The Nickel Report – Evaluating the 2020-21 Sudbury Miners: Volume 7

CANADIAN PRESS (Sudbury, ON):

 

Up to games ending on January 30^th, 2021

Miners 10-Game (Double Nickel) Record:  8 wins, 2 losses, 0 OT loss.

Miners League Standing:  35 wins, 16 losses, 7 OT Loss = 77 points total.  Currently sit in 2nd place in the Canosa Conference, 4th overall in the CCHL.

Miners Special Teams:  Power Play – 22.5% (4th); Penalty Kill – 82.8% (3rd)

Miners Scoring Leader:  Winger Johnny Gaudreau (30G – 43A = 73 pts; 6th Overall in the CCHL)

 

Given their recent stretch, the Miners appear to be coming together at just the right time, as they look to push up higher in the standings in the final third of the 2020-21 CCHL Season.

With an 8-2 record in the past 10 games, the Miners have now vaulted into 2^nd place in the Canosa Conference, and are nipping at the heels of the divison leading Siberia IceCats.

“We are playing some good hockey right now”, stated Coach Derek Sutton.  “It seems like some of the changes we have made, have given us some good depth and balance.  It’s a nice position to be in as a coach”.

Miners management continues to try and bolster his team prior to the upcoming trade deadline.  General Manager Terry James was able to orchestrate a pair of trades, bringing in wingers Jaden Schwartz and Zach Parise to add skill and depth to their wings.   Parise is clearly a rental for the remainder of this season, as he will be a UFA in May.

But, the message was sent to the players loud and clear.  With all of the changes this season, Miners management believes the window is wide open and feels that they are one of a handful of teams that has a real shot at winning the Kehler Cup this year, and it looks like the players are starting to believe it as well.   

 

MINERS PLAYER PROFILE OF THE WEEK:  Chandler Stephenson

Stephenson, who came to the Miners via a trade with Tampere, is a versatile, swift forward who can play all three forward positions, and excels in defensive situations.  He has worked very hard to improve his game, and has shown that he can produce good offensive numbers at lower levels.  With that being said, he lacks top-end offensive ability and could stand to display greater playmaking qualities.  He is seen as a solid depth forward, with limited upside.

 

MINERS PROSPECT NEED TO KNOW:  Mike DiPietro

The former Canadian World Junior goaltender and Memorial Cup winner often flashes tremendous reflexes in the crease area, and he never quits on a play.  His attitude is what you want to see for the goaltending position at the CCHL level.  His positioning is good and he also has a solid glove hand.  The knock on DiPietro is that he does not have ideal height (6’ 0”) for a starting goalie and he must become a little more consistent.  CCHL arrival:  2024-25.