Silos End Tough Preseason -- Great White Rumour Mill

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Subject: Silos End Tough Preseason

Author:
Saskatoon Sun

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Date Posted: 11:42:23 08/21/04 Sat

[Saskatoon, SK] - There is virtually no one inside the Saskatoon city limits that believed prior to the current season that the Silos would be a contender. If there was hope that the team would at least be competitive, those hopes may have been dashed with the club's 1-10-1 record in the GWHL preseason.

Rebuilding clubs usually have a major low point in the process of re-tooling, so the 2005 season could follow that script for the Silos. The club has a number of young players in the lineup, so the coming season is likely to be a case of one step up, two steps back for this team.

In fairness, the Silos played better as the preseason progressed, at least in terms of their defensive play. There are six other GWHL teams that have given up more goals in the preseason, so it appears this club will not be the worst in their own end.

But, even with the addition of veteran center Craig Conroy, the team still has struggled offensively. In addition to relying on Conroy, the Silos also hope to get production from wingers Ulf Dahlen and youngster Taylor Pyatt. Players like Dainius Zubrus, Mike Leclerc and Marius Czerkawski will have to chip in where they can, although the club is said to be unhappy with Czerkawski's preseason play.

On defense, two regulars from last season, Filip Kuba and Nolan Pratt, appear to have been displaced for at least the time being. Taking those roster spots are newcomers Pavel Trnka and rookie Henrik Tallinder. Rounding out the top six are two more rookies, Barrett Jackman and Michal Rozsival, plus youngsters Nick Schultz and Daniel Tjarnqvist.

In goal, it will be Tommy Salo carrying the load, with veteran Arturs Irbe backing Salo up. Salo is expected to get the lion's share of the work this season.

All told, the Silos are expected to ice as many as six rookies on opening night, including Pyatt, Tallinder, Rozsival, Jackman, Alexander Frolov and Ruslan Fedotenko. Aaron Asham is another rookie that could see time with the club this season, but he'll start 2005 in Prince Albert.

Expect the club to be competitive in the majority of their games in 2005, but a last place finish in the Central Division is not out of the question.

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