Day 79: Olli-Olli Oxen Free!

"Awesome", Rovers captain Olli Jokinen on how it felt to skate on the top line and score the winning goal against the StrapHangers on Thursday.




Iqaluit, NU (CP)

When Rover Report visited with Olli Jokinen last week, he felt he was still contributing to the team even though he was not seeing the icetime he has been accustomed to in recent years. Now, a day after the coaching staff tabbed him to center the #1 line in a line shuffle, he feels even better. Jokinen scored twice, including the game-winner in the third period, in the Rovers 3-1 win over the StrapHangers. "Everyone wants to play lots and score big goals, but opportunity isn't something you directly control", Jokinen said after the win. "But when you get your chance, you have to take advantage. Tonight was awesome".

Jokinen made his mark early, deflecting home an Eric Brewer point shot on power-play just over three minutes into the game. Kevyn Adams tied the game with his third of the season just past the midpoint of the frame. The Rovers outshot the Hangers 12-6 in the period and increased the pressure in the second, only to be repeated stymied by ex-Rover Ed Belfour. Outshot 18-6 in the second, Belfour stood on his head. Time and again he robbed Rover shooters of what seemed to be sure goals, his best effort coming on a sliding pad-stack save off an Alexander Frolov attempt while on a long 2-on-1 with Pavol Demitra. "Eddie always plays us tough... has ever since he's been in Albany", Stringer said of his former netminder. "It seems like it's always a battle against him, so we were lucky to squeeze enough by him to get the win".

With the StrapHangers retreating into a tight defensive shell to start the third, it was open season on Belfour. However it wasn't until the 13 minute mark of the period when Jokinen broke the deadlock, taking a breakaway pass from Danny Markov and going in alone to beat Belfour with a quick snapshot low to the glove side. Nathan Horton added an insurance goal later in the frame, tapping home a gorgeous cross-crease pass from Jeff Halpern on a play that caught the StrapHangers defense napping. Chris Mason, getting the start for Martin Gerber, stopped 13 of 14 shots for the win, while Belfour was stellar, making 40 saves in defeat.

The win moved the Rovers two points clear of the Mounties for tops in the Champions Conference. Both teams have played 39 games. Baffin now has a day off before travelling to St. Pete's to meet the Wicked Ale and then returning to again host the StrapHangers.

Notes: Sports talk radio in Iqaluit was buzzing with speculation that the Rovers were about to make a major trade with the 500s. Stringer addressed the situation after the game.. sort of. "Yeah, Indy seems to be active in the trade market right now. If we become active, you'll all hear about it. But right now, we aren't".