Hounds now excelling in close games
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
To further evaluate the Soo Greyhounds present, requires a quick look back at the past.
One season ago – a sixth-month run the Hounds have been determined to forget – the club’s record in games deciding by one goal was 8-18.
That includes contests ending in regulation, overtime, where the Soo was 1-9, or in a shootout.
But turn the calendar ahead to 2023-2024, and the Hounds are 4-1 in those tight, one-goal clashes.
It’s one of the reasons why this club will carry an 11-5-0-0 mark into Thursday’s start of a three-game trip in North Bay (7 p.m.).
“For sure, we’re more experienced and more skilled,” agreed assistant coach Brendan Taylor, who’s running the bench with head man John Dean coaching at the World Under-17 Championships on Prince Edward Island. “Guys have grown (from last season) and we’ve added new guys. We feel as if we have dynamic game-breakers who are key when it comes to impacting close games.”
“We have more skill this year, but we’re also working hard and battling,” added winger Marco Mignosa, credited with the winner in Sunday’s 5-2 victory over Windsor. “Last year, that (record) was terrible. The boys were really pissed off. It was frustrating and we didn’t want to go through that again.”
On Saturday, fellow winger Brenden Sirizzotti broke a 2-2 tie, scoring the power-play winner with 6.3 seconds left in regulation as the Hounds edged the Spits 3-2.
Obviously, a year’s worth of maturity has helped sharpen the shooting eye of a number of Greyhounds. Not only that, the additions of winger Jack Beck and rearguard Arttu Karki have been pivotal.
“Last year, we didn’t have the same ability to finish we have this year,” said Sirizzotti.
The overage also spoke of the growing confidence Hounds players possess.
“Even if we’re down a goal, no one’s nervous or scared we’re going to lose,” said the Whitby, Ont., product. “We always believe we can win tight games.”
Taylor pointed out a reason why confidence in close games has risen.
“Winning one-goal games early in the season gives the players and gives the group a sense of confidence and a sense of stick-to-itiveness,” the assistant coach noted. “Last year, one-goal losses started piling up and guys got a little tight.”
Defenceman Caeden Carlisle credited an off-ice change for helping players perform better late in the hard-fought clashes.
The Hounds purchased cold tubs in the offseason and players use them – both at home and on the road. On trips, portable tubs are taken on the Soo bus.
Sitting in very cold water reduces inflammation, aids in exercise recovery and relieves sore muscles.
“In the third period, we have the legs to keep going,” said Carlisle. “It makes the difference in the late minutes of a third period. We use them before and after games.”
Carlisle credited athletic therapist Julian Cooper for spearheading the decision to buy tubs this season.
At the same time, Taylor talked about the organization’s commitment to having an elite team as far as conditioning goes.
“We’re determined to eat well, sleep well, prepare well and recover well,” he added.
Meantime, along with Thursday’s clash in North Bay, the Hounds are readying themselves for as visit to St. Catharines, where they’ll take on Niagara (7 p.m.) on Saturday. The trip wraps up on Sunday in Kitchener (2 p.m.).
Winners of four straight, the Soo will face a Battalion club off to a 7-5-3-1 start.
Asked about Thursday’s opponent, Taylor spoke of how, since Ryan Oulahen became head coach in 2021, North Bay has stressed the importance of structure.
“You know you’re going to have to skate through five through the neutral zone,” Taylor said. “They’re a heavy team and stingy defensively.”
While the IceDogs have struggled, the Rangers have been an early-season surprise. They’ll carry an 11-5-0-0 mark into a Wednesday clash in Owen Sound.
