Slow Start for 2013 Lumberjacks

The Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks had a nice little streak going prior to the holiday break, winning six of their last seven games. The new year hasn't been as kind to the Lumberjacks, as they have lost their first three games of 2013, a series of two goal losses, 3-1 and 6-4 to Powassan and South Muskoka 5-3, a possible first-round playoff preview.

Coach Lui Ricci explains the clubs roster continues to have players coming and going from the line-up, including the loss of the team’s second leading scorer Sergey Erileev, who left the Lumberjacks to join the Alexandria Blizzard.

“Erileev leaving really hurt. It’s tough to replace a centreman like him. He said coach, I don’t want to go, but his agent sent him to this team in Minnesota.”

The club has also been without goalie Claude Lotscher, who won’t play again this year due to injury according to Ricci, and forward Grant McLean, also injured, but expected back.

“We signed (Ethan) Loo, a 20-year old goalie to replace Claude, and he played well Saturday against South Muskoka,” Ricci added. Also joining the line-up are 17-year old forward Max Vorab, a 6’2” winger from New Jersey, defenseman Cheyenne King from Sudbury and Jonah Coonishish from Mistissini, QC.

“We can play with the top teams. We lost some close games, but we can get things turned around before the playoffs start,” Ricci concluded.