Sexton's versatility key for Canucks
When Aaron Sexton become available after to rejoin the Niagara Falls junior B Canucks after Christmas, he was not only helping the team, but he was keeping a Sexton family tradition alive.
“I thing Aaron is the seventh Sexton family member that we’ve had on the team,” said Canucks head coach Terry Masterson. “His brother, Taylor, was our captain a few years ago.”
But Sexton earned his role on this year’s squad, he’s not just a nostalgic add for the Canucks’ family, said Masterson.
“Aaron was with us as a 17-year-old, but then he left the area to study firefighting at college in Sarnia,” he said. “He completed the program and came back home around Christmas. We were lucky to get him back. He brings a lot to the team.”
Sexton has been in the lineup for 13 games and just recently got his first point of the season. While the bench is always supportive of goal scorers, there seemed to be a little extra rejoic- ing when Sexton earned his first point of the campaign.
“Yeah, you’re probably right about that,” said the coach. “Aaron is a popular kid in the room and the guys have all been pulling for him.”
One of the reasons that Masterson was so quick to invite Sexton back onto the team was the flexibility that he has always exhibited on the ice.
“He can play on any line. We can move him to the middle or the wing,” he said of the versatile forward. “And we’ve been using him to help kill penalties.
“Like ( Jake) Noel he’s a hardhitting presence in the lineup.”
With two back-to-back games against the Fort Erie Meteors on the schedule for this weekend, the Canucks will want to capitalize on every opportunity to gain points as they try to erase the four-point difference between themselves and the St. Catharines Falcons. Which means that “hard- hitting presence” will be expected to deliver just that against the Meteors.
“There are no easy games, no easy teams in this league,” said Masterson. “They’ve beaten us twice in their rink already this season. We’re going to have our hands full with them.”
The Meteors come into the Gale Centre Friday night winless in three games. Their last victory was a 8- 3 win over the Buffalo Blades. The Canucks are aiming to extend their current nine-game winning streak to 11 by Saturday night.
Friday’s game at the Gale Centre is set for a 7:30 start and Saturday’s match at the Fort Erie Leisureplex begins at 7:15 p.m.