Blades thinking defence first
COLUMN
Posted By BILL POTRECZ
Posted 2 months ago
Chris Johnstone gets defensive when talking about his club.
The veteran head coach of the Wheatfield Blades has helped turn the Blades into a respectable team. Now, he wants to take them to the next level, and that begins with the Blades getting better in their own end.
"We've got to shore up our defence," Johnstone said. "For the first time in three years, we've got some offensive prowess. We've got
some savvy up there and
some people who can score goals.
"We've got a younger
defence and it's going to take time."
The Blades have allowed 108 goals in 21 games, which is still far too high.
Johnstone feels that number can be improved if the Blades continue to follow his defensive schemes as well as committing to a defence-first philosophy.
"It's not just following what we want them to do, but having a passion to execute," Johnstone said. "Defence is the only thing in the game you can control. Defence is your will to outwork someone and not let him get into an area where he can be a danger.
"You can't will yourself to score. You can't control that. Some nights, the goalposts get big or a goalie stands on his head, but you can will your way to good defence."
Part of Wheatfield's problems keeping the puck out of the net can be traced to a revolving door between the pipes. Five netminders -- Matt Meisenbacher, Bryan Jones, Peter Mason, Andrew Knight
and Nick DaCosta --have suited up this season. Jones, a former St. Catharines Falcon, appears to have grabbed the No. 1 job since being picked up by the Blades with a 3.56 goals-against average in four games.
"He's been fine," Johnstone said of Jones. "He's a battler. He competes and plays hard."
One area where the Blades have excelled this season is staying out of the penalty box -- Wheatfield is the least penalized team in the league.
"If you look at my history -- we've had some moments here in my first year -- but as a whole, my teams have been very disciplined and hopefully that will continue," Johnstone said.
Up front, the Blades have been led by Kyle Kozlowski (15-19-34) and Mark Lucatra (8-9-17). The team recently landed sniper Cory Giroux in a three-way deal with Niagara Falls and Welland and the 20-year-old forward has
responded with four goals and nine points in four games.
Giroux is a gifted offensive player, but has the reputation for shunning the defensive aspects of the game.
Johnstone is wise enough to realize you can't ask natural goal scorers to be something they aren't, but at the same time, you can't have them standing at centre ice waiting for a pass.
"Toronto didn't get Phil Kessel to play defence," said Johnstone, a longtime Maple Leafs fan. "With a guy like that (Giroux) who is putting up enough points and has some moxy to his game, you have to live with it and put some people around him."
Johnstone has been thrilled with Giroux's attitude.
"He's buying into it for the most part and not minding it," Johnstone said.
The Blades, 6-11-4, are in St. Catharines Friday.
CROOKS AWARD
The Corporal Tyler Crooks Memorial Trophy will be presented to the Golden Golden Horseshoe player of the year.
The City of Port Colborne will also provide a $500 bursary.
The trophy is named in memory of the Port Colborne native and former member of the Sailors who was killed in Afghanistan in March while serving his country.
The winner of the trophy will not only be selected for his contributions on the ice, but must also maintain a high educational standard and be actively involved in the community.
The award will be presented at the first Golden Horseshoe Awards Banquet March 1 at Club Roma in St. Catharines.
The trophy is on display at West Side Arena in Port Colborne.
Kudos to the league for coming together to honour a truly deserving recipient.
As well, the league banquet is a fine idea. The league is trying to secure a guest speaker for the evening with connections in the hockey world.
My suggestion would be Todd Zavitz. The former Falcon is the league's all-time leading scorer and the poster boy for what junior B hockey is all about.
SHEAHAN VS. LEVEILLE
Two former St. Catharines Falcons square off tonight when Riley Sheahan and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish visit Daultan Leveille and the Michigan University Spartans.
The two teams meet again Sunday at Notre Dame.
Leveille, a first-round selection of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2008, has two goals and six points in 12 games.
Sheahan, who is expected to go in the first round of the 2010 NHL entry draft, has two goals and seven points in 11 games.
STANDARD RANKINGS
Following are The Standard's weekly Golden Horseshoe rankings.
1. Thorold (17-4-2). Seven in a row for the Hawks.
2.St. Catharines (16-5-2). Tough at home.
3. Stoney Creek (11-5-2). Upset by Wheatfield in OT Tuesday.
4. Niagara Falls (14-7-1). Mediocre of late.
5. Wheatfield (6-11-4). Best offensive team the Blades have iced.
6. Welland (6-11-5). Were humbled 8-2 in St. Catharines last week.
7. Fort Erie (6-15-1). Their 122 goals against in 22 games says it all.
8. Port Colborne (6-16-1). Not much to cheer about in Port this season.
HOCKEY ROOTS
Thanks to readers Kelvin Williamson and Bill Taylor for pointing out former Port Colborne Pirate and Jordan native Andrew Williamson is now playing in Woodstock of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League.
The Slammers are coached by former Falcon Jason Tatarnic.
Hockey Roots normally appears Fridays.
Bill Potrecz can be reached at 905-684-7251,ext. 251.His e-mail address is bpotrecz @ stcatharinesstandard.ca.
