The final week: What lies ahead

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

With four games remaining, the Baffin Island Rovers hold a slim one point lead over the Saskatoon Funboys.  In looking at the upcoming opponents, things could not be more even.  A look at the tale of the tape:

Opponents

Rovers: vs MOU, at GAR, at FUN, vs FAL

Funboys: at COU, vs STR, vs ROV, at SOC

Strength of opponent

Rovers: MOU (0.623), GAR (0.548), FUN (0.734), FAL (0.411) =  0.579

Funboys: COU (0.315), STR (0.533), ROV (0.742), SOC (0.685) = 0.569

Home/Road records of opponent

Rovers: MOU (0.600), GAR (0.694), FUN (0.806), FAL (0.274) =  0.594

Funboys: COU (0.387), STR (0.550), ROV (0.645), SOC (0.774) =  0.589

Record vs opponent

Rovers: MOU (0-1-0), GAR (1-0-0), FUN (2-0-3), FAL (1-0-0) = 4-1-3

Funboys: COU (2-2-0),  STR (1-0-0), ROV (0-2-3), SOC (2-1-1) = 5-5-4

Perhaps the only thing to choose from is the head-to-head record of the two teams in question, where the Rovers hold the edge 2-0-3.  After tying their first three meetings, the Rovers have won the past two but each only by a 5-3 score (one of those wins having an empty net goal seal a one-goal lead).  So even in record, there is little to choose.  We’ll just have to wait and see how it plays out like everyone else.

Rovers take two of three

Winnipeg, MB (CP)

Trying to hold off the hard-charging Funboys of Saskatoon, the Rovers won two of their last three games to maintain a one point advantage entering the final four games of the season.

First the Rovers faced off against the 500s in Indianapolis and dropped a 3-2 decision. Scott Hartnell’s two first period goals gave the 500s a lead they would never relinquish as Kim Johnsson halved the lead in the second only to see Alexei Zhamnov score the insurance marker mid-way through the third. Joe Thornton’s late tally was not enough for the comeback. Jussi Markkanen stood tall in the net, preserving the win despite being outshot 33-19.

Next the Rovers returned home to face the Edmonton Eagles. The Eagles had been riding high, winning 8 of their past 10, but the Rovers cooled them off with a 5-2 home-ice victory. Gary Roberts and Glen Murray each had three point games as the Rovers also got goals from Olli Jokinen and Kim Johnsson in the win. Chris Mason got the start and the win, turning aside 17 of 19 shots in a game where the Rovers outshot the Eagles 39-19.

Finally it was on to Winnipeg to face Robert Lang and the Freeze. Glen Murray scored two minutes into the game, only to have Fernando Pisani equalize two minutes later. But Pavol Demitra scored in the final minute of the first, giving the Rovers a lead they would not give up. Goals by Gary Roberts and Antti Laaksonen sealed a 4-1 road triumph as Martin Gerber stopped 13 of 14 shots for the win. The win was not without a price however, as center Joe Thornton left the game with a leg injury. It is believed that it will keep him out for a week, which would effectively end his regular season. However he should be ready for the Rovers first playoff game given that they have a bye for the opening round.

The Rovers final four games see them host Kitchener, travel to Chicago to face the Gargoyles and then to Saskatoon for a huge game with the Funboys, and then return home to end the schedule hosting the Falcons. With a 1 point edge on Saskatoon, each game will be pivotal and the head-to-head matchup clearly the biggest on the schedule.

Rovers split weekend pair, maintain lead

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Call it even for the weekend as the Rovers faced two top quality opponents in consecutive days.  First the team travelled to Kitchener to face Miikka Kiprusoff and the formidable Mounties.  Kipper fed off the home crowd and Rickard Wallin scored two goals in 26 seconds late in the first period to power the Mounties to a 3-0 home ice win.  Chris Mason allowed three goals on 24 shots in taking the loss.

That defeat made the next game even more important as the team returned home to host the Richard-leading Reapers.  Guelph came out strong in the first, scoring just 13 seconds into the game on a Cory Cross knuckleball from the point and outshooting the Rovers 15-8 in the frame.  Gary Roberts equalized seven minutes into the first and the team escaped fortunate to be tied.  Joe Thornton scored the go-ahead goal two minutes into the second on a power play, and from that point the Reapers ramped up the pressure further.  The third period saw Guelph outshoot Baffin 16-4 (and 40-22 overall), but Mason turned aside all 39 shots after the first one slipped by him.  “Chris was outstanding tonight”, Stringer said.  “He was good against Kitchener, but he really bounced back and was tremendous tonight”.

