The P.E.I. Rocket will be missing some key players Wednesday in Moncton.
Defenceman Jimmy Oligny along with right-wingers Louick Marcotte and Patrick McGrath have all been suspended following Saturday’s game in Chicoutimi.
“We need to play with an edge, but need to understand where that line is,” coach Gordie Dwyer said after Tuesday’s practice.
He had no issues with the suspension and said the team, which leads the league with 872 penalty minutes, has to be conscious of how penalties can be detrimental to the team’s success. Gatineau is second with 833 penalty minutes.
“We do play with a physical element and do play with an intense style, but our group and our individuals have to address it and we have,” Dwyer said.
Oligny received three games after being handed a game misconduct during Saturday’s contest for physical abuse of an official. Marcotte and McGrath each received game misconducts for checks to the head. Marcotte received two games from the league while McGrath got an extra one for his fourth code four violation of the season.
The losses come as the Rocket plays its fifth straight road game, this time against the rival Wildcats.
“Moncton has been on a tare of late, since acquiring (Phillip) Danualt,” Dwyer said.
“They are one of the powerhouses in the league. Obviously, we’re going to have to go in there and be at our best and limit their opportunities.”
Moncton (28-16-1) is fifth overall and has won four straight. They are five points up on ninth-place P.E.I. (25-19-2) for second in the Maritimes division.
Dmitrij Jaskin leads the Wildcats with 64 points in 35 games. He is fifth in the league’s scoring race, behind Rocket linemates Josh Currie and Ben Duffy, who have 74 points in 46 games.
Summerside Western Capitals Craig MacLauchlan will play tonight for the Rocket.
If the ownership of the Rocket read these comments, they must nearly go crazy. Now, according to "not surprised" the team is too rough but the fans come anyway. Ususally the boo birds who write these commenst say the team has to get tougher, play more Island-style hockey. The simple fact is this is a good hockey team, well run and competitive and still suffering from a lack of fans, Unfortunately what PEI does not lack is a multitude of "experts" who like to share their opinion on every issue regardless of their ignorance. Please people get out of the basement and away from your keyboards. At least if you share your opinions at Tim's only the people at your table and the next one over have to listen to it.