The Brick Novice Hockey Tournament at West Edmonton Mall: Day 5
By Trevor Robb
EDMONTON — The Saskatchewan Junior Pats are one step closer to securing their spot in the final four of the Brick Invitational Super Novice Hockey Tournament after they defeated Team Brick Alberta 4-1 at West Edmonton Mall on Friday afternoon.
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- Saskatchewan Junior Pats forward Adam Herold, #10, lines up at the face-off dot during the Pats’ game vs. Team Brick Alberta on day four of the 2011 Brick Invitational Super Novice Tournament at West Edmonton Mall on Friday, July 8, 2011. The Pats beat out Team Brick by a score of 4-1. Photograph by Trevor Robb.
The Pats opened the scoring with just over a minute into the first period after forward Logan Bariage picked up his third goal of the tournament. The Pats continued to pressure Team Brick, and scored their second and third goals in just a 1:46 span.
“We deflated them early in the game, they got it going in the second for a little bit but our guys played really well in both ends of the rink, really solid defensively, and our goaltender had a big game,” said Pats head coach and Regina-born NHLer Mike Sillinger.
Team Brick goaltender Carter Gylander was pulled in favour of back-up Scott Bird. Bird gave up the games next goal to Pats forward Jagger Prosofsky but was able to settle down nicely, saving 17 of 18 shots.
The Pats were able to establish a strong, down-low forecheck in the first half of the game and Team Brick appeared to have no answer. Sillinger praised his forwards’ efforts.
“This group is a special group, they know their position very well,” said Sillinger. “I give all these kids a lot of credit, especially my forwards – to play their position and understand how to play wing and move from centre to wing – its a tough task at age nine and ten.”
“We got a really good skating team,” said Sillinger. “My coaches Jamie (Heward) and Scott (McGillivray,) do a great job of puck pursuit and that’s another thing we do well, once they get the puck we give them no space.”
Last year the Pats lost their first two games of the tournament. They then moved on to win their next four games en route to competing in the final four.
“Saskatchewan has never had good representation here at the tournament, and now two years in a row we’re going to the final four,” said Sillinger. “We were in the same situation last year, it seemed like every win and every tie and every point was so huge and came down to today, if we win, we’re in.”
Oilers/NHL Connection
A 17-year NHL veteran, Mike Sillinger played on a league-record 12 separate teams during his career: Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and New York Islanders.
Sillinger currently works with the Edmonton Oilers as the Director of Player Development. With the Oilers beginning their rookie development camps this week, along with the Brick tournament, Sillinger admits it’s been a ‘very busy week’ for him.
Playoff Picture
The Chicago Jr. Blackhawks and the Connecticut Yankees have all qualified for the final four. Currently the Pats sit atop the Division 2 standings tied with the Toronto Bulldogs with eight points.
Sitting in third place with six points is the expansion Boston Jr. Bruins, who play tomorrow morning against Team Brick Alberta. If the Bruins win they will force a three way tie for the final two playoff spots.
Both the Pats and the Bulldogs will be watching closely as their playoff hopes may come down to head-to-head wins and losses or possibly by goal differential. The action is heating up and the Bruins will face-off against Team Brick on Saturday at 7:30 a.m.