Why didn't two key players play today especially with Steve Dix and Adam Chapman out? Is a message being sent? Couldn't they have helped us down the stretch. Without getting too personal, I'm sure that they could have helped more than playing the older Risk brother, Jelitto, and Mike Pain. Pain may be ok next year but the other two guys are totally unqualified and far below any type of acceptable skill level to play in the league. I know they're kids, but let's be honest. And now that he's here - is Jean-Michel going to be resentful when his bro isn't kept next year. How can you bring him back? There's not one thing either of those two players up front do well.

Game sounded so exciting on the radio Sunday. I was stuck at work but I'm so glad they battled hard agains those Whalers. Where has Craig Wolanin gone. I think the games on radio are best when he does them. No knock on Camron Knowles but let's be honest again. Does he do any preparation work to learn ANYTHING about the other team. Does he give any notable statistics from anything other than the current game going on in front of him? This happens a lot in this league. Ever hear the Windsor color guy. Not just anyone can jump on and do color commentary especially with a real limited knowledge of hockey. Gregg Brady is fine though, he really has grown on me this year as a play by play guy. The first couple weeks he seemed to struggle a bit but the closer the game is the better he seems to be.

Now let's beat Sarnia. I freaking hate that team.

These are only my answers, pure speculation, maybe not the real answers.

1. Chapman and Dix might have been (unfairly) suspended for what happened in the Guelph game. Or, they were being kept out because we did not want to risk playing someone we might or might not have known was suspended, it is a problem teams have had this year.

2. Borges had a groin injury this season. Two weeks before Team Ontario went to the Canada games, he was finally skating in practice. Skating, not even full contact drills by that point. Finally, when the time comes for the Canada games he was playing. I'm not going to second guess anyone here, his having experienced that tournament was good for him and Jean-Michel. But, he still might not be 100% and he might not be able to play three games in three straight days yet.

As for Lucky, I haven't really seen him slacking off out there. If anything, the Spirit D-man who has been slacking off/not picking up his man in the two games (Windsor/Sarnia) has been Sturgeon. Maybe he (Lucky) is hurting.

3. Marc-Andre performs his role well as a 4th line center. As for DJ, I have talked to him more than any of the other players. Great kid. Unfortunately, the breaks haven't gone his way as he has had some chances and nothing has gone in. By his own admission the ACHA (confrence that U of Utah is in) is "4 steps below the OHL" in terms of speed and talent. He could learn to be a little more physical which would make him a more well-rounded player. Both of these guys have a shot at making the club, or they can be very good tier 2 players (depending on how many of the 86s we get to come here). Pain is a solid player considering he was something like a 14th rounder.

4. Cameron Knowles' radio experience is as a host of a drive-time radio call-in talk show. He has to my knowledge not broadcast hockey games before and is the team's P.R. guy after leaving the radio station that he worked for. You are not going to get the same kind of analysis that you would get from Craig Wolanin, a former NHL player. What you are going to get is tons of reminders of all the promotions the team is having, as that is Cam's job.

I like Greg, he's done a great job this year. Also I like when they get Terry Doyle or Leigh Cunningham to do color on road trips in Ontario. However, when Craig isn't available, Cam fills in so Greg doesn't have to do the game (err do the game AND read the promos) by himself.

5. I want to beat Sarnia too.



AAAAAAAAY!

I haven't heard anything about why certain players aren't on the ice recently. Does anyone know if Duix is playing the last home game. I hope so as I like the spark he adds to the team. He gives it his all, unlike some guys, even though his timing is queastionable sometimes.

As far as radio is concerned, I am not a big fan of Wolanin. I just don't think he and Greg mesh well. He seems a bit scattered at times and his voice is grating. Obviously, though, he has good insight into the game. I wonder if his brutal honesty ever rubs management the wrong way because he doesn't "sugar coat" things to sound like a homer. Cameron is a quality guy and fills in as best he can. I am impressed with Greg overall, but, for God's sake man - give the score once in a while!

What's the thought on Rosie? I hear a few season ticket holders say he's in trouble, but I don;t buy this. everyone knew this would be a work in the making and I think Rosie is learning justv like some of his players. Sounds like he sorta regrets blasting them in the media after last Friday's debacle.

Big win Tuesday night, right?! Right!

Please excuse the spelling/grammar errors. This darn thing won't let me fix them without scrolling all the way to the top and I'm too lazy for that.

Craig has improved I think...and the insight is better than we'll get from anyone else. Brady like I said has rounded into form nicely to the point where he calls a very good hockey game. I think it's just a fact of play-calling life, you can NEVER give the score enough!!!!

I get what you're saying about Wolanin not sugar-coating it, but I don't think Brady does either. It's a fine line to walk between homerism and cheerleading and being objective yet still wanting the team to win. Sometimes you have to be a realist - they lost so badly on Friday and Saturday - what can you say, it was dreadful? I'm sure all the Spirit fans would agree that being honest yet positive is much preferred to waving a homer hankie and cheerleading without pointing out silly penalties or bad passes. Some of the OHL radio guys I've heard are downright embarrassing for being homers (Windsor, Plymouth, for example). Lee Cunningham last year was according to some North Bay fans I've spoken with, a bit of a flag-waver (a good broadcaster but a flag-waver). That's just not the type of game I want to listen to on the road.

It's a shame Dix won't play tomorrow night - could it have been his last home game with Saginaw. The guy has battled into a pretty good role player the past few months - crazy redhead!