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MAJORS DEFEAT SOO
October 25, 2003
Story by: Armando D'Andrea
In order to play the role of giant slayer,
you don't always need a sword. All you really
need are strong special teams, good execution
and steady goaltending.
The St. Mike's Majors proved just that
in toppling the streaking Sault Ste Marie
Greyhounds 4-2 on Saturday in Toronto. The
Soo, in first place in the OHL's Western
Division, came into Toronto on the heels
of a seven game winning streak but were
jolted back by a hungry St. Mike's team
on the strength of three early Majors goals
in the first period.
Head Coach Dave Cameron, who coached the
Greyhounds from 1997 to 1999, said that
the difference in this game came down to
his team's ability to capitalize early.
"We played well today. We were able
to jump out to a lead early and capitalize
on that, and it's always different when
you get out ahead early."
After coming off a tough 4-3 loss in Sarnia
the night before where St. Mike's gave up
3 powerplay goals, Cameron was also pleased
with his special teams' performance on the
day. The Majors netted two powerplay goals
against the fourth highest ranked penalty
killing unit in the OHL and killed off all
three Soo powerplays.
"I was happy with our special teams
today. When you struggle to score like we've
been special teams become even more important.
We need our powerplay to generate offence."
St. Mike's came out of the gate hard from
the opening whistle. After allowing the
Greyhounds to pull ahead early with Flyers
pick Jeff Carter floating a shot in from
the blueline that handcuffed a screened
Justin Peters, St. Mike's responded by pouring
in 22 shots in the first period, with Sal
Peralta, Tim Brent and Ryan Rorabeck on
the powerplay all beating beleaguered Soo
goalie Kevin Druce.
Team captain and Anaheim Mighty Ducks pick
Tim Brent agreed with his coach about the
importance of special teams and getting
ahead early, particularly against a vaunted
Soo team.
"This (the Greyhounds) is the hottest
team in the league right now", he said.
"We knew we had to shut down Carter's
line and outwork them. Our special teams
are a lot better now, we're getting shots
on net."
Ryan Rorabeck, the game's first star with
a goal and an assist, knew this game was
going to be a statement.
"Before the game we said it'll be
a test", said the Carolina Hurricanes'
pick. "We want to get this team on
track. We knew the Greyhounds would come
at us hard. They're a good team and we wanted
to match them. The difference between the
tops teams and the middle teams will be
special teams, so we knew we had to execute
when we were out there."
Perhaps the unsung hero on the day was
yet again Majors goalie Justin Peters. Despite
the solid effort from St. Mike's the Soo
still managed to pump in 34 shots and were
buzzing the net the entire afternoon, particularly
in the third period after Carter's second
goal to make the score 3-2 at that point.
However Peters maintained his composure
all day, making several huge saves late
in the game to preserve the win.
Coach Cameron spoke highly of his goalie's
efforts on the day.
"He probably would like that first
goal back, but after that he was making
key saves. You need good goaltending in
this league. Coaching is always easier when
you have good goaltending. His character
is impeccable, and there is no reason to
think he can't go pro."
St. Mike's forward Tyler Haskins scored
the last goal late in the game, also a power
play marker, to ice the win.
The win bumps St. Mike's to 6-9-0-1, good
for fourth place in the Central Division.
Sault Ste. Marie falls to 8-5-1-0 and remains
ontop in the Western Division. The Majors
next plays on October 26 against Kitchener
and next Friday against the cross town rival
Mississuaga Icedogs.
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