Rovers Sting Grand Prairie in Third

Grand-Prairie, AB (CP)

After falling behind in the third, the Baffin Island Rovers exploded for four late goals to down the Stingers 6-3 and improve to 2-0 for the young season. Baffin skated out to a 2-1 first period lead on goals by Pavol Demitra and Eric Brewer. They held that lead into the third when the Stingers struck for two to take a 3-2 lead. But a minute after Jan Bulis gave GP the lead with his short-handed goal, the Rovers reeled off four straight by Olli Jokinen, Kris Draper, Jokinen again, and Demitra's second of the game. "It was good to see the offense come to life there in the third, especially on the road", Stringer said of the outburst. "The PP was clicking, so that's something to build on... we just hope Nate isn't out too long".

The injury spoken of was to sophomore Nathan Horton, who took a nasty slash to his left forearm and left the game without returning. He'll return to Iqaluit for further tests, but doesn't expect to miss significant time. He will not be in the lineup for tomorrow night's game at home against Albany.

Rovers Open Season with Win over Penetrators

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

RHL16 is finally underway, and the Baffin Island Rovers got off to a quick start, downing the Yellowknife Dangerous Penetrators 3-1 in their home opener in front of a sold-out Igloo crowd. The Rovers took advantage of some undisciplined Penetrator play in the first, tallying two power-play goals by Stillman and Johnsson to take a 2-0 lead into the intermission. Alex Tanguay brought the Pens to within one early in the second , but the two goal cushion was restored just 37 seconds later as David Legwand provided the insurance. The Pens came on in the third, outshooting the Rovers 14-8 in the frame. Martin Gerber posted the victory stopping 28 of 29 shots, while Robert Esche was hung with the loss despite also making 28 saves. "It's great to start the year with a win.. the Penetrators are a great team", Stringer said of his opponents. "We've got our work cut out for us in a tough division, so this is a nice way to kick it off".

Where's the Beef?

Iqaluit, NU (IFPW)

RHL16 is upon us and from where this reporter sits, the Rovers aren't exactly ready to rumble. This is a team that came up short in the conference finals against once-again division rival South Edmonton, yet added no pieces to the team but instead sat idly by as free agency stripped away key parts in Recchi, Hill, and Halpern. And then, after only retaining Stillman in free agency, went and traded their best player in Chris Pronger to the StrapHangers for Keith Carney and some stuff that may or may not help them down the road. Now don't get me wrong; I like Carney, but he's no Pronger!

So now they're back in the Malone division and battling the Sockeyes - defending champs - and Funboys - significantly better on D and in net and deeper up front. Is there any way the Rovers don't finish third behind those two? I can't see a way ahead. And there's that word.. depth. Where is it? Pressing sophomore Nathan Horton into second-line duty may be hazardous to his health if he can't stand up to a full season. And then if someone does go down up front they have to call on.. Steve Montador? A #8 defenseman that can play a bit of wing in a pinch? Wake me when it's over! Are they gonna have to put out a call to the farm for help? Wow, this team certainly has had good fortune the past three seasons with a lack of injuries, but if that goes south this season, they're up the creek.

Management has been touting this season as a "transition" year between the free-spending RHL13-15 Rovers and the homegrown RHL17 brand. Well, to this writer "transition" is a euphimism for "crap".. and too many fans have paid good money to watch the RHL16 Rovers and they deserve a good product too. After competing at the highest level for the past three seasons, the Rovers should try to do no less again this year. However instead they appear content to drift through this season and take it as it comes. We'll see how quickly this lackidaisical attitude comes back to bit them in the butt.

I.C. Stair, IFPW