Stanley a force again on Spits blue-line

One of the biggest surprises at the 99th Memorial Cup might be just how smoothly Windsor Spitfires defenceman Logan Stanley has slipped back into the lineup after a four-month absence.

The six-foot-seven, 231-pound Stanley needed surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee suffered on Jan. 17. The original diagnosis had him out for four months, which could have put his participation in this tournament in jeopardy.

“Logan Stanley’s done a great job of getting himself game ready,” Spitfires head coach Rocky Thompson said Wednesday.

Not only is he in the lineup, but Stanley is back to playing more than 20 minutes a game and doesn’t show any lingering effects from the layoff.

“I just think he brings everything,” said Spitfires defenceman Sean Day, who is paired with Stanley. “It stabilizes the back end. People aren’t playing too many minutes (and) he’s back playing big minutes again.”

Stanley admits he did not know how things would go after such a long layoff.

“I prepared pretty hard and I’m lucky I have a good team to surround me,” said Stanley, who was a first-round pick by the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets in 2016.

“Mentally, I think I was there. To get the first game under my belt was important.”

Heading into Wednesday ’s game, the Spitfires had allowed just three goals in two games. Goalie Michael DiPietro said Stanley’s return has been a boost to the defence.

“When Stan’s on the back end, he just keeps things simple,” DiPietro said. “Obviously, he’s a big confidence boost for myself knowing nine times out of 10 he’ll make the simple play, but he also has the skill set to make the not-so-simple play and execute it properly.”

OPTIONAL PARTICIPATION

Saint John Sea Dogs head coach Danny Flynn gave his team an option on Wednesday.

With the loser of the game between Windsor and Erie playing the Sea Dogs in Friday’s semifinal, Flynn gave his players the choice the catch the game live or pass on it completely.

“I leave that open to them,” Flynn said. “Some guys really want to come and watch the game. Some guys are more comfortable sitting at home and watching the game in their hotel room on the TV. Some guys would just rather get a break from hockey and get the information the next day from the coaching staff. I leave that as a personal call.”