Blue/White game played Sept. 2 at United Communities Credit Union Complex
By Dave Jewell
Posted 4 hours ago
AMHERSTBURG ? Amherstburg hockey fans were treated to a little blue, white, and red last Friday night.
The Windsor Spitfires held their annual Blue-White hockey game at the United Community Credit Union Complex and were lighting the red lamp all night.
Eight different players scored goals as Team White rolled to a 6-2 win over Team Blue.
It was a chance for most of the Spitfires' rookies to show the team brass what they were made of, while some of the veterans had a chance to get their legs going before the pre-season started. Some of the rookies who played included 2011 first-round pick forward Jordan Maletta, 2011 second-round pick goaltender Jordan DeKort, and 2010 eighth-round pick, tough guy forward Ty Bilke.
Spitfires' president and head coach Bob Boughner said he really liked the energy the players showed.
"Out of the blue-and-white games over the last four or five years, it probably had the highest tempo and energy," he said. "It was a physical game and you can see a lot of guys out there looking to make an impression."
Maletta scored a goal late in the game, while DeKort played the whole game for Team White. Bilke was held off the scoresheet but had a scrap with veteran forward Mitch Dunning early in the game. Boughner said the fights were a part of games like this because the team is so young and roster spots are available.
"They know there are some spots open this year because we have a young team," he said. "We're sort of going back to that rebuilding phase. A lot of those guys are tired. They've been through a really physical grind over the last three or four days. They emptied it out on the ice tonight and that's nice to see from a scouting stance and from a coaching stance. It shows a lot of character."
Other goal scorers for Team Blue included 2010 draft picks Grant Webermin, Ryan Watson, and Tony Calderone, as well as veteran Brady Vail and free agent Stephen Alonge. Free agent Eric Palazzolo and 2010 draft pick Brandon Feasey replied for Team White.
"It was good," Vail said. "There's a lot of good talent out there. A lot of guys were stepping up and there were a lot of fights going on. It was kind of a dirty game, but both teams played hard and the goalies played well. I thought it was a pretty good game."
Many of the rookies impressed the coaching staff. It's a building block for the coming years.
"Jordan Maletta was sick for the first couple of days, but you can see what he can do out there tonight," said Boughner. "Jordan DeKort is going to be the goalie of the future. Hunter Smith and (Sam) Studnicka impressed me. Again, you look at last draft at guys like (Ty) Bilke and (John) Bowen, guys like that, step up and be a part of it. It's encouraging to see our foundation is going to be here for the next few years."
After back-to-back Memorial Cups in 2009 and 2010, plus a trip to the OHL's Western Conference Finals last year, the team knows how to build a winner. Boughner was on the bench for the Memorial Cup titles, but was hired with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets as an assistant coach last summer. He left the club this summer to return to Windsor and said so far, so good.
"It felt real good on the ice the other day, running practice and it solidifies that I made the right choice to come back," he said. "It's my passion and something I love to do. To be back on the coaching staff with the guys around us, it's awesome."
He also praised the United Community Credit Union Complex and the fans in Amherstburg.
"It's beautiful," he said. "It's my first time here and they did a great job. To see the fans come out and jam this place, it's been great and definitely would love to come back."
The Spitfires open up their regular season Sept. 22 with a 7:05 p.m. game at the WFCU Centre in Windsor.
Source: http://www.amherstburgecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3285608
tapas lowes cesc fabregas cesc fabregas short selling message jeff bridges
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.