* WOODSTOCK RENEGADES *

OHA Niagara District Junior C Hockey Club

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NEWS ITEM

 

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Renegades need some consistancy

Just when it seems like the Woodstock Renegades have turned a corner, they end up hitting a wall.

After dominating the Chippawa Riverhawks in a 6-1 win Friday night, the Renegades gave it back in a blowout 5-0 loss Saturday in Aylmer.

"We're right back at square one," Renegades' head coach Dave McLaren said. "We're just inconsistent game in, game out. We gotta get that work ethic. Some games they bring it, some they don't."

Players brought their work boots Friday. Saturday they were exchanged for loafers.

"It seemed like guys weren't interested in playing," McLaren said. "The first period we had opportunities and their guy (Brandon Rohrer) played really good, and Mitch (Bleskie, the Renegades goalie) played good. The second period they had a fluky goal, off the inside of his pad and in. Then two or three more quick ones and we were in a hole. We didn't compete in that second period."

Aylmer scored five in the middle frame and chased Bleskie when it was 3-0.

Alex Gegeny didn't have much help either, surrendering a shorthanded goal less than two minutes after entering the game as the Spitfires beat Woodstock for the first time this season.

The Renegades outshot Aylmer 18-2 in the third period but couldn't solve Rohrer.

It was already too little, too late.

"If we had one early in the third we might have turned it around, but that was a big hole," McLaren said. "I think the guys learned a lesson. The third period we responded better. If we played with that kind of emotion in the second period we wouldn't have been down by five.

"It'll be a team builder for sure."

The change in play was puzzling for a team coming off an impressive win on home ice 24 hours earlier.

After allowing the first goal Friday against Chippawa, Woodstock responded with four goals in the first period with most of them coming off the rush.

"They couldn't handle our speed," McLaren said. "We worked hard in practice on Tuesday and they responded great. I guess we'll have to do the same thing this Tuesday. We'll figure it out one of these days."

Travis Parkin scored twice in the win, while Mike Brilhante had a goal and two assists. Tyler Labadie, Cole Maher and Tyler MacLaughlin also scored.

Travis Horvath picked up four assists.

"Horvath had a hell of game," McLaren said. "It's the best game he's played. Brilhante seemed to compliment him pretty good and that was one of the best games for Brilhante, too."

Woodstock killed off all six Chippawa power plays, including a critical two-man disadvantage early in the second period.

Gegeny stopped 25 shots for the win as all facets of the Renegades' game came together.

They'll need it with three games in four night this week, beginning Thursday in Dunnville and continuing Friday in Grimsby and Sunday at home against Dundas.

Woodstock (7-7-1) is third in the Niagara west division.

(source Sentinel-Review)