Sparkes ignites offence
Crushers hosting Mariners tonight
WESTVILLE ROAD, N.S. — Junior A Crushers centre Sullivan Sparkes knew he had to start putting the puck in the net.
Coming off a four-game suspension and without a goal this season, Sparkes unleashed on the Truro Bearcats on Oct. 19, scoring three goals and setting up two others as the Crushers beat the ’Cats 8-7 in a shootout.
The 20-year-old Waterloo, Ont., native also had the only goal of the shootout.
“I just wanted to start shooting the puck more, being a bit selfish,” said Sparkes.
“It took our line a game or two to get used to each other, but (Saturday), it was really clicking. We were finding each other all night.”
Playing mostly with wingers Kevin Mason and newcomer Dallas Farrell – acquired in a trade last week – Sparkes helped jump-start a big game for arguably the Crushers’ top line: Mason had a goal and two assists, Farrell scored once and assisted on four others.
Jack Morris and Keenan Gillis also had goals for the Crushers, while Logan Vande Meerakker and Jaden Mason each had a two-assist night.
“It’s a big part of our lineup, having those three guys generating some offence for us,” coach Mike Danton said.
After not doing much the first few weeks of the season, the Crushers offensive attack put up 14 goals in their three games last week.
“The monkey’s off our back and hopefully the floodgates open up a little bit for us,” Sparkes said.
Since starting the season 2-0, the Crushers haven’t won two straight games yet, and would like to change that on Oct. 24 when they face the Yarmouth Mariners for the first time this season (7 p.m., Pictou County Wellness Centre).
Even though it’s an early-season division clash, Danton sees it as just another game on the schedule, in terms of his team’s approach.
“It’s going to be the same M.O. all year – we’ve just got to play our game,” he said. “We know (Yarmouth) are ahead of us in the standings – that’s what we know.”
THE WEEK THAT WAS
Oct. 18
Crushers 4, South Lumberjacks 5 At Lunenburg, Pictou County fell behind 5-2 to the Lumberjacks before mounting a rally that fell a goal short. Aiden Hickey had a pair of goals for the Crushers, Craig Ryan and Keenan Gillis also scored and Logan Vande Meerakker had two helpers. Goalie Matthew Normore was pulled after allowing two second-period goals in a span of 10 seconds.
Oct. 17:
Crushers 2, Valley Wildcats 0 Goaltender Andrew MacLeod was solid when needed, making 20 saves as the Crushers blanked the Wildcats at the Pictou County Wellness Centre. Cal MacPherson and Kevin Mason had goals in the victory.