CANADIAN PRESS (Sudbury, ON):
Up to games ending on March 6, 2021
Miners 10 Game (Dime) Record: 8 wins, 1 loss, 1 OT loss.
Miners League Standing: 52 wins, 17 losses, 9 OT Loss = 113 points total. Currently sit in 2nd place in the Canosa Conference, 2nd overall in the CCHL.
Miners Special Teams: Power Play – 23.5% (3rd); Penalty Kill – 82.9% (1st)
Miners Scoring Leader: Winger Johnny Gaudreau (33G – 55A = 88 pts; 9th Overall in the CCHL)
“We are ready for the next challenge…..the playoffs!”
That is sediment being echoed by the players and coaching staff within the Sudbury Miners locker rooms as the season winds down. Having clinched 2nd place in the Canosa Conference, and with a small shot still at finishing first, the Miners appear focused and ready to the next challenge ahead.
“We are a confident group right now”, stated Coach Derek Sutton. “It seems like we have found the right combinations and the guys are have developed some chemistry, which has been reflected in our record the last third of the season”.
As things stand now, all signs point to the Miners battling the Long Island Express in the first round this year of the CCHL playoffs. In 6 games this year, the Miners sport a 3-2-1 record vs. the Express.
“Our focus since the start of the last off-season with all of the moves we made this season, was for this time of year in mind. Now that we are here, there is pressure to perform for both the fans and management. But, I can speak for every guy in the room by saying that we want that pressure”, stated Miners center Auston Matthews.
“We are ready!”
MINERS PLAYER PROFILE OF THE WEEK: J.T. Compher
Compher is a versatile player, who skates very well and has plenty of two-way upside. He can play either wing or center, and he has a great work ethic and leadership qualities. That adds a lot of value to his overall package. Compher isn’t an overly big player but that is less important in today’s game. He will never be an elite scorer, but he should be able to easily carve out a good career as a responsible two-way forward and valuable penalty killer.
MINERS PROSPECT NEED TO KNOW: Lassi Thomson
When scouts talk about Thomson, they see him as an offensive-minded, big-shooting defenseman with upside. He moves the puck well and owns a cannon of a slap shot (making him a very good option on the power play) and is also a very good passer of the puck. He does lack the ideal size for the CCHL, but this is becoming less of an issue in today’s game. He also needs to become a more consistent defender in order to fully realize his potential. Projected CCHL arrival: 2023-24.
No comments:
Post a Comment