“Never let success get to your head. Never let failure get to your heart.”Well, a third of the regular season is complete, and a number of challenges and opportunities await the players and coaches. Seeing each team for the first time allows everyone to gauge the level of play required to move ahead, both individually and collectively. At least two of the teams faced have a number of returning players, which is always a bit of an advantage early in the season. However, I’ve always seen cohesion and teamwork develop fairly quickly for a new team, particularly after one or two tournaments. And I believe the same will happen here. Hard work and a level head makes a good player. Commitment makes a great team.
Good luck over the next three games, taking us to the halfway point of the regular season, as well as the first tournament in Michigan.
I understand the meat and popcorn fundraisers were quite successful. Many thanks to Dan St. Denis and Nancy Hannon for their efforts in helping parents defray at least a bit of the costs of the hockey season. And if you’re like me, 10 bags of popcorn will go quickly around Christmas by utilizing it as packing material for presents. More environmentally friendly than those styrofoam packing peanuts, and tastier too.
Also, thanks to Natalie McCloskey for her efforts in getting the banner together.
The Windsor Spitfires began the season with several players at NHL training camps, and Mikhail Sergachev will remain with Montreal for the start of the season, at the very least. If he plays 9 games with the big club, GM Bergevin and Coach Therrien will have to make a decision as to whether to keep Sergachev with the big club, or send him back to Windsor. Due to his age, he cannot b sent to St. John's of the AHL. I'm sure Spitfires' staff and fans are hoping for a quick return.
Even without some key players, the Spitfires were given honourable mention in this week's CHL rankings. This will likely rise, particularly if they can beat the archrival London Knights (currently ranked 3rd.) this coming Sunday October 9. The game starts at 2:05 at the WFCU Centre, so if you're not doing turkey, ham, pizza, turducken, etc., an entertaining game awaits.
And now, This Week In NHL History looks at Wayne Gretzky, whose jersey number 99 was retired by the Edmonton Oilers prior to their season opener on October 1, 1999. Gretzky finished his nearly 1,500 game career with more assists than the next highest player (Mark Messier) had total points. And the only player coming close to his nearly 2pts./game average is Mario Lemieux.
The San Jose Sharks began their inaugural season in 1991 with a 4-3 loss in Vancouver. Over the course of the season, the Sharks would rack up 57 more losses. Growing pains.
Also this week, on October 5, 1965, both Patrick Roy and Mario Lemieux were born; Roy in Quebec City, and Lemieux in Montreal.
Thanks for reading.
ENJOY!