize who his best players were.
We need more team toughness. We have trouble with the big strong teams.
Bench boss lost another one tonight.
Long, long road trip. 6-3 was better than I expected out of this trip considering its length. To stay on top, a strong finish before the break is critical. Let them get some rest (bench boss included) and see what happens this weekend.
I agree with Ice Cube. The bench Boss needs to play the players that are performing on that particular night; don't just through them over the boards because they were good 5 games ago. You have to realize that earlier and reward the guys that are working hard not the ones that are bleeping the dog. Howden got benched for MJ and that certainly work. We went most of the road trip setting out a vet that broke team rules and didn't lose a game. The coach has to have confidence in all his players and intern they will have confidence in themselves. Therefore, a more productive team. Some of these 4th liners in the past few games were our best players but continued to set. There are a couple of player's, Pearce comes to mind that should get a little dedication time on the 4th line. We need to get back on track and I know the big teams like MJ will be very tough for us come playoff time.
I just followed the team around Sask. and when I got home last night I was wiped. How do you think the players feel after 9 on the road?? I think the biggest mistake this team might make is getting caught up where they sit in the standings. Peak at the right time. Making the playoffs is all they need to worry about. Remember last year?
Just an update on James Martin for those interested. Has only played 10 of 25 games, no points and -4. I believe he was a healthy scratch for 15 games he did't play. Can you get the development required to go to the next level playing only 40% of the games??? Not sure how much ice time he gets when dressed. Anyone see him play this year?
I think that's the point anonymous was making, is it was a long road trip with a lot of ups and downs and tired players. The coaches job is to figure out who's going and who's not-keeping in mind if you have played the heck out of the top six in the first part of the road trip you may have more jump in the bottom six for the last part of the road trip. You end up killing the confidence of all players. I just hope we have not peaked already.
Kudos to Anonymous for your comments! All these young players deserve the opportunity to grow and develop as hockey players, and I agree, it should be earned, and it will change from time to time. Truthfully, I get a little tired of hearing Jeff Hollick constantly tout his two or three favourites on the radio. He forgets to commentate the game at times, while reciting the stats of his Golden Boys. This is a team game, it's exciting to hear about all of them, and we are going to need them all to take this team into the playoffs.
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