Last year the Ice Dogs administered several self-inflicted wounds with their undisciplined play. Players like Jordan Foreman, Michael Swift, Stefan Legein and even Luca Caputi walked that fine line between playing on the edge and over the edge. The vow for 2008-2009 was to stay out of the box, or at least eliminate some of those needless penalties. Two games are in the books and it is apparent that this part of the Ice Dogs game is a work in progress as the team had a steady parade to the sin-bin. Last night the Dogs gave a dangerous Oshawa power play far too many opportunities with the man advantage, paying for it twice with John Taveres being the lynch-pin, counting with 1 goal and 1 assist.
Though the crowd was quite vociferous in their disapproval, if you look at the replays, you can clearly tell the Ice Dogs were guilty on most of the offenses. Now , on the flip side it is clear that early in the season the rule book is being called rather tightly and the Ice Dogs also benefited, getting what amounted to a seven minute power play that resulted in the tying goal.
Ch-Ch-Changes
It is nothing new to see the Ice Dogs employ four forwards on the power play. Mario Chicillo did it a number of times last year, occasionally using the five forward approach when the Ice Dogs were two men up. This year the coach has given the forward point position to Mathew Sisca, mainly a checking/energy type forward last year. The results have generally been positive and the elevated offensive expectations have paid off in the early going with Sisca looking composed on the point and chipping in with a nice goal on Saturday and an even better dish to Thomas Middup last night.
A Word About JT.
It is a real shame that Oshawa will only make one visit to the Gatorade Garden City Complex this year because this has the potential to be a terrific rivalry. Plus the Ice Dog fans will only get one opportunity to see John Tavares live. Like my friend and broadcast colleague Al Galloway, I am miffed at the number of people who seem to think that the ultra-talented forward has taken a step backwards or levelled off. I broadcasted a few of the Generals games two years ago when JT had his 72 goal season. Though the goal total slipped last year, he has become a more well-rounded and mature player, killing penalties and being the focal point of the power play. When we interviewed him last night he is a well-spoken articulate young man with one important criteria: perspective. Being in the limelight at such a young age cannot be easy. Tavares handled the spotlight admirably. He is a franchise player in my book.
Steve Clark
TV Cogeco Play-by-Play
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