Sapurji: No free ride for Majors

Went to the Majors game last night to see the visiting Kitchener Rangers skate away with a 5-2 victory.

Those of you who have been reading the blog for a while know that the Rangers were my pick to win the OHL this year, based on this highly scientific method:

This year, I consulted my 5-month-old niece, by putting the OHL guidebook in front of her with the page full of team listings. Her hand fell on the Kitchener Rangers, so that’s my pick for OHL champ this year. Start placing your bets in Vegas, people.

NOTE: She also drooled heavily on the Sudbury Wolves, but I’m not sure what that means.

Once again, pre-season OHL predictions are for chumps – either that or my niece should be working the Vegas line with Roxy Roxborough.

It was hard to really judge the last night’s game because I couldn’t decide if the Rangers were really that good, because the Majors weren't exactly a well-balanced adversary.

Don’t get me wrong, the Majors did a good job of skating with the Rangers in the first period and were formidable holding Kitchener to a 1-0 lead. But as the game progressed it became abundantly clear that the majority of the Majors were passengers on a bus being driven by rookie Casey Cizikas.

I’m not sure if Cizikas even has his learners permit, but a 16-year-old kid should not be behind the wheel.

“We’re not there with Kitchener yet,” said Majors coach/GM Dave Cameron after the game. “The frustrating part for me is that we have some guys on this team that are crying for ice time, and they’re getting it, but they’re not rising to the occasion.”

So maybe the 7-11-1-0 Majors have already started tuning out the former Binghamton Senators bench boss?

“You’d have to ask (the players) that,” said Cameron. “I’m a hard guy to tune out; I’ve got a big mouth.”

Nick Spaling led the Rangers with two goals and an assist, while former Major Matt Halischuk, Mike Mascioli and Steven Tarasuk added the singles. Three of the Rangers goals came on the power play which finished 3-for-6. The Rangers are without question one of the best teams I've seen this year and with a few minor tweaks to the lineup, Rangers coach/GM Peter DeBoer will no doubt have his squad contending for another Memorial Cup.

NOTE: Have you noticed how the Kitchener Rangers have become the new "Ted Nolan" of the OHL? Every time there was a coaching job open Ted Nolan was always the front runner, even if he hadn't applied for the position. Now every player in the league rumoured -- or not -- to be on the trade block is heading for Kitchener. Cory Emmerton? Kitchener! Wayne Simmonds & Scott Tregunna? Kitchener!! Steve Mason? Kitchener!! Some secret guy from the NCAA? KITCHENER! A Russian kid with U.S. residency? Ok, so that really happend... but still, it's a bit much.

Defenceman Tim Billingsley and the aforementioned Cizikas scored for the Majors. Cizikas played a ton for the Majors last night and has seen his ice time increase (Cameron said “too much”) with the loss of veteran centre Matt Caria to a hand injury.

“It was a big step, I thought I was coming into the season (on the) … fourth line, third line maybe,” said Cizikas, who was named to Canada’s U-17 squad yesterday. “I guess coach sees something in me, so he’s putting me out there and trusting me in those situations so I can’t take stupid risks. I have to play smart out there and show him that he can trust me.”

THE HALISCHUK HIT: Mississauga winger Zac Rinaldo was given a five-minute major and tossed from the game for a check to the head of Rangers forward Halishcuk early in the third period. Thankfully Halischuk was OK and just looked to be winded as he made his way back to the bench after the hit. There was a lot of talk after the game about whether the hit was clean or whether there would be a suspension.

From what I saw – keep in mind I’m just a lowly OHL reporter – it looked like Rinaldo hit Halischuk with his shoulder. The problem is Halischuk got caught with his head turned and didn’t see Rinaldo coming. I’m not sure the hit warrants a suspension, but I wouldn’t be shocked if there was one. The OHL’s new referee-in-chief, Conrad Hache, was in the press box for last night’s game so I’m sure a decision will be forthcoming.

INJURY UPDATES: Goaltender Chris Carozzi has received the OK started practicing again after sitting out with a knee injury, but likely won’t see game action until next week. “He could probably play if he had to,” said Cameron. “But we’re not going to rush him.”

Forward Matt Caria had the cast taken off his broken thumb yesterday and has now graduated to a splint, which means he could be back soon.
“I think it’s an issue now of pain and what he can play through,” said Cameron. “I don’t think you’re going to see him this weekend.”

As always - questions, comments, compliments, complaints, threats etc: sunaya19@hotmail.com