Improved Play Continues While Injuries Mount
Submitted By Sailors Staff on Sunday, December 06, 2009
Despite only gaining a single point over the weekend, the coaching staff remains somewhat satisfied with the overall play of the Sailors over the past few weeks. Most games have been close enough where the team would have come out on top given a bounce or a call going the other way. On Friday, the Bulldogs got the extra point after a shootout which needed 14 players. On Saturday, the Ironmen scored an empty-net goal late in the third to come out on top 6-4. However, another obstacle has emerged for the team to overcome going into the new year: getting healthy.
The injury problems for the Sailors started back on November 6 when underage defenceman Austin Spencer suffered a broken wrist on a fluke collision with a linesman. Spencer had been playing very well before the injury and hasn't played since. His return isn't likely to happen until early in the new year.
Two other Sailors defencemen were also out of the lineup Saturday night, as rookie Chad Woodhouse remained unable to play with an upper body injury suffered during practice on November 15, and veteran Brett Phillips was out due to a knee-on-knee collision from Friday night's game versus the Bulldogs. Chad had five points in his first 15 games before the injury, and could return as early as next weekend. Phillips had greatly improved his play in the past few games and will be re-evaluated during the week.
With three of six Sailors defensemen unable to dress on Saturday, as well as Tyler Durst playing through an upper body injury sustained the night before, the team's leading scorer Jamie Miller has been doing a tremendous job helping out on the back end. The team has also looked for help from the Goderich midget team, with Pat Kelly filling in admirably for the game against Mitchell on November 28.
Up front the injuries have also become a growing concern. Overage forward Shawn Moore returned from Australia for his first game on November 20 and only played one shift before falling awkwardly into the boards, shattering his kneecap - ending his season and junior hockey career. Ben Sloetjes has missed some games with a lower body injury although he has returned to the lineup and continues to play through the pain.
Tucker Dorscht also fell victim to a dirty knee-on-knee collision on Friday night and was unable to play Saturday. Tucker's energy, enthusiasm, and strong physical play are missed when he is out of the lineup. He will be re-evaluated during the week.
Goderich native Will Kelly left the game on Saturday night with an upper-body injury which may keep him out of the lineup next weekend. Shawn McColl and captain Scott Miller both suffered injuries during Saturday night's game which forced them to leave early. Both are hoping to return next weekend but each will be game-day decisions.
Earlier in the season, 8 different Sailors missed games due to flu-like symptoms.
This upcoming weekend brings a much-welcomed lighter schedule with only a single game versus Walkerton on Saturday at 8pm at the Maitland Recreation Centre.
