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NEWS ITEM
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Renegades look at their options in exibition game
Anyone expecting a showcase of crisp hockey would have been disappointed Wednesday night.
Following alumni games featuring Woodstock Navy Vets alumni from four decades, the Junior C Renegades opened their exhibition season against the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League's Burford Bulldogs.
It wasn't pretty, but the Renegades' patchwork lineup of veterans and hopefuls held on for a 6-3 win at Southwood Arena.
After just two skates, it gave Woodstock head coach Dave McLaren and his staff something more tangible to work with as they evaluate the roster.
"There was some good effort from some of the guys," he said. "It's pretty scrambly hockey. I thought a couple of 16-year-olds played pretty well."
McLaren was referring to Woodstock minor hockey products Jordan Minello and Marcus Michalski.
Minello scored the winning goal midway through the second period and added an assist, while Michalski also impressed with his overall play.
The team can sign only one 16-year-old if it chooses.
"It makes it a little bit tougher to decide who it will be," McLaren said.
With 10 players signed, several positions remain unfilled with more than three weeks before the start of the regular season.
The Renegades could use more scoring up front, while the blue-line remains thin.
Goaltender Alex Gegeny is back, but the Renegades are still looking for someone to join him. Mitch Bleskie and Jarryd Cline split goaltending duties Wednesday.
About 30 players remain in camp.
"The door is about to start revolving," McLaren said. "Guys gone to Junior B camps will be let go and come back.
"We'll take the next week and get things fine tuned."
The Bulldogs have 12 played signed in what will likely be a rebuilding season.
"We're just trying to see who wants to come to play," general manager Bill Wallace said. "Who will play physical? We're looking for kids to put the puck in the net, like everybody (else). We want to see kids work hard, that's the bottom line. We want kids with a winning attitude who think they can win."
Eli Rudy scored a pair of goals for the Renegades. Luigi Martone, Craig Thomson, Minello and Travis Parkin also scored.
Justin Lehman, Jason Watson and Lucas Tyleman scored for the Bulldogs.
Woodstock doesn't have any games scheduled before the Shoot-Out at the Plex Sept. 12-13.
(Source Sentinel-Review)
