Crunch Time

It may seem that we are well into this year's hockey season.  And yet the reality is that it is still early days.  Despite this, the season has already arrived at a critical juncture for a number of players selected last June in the NHL Draft.  NHL Teams can keep their picks in the lineup for nine games before their salaries kick in against the cap.  Hard as it might seem to believe it is "crunch time" already for these young men.

 

At the time of writing, Sarnia's Steven Stamkos, Peterborough's Zach Bogosian and Guelph's Drew Doughty all have seven games under their belts with Tampa, Atlanta and L.A. respectively.  WHL graduate Luke Schenn has put in eight games with Toronto already and Alex Pietrangelo has logged only three games due to being placed on the Injured Reserve List by St.Louis.

 

None of these players show any signs that they are about to return to their Junior alma matre.  In fact, the Leafs have announced that they plan to keep Schenn in Toronto.  Of the remaining four, it is probably a pretty safe bet their careers in the NHL are now secure.  Thus, the NHL's gain is Junior Hockey's loss.  A loss for Canada that is, come this December, when it is time to select this year's edition of Team Canada.  How great would this fearsome five look with a red maple leaf on their chests?

 

One might also say "Crunch Time" has arrived for the Ice Dogs as October draws to a close.  Niagara has just come off a huge victory against the Spirit this past Saturday.  They got a solid effort from everyone, despite being out shot 38 to 28.  The defence needs to tighten up and allow fewer Shots on Goal.  The good news was that Mark Visentin came up with some tremendous saves when called upon and that was a very welcome sign that perhaps the fortunes of the Ice Dogs are about to turn in their favor.  But to win consistently, the team collectively must play better in support of their young netminders.

 

Niagara can score.  No doubt about that.  They currently sit with the second highest total "goals for" in the East with 52.  Only Oshawa with 57 has more.  But, they have allowed the highest "goals against" in the East with 64.  If the Dogs are to win more  frequently they need to continue to be the creative offensive team they have demonstrated themselves to be this year, while at the same time cutting down on the goals against.

 

This young Niagara Team can still easily move up in the standings and compete with virtually any team in the League.  But to do so, they must start now before losing any more ground on the leaders in the standings.

 

Crunch Time is here indeed!