Goodrow suspended, but two to return
BRAMPTON, Ont. – The revolving doors to the Brampton Battalion players’ bench will continue to spin when the Troops host the Belleville Bulls in Ontario Hockey League action at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The Battalion expected to have left winger Ian Watters and defenceman Dylan Blujus back in the lineup, but the club learned late Thursday that right winger Barclay Goodrow has received a three-game suspension, while left winger Derek Froats has concussion-like symptoms.
“We’ve taken some strides here over the past four games, but I’d like to see us play with a full and healthy lineup,” said coach Stan Butler, whose Troops have won four straight to push their won-lost-extended record to 31-18-9 for 71 points, second in the Central Division. “We’re playing better, but we’re still playing without key guys.”
Goodrow sat out a 3-1 road victory Monday over the Peterborough Petes after receiving a major for checking from behind and a game misconduct for a hit on Michael Sgarbossa of the visiting Sudbury Wolves in a 5-4 overtime win Sunday. Goodrow is second in Battalion scoring with 23 goals and 20 assists for 43 points in 52 games.
Froats, who scored the winning goal at Peterborough, experienced concussion-like symptoms after the game.
Blujus has missed two games with his own concussion-like symptoms following a 3-2 win via shootout over the host Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors last Friday night.
With fellow rearguard Spencer Abraham out with an injured left foot, the Troops played with only five blueliners against Sudbury and Peterborough.
“You can get by with five, but having that sixth defenceman gives you a little more flexibility,” said Butler.
“It’s not just getting a sixth defenceman back, though. It’s getting Blujus back. He’s our top-scoring defenceman and, when we have to scratch and claw to win every game we can win, it’s important to have him in the lineup.”
Watters, one of three overagers on the roster, has sat out four games with a bruised leg muscle suffered in a 5-1 road loss to the Kitchener Rangers on Feb. 10. Watters, enduring an injury-plagued season, has 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points in 24 games.
“It helps when you get one of your top six forwards back into the lineup,” noted Butler. “With Philip Lane and Goodrow out, we’re missing our top two right wingers, so to get a guy like Watters back is important.”
Belleville is 27-28-1 for 55 points, fourth in the East Division, one point behind the Petes, who occupy the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Peterborough was to host the Barrie Colts on Thursday night.
“They’re a well coached team that plays hard and has good goaltending,” Butler said of the Bulls. “They’re a team battling for points just like we are and, against any teams you play at this time of year, you’re going to have to play extremely hard to get points.”
Lane has a concussion, and left winger Alex O’Neil is to undergo shoulder surgery March 6.
The Battalion completes its weekend schedule by hosting the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at 2 p.m. Sunday.
