By: Derrick Simpson, Fourth Year Carleton Jurno Student |
After a slow start to the season, things are finally coming together for The Ottawa Jr Senators, as they extended their win streak to four games. With a 4-1 win today over the Rockland Nationals, the Jr Sens improved to 9-6 on the year and moved within one win of Rockland for second place in The Yzerman Division.
The game displayed both the strong veterans and promising young talent of Ottawa. Captain Darcy Walsh scored in the 2nd period to put Ottawa up 3-0, which put him in sole possession of the CCHL scoring lead with 11 goals and 9 assists in 15 games. Walsh provided a captain worthy answer when asked to comment on the achievement, “I hate to be cliche but it is my teammates finding me in spots and I’ve just got the bounces and I’m finding ways.”
On the younger side of things, 18 year old Ethan Manderville picked up a goal. Jr Sens’ Head Coach Martin Dagenais mentioned it was nice to see Manderville score knowing it’s his draft year and there was a Vancouver Canucks scout at the game. Sixteen year old Kyle Jackson was named second star today in just his tenth CCHL game. Jackson says he feels he is adjusting well to the CCHL after playing Midget. “The CCHL is a lot older, stronger and faster. The G (Greater Toronto Hockey League) it was good competition for my age. Coming here is a good test and it should make me a better hockey player.”
Goaltending was also a big factor in the game, with Ottawa goalie Francis Boisvert stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced. The head coach appeared to be pleased with his performance. “He’s good. That’s three or four games now that he’s been dialed in.”
Three schools, Franco–Cité, Jeanne Sauvé and Charles H. Hulse, filed into the Jim Durrell Arena for the annual school day game. Jr Sens’ head coach Martin Dagenais said the crowd played in their favour, “It’s pretty easy to get pumped for a game like that, our average crowd is usually around 100, today we get 600-650. It’s fun for the boys to play in front of a big crowd.”
The players seemed to be extra riled up today because of the crowd. There were two fights in today’s game, despite just 14 fights across the CCHL last year. Dagenais commented on the fights “It’s not something we’re looking for, there was a lot of energy today because of the crowd, a lot of intensity and guys on both teams were going hard at each other. It’s not something we promote but it does happen once in awhile.” Ottawa’s Griffin McGregor fought Simon Houle in the second, standing up for rookie Jackson, “He thought there was a dirty hit on me so he just stood up and gave it to him like a good teammate.” Jackson added he is enjoying playing on a line with McGregor, who in his third season with the Jr Sens “It’s great, knowing someone has your back if anything happens. He’s a good guy.”
The second fight happened in the third period between Rockland’s Aidan Hilton and Justin Renzi. Both players will be suspended one game as the CCHL carries an automatic suspension for players who fight in the final ten minutes of a game. Ottawa’s next game is Friday in Pembroke versus the Lumber Kings where they will look to extend their win streak to five games.
