Mixed results...but a step in the right direction

Well, a split of back to back games, after having almost a week off, is not a bad result -especially if you came into a contest riding a four game losing streak.



But for the Huntsville Otters, you're happy with .500 after a loss Saturday to Buffalo and a huge win today over the Terriers.



After Huntsville's defensive "Waterloo" - or lack of defense is more appropriate - one week ago today in a 10-4 shelling at the hands of the Aurora Tigers, the week off allowed Brian O'Leary and staff to refocus on their priority - get their blueline to remember how to play the game when their own end is 150 feet behind them.



Even though the Junior Sabres used two powerplay goals to score a 4-2 victory, there were some very positive signs: Joseph Lepara had a solid game in goal, making several big stops. The Otters D refused to be beaten by those long two line home run type passes that have been embarassing to watch the past several weeks. A solid effort - but too many trips to the penalty box did the home side in.



You would be excused if, as an Otters fan, you thought Sunday's contest against Couchching would turn into a rout in favour of the visitors. After all, Randy Salmon has his team playing very solid hockey in the last couple of weeks, entering todays game just two points back of the Blades for 3rd in the Division of 15.



What the home fans got was a very nice surprise: from the opening faceoff, the Otters took the game, on both sides of the puck - to the Terriers. Now Im not going to make excuses for Couchching, but perhaps their "hold on for dear life" shootout win Saturday night in Georgetown didnt leave much in the tank for Sunday's tilt. Besides, how many times can a team claim, at least in this season when Matt Smyth will win the scoring title, and likely the individual goals and assists crown, that number 29 was held off the scoring sheet as the former first round pick of the Battalion was today?



3-0 Otters after 1 period....

5-0 Huntsville and in complete control after 40 minutes...

What are those red spots and blotches on the skin of Otters fans? Ah, its people walking around pinching themselves!

"Is this our team," they ask one another, "or just a bunch of imposters?"

Guess time will tell...

Welcome to Huntsville Otters and Junior A hockey coverage!

Hey folks,



Look here in the future for previews, postgame comment and audio features and interviews with those in and around the OJAHL. Feel free to write me anytime on matters pertaining to the OJAHL, and some suggestions you may have about who you would like to hear interviewed (both written and audio) from now through the rest of the Provincial Junior A season.



Here in Huntsville, with the Otters in a rebuilding season, alot of the excitement is focused off the ice - as the final few bricks and mortar are put in place for the opening of the new G8 Centre, slated for sometime in early 2010.



The seating capacity of approximately 1,500 with standing room for a few more, not to mention the Olympic size ice surface and state of the art players dressing and workout rooms, will make this a stop on any Junior A fan's list for 10-11.



Reminder the Otters host the Buffalo Junior Sabres in a rare Saturday night contest tomorrow night at the Jack Bionda. Game time is 7:30, and I'll have our pregame show, that can be found by going to huntsvilleotters.com, and clicking on the live audiocast link, beginning at 7:20.



The Otters have had a week off to regroup, following losses to Kingston, Bramelea and Aurora. The Otters host their second home game of the weekend in less than 24 hours as the Couchching Terriers come to call for a Sunday 3pm puck drop. The Terriers will be with their new netminder Dylan Ellis, acquired earlier today from Markham in exchange for Brennan Knoblock.