Reapers D the Key

With the passing of Day 75, the Reapers found themselves in a familiar position.

An injury to a defenseman, literally on his first shift. This time though the Reapers would battle and the defensemen would be the story of the game on several fronts.

The Guelph Repaers beat the Waterloo Roadkill 6 to 3 to take a 3-2 series lead in the head to head matchup. The score ironically was the exact same score with which the Roadkill beat the Reapers in Guelph four nights ago. These teams have met three times in a row now, but will not meet again til day 98.

The storyline in this game was the blueline. 3 goals from the blueline tonight for the Reapers, and two more defenseman added assists in a 5 point night for 4 blueliners. For Kubina, his first goal was the game winner, and his second came on the powerplay. For Noah Welch, he had a beautiful (surprisingly) lone man effort for an unassisted marker to give the team insurance midway into the third. Eminger assisted on the first Reaper goal before being sidelined with an injury. Wesley had the other blueline point for Guelph.

The storyline continued on the blueline however beyond scoring. Injury timelines play a role for the Reapers. Travis Roche was cleared to play for tonight's game after missing 30 days with a major knee injury. However the team was unable to get him into Waterloo in time for the game, despite the short half hour drive between cities. GM Gandour was heard muttering "half an hour is not enough time apparently" as he left to go to the bench to coach. The story hardly ends there though. Rhett Warrener remains sidelined day to day, and once more did not play tonight. Kyle Cumiskey remains out for 1-2 weeks, leaving the Reapers three dmen short this night. The extra ice time killed the d who played, as Jamie Heward went down with an injury, and is believed to be out for 2 weeks. Steve Eminger also went down with an injury and is likely going to miss the Reapers next two games.

With the Reapers playing back to back nights, look for Travis Roche to return to the lineup finally, but too late to help the newly injured dmen. Alex Brooks may also get the nod, to fill the other vacated d position as the teams only other option is a callup of Jeff Finger that would put their cap situation in peril. The cutting of Wade Belak earlier in the year freed up a bit of room, but also left them weaker on defense.

"No doubt we miss his flexibility," GM Gandour admitted after tonights injuries, "he could play forward or d, and was tough and fierce. But we had to get under the cap, and that was the move we made. Now we must try to survive til we get healthy again."

When asked to comment if he was actively in talks for another defenseman, GM Gandour refused to comment.

The Reapers win while crucial in the battle for a playoff spot, was costly on the blueline and may cost them points tonight against a tough Mounties squad.

"Being down on D hurts," GM Gandour admitted, "but Rochie is back, and he is our leading point and plus minus dman when healthy. The Mounties have a losing record currently, and so if we buckle down we should be able to still get the points despite injury problems. Then again, the Roadkill had a far worse record and beat us twice this year already so who knows."

The Reapers and Mounties split the season series so far, with the home team winning each game. Unfortunately for the Reapers, this game is in Kitchener.

"I guess it could be worse," GM Gandour admitted, "the travel at least isn't too bad... Guelph to Waterloo to Kitchener... I think I drove farther to do my christmas shopping."

With the Reapers and Mounties set to roll tomorrow night,

Sal Trachan for Face the Reapers