Author:
Zackaryan Longerkowski - Calgary Sun
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Date Posted: 16:37:34 02/03/03 Mon
After an up and down preseason, the Defending GWHL Champion Calgary Cougars entered the regular season not quite sure of what to expect. The Cougars started the preseason very strong, however their goaltending stumbled down the final stretch, Despite finishing 2nd best in shots against, they were routinely giving up over 5 goals a game. The offence, led by Nick Sundstrom saved the team often, as they finished with a winning record, however there was great concern between the pipes. Trevor Kidd put up the best numbers in a bad bunch, and was named the team’s starter by coach Craig MacTavish. “There’s no doubt that our goalies struggled in the preseason. Kidder looked the best, so he’ll be our go to guy to start. Freddy Braithwaite will handle the backup role, and Arturs Irbe will start the season in Red Deer.”
Marian Gaborik was one of the few pleasant surprises for the Cougars in the preseason, leading all rookies in scoring. The Cougars have produced the past 2 Gilbert Perreault trophy winners for best rookies (Stephane Robidas, and Brad Richards), so the team is hoping that Gaborik will be able to give the team a shot at 3 straight. MacTavish commented on the rookie’s preseason performance. “Marian looked really good on the top line. While some of the guys were razzing him about pressure to win the rookie race, there isn’t really that kinda pressure on the kid. We’re strong enough on the left wing with Satan, Sundstrom and Draper that if he struggles he can always go back down to Red Deer. However we have the utmost confidence that he’s the real deal and will be able to contribute nightly for us”.
The team opened the defence of their title in Ottawa against the dominant Oaks. Ottawa had a very strong preseason, and the Cougars were looking for a challenge to get the team off to a strong start. The team came out flying, with captain Joe Sakic tallying 37 seconds into the first frame. This set the stage for a dominant 1st period by the Cats, as they outshot the Oaks 15-9. However Curtis Joseph recovered quickly in the Oaks net, turning aside the next 14 to keep the Cougars to a 1-0 lead after one period.
The Oaks turned up the pressure in the second, but the only goal of the game came when Corey Stillman beat Trevor Kidd to tie the game at 1-1. Trevor Kidd was seen to be muttering to himself after the goal, but was able to regroup and stop everything else that came his way as Ottawa outshot Calgary 11-8.
The third period saw Miroslav Satan get his first of the year a minute and a half in, to stake the Cougars to the 2-1 lead. Satan was again involved in the scoring seven minutes later, as he took a pass from Trevor Kidd, and raced in with Steve Yzerman in a 2 on 1. Satan was able to feather a pass to Yzerman, who blasted a one timer past Joseph. The Oaks got themselves into penalty trouble late in the 3rd, as both Jason Allison and Adam Foote were sent to the box, however the Cougars were unable to capitalize on the two man advantage. The Oaks penalty killers did a superb job of not letting the Cougars set up, and the game finished a 3-1 Calgary victory.
In what is sure to be a boost of confidence, Trevor Kidd was named the first star, as he stopped 29 of 30 shots. Satan’s goal and assist were enough to garner him the 2nd star, and Stephane Robidas (who collected an assist and had 5 shots) was named the third star.
Cat Scratchings
The Cougars flew out of Ottawa immediately after the game, headed east to face last year’s finals opponent Halifax. The Poons easily dispatched of the Cougars in the preseason, so Calgary will be looking to avenge the loss. Halifax lost 7-2 to Quebec in today’s opener, so the Cougars know that SJH’s team will come out nasty….Marian Gaborik wasn’t the only big name rookie playing in today’s game. Ottawa’s Danny Heatley looked very sharp for the Oaks, tallying an assist with 21 minutes played. However the early leader in the rookie scoring race is Steeltown’s David Tanabe, who had a goal and an assist and finished +2 in his teams victory over B.C.
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