The split puts the Rovers five points ahead of the Funboys for the conference lead with seven games remaining.  Saskatoon has one game in hand.  The win also extended their lead over the Reapers to six points with each team having seven to play.  “It was a classic four-point tonight”, Thornton said after the win.  “We didn’t want them closing to within four points, so we’re really pleased with the win”.

Notes: Winger Nathan Horton took the pre-game skate against Guelph, but did not dress.  The team has two days off before flying to Indianapolis to play the 500s, and he has declared himself fit to return for that game.

Offense rolls, Rovers stop Funboys

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

In a critical battle atop the Howe Conference standings, the Rovers top guns all got on the same page and lit up Funboys All-Star keeper Dwayne Roloson for five goals in a 5-3 Rovers win. Joe Thornton, Glen Murray, Gary Roberts, and Pavol Demitra each posted multi-point games as the team fired 36 shots on Roloson and connected five times, including twice on the power-play. “I was really impressed at how our lines worked tonight in such an important game”, Stringer said of his pre-game adjustments. “Seems like Joe and Pavs instantly got on the same wavelength. We’ll need more of that this week with two tough games coming up”.

The win increased the Rover lead atop the conference to seven points over Saskatoon, and widened their lead over the Reapers to six points for the Queen’s Bowl.  It also stretched their unbeaten streak to nine games, going 7-0-2 over that span.  While first place is one goal for the team, the players say it’s not the main goal. “This team is built to win in the post-season”, Roberts said after his three-point effort. “Sure, we would like to finish first and get home-ice.. it would be a big help and something nice to accomplish. But everyone in this room is focussed on winning in the playoffs. That’s the goal on everyone’s mind in here”.

The Rovers now have two days off before facing two more difficult tests. First they travel to Kitchener to face Miikka Kiprusoff and the ever-dangerous Mounties, and then return home to host the Richard-leading Reapers. Two strong results would be a real plus headed into the final two weeks and then the playoffs.

Rovers stretch string to 8, stop Spartans

Calgary, AB (CP)

Three third period goals broke a 1-1 tie and lifted the Rovers over the Spartans 4-1 Saturday night in a game that was no talked about afterwards for the final score. The back end of the home-and-home, the first of which being an extremely chippy affair, sparked off during the very first shift when Spartan pest Steve Ott chopped Rover blueliner Kim Johnsson across the leg, crumpling Johnsson and causing former Spartan Joe Thornton to lay a serious beating on the much smaller Ott just 11 seconds into the game. Johnsson did not return to the game while Ott was not penalized for the slash.

After a scoreless first, midway through the second period former Rover Steve Montador ran Danny Markov into the side boards from behind. Montador received two minutes for boarding while Markov left the game and did not return, depleting the Rovers blueline to four bodies. When it looked like the game would enter the third period a scoreless draw, Brendan Shanahan sniped a power-play tally with 2 minutes remaining in the frame. That goal was matched by Pavol Demitra just 32 seconds later.

Entering the third period with just four D, the Rovers suffered another injury when Spartan Janne Niinimaa punched Rhett Warrener in the throat on a scrum in front of Spartan goalie Mike Dunham. Warrener did not play the rest of the third, leaving Eric Brewer, Keith Carney, and Robyn Regehr to play the full period. To compensate, the coaching staff moved winger Antti Laaksonen back to the blueline and he fared adequately. The early power-play was cashed three seconds into it as Glen Murray beat Dunham on a cross-ice feed from Demitra. A second goal by Demitra a few minutes later and a mid-period goal by Eric Brewer rounded out the scoring, but the talk was not of the final score.

“I don’t know what the hell Verbeek thinks he is doing”, Stringer said of the Spartans apparent tactic of gooning their way through a roster. “That roster can’t compete, so they attempt to injure their opponent at every turn. It was disgraceful. Fortunately none of our guys appear to be seriously hurt, but that stuff doesn’t belong in the RHL”. All three defensemen will reportedly be ready to go tonight when the Rovers host the Funboys in a critical battle for Howe conference supremacy.

Demitra, Warrener inked to extensions

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

The Rovers today announced the resigning of three free agents, including potential unrestricted FAs Pavol Demitra and Rhett Warrener.  Restricted free agent Chris Mason was also resigned by the club.

