Day 71: Eight is Enough

Tomas Vokoun stares at the ice wondering when the nightmare will end.

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

The Rovers kicked off their second half at home on Thurday night by laying an 8-2 beating on the Guelph Spectres. The win represented their biggest margin and highest output of the season, and was their seventh in a row. Mark Recchi and Cory Stillman each had their best game as a Rover, tallying one goal and two assists each.

In the first period it appeared as though Tomas Vokoun was going to frustrate the Rovers all night, as he turned aside 11 of 12 shots, yielding only a point shot from Kim Johnsson that was deflected by his own defenseman. Taking the 1-0 lead into the second, the Rovers hit their stride with Olli Jokinen setting the tone by scoring only six seconds into the period. Goals by Stillman, Recchi, rookie Patrice Bergeron and Jeff Halpern highlighted a five goal period that saw the Rovers take a 6-1 lead. Kris Draper and Glen Murray scored 21 seconds apart in the third to cap the blowout win. Martin Gerber stopped 23 of 25 shots for the win, while Vokoun allowed eight goals on 32 shots. The Rovers dominated, taking the edge in faceoffs, hits, corner battles, possession, and passing. "It was a good win. You need to play your game against all teams, even those down in the standings. Letting up can only lead to bad habits", Stringer said in a quick press conference after the game.

The win now sets up a huge battle at the top of the Champs Conference as the Rovers travel to Kitchener to tangle with the second-place Mounties. Having tied both meetings thus far, no team has established an edge and both are looking to hold or re-take the #1 seed. "Kitchener is a great team and a brutal place to play. We need an effort like this to win there. It'll be anything but easy", Jokinen said of tomorrow's game.

- Nathan Horton will make the trip to Kitchener but is unsure if he will be available to play against the Mounties. He continues to receive treatment for his sore shoulder and will be a game-time decision.