Matt Sanderson
Source: Niagara Falls Canucks Website
There is a lot of buzz around the Niagara Falls Canucks for this season as they’re into the final 10 games of their inaugural year in the OJHL. If you have not been following this Canucks this year, you still have time to get out to the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls and catch a game. Let’s go and put their record on the back burner for a minute because the one thing I can tell you is, sure every team wants to win and make the playoffs but sometimes you have to look at the longevity you have going forward.
From the beginning of this season to now this Niagara Falls club has immensely grown and looks totally different. The transactions and acquisitions have been smart, the desire is there and the coaching staff and management bleed Niagara Falls Hockey, to which there is a rich history throughout the city. Now without further or due let’s take a look at the previous week, and the upcoming games for the Canucks.
Another week has come and gone and we are now onto the precipice of another week where each game is crucial for the Niagara Falls Canucks. Unfortunately, Niagara Falls fell twice last week 6-2 to Georgetown and 6-3 to Stouffville. Each team in their respective conferences in the thick of things, battling for a playoff spot. For Niagara Falls the silver lining was they received some depth scoring in those big situations.
First, in the game with Georgetown, Thomas Shain, the club’s lone 20-year old put one home. In the game with Stouffville, Taye Ladislao and Gabriel Mamedov got back to their scoring ways with a goal in the first and third. A guy who has been solid for the team in this last stretch is Taye Ladislao, who has 5 points in his last 7 games including 3 in the previous two games.
As we put those two games behind us, the team has been prepping for this week and 3 in 3 weekend. Tonight, they take on the Leamington Flyers (A battle between the two most recent expansion teams) this Flyers club has been hanging around the top of the Western Conference for the whole season and Niagara Falls has seen them 3 times earlier in the year to which Leamington got the upper hand on them in all three. However, one thing that is different from then until now is this is a completely different Niagara Falls Canucks Club from the team who the Flyers faced early on in the season.
Next, tomorrow night they will play the Toronto Jr. Canadiens on the road, as this will be the first time this season the two clubs face off. Finally, rounding out the week, a 1:30pm matinee game in Milton. All three teams look to grab playoff berths so it will be a big task for Niagara Falls, but if there is any time to grab 3 wins and make a late season push this is the time for the Canucks.
Concluding, Niagara Falls sits 19 points out of the last playoff spot and they have a big task ahead of themselves. But, if you have been around the team or you’re a super fan I am sure you can feel the excitement around this hockey team, a team who is not use to losing seasons, a team who is itching to bring Niagara Falls hockey back to the centrefold of the Niagara Region and their city, a team who gives you great entertainment on the ice and finally a team who has the desire to win night in and night out.
I am eager to see how the season rounds out of the squad but even more excited to see how the team looks into the future. Once again, if you have not been down to the Gale Centre yet this year, I encourage you to do so.