Golden Bears hockey faces more “inevitable” injuries
"The lines have been blended a lot recently and it can be frustrating but we’ve done a good job at managing it thus far," Brett Hyland says.
Fair Frames Just what the Golden Bears needed, more injuries.
Right as the Bears’ hockey team thought they were in the clear, defensemen Blake Gustafson goes out long term as a late scratch against the Grant MacEwan University Griffins on January 3.
A month ago, the Bears found themselves in a similar position, losing two key forwards in just as many weeks. By the end of it all, they were just able to stay a top ranked team — far from what they’re capable of.
Now that it’s par for the course, the Bears’ deep defensive lines have adjusted to the one-man weakness ahead of a decent regular season schedule.
Defensive lines may get more offensive
In a more stay-at-home game, Joel Sexsmith has stepped up to play on the second line with Mason Ward, taking three points in four games with a new partner. Though not uncommon, perhaps Sexsmith is the key to bringing an offensive presence onto a line that previously saw seven points in 16 games.
Compared to the Bears’ top defensive line of Marc Lajoie and Aidan de la Gorgendiere, who combine for 49 points in 20 games, seven is not a lot.
“You never want to lose a guy like Blake, he’s been a big part of our team in the first half. But, Joel? Joel is an experienced player who’s come in for Blake, and he’s been in this league for a while and he’s ready to go. So [it] sucks to lose him, but we have enough depth, where we’re able to fit guys in,” Lajoie said.
Keep in mind, that the value of a defensive defensemen cannot be overlooked. If Sexsmith — with no points in seven games — can man the line while Ward contributes to offence, then great. But there has to be a stay-at-home aspect somewhere on the blue line.
This makes you wonder where Sexsmith will play once Gustafson returns — back in the stands is a long way to go.
Bears’ offence has to adjust, again
Unlike the defensive lines, the Bears’ offence is no stranger to adjusting lines due to injury. After all, “injuries are inevitable at this level of hockey,” according to forward Brett Hyland, who just recovered from his own.
“The lines have been blended a lot recently and it can be frustrating, but we’ve done a good job at managing it thus far,” Hyland said.
To Hyland’s point, without him and Sean Tschigerl, the Bears have been at least one forward short since November 11, while staying Canada West leaders. Now that Adam Hall is out for what was supposed to be a week but has turned into more, the Bears find themselves in a similar position, yet again.
But unlike Gustafson’s absence, it’s not as easy to judge how the forwards performed a man down, because they really weren’t.
Hyland and Tschigerl’s recovery meant the return of the Bears’ top goal scorers, who were ready “to pick up where [they] left off.”
What comes next?
With goaltender Ethan Kruger now day-to-day, the looming cloud over the Bears’ head continues to be the uncertainty of a healthy lineup that’s ready to go for top games.
It’s true, the team knows how to fill these spots and their lineup is deep. But when there’s constant turnover — a test to all players — there’s one of two outcomes.
First — and most desirable — the Bears come back stronger, with an edge not seen in their game since early in the season, or by all teams. Think more weekend sweep, less of a hard-fought, yet poorly played split.
A closing regular season against the University of Manitoba (4-12-2), Trinity Western University (3-16-1) and the University of Regina (3-15-0) allows the Bears a chance to warm up in some low cost games. Compared to a series against the University of Saskatchewan (14-4-0) on January 24 and 25, which will test the Bears’ new-found dynamic.
Another option, and maybe more likely, is the team loses some insurance games, such as their 4-3 loss to the Griffins on January 3 — but perhaps too many.
One more loss to Mount Royal University’s 15-5-0 record, and the Bears might lose their top seated position in Canada West as well as the advantage of hosting playoff finals. With Mount Royal’s Olympic sized ice, the home ice advantage is a serious factor.
