Soo Thunderbirds forward Gavin Killoran harasses Jakob Drobny as the Timmins Rock blue-liner moves the puck up ice during Day 2 of the NOJHL Showcase Tournament at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex, Wednesday afternoon. Both Killoran and Drobny scored goals in the game that saw the Thunderbirds defeat the Rock 8-6. (HANNA FERA / POINTS NORTH MEDIA)
With a home-and-home series against the Lumberjacks, starting at the McIntyre Arena, on Friday, and concluding in Hearst, on Saturday, the Rock don’t have a lot of time to fix what is currently ailing the team
Thomas Perry
The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
SUDBURY — For the second-straight game, the Timmins Rock ran out of gas in the third period during the second and final day of the NOJHL Showcase Tournament.
As a result, the Rock — who were playing their fourth of six games in an nine-day span, came up on the short end of an 8-6 decision against the Soo Thunderbirds at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex, Wednesday afternoon.
And since Showcase games count in the NOJHL standings, the Rock saw their record fall to 6-2-0-1 on the season as they dropped into third place — behind the Thunderbirds (9-2-0-1) and the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (8-6-1-0).
“You have got to work to defend and we just didn’t want to work on the defensive side of the puck,” said Rock coach and general manager Sheldon Reasbeck.
Half of the goals the Rock scored, on Wednesday, came off the sticks of blue-liners, but the coach didn’t think that extra focus on offence took away from the defensive side of their games — pointing out the breakdowns were a result of a lack of team effort,
“I wouldn’t say it that way,” Reasbeck said. “Honestly, we were getting good traffic toward the net, with three D on one power play unit and they were buzzing, but I wouldn’t say they sacrificed defense for offence.
“I just think, as a team, we didn’t want to work on the defensive side of the puck, as a whole.”
Adding to the coach’s frustration is both Tuesday’s contest and Wednesday’s game were there for the taking, had the Rock shown a little more defensive responsibility.
“We absolutely did (have an opportunity to win) and then we got a little lacksadaisical and then one goes in … we think, ‘if I don’t get my guy, it’s going to be fine,’ you know, but we have to get that mentality out of our game.
“Yes, the boys were tired. Yes, we have played four games in six days, or whatever it may be, but rise up, you are in a hockey game here. Get the energy and let’s go to work.”
Apparently that is easier said, than done.
With a home-and-home series against the Lumberjacks, starting at the McIntyre Arena, on Friday, and concluding in Hearst, on Saturday, the Rock don’t have a lot of time to fix what is currently ailing the team.
“It’s a grind, but we have to take care of our bodies and still come out every game and not take games off,” Reasbeck said. “You could tell today our legs were just not there, not what they usually are out there, but the boys know what they have to do. It’s just about execution.
“We are getting loads of good video right now to work on our defensive game.”
Reasbeck was unsure immediately after Wednesday afternoon’s loss whether or not the Rock would practice on Thursday, or take a day of rest before facing off against the Lumberjacks.
“I think we will have a quick one (practice), just work on a few things,” he said. “I am not sure yet, we may make it optional. I haven’t made that decision yet.”
The opening period of Wednesday afternoon’s contest saw the two teams split four goals.
Adam Pszeniczny, with his eighth goal of the season, and Nicholas Carlson, with his sixth tally of the campaign, found the back of the net for the Thunderbirds.
Blue-liner Thomas Jaakkola, with first of his two goals on the afternoon and his first of the season, and blue-liner Jakob Drobny, also with his first marker of the season, replied for the Rock.
Captain Maxx Hamelin gave the Rock a 3-2 lead 56 seconds into the middle frame when he netted his eight goal of the season.
But the Thunderbirds tied it up and then took a 4-3 advantage, as Drew Christian scored his sixth goal of the season and Pszeniczny added his second goal of the game and ninth of the campaign.
The back-and-forth contest then saw the Rock deadlock the score and take a 5-4 lead.
Jaakkola netted his second goal of the game and season, a power-play marker, and Evan Katic followed with his seven goal of the campaign.
But Gavin Killoran’s power-play tally, his third goal of the season, tied things up for the Thunderbirds with just over a minute remaining in the frame.
The Thunderbirds then reeled of three-straight goals to start the third period and take command of the contest.
Drew Christian and Sean Gresko each netted their seventh goals of the season and Vincent Bondy followed with his fourth marker of the campaign into an empty Timmins net with Rock goalie Ayden Mullen on the bench in favour of an extra attacker.
Ashton Beriana then struck for a shorthanded marker, his fourth goal of the season, for the Rock, leaving the final score 8-6 in favour of the Thunderbirds.
“Ashton Beriana had a great game for us this afternoon,” Reasbeck said. “He is solid and now he is putting the puck in the back of the net. He had been sniffing around the net for some time and now he is finally burying some of his chances. It is great to see him get rewarded for all he does for this team on both sides of the puck.
“Drobny had a good offensive game for us, as well. He is starting to find the net and use his shot. His neutral zone forecheck was good, as well, jumping up, with better gap control, things like that.”
Nathan Maguire turned aside 19 of the 25 shots the Rock directed his way to earn his fifth win of the season for the Thunderbirds.
Mullen, who blocked 29 of the 36 shots he faced, was tagged with the loss for the Rock.
NOJHL NOTES — The three stars of the game were Christian, Beriana and Pszeniczny … The Rock went 1-7 on the power play, while the Thunderbirds were 1-4 with the man advantage … Wednesday’s other contests saw the Iroquois Falls Storm double up the Espanola Paper Kings 6-3, the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners edge the Hearst Lumberjacks 5-4, St. Andrew’s College top the Powassan Voodoos 3-1, the Blind River Beavers dump the Soo Eagles 4-1 and the French River Rapids topped the Elliot Lake Vikings 4-3 in overtime … The Rock will return home to host the Lumberjacks at the McIntyre Arena, on Friday, at 7 p.m.
