All hail Justin McDonald.
What a fantastic performance by the Sask kid. 57 of 59 saves plus one unbelievable post to post pad save on Jesse Sinatyinski who scored 59 goals last year with 1:42 left in the third period.
The Blizzard had no legs in the first and were heavily outplayed by a strong Dauphin team. Their 3-3 record is not indicative of the strength on the team at all, they are tremedously deep offensively and have a few defenders who can really move the puck.
In reality this win was all about Justin McDonald stealing the show and the Blizzard rallying around him to win the game for him.
The penalty kill was perfect again but the Kings were able to pass the puck through the Blizzard's big box for one timer opportunities on the off wings, but those are just in game adjustments that need to be made in tightening up things in the slot and putting more pressure on the boards.
The Blizzard showed great grit and never gave up, which has been a strong quality in this team since day one and will allow them to stay in any game they play this season.
It's another character win on the road, there have been plenty of those early this season which bodes well for when the Blizzard are at home throughout most of the winter.
Here is how yesterday's scoring broke down:
1st Period
OCN 5:11 - Darien Cardinal (2) - Assists: Wilson Dumais, TJ Constant
DAU 6:49 - Guillaume Naud (1) - Assists: Brendan Hurley, Ryan Luiten
2nd Period
OCN 6:50 PP - Grant Valiquette (3) - Assists: Thomas Ward-Cardinal
DAU 8:32 - Blake Kirkham (1) - Assists: Jeff Archibald
OCN 10:18 - Matthew Cameron (1) - Assists: Brady Constant, Tim Kavanaugh
3rd Period
NONE
Powerplay
OCN - 1/2 (50.00%)
DAU - 0/6 (0.00%)
Shots
OCN - 20
DAU - 59
Pitre Tire 3 Stars
1. Justin McDonald (57/59 saves)
2. Darien Cardinal (1G)
3. Matthew Cameron (1G)
Northern Building Supply Hardest Working Player
Justin McDonald
The team is off to a great start and some of the new additions have been a huge part of the teams early success. The play of the two new goaltenders Mcdonald and Henry has been huge and it looks like we are set there and guys like Dumais, Valiquette, Ward-Cardinal, and Grove have all been excellent as well. We no what we're gonna get out of some of the returnees like TJ, Gray, Bruyere, Elmes, Cochrane and the backend looks to be set with the additions of Dusik and Kavanaugh. This team will be a serious threat to win the league if Fontaine can add another D man and a couple of veteran forwards. This weekend is going to give the coaching staff a real look at where they're at with games against Selkirk, Winnipeg and Portage.
ReplyDeleteanybody know if Derek has any deals in the works to bring in some replacements for baptiste and chief yet.
ReplyDeleteAnything further on these two kids, Brad didn't get much from the coach and or gm, clarifying what exactly went down. Are they just being disciplined or are they actually done in OCN and looking to play elsewhere....
DeleteWhen I get more information I will pass it along.
ReplyDeleteBlizzard aquired 93 D Colton Robak from Steinbach, don't no for who or what. I'm guessing futures. Now Derek has to get a couple of forwards.
ReplyDelete