WellandDogsFan
09-13-2007, 02:11 PM
IceDogs blue-liner adjusting to new home
Posted By JIM WALLACE
Posted 14 hours ago
Much as it is for the rest of his Niagara IceDogs teammates, playing in St. Catharines will be a bit of adjustment for Josh Day.
For one thing, the squad has gone from a regulation size ice surface to the smaller confines of Jack Gatecliff Arena.
While that means things happen a little more quickly on the ice, it also means a little different crowd noise and an entirely different atmosphere once he leaves the arena.
As a defenceman, the 6-foot, 180-pounder has noticed things have happened a lot more quickly in two home exhibition games. But it's not as big an adjustment as one might think.
"There are some smaller rinks in the league," Day said outside the IceDogs' dressing room prior to practice this week. "You have to make quicker plays and move the puck quicker.
"It's probably about a half-second or so, but they're on you pretty quick. There's just less room to play."
Which can also be an advantage for a defenceman - less room for opposing forwards to operate and a quicker transition game.
"You don't have as far to skate to get the puck and moving it back up the ice," the St. John's, Nfld., native added.
And that's something he doesn't mind at all.
"I will rush the puck, but I'm defensive-minded first," he said of his play with the club. "I play a simple game, but I like to move the puck around."
And, with the smaller ice surface, he likes the idea of the opposition being close because "you have to get on them right away and finish your check."
Day came to the IceDogs during the 2005-06 season in a trade with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. After playing in his native Newfoundland, he joined Pembroke of the Ontario Junior A League as a 15-year-old. He was the Greyhounds' second-round pick in the 2004 draft and spent 1 1/2 seasons there before the trade to Mississauga. He's not playing right now after suffering a slightly pulled muscle in his leg, but head coach Mario Cicchillo preferred to err on the side of caution with his veteran rearguard.
"He probably could have practised, but we're going to keep him off and he'll skate Monday," he said.
After all, Cicchillo knows what to expect of the veteran.
"He's played well (in exhibition) and he's done everything we've asked from him. It's too bad he's injured or the younger guys could have learned a lot from him."
Injury notwithstanding, Day is enjoying the somewhat slower pace and smaller arena in St. Catharines.
"It's obviously a smaller town (than Mississauga)," he said. "I like the lifestyle better here, though. You're a lot closer to your teammates. I've lived in a smaller community and in a smaller rink, the fans are better, too.
"It actually feels good to come out onto the ice and get some loud applause. The arena is small and really loud, and when we fill the place, it's going to be great."
jwallace@stcatharinesstandard.ca (jwallace@stcatharinesstandard.ca)
Posted By JIM WALLACE
Posted 14 hours ago
Much as it is for the rest of his Niagara IceDogs teammates, playing in St. Catharines will be a bit of adjustment for Josh Day.
For one thing, the squad has gone from a regulation size ice surface to the smaller confines of Jack Gatecliff Arena.
While that means things happen a little more quickly on the ice, it also means a little different crowd noise and an entirely different atmosphere once he leaves the arena.
As a defenceman, the 6-foot, 180-pounder has noticed things have happened a lot more quickly in two home exhibition games. But it's not as big an adjustment as one might think.
"There are some smaller rinks in the league," Day said outside the IceDogs' dressing room prior to practice this week. "You have to make quicker plays and move the puck quicker.
"It's probably about a half-second or so, but they're on you pretty quick. There's just less room to play."
Which can also be an advantage for a defenceman - less room for opposing forwards to operate and a quicker transition game.
"You don't have as far to skate to get the puck and moving it back up the ice," the St. John's, Nfld., native added.
And that's something he doesn't mind at all.
"I will rush the puck, but I'm defensive-minded first," he said of his play with the club. "I play a simple game, but I like to move the puck around."
And, with the smaller ice surface, he likes the idea of the opposition being close because "you have to get on them right away and finish your check."
Day came to the IceDogs during the 2005-06 season in a trade with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. After playing in his native Newfoundland, he joined Pembroke of the Ontario Junior A League as a 15-year-old. He was the Greyhounds' second-round pick in the 2004 draft and spent 1 1/2 seasons there before the trade to Mississauga. He's not playing right now after suffering a slightly pulled muscle in his leg, but head coach Mario Cicchillo preferred to err on the side of caution with his veteran rearguard.
"He probably could have practised, but we're going to keep him off and he'll skate Monday," he said.
After all, Cicchillo knows what to expect of the veteran.
"He's played well (in exhibition) and he's done everything we've asked from him. It's too bad he's injured or the younger guys could have learned a lot from him."
Injury notwithstanding, Day is enjoying the somewhat slower pace and smaller arena in St. Catharines.
"It's obviously a smaller town (than Mississauga)," he said. "I like the lifestyle better here, though. You're a lot closer to your teammates. I've lived in a smaller community and in a smaller rink, the fans are better, too.
"It actually feels good to come out onto the ice and get some loud applause. The arena is small and really loud, and when we fill the place, it's going to be great."
jwallace@stcatharinesstandard.ca (jwallace@stcatharinesstandard.ca)