After more than a week off, and some much appreciated relaxation time, the Timmins Rock will be back in action this weekend in a Sunday afternoon matinee against the French River Rapids to get their November schedule underway.
Andrew AutioTimmins finished October with a record of eight wins, one loss, and one shootout loss, which took place in Powassan against the first place Voodoos on Oct. 19. The Rock’s only regulation loss last month was in fact against the Rapids in Noelville on Oct. 20.
The Rapids rode the outstanding play of goaltender Chase Johnson that afternoon as he made 42 saves, and a late powerplay goal gave the Rapids the win.
The Rock have an opportunity to return the favour on Sunday. The team is well rested, having not played since last Friday, a 4-3 win over the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners, and begin November as the 11th ranked team in the nation.
They sit second in the East Division with a 14-2-1-1 record, and are currently 6 points back of the Voodoos. The Rock are also second in the NOJHL with a plus-46 goal differential.
The balance and depth of the team continues to shine. Timmins has 12 players with at least 10 points, and 18 players with six or more.
Captain Derek Seguin unsurprisingly leads all Rock skaters with 19 points. He and winger Josh Dickson are tied for the team lead with 10 goals.
The goaltending has been top notch all season long. Coach Corey Beer has the luxury to tapping either of his netminders shoulders before a game and feels confident in getting a win. Both veteran star Tyler Masternak and rookie phenom Vance Meyer each have seven wins and two shutouts to their credit, and are among the league leaders in most goaltending stats.
November will be a light month for Rock home games with just three on the calendar. After Sunday’s matinee, they won’t play at the McIntyre Arena again until Nov. 17 against the Blind River Beavers, where they will welcome former NHL all-star Curtis ‘Cujo’ Joseph to town.
ANDREW AUTIO/For The Daily Press
Anderson earns honour
On Friday, veteran Rock defenceman Josh Anderson was named the NOJHL’s defenceman of the month for October.
In 10 games played during the month, Anderson scored four goals and six assists for 10 points. The 20-year old from Nestleton, Ont., has excelled in big minutes all season and has also provided a calming presence on a fairly young Rock blueline. The Rock have allowed the fewest goals in the league thus far.
Anderson enters November as the third-leading scorer amongst NOJHL defencemen.
