The Wranglers play the Eugene Generals this Friday (10/31) and Saturday (11/1). Hopefully last Monday's game is not a preview to what could happen this weekend. However, to avoid some embarrassing losses the Wranglers will need to improve their defense and offense. The Generals have several players that are leading NorPac scoring. At #4 in NorPac is Micheal Frei with 25 points through 9 games (15 goals, 10 assists). Next tied at #8 at 17 points are both Micheal Schlagel (4 goals, 13 assists) and Carl Lehtola (7 goals, 10 assists). Two other Eugene players Neil Holder and Joe Myers have 10 points each with 3 goals and 7 assists. So, the Generals have plenty of scoring power.Defensively the Generals have some good defense with only 29 goals scored against them through 11 games. Two Generals goalies are in the NorPac top 10. Kevin Aslett has a .924% save percentage and GAA of 2.50 through 6 games. Nolan Ohmart has a .908% save percentage and a GAA of 2.80 through 5 games.
For penalties the Generals are 4th in the Pacific Division with 326 penalty minutes. Kyle Zimick is the penalty leader for the Generals with 70 penalty minutes. Several other General players are in the 30-40 minute range.
The Wranglers need help in both scoring offense only scoring a total of 18 goals and defense allowing 73 goals in 10 games. Only Butte is lower than the Wranglers in NorPac with only 16 goals in 8 games. As has been said before, the Wranglers have got to improve in offense by putting more shots on goal; creating an offense that keeps the puck in the offensive zone; and work at some aggressive fore-checking. The Wrangler players have got to want to win.
What's my prediction - wishful: Wranglers 3 - Generals 3, realistic: Wranglers 2 - Generals 7.
The Wranglers are offering a fan bus to Saturday's game. This sounds like a lot of fun. If you got the time and want to have some fun take the bus. There's food, Wrangler girls, and you don't have to drive - what a deal! Check out the Wrangler web site for more info.
Wrangler player notes:
- Jesse Martorano, forward, is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. We wish Jesse a speedy recovery and hope to see him with the Wranglers again next season.
- PJ Brown should be back on the ice.
- Chad Loera, forward, has been released - waiting to be traded.
- Jared Secondo, goalie, has been released - waiting to be traded.
- DJ Giguere, forward, has been traded.
- Nick Cafrelli, goalie, has been traded.
- Mike Teilborg, goalie, has been traded to the Wranglers from River City.
