Round 2 of the Battle of Durham takes place tonight at the Ajax Community Centre at 8pm. The Rock look for their 1st win of the year while the Redmen look to continue to climb the standings of the MSL.
The last time these border town rivals met, Brooklin was dominate for two periods until Ajax put a valiant effort in the 3rd but it was not enough to close the gap as the game ended 8-4 in favor of the Redmen.
A slow start from the offense was a major part of the loss for the Rock. First year Head Coach Clem D’Orazio did not get the start he expected from his squad. “We started slow against them last time†said D’Orazio. “It took us 38 minutes to score our first goal, that never helps your cause.â€
D’Orazio also credited Brooklin’s athleticism and believed it was a huge factor in the outcome of the game. D’Orazio said a new look to the lineup would be a part of the game plan to help match the speed and transition of the Redmen.
Although the Rock are off to an 0-7 start, their record has not shown how they have played so far this season. Besides the season opener against KW, each game has been within 4 goals, including 2 games within a goal. “We will continue to look at the bright spots of the season and the boys have done a great job staying positive and are becoming closer as a team†said Coach D’Orazio.
The Redmen are coming off a huge 13-11 victory over Peterborough on Tuesday night. The offense of the Brooklin has been red hot as of late, scoring 27 goals in the past two games. Goal scoring has been spread all over the game sheet for Brooklin as 5 Redmen players have registered at least a goal a game. Shawn Williams has continued his role as a playmaker having 13 helpers on the year. Many of those assists have been from Kiel Matisz and Derek Hopcroft, two young guns who have been shooting the lights out early this year.
Unlike Brooklin, Ajax has been lacking depth in scoring as Jesse Guerin has dominated the scoresheet for the Rock and currently sits in 1st in scoring in the league. Guerin has 14 more points than the 2nd leading scorer on the Rock, Brendan Muise. Muise, a rookie out of Mimico and Green Gaels Jr.B has registered a goal and 14 assists in his first 7 games of his MSL career. Guerin has registered at least a point in every game so far this season and Clem D’Orazio believes he will continue to do so. “Jesse has been great for us. He moves the ball well and can shoot it†said D’Orazio. “ Jesse’s play is strong every night he shows up to the rink and thats what separates the better players in this league, consistency.â€
Look to see a high powered offense in the Brooklin Redmen tonight but don’t count out a young and hungry Ajax Rock team just yet. A high spirited Coach Clem D’Orazio and hot Jesse Guerin look to guide the Rock to their first victory in the 2012 campaign over their rivals.
