Nine reinforcements join OHL lineup in Hamilton
Team OHL will have a new look tonight in Hamilton as Game 4 of the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series takes centre stage at FirstOntario Place.
With the CHL down 5-4 to Russia in the series, the time is now for Team OHL to make a push and set the QMJHL up for success in Games 5 and 6 on Tuesday and Thursday.
Nine players slot into the OHL lineup tonight including goaltender Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack), defencemen Jacob Friend (Owen Sound Attack), Garrett McFadden (Guelph Storm), Victor Mete (London Knights), Markus Phillips (Owen Sound Attack) and Jordan Sambrook (Erie Otters) as well as forwards Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds), Graham Knott (Windsor Spitfires) and Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters).
Halfway there!
2016 @CIBC #CANvsRUS closely matched heading into final three games.
READ: https://t.co/dIImzOqyuQ pic.twitter.com/yjEmwfOtAr
— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) November 13, 2016
After Evan Cormier turned aside 20 shots in Thursday’s 4-3 loss in North Bay, McNiven is expected to get a look tonight as the Montreal Canadiens prospect returns to the CIBC Canada Russia Series for a second time.
“These are some of the OHL’s best here,” said the Owen Sound Attack netminder. “In a game like this, you have to trust the guys in front of you because it’s a team game, and even though you’re not totally familiar with playing together, you pull together and get through it.”
McNiven, who is one of four 19-year-old goaltenders representing the CHL in the CIBC Canada Russia Series, is setting his sights on a spot with the Canadian National Junior Team, but knows a big opportunity lies ahead.
“Having played in the event last year has helped me prepare,” he said. “I think I was a little bit nervous last time, but now I’m heading into it knowing what’s in front of me. It’s a great chance for everyone to show Hockey Canada what they can do.”
Much was said of Russia’s aggressive forecheck following Thursday’s loss as OHL coach Kris Knoblauch (Erie Otters) admitted there was some miscommunication on the back end.
Victor Mete, a fleet-footed Montreal Canadiens prospect, is hoping he can play a part in improving that aspect of Team OHL’s game this evening.
“I’ve been able to watch a lot of the series, and yeah, they do come hard,” said Mete. “You have to be quick, think quick and ultimately work together to combat their forecheck.”
With several Team OHL players coming off multi-game weekends with their club teams, Mete says he’s not concerned about energy levels headed into tonight’s contest.
“I think we’re on pretty level footing with Russia,” he noted. “We’ve had some guys playing over the weekend, but they’ve played three games and tackled a huge time shift over the past week, so I don’t think either side will really have an edge there.”
The CIBC Canada Russia Series enters Game 4 with a 5-4 point landscape for just the fourth time in the event’s 13-year history tonight in Hamilton as Team OHL looks to settle the score against Russia at 7:00pm ET on Sportsnet.
