Spirits high in St. Louis
Young Lightning showing constant improvement

January 15, 2008

Despite the team's record, many Lightning players have opportunities for advancement. PHOTO/ESP1000.com

Having the entire month of January off might have been just what the doctor ordered for the St. Louis Lightning as it recharges its batteries for the last month and a half of the regular season.

“There’s no doubt that we have the toughest travel schedule in our league, and this time is allowing us some much needed rest,” said Lightning coach-GM Kory Haywood, whose team will return to the ice on Feb. 1 to host the Wisconsin Mustangs for a three-game set.

With only six wins after 39 games, the Lightning has struggled to find the win column this season.  That, however, has not demoralized spirits in St. Louis’ camp.

“Normally, looking at a record like ours, you’d expect to be extremely frustrated with a lot of dissention within the team, but there’s none of that going on here,” said Haywood.  “Our players have continued to battle and have not given up.”

With one of the youngest teams in the entire MJHL – the Lightning boasts 11 1990- and 1991-borns on its rosters – opportunities abound for a number of players who are looking to advance to higher levels of junior hockey as well as college.

Haywood reports that defenseman Sean Gammage has received inquiries from several NAHL teams for next season, while a number of Lightning plan on attending Tier II camps, including forwards David Coleman, Drew Schmelig and Mark Kirksey; defenseman Steven Morgan; and goaltenders Corey Rickermann and Kyle Enderle.

“That and a number of players are looking to go to school and are still trying to figure out where they’ll be attending,” said Haywood.

With every player showing signs of improvement this season, third-year forward Tyler Tesson stands out among the rest.  Tesson, who didn’t have more that six points in either of his first two seasons with the Lightning, is one of the league’s leading scorers this year with 35 points (21 goals).

“Tyler has been unbelievable as a leader and player this season,” said Haywood.  “He’s brought out not only the best in himself, but has made his linemate, R.C. Martin, a better player."

Martin, a veteran, has centered St. Louis’ first unit all season with Tesson along for the ride.

“They’ve been our most dangerous line,” said Haywood.

Another pleasant surprise has been the evolution of defenseman Barclay Berner.  A tryout walk-up coming into the season, the 18-year-old has proven to be the Lightning’s best defenseman.

“He’s possibly improved the most of any player I’ve ever been around throughout the course of a season,” said Haywood.  “He’s been a physical force on the blue line for us."

The consummate team player, Berner has also played through several injuries to keep St. Louis’ defensive corps balanced in numbers.

“He’s a leader that will hopefully step into Tesson’s shoes after he ages out next season.”

The Lightning knows it won’t be easy, but it still has hopes of climbing out of the cellar. Wherever its finishes, however, the progress the entire team has made this year has already made the season a success.

“We’re not a disappointment,” said Haywood.  “We have work to do as a program to continue our improvement, but the players have come a long ways since the beginning of the year.”

Back on the ice last weekend, the Granite City Lumberjacks rolled off two wins, starting with an 8-3 victory over the Twin Cities Northern Lights on Saturday.  Tyler Wahl and Fred Bidinger each recorded a goal and an assist in the victory, while goaltender Tyler Venne made 23 saves.

The next day, Brady Borer struck for two goals, including the game-winner, as the Lumberjacks grounded the Minnesota Flying Aces, 6-4.  Wahl added a goal and two assists, and netminder Justin Lochner turned aside 33 shots.  Tony Schultz scored two goals for the Aces.

Jake Pumper, Colin Barnauskas and Eric Krezman (game-winner) all fashioned two-goal games as the Hudson Crusaders continued their surge with a 8-2 triumph over the St. Paul Lakers on Sunday.  Reed Zweber chipped in a goal and an assist, while goaltender Adam Buegler stopped 20 shots. 

The Minnesota Owls also picked up a victory last weekend, a 9-4 decision over the Lakers on Saturday.  Justin Neis recorded a hat trick, including the game-winning goal, and an assist, while Chad Mars and Zach Wohlers each added a goal and an assist. Between the pipes, Phil Poeschl steered aside 32 shots. Jeremy Wicker scored two goals for the Lakers.

The Mustangs found the win column twice last weekend, starting with a 7-3 victory over the first-place Minnesota Ice Hawks on Saturday. Andrew Dammen (game-winner) and Marcus Makinen each potted two goals for Wisconsin, while Matt Borndale added three assists.  In goal, Brian Dalbec turned aside 36 shots.  Kevin Nolt scored two goals for the Ice Hawks.

Christian Hjertquist tallied two goals as the Mustangs doubled up the Northern Lights on Sunday, 4-2.  Borndale connected for the game-winning marker, while Dalbec stopped 28 shots.

The Ice Hawks picked up a win over the Lakers on Sunday, 11-2.  Danny Grady, Josh Whitney and Dirk Foss (game-winner) each came through with a pair of goals in the victory, while Ryan Goodmanson and Chris Thompson each recorded three assists.  Brett Bergum steered aside 11 shots to pick up the win in net.