With two weeks remaining in the season, the Scotsmen were under heavy media scrutiny. The questions post-game in Albert Couty to the coaching and management were animated and about how the changes being made have been ineffective, general frustration with the play of starting netminder Yaroslav Askarov, and how a rookie winger looks like he will lead a team in scoring while the team may allow the most goals against in the Lemieux conference and perhaps the entire ODBHL.
Recent changes since the trade deadline deal to bring in defenseman Cale Makar, included a multi position change moving Trevor Zegras to center Elias Pettersson on the right side and moved rookie Alexis Lafreniere to the left side. Today in practice, Lafreniere was seen back on the right side where he has lead the team in scoring and Pettersson on the left with Zegras still at center. Later in practice, Tkachuk was on the line with Pettersson and Zegras and Lafreniere was being centered by Sam Poulin with Barrett Hayton on his off wing. This may indicate the rookie may be asked to push the 2nd line while Thachuk may return to a top line position, possibly adding some physicality.
On the topic of Askarov, he left the ice during practice first indicating he will be the starter against the Dorchester Devils. Since the trade deadline, Askarov has only started 5 of 11 games, allowing 15 goals with a record of 2 wins and 3 losses. The issue has been around quality starts, especially in his last two starts were his saves percentage was 0.714 and 0.815 even though the team won despite his performance against the Oromocto Senators. He will be under extreme scrutiny the rest of the season, but especially against the Devils who have won only 1 of their last 10 games.
Whatever comes, the media is responding to the frustration of fans, asking for answers.
6/6/2024 - 314 words