Demitra signed a three year contract worth $2.88M per season, along with a $1.08M signing bonus.  In five seasons with the team, Demitra is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.  In 312 games he has scored 115 goals and 167 assists for 282 points.  This season in 53 games he has tallied 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points.  “Pavol has been a huge part of what we’ve done since he arrived five years ago”, Stringer said of the forward.  “We’re very excited to have a deal done with him”.

Warrener signed a one year contract worth $1.667M for RHL17.  He was acquired a month ago from the Chicago Capones for a draft choice and has played 9 games, scoring a goal and two assists and registering a +6 rating.  “Rhett came in and has really added to our blueline”, Stringer said.  “We’ve been really impressed at how he has fit in with our group, and with a number of free agents in our defense corps we were looking for some continuity.  He’ll bring that next season”.

Mason signed a four year agreement worth just under $900,000 per season.  In 19 games he has posted a 1.80 GAA and a league-best 0.934 svpct.  This is his second season with the club.  “Chris has been great for us in two seasons and we look forward to seeing him develop even further in Rover colours”.

With so many potential free agents, the list of those who did not sign extensions is of course long and lucrative.  It includes the leading scorer this season Glen Murray, the franchise leader in games played David Legwand, the team’s faceoff and PK leader Kris Draper, and seven others.  However Stringer said that these players hitting the market is not an indication that they are unwanted.  “We had discussions with the agents of most of these players and it was made very clear to them that not everyone could be signed because of league rules.  We also made it clear to the agents that we would be very aggressive in resigning some of these players in free agency, so they know that we’ll be talking again in the off-season”.

Demitra’s agent meets with Rover brass

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Ahead of Saturday’s deadline for meeting player demands, the agent for Rovers sniper Pavol Demitra met all afternoon with Rovers GM Steve Stringer in an attempt to hammer out a multi-year agreement for his player.  Demitra, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer has made it clear that he wants to remain a Rover, and has reportedly told his agent to “just get it done”.  Stringer characterized the talks as positive.  “We had a very good dialogue and while there are some more i’s to dot and t’s to cross, I think we have an understanding of what each other is looking for”.

Stringer is scheduled to meet with the agents for winger Glen Murray and defenseman Rhett Warrener on Thursday.  League rules stipulate that a maximum of 2 UFAs can be re-signed in a given year, so some tough decisions lie ahead for the team.

Rover Report has learned that back-up goalie Chris Mason will be re-signed by the team.  His agent told RR that the team notified him yesterday that they will accept his demand and will sign him to a multi-year agreement.  Mason has played 19 games this year in relief of Martin Gerber, posting a sparkling 1.80 G.A.A and a leading leading 0.934 svpct.

Phaneuf, Michalek eye starting roles in RHL17

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

As the Rovers enter the stretch drive with 13 games remaining before the RHL16 playoffs, some people are actively watching the next week with a thought ahead to next season. They are the young prospects of the Rovers who are hoping to break into the lineup next season. With veteran blueliners Danny Markov, Keith Carney, and Rhett Warrener all potential unrestricted free agents, youngsters Dion Phaneuf and Zybnek Michalek are anxious to fill any possible openings on the backend. “Of course I want to play next season”, Phaneuf said when Rover Report recently caught up with him. “All us young guys want to come in and prove that we belong. I think I can do that next year. I’m ready to step up”.

Michalek, a second round pick of the Rovers in RHL14, echoed similar sentiments. “Every player dreams of growing up and playing in the RHL. It’s always been a dream of mine, and I think I can make that dream happen next season”.

Whether or not they will be given the chance to contribute will rest largely on the evaluations made by the GM, as he decides how aggressively to pursue the re-signing of his UFA defensemen against allowing his young D to step into the lineup. “In the immediate future, we obviously can only meet two demands at the end of the week, so certainly at least one, but potentially two or all three of those players will become free agents”, Stringer conceded. When pressed further, he indicated that they would be in tough to enter the season with the same top five as last season. “It’s pure economics. Carney is gonna want big coin, and we have a decision to make on Rhett. Danny has indicated that he also wants to explore other options. I certainly think that there will be at least one spot up for grabs, and any of our young D can step up and grab it. In fact, we’d love it if they all forced their way into the lineup. The competition will only make the team better”.

But for the meantime, Phaneuf and Michalek play out the season in the minors and look forward to cheering the big club on in the playoffs, and then hopefully joining it shortly thereafter. “Come playoff time, we’ll be cheering those guys as hard as anyone. But when the offseason hits, I want one of their jobs”, Phaneuf said with a very faint smile.