CANADIAN PRESS (Sudbury, ON):
Miners Weekly Record: 2 wins, 1 losses, 0 OT loss.
Miners League Standing: 41 wins, 28 losses, 12 OT Loss = 94 points total. Currently sit in 5th place in the Canosa Conference, 8th overall in the CCHL.
Miners Special Teams: Power Play – 20.8% (12th); Penalty Kill – 79.2% (9th)
Miners Scoring Leader: Center Vincent Trocheck (33G – 61A = 94 pts; 10th Overall in the CCHL)
X - Clinched.
That’s what the Sudbury Miners are saying Monday morning after a week that saw them go 2-1-0 and clinch their first playoff berth in franchise history. The Miners have been riding a hot streak to close out the year, having won 8 of their past 10 contests, while only suffering one regulation loss. They have the potential to make a little bit of noise one the playoffs begin.
“Seeing that ‘X’ beside our name is a testament to the guys in this room”, stated Miner's defenseman Aaron Ekblad. “They worked their asses off, and it was always our goal to make the playoffs this year, despite what some in the media thought. We feel if we can keep digging in, we might be able to surprise a team or two when the dance begins. We can’t wait to get this going”.
Despite having clinched a playoff spot, the Miners potential match-up is still in flux. Despite only having 1 game remaining (versus Georgetown), the Miners could finish anywhere from 3rd to 6th, but you can be assured that this young club will be a tough out, whoever they face.
MINERS PLAYER PROFILE OF THE WEEK: Frederik Andersen
Simply put, Andersen has developed into a top 5 goaltender in the league. The butterfly style goaltender takes advantage of his massive 6’4, 230-pound frame to athletically cover the net and will deliver highlight reel saves on occasion. He is a student of the game and is continually improving his technique through constant work on his style and his training. One notable improvement is that he has upgraded his puck tracking in recent seasons. He is a competitor who has learned to channel his emotion with increased experience. He is now proving that he has the stamina and conditioning to play 60 plus games.
MINERS PROSPECT NEED TO KNOW: Mike DiPietro
The Canadian World Junior starting goalie, DiPietro was named the top goaltender in the OHL last year, as he was often asked to carry a mediocre Windsor team to wins. A mid-season trade to Ottawa has given him another excellent shot at a Memorial Cup this season, and he will be heavily relied upon to deliver. He is one of the most entertaining goalies to watch outside the NHL due to how dynamic an athlete he is. He gets to pucks an average CHL goalie would have no chance at. He has a great glove hand and is a common name on the highlight reel. DiPietro is a smart goalie too, and while there are times he can be a little all over the place, he generally makes good reads and tracks pucks well. His main issue is his height, as high shots from good shooters can squeak by him too easily. Expected CCHL arrival: 2022-23.
Great job this season!
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