| Subject: Halifax offense on record pace |
Author:
Rock Lobster
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Date Posted: 15:11:09 07/20/05 Wed
(YELLOWKNIFE)-Another game, another converted touchdown on the scoreboard. It is no secret that Harpoons GM Stephen J. Holodinsky built his team around his offense, but the output as of late has been mind-boggling. During their seven game winning streak they have won games 10-3, 5-1, 8-3, 8-4, 5-2, 3-2, and 7-6.
"It's true that I wanted a team that would jump down the throats of the opposition, but I never dreamed we'd be getting this kind of output," stated Holodinsky.
Currently five of the top seven scorers in the loop are members of the Harpoons, lead by off-season acquisition Ryan Smyth, who's hattrick against the hometown Yellowknife Blades gave him a league leading 22 goals this season to go with 24 assists giving him a league high 46 points.
"I've just been taking advantage of the open ice that Marian (Hossa) and Jumbo Joe (Thornton) have been creating," admitted Smyth. "It's easy to score a lot when you have linemates like that."
Speaking of Thornton, the big pivot has been ripping it up since returning from the injured reserve. Forced to the sidelines in the first game of the season with nothing but an assist to his name, the last 21 games have seen him collect 15 goals and 21 helpers, placing him sixth in the GWHL.
"The shoulder feels really good out there and I'm finding the space I need to force defensemen to make a choice," observed the center.
However, this is not a one line team. While the first line of Smyth, Thornton, and Hossa have collectively 51 goals and 64 assists for 115 points, the second unit of Vaclav Prospal, Mats Sundin, and Milan Hejduk are just as deadly with a collective 46 goals, 69 assists and 115 points. Hejduk and to a lesser extent Sundin are the triggermen on the line while Prospal is the set up man with a league leading 29 assists.
"We're fitting together really well out there right now," agreed Captain Mats
Even the third line of Marco Sturm, Radek Bonk and Zigmund Palffy is getting into the act. Put together primarily to take advantage of the speed on the wings as a checking unit, they have chipped in a collective 36 goals, 55 assists and 91 points, easily the most productive checking unit in the league.
All told only Sturm is not included among the top ten in scoring among his position.
"We'll have to work on that (getting Sturm more points)," grinned Palffy when told of his oppositie's predicament.
Throw in the top two scoring defensmen in the league in Brian Leetch and Matthias Ohlund and you have an offesne that is nothing short of prolific. With the previous mark set by the Harpoons at 4.88 goals per game in 2003, the present squad averaging 5.33 goals per game looks ready to shatter that mark
"We don't purposely look to run up the score on anyone, we just take what's there," explained Sundin. "Our offense is the strongest part of our team, so we expect it to carry us on most nights."
This last bit is most definitely true, especially with a three headed goalie rotation of not quite ready for prime time Roberto Luongo, back-up Dan Cloutier, and recent call-up Jamie Storr.
"It's true we had some early problems with our goaltending," admitted Holodinsky. "We thought Roberto would be ready to haul the sled this year and he wasn't. That doesn't mean we don't think he'll do it someday. We think he is going to be a dandy puckstopper in the near future. Just for tihs year, he and Dan both needed a bit more support which is why we called up Jamie."
Oh yes, Jamie Storr, career minor-leaguer until winning his first four decisions with the big club. All of a sudden, taken seriously, he proceeds to come out flat against the Blades and is pulled after a little more than a period of play.
"Every goalie, no matter how good is going to stink it up once in a while," defended Holodinsky. "We're just happy Dan came in and picked him up.
It's hard to argue against the success the Harpoons have had so far, warty goaltending and all. But history shows that what is easily done for the first 30 games isn't so easily duplicated over a full season. They are riding high right now, but their situation between the pipes might still leap up and bite them in the behind before all is said and done.
Rock Lobster
HALIFAX HERALD
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