Terriers get closer but fall short

Posted By ALLISON SMITH , CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

Posted 20 days ago

Though the Dunnville Terriers lost to the Glanbrook Rangers Friday at home, the team is collectively learning the meaning of "perseverance," said co-coach Terry McArthur.

As the Terriers still seek to post their first victory 11 games into the season, a new coaching staff comprised of McArthur, David Robertson and Ryan Ricker are on scene to encourage the team to play "disciplined hockey," said McArthur. "We came in late and we're just dealing with the hand we've got right now. The kids are getting better."

Glanbrook was quick to score Friday in a 9-7 win over Dunnville, netting the game's first two goals in the first period before Dunnville came back to score three in the second. But Glanbrook rallied a full court press between the last five minutes of the second period and mid-point of the third. Dunnville's four goals within the last seven minutes of the game were too late to earn the team a victory, but changed the outcome significantly. At one point, Glanbrook was pummeling Dunnville 8-2.

McArthur said he and cocoach David Robertson asked the Terriers whether they knew the meaning of perseverance. Some times, "you have to bring psychology into it." They told the players not to quit.

Two months into the season, Dunnville's leaders include Tanner McGowan, whose third-period hat trick and assist on teammate Corey Turner's power play goal got him four of the eight points he has earned this season. Though Dunnville was defeated, McGowan had a "great game," said McArthur. "He's only been with us three or four games but he's an impact player."

No matter what team McGowan will play for, "he would help them," said McArthur.

Dustin Demoe is another bright spot. The defenceman put Dunnville in the game Friday night on a power play goal at 9:24 of the second period and also assisted Turner's third period power play goal.

McArthur said Demoe works hard in every game, is "very conscientious and shows respect."

Captain Dan Minor was another helpful presence on the Terriers' end, earning four assists. Other goal scorers included Chris Furneaux (assisted by Austin Douglas and Austin Golding) and Taylor Schwoob (assisted by Minor and Douglas) in the second.

The Terriers have made an effort within the last two games to reduce their time in the penalty box -after a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Dundas Blues Friday, October 23 that saw Dunnville spend 76 minutes in the box, they have cut that number by half -and more -since then. Last Friday's match saw them clock 35 minutes, in contrast to Glanbrook's 25.

Dunnville's powerplay "isn't the greatest right now," said McArthur -the team was three for five in Friday's game -that is a skill the Terriers aim to improve. Power play and penalty kill are vital parts of the game, he said. Another of the team's goals is to improve its average on face-offs to 70 per cent.

Developing discipline "will pay dividends," said McArthur, as will "being in shape," which he stated is "probably 50 to 60 per cent of the battle."

McArthur is determined to "break the goose egg" and start posting victories, but conceded the 2009-10 Junior C season is proving to be a challenge for Dunnville -each team the Terriers have faced thus far has been strong, he said. McArthur is hoping his experience on-ice and behind the bench will help the struggling squad. He was on the Terriers' roster in 1975 when the team won the championship that year and also coached for 10 years, starting in 1978.

"Now, it's a lot different," he said. "It's a challenge."

Other hockey leagues are giving Junior C a run for its money, he said. Talented players also have the option of playing AAA hockey in Niagara Falls, Welland, St. Catharines and Toronto. Junior B, college and university leagues beckon as well. McArthur said some are jumping ship from Junior B to Junior C in the twilight years of their hockey career. But no matter their background, McArthur said he hopes Dunnville will recruit homegrown prospects.

"Not that kids out of town aren't good hockey players, but we'd like to see more of a Dunnville product."

As for the club's state at this point in the season, "you want to put the best product on the ice. It would be nice to have a winning club."

But he also said, "it's how you win and lose. I'm not used to losing. There are a lot of obstacles in our way."

He has learned a successful coach these days needs to "compromise" with players. Though Dunnville is experiencing "a lot of frustration, you've just got to persevere. You keep getting up and keep going out on the ice. You can have the best coach ever on the bench, but you're as good as the team that gets off the bus.