The Perth Blue Wings may be in sixth place of the Richardson Division in the CCHL2, but the party’s far from over for the two-time defending conference champions.

“It is very unusual for the Blue Wings to be down this far in the standings after two back-to-back first place ‘Richardson Conference’ regular season championships,” said head coach Michael McLean.

But that’s junior hockey.

The Blue Wings played one game over the weekend and that was a Saturday drive to Athens where they Aeros doubled up on Perth, 4-2.

Athens had a 2-0 lead before Perth could get on the board. Matt Berry and Dylan Stacey did the scoring.

Dylan Sharpley put the Blue Wings on the board with his power play marker assisted by Jordan Currie and Tyler Murphy.

In the third, Theo Todd gave the Aeros a 3-1 edge.

Perth replied with Currie’s unassisted goal at 14:44 of the period.

It was a scramble for the Aeros to keep Perth out of the zone as Perth put on the pressure with the extra attacker, but Athens added the empty-netter for the 4-2 final with Glynn Robitaille taking the credit.

The winning netminder was Curtis Hanspiker with 40 saves. Johnathan Peacock suffered the loss with 30 saves.

McLean said he liked the team’s power play, which is improving, as well as their penalty killing.

“Our goaltending from Johnathan Peacock has been solid,” he said.

“With 15 new players in our lineup, we continue to focus on development and creating a team culture and standard of play that will lead to winning on and off the ice.”

As coaches, McLean said they are enjoying the new challenge of working with so many young and highly skilled players.

“Trust me, their time will come as many of these new players are 17 and 18 years old – and will be playing for us for two to three years to come. The reload is well underway with a locker room full of hard working, high character people and players.”

McLean said they are looking to add an experienced defenseman and a couple of scoring forwards in the next few weeks.

“We have had a hard time finishing around the net,” he said, and they have lost “a bunch of close one- and two-goal games. Our focus remains on what we can control - our own work ethic and team discipline.”

The Blue Wings have suffered a few injuries and these players will be returning over the next week or two.

“Cameron Scott, Nick Vala and Dan Hennessy will all be returning from month long injuries very soon,” he said.

Coming up

This weekend, the Blue Wings are back in their barn Friday night with a home game against Embrun at 8 p.m. Sunday, they’ll host Westport for an afternoon contest at 3 p.m.

“It will be great to be back home after playing on the road the last two weeks,” he said. “We need to start winning at home.”

McLean said Embrun is an experienced club and they will need a full team effort Friday to beat them.

“Westport is first place in our conference and on fire right now,” said McLean. “They work hard, have good goaltending and play with good discipline. Both games will be good tests for our young team.”

The coach said they also need outstanding goaltending and “great team defense. We cannot get into any ‘run and gun’ games with either of these opponents. We need to play our game; not their game.”

Remembering the Wolf Pack

Last weekend’s car crash that killed two of four Renfrew Timberwolves hockey players involved: Alex Pacquette and Brandon Hanniman, both 18, has sent shock waves through the Renfrew community and extended hockey family communities.

McLean said the news was “very shocking and upsetting,” and as a result their Friday night game against the Timberwolves was postponed to a later date.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to these young men and their families,” he said.

McLean said they are going to do something within their organization “to try and help out in some small way,” but he’s not sure what at this time. They’ll collaborate with the players’ families and see what they can do to assist them.

Alumni excitement

The Perth Blue Wings will be hosting their annual alumni event in February, and currently, McLean said he’s in the process of negotiating prospects.

“Our first choice is a Montreal Canadiens versus Toronto Maple Leafs game featuring many of the Hall of Fame stars from both franchises,” McLean said.

He added that he has reached out to Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers Alumni as well, and he will know next week if they’re available.

“The challenge is we need (Wayne) Gretzky to play in the game, not just coach,” McLean said. “If he can and will play, we will bring the Oilers to Perth this February.”

They are also looking to bring “the ultimate Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team” which would include such legends Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Wendel Clark, Doug Gilmour, Darcy Tucker, Tiger Williams and Curtis Joseph in goal.

“I would love to see this all-time Leafs Alumni All-Star team on the ice in Perth,” he said.

McLean said they have some great options – all of which translate to a “must see event” in the community.

Pink the Rink

With outstanding fan support, the Blue Wings Pink the Rink night on Friday, Oct. 13 raised some $1,500 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

The team sold pink toques and headbands at the game and the entire 50/50 draw went to the cause as well.

Written by Laurie Weir, October 30, 2017, Perth Courier