Alberga Happy To Be In Sarnia
By DAVE BORODY
Newcomer Domenic Alberga of the Sarnia Sting is probably not going to score 50 goals this season in the Ontario Hockey League.
But he’s the type of player every coach in the league would love to have.
Alberga and his teammates swing back into action this weekend with three games in two and a half days.
It begins Friday night when the Sting host the Saginaw Spirit for the first time this season beginning at 7:05 p.m. at the RBC Centre. Saturday night Sarnia travels to Plymouth to battle the Whalers before returning home Sunday afternoon against the London Knights at 2:05 p.m.
“I’m a hard worker who gives 100 per cent every game,” said the 19-year-old Alberga, prior to practice this week.
“Probably after my draft year I realized I wasn’t going to be a big scorer in the OHL. But I also know my role. If it means killing penalties, blocking shots or shutting down the opposition’s top line. I’ll do whatever the coach wants to help the Sting win games.”
He added, “There are many guys who still get drafted by NHL teams even though they don’t score a lot of goals. Scouts watch players who block shots, chip pucks out of your zone or don’t get scored upon when on the
ice.”
Alberga has a pair of goals so far this year, but the second was a big one as he notched the game-winner in overtime in a come-from-behind win over Windsor earlier this week.
“It was an amazing feeling to score that goal. I was kind of shocked to be honest. But Jacques (Beaulieu) is giving me more opportunities, especially with some injuries right now. The guys were teasing me after the game, but it really felt good.”
Alberga stands six feet and 180 pounds. He hails from Maple, Ontario, just near Canada’s Wonderland, north of Toronto. He recalled the events leading up to his trade from Brampton to Sarnia during the off-season.
“I asked for a trade from Brampton after the season ended as I felt I needed a change. I was pretty excited when I heard the news I was going to Sarnia. My agent called and then Jacques. I knew I was getting a chance to play with the two Russians, (Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk) and that’s exciting. The atmosphere in the dressing room is amazing.”
He says playing in Sarnia is much different than Brampton.
“The first thing is the atmosphere. The crowds in Sarnia have been great, especially the home opener when we almost filled the rink. The players feed off that. The city is also excited about the team and that’s great.”
He added, “The Western Conference is also harder than the Eastern Conference. It’s harder to score goals with all the skill. The teams overall are better. That’s been one of the biggest adjustments so far for me.”
The Sting is off to one of its best starts in recent years with a 5-1-0-1 record. They are currently riding a four-game winning streak.
“We are coming together as a team. Even when we get down we talk to one another. We are getting to know who we are playing with on most nights and that really helps the chemistry of the team. Every guy on this team has skill. We’ve had a couple of injuries lately so I got the chance to move up to the second line and it worked out. Like I say I will step into any role the coach wants.”
Alberga says former Detroit Red Wings great, Steve Yzerman was his favourite NHL player. It’s now Mike Richards of the Los Angeles Kings.
“First Richards is a great team leader. He can score goals, deliver big hits, kill penalties and do all the little things to help his team win.”
He added, “I have to say the Toronto Maple Leafs are my favourite NHL team only because I’m from Toronto. I want to say the Winnipeg Jets, but I don’t want to jump on the bandwagon just yet.”
As for the Sting playing three games in two and a half days, Alberga says the team will be ready.
“We are coming off a big weekend where we played three games in four days and won all three. We are playing a couple of top teams this weekend and it will be a battle. But if we work hard in practice this week we should be all right. Jacques and the coaching staff will be showing us some video and that will a big help.”
STING NOTES
– The Sting announced this week the development of an Alumni Suite as part of the luxury suites at the RBC Centre. The hope was, as in other venues in the OHL, support from this suite would come from past Sting players. Two former Sting greats, Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ryan Wilson of the Colorado Avalanche responded and offered the finances needed to support the suite. Their one request was that this suite also be made available as a respite for families with needy children. The organization selected to meet the requirements during the 2011-12 season is the Pathways Health Centre for Children.
– Tickets for the two home games this weekend are on sale at the RBC Box Office by calling 519-541-1717 or going online at Sarniasting.com
– The Chef’s table buffet Friday at Coyote Jack’s Restaurant is titled Oktoberfest. All you can eat Oktoberfest Feast Dinner featuring Oktoberfest sausage, sauerkraut, apple strudel and much more for only $14.99. Kids under 12 eat for only $5.99. After the game stop into Coyote Jack’s grab a pint and enjoy a complimentary mini basket of onion rings.
– On Sunday enjoy the Sunday Brunch featuring all you can eat Breakfast Buffet for only $12.99. Kids under 12 eat for only $5.99.After the game catch some Sunday NFL action on the big screens, grab a pint and enjoy a complimentary mini basket of Cajun fries. Reservations for either day can be made by calling 519-541-1000 Ext. 112.
– Fans are reminded there is a free bus shuttle before and after the game between the Clearwater Arena and the RBC Centre.
– Oshawa’s Kyle Hope, who was given a five-minute major for charging and game misconduct against the Sting’s Julian Luciani last Friday, has been suspended 10 games by the league.
– The weekly Canadian Hockey League rankings for week four are out. The Sting received honourable mention. Three OHL teams are in the top 10 with London first, Mississauga third and Ottawa ninth.
Dave Borody is a freelance writer who covers Sting games both home and away
and also does features for the Sting Website.
