Sting Bugged But Battling
The Sarnia Sting battled through another though 3 games last weekend coming out with 4 out of 6 points without a number of key players. The Sting would play the entire weekend with out Brett Ritchie (hip?), Nail Yakupov (back), Alex Basso (hand), Connor Murphy (knee), Alex Galchenyuk (knee out until March). Sarnia would lose both Nathan Mater and Craig Dunnick for the games on Sunday vs the Sault Set Marie Greyhounds. I never really heard why Mater wasn't playing but Dunnick didn't play as the Sarnia Sting were under the impression that Dunnick would receive a suspension for his 5 min major hit from behind penalty he received on Friday vs Erie Otters.
The Sting played Brandon Maxwell in all three games over the weekend, Maxwell faced 116 shots over the 3 games and allowed 17 goals over those 3 games. This begs me to start and question is Jacques Beaulieu playing Maxwell a little too much and not playing Brandon Hope enough? Hope has played 8 games total this season compared to 24 games that Maxwell has received. Going into the season most people thought that Brandon Hope would receive a lot more games then that or split half and half with Maxwell. The fact is Maxwell has been playing great for the Sting with a 15-6-1-2 record with a 2.85 GAA and 0.908 save percentage; mean while, Hope is 2-1-0-2 3.24 GAA 0.888 save percentage. But how can a goaltender get into game mode and be fully ready for games if he barely ever plays? This is why the Sarnia Sting have ruined the development of their young goaltenders previously, they have given up on them early and brought in overages to fill the roles. Hope can't be in game mode when he only plays every now and then. 8 games in almost half a season will not help Hope's development and it will just wear Maxwell out when it comes down to the stretch and the Sting need him to be at his best to gain playoff position possible and carry the team deep.
The Sting have seemed to receive some bad news this week as apparently Nail Yakupov and Brett Ritchie will both not play this upcoming weekend. However, apparently Connor Murphy will suit up for his first game this weekend in a Sarnia Sting uniform.
London Knights Don't Miss A Beat
While Dale Hunter has left for the Washington Capitals the London Knight's didn't miss a beat this weekend winning 2 of 3 games with their only loss vs Kitchener last night in Kitchener's teddy bear toss game (Tuesday Dec 7th,2011). Mark Hunter took the reins as head coach and brought former NHLer and former London Knight Rob Ramage to join Dylan Hunter, Mika Donskvo and Mark Hunter behind the London Knights bench.
Mean while Dale has had a rough start behind the Washington bench going 1-2-0-0 in his first 3 games. Alexander Semin has been a health scratch for all 3 of those games.
Erie Otters Pick up a Point
The Erie Otters broke their 11 game pointless streak by picking up an overtime loss to the Barrie Colts. Erie however still does not have a win in 13 games and is slowly putting themselves out of play off contention (if you didn't already know that).
OHL Suspends Pumpel
The Ontario Hockey League has suspended Peterbrough Pete's forward Matt Pumpel for 8 games for a hit to the head (Pumpel Suspension Video).
The OHL has also chosen to suspend Michael Kantor (SSM)but only for 1 game which has been served (on Sunday vs Sarnia), Nick Cousins (SSM) received 2 games for his slew foot vs the Sarnia Sting and Jarren Tinordi (LDN) for his actions during a brawl vs the Owen Sound Attack.
Craig Dunnick either didn't receive a suspension or only received 1 game for his hit from behind vs the Oshawa Generals on Friday December 2nd, 2011. Dunnick sat out Sunday's game vs the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds under the impression that he would be suspended.
Greyhounds/Wolves Make Minor Deal
On December 1st the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds and the Sudbury Wolves made a minor deal last week that saw SSM send Chad Thibodeau to the Wolves for a 6h round pick in 2012 and a 15th round pick in 2012. Thibodeau has played 38 games in the last 2 seasons with the Greyhounds accumulating 113 PIM's. Thibodeau had requested a trade to play a bigger role on another team. Greyhounds Press Release
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