ROCKET REFUELS AFTER BIG LOSS
February 5, 2010 :-: Charles Reid - The Guardian
P.E.I. team hosts Cape Breton tonight
Oh woe to those who enter here might describe the Atlantic Division of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The six-team division contains four of the top 10 teams in the league — the Saint John Sea Dogs (first overall), the Moncton Wildcats (second overall), the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (seventh overall) and the P.E.I. Rocket (eighth overall).
P.E.I. (29-19-2-4, 64 points) and Cape Breton (30-18-2-3, 65 points) are one point apart for third in the division and face off tonight at the Civic Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Rocket is coming off a difficult 6-1 thrashing by Moncton on Wednesday in Charlottetown.
It was a game P.E.I. led 1-0, but surrendered six goals over the next two-and-a-half periods.
A game, said defenceman Matthew Hobbs, P.E.I. was in until it drifted from its game plan and allowed Moncton’s weapons to fire.
“I think we played hard, got the puck deep when we wanted to,” said Hobbs. “(Our) guys (got away from that) and were not finishing checks.”
Cape Breton comes in with a 6-4 record over its last 10 games and a modest two-game winning streak.
The Rocket is 6-2-1-1 over the same span.
P.E.I. leads the season series 3-2, all three wins in Cape Breton.
Against the East, Western and Central Divisions, the Atlantic teams are 82-57 and winning almost 60 per cent of the games.
It’s the inter-division rivalries that kill.
Saint John and Moncton, a combined 44-13, have feasted on every team in the Atlantic, P.E.I. (17-14) and Cape Breton (12-13) are in the middle while the Acadie-Bathurst Titan (9-20) and Halifax Mooseheads (3-22) have borne the bulk of the defeats.
And it gets better.
The first-round playoff format for all divisions has first versus fourth, second versus third, and it means, if the standings hold through the next dozen games or so, tonight's game could begin to decide if P.E.I. or Cape Breton faces first-place Saint John or second-place Moncton to open the post-season.
Notes
The league suspended Val-d'Or defenceman Marco Scandella indefinitely for a hit to the head of Rimouski's Alexandre Durette in a game this week. He's the second national junior team member punished for a headshot this year. Late last month, Patrice Cormier was suspended for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs after elbowing Quebec defenceman Mikael Tam. . . . Rocket playoff ticket packages of five- and 10-game sets in reserved seating or flex pack options are available. Season ticket holders have until March 5 to reserve and pay for playoff packages. Non-season ticket holders can also order playoff tickets. If a seat isn't held by a current season ticket holder, it can be reserved. Contact the Rocket office at 902-892-7349 or admin@peirocket.
com. . . . The second annual skills competition goes Islander Day on Feb. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Civic Centre. Rocket players will divide into two teams and compete in five events: obstacle course relay, fastest skater, shooting accuracy, hardest shot and penalty shots. Each team will also feature a P.E.I. minor hockey player under 14-years-old. Visit Source For Sports in Charlottetown and Summerside until Feb. 11 to fill out a ballot. Winners will be announced on a local radio station on Feb. 12. Seating is $2 per person. Doors open at noon. All proceeds support the P.E.I. Rocket education fund. Fans are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item in support of the Food Bank. More information available at at www.peirocket.com.
