Victor Anilane and Arron Alphonso have something to prove – and they’re going to have to do it in the spotlight.
Anilane, entering his second year with the Lakehead Thunderwolves, and Alphonso, set to start his third on Friday night, got off to great starts last season, but for a variety of reasons, were unable to sustain that success into the second half.
For Anilane, a one-time candidate for the Swedish national junior team, it was a numbers game. When the Wolves added Matt Caria, Ryan MacDonald and the now-departed Matt Dias at Christmas, coach Joel Scherban ran out of ice time.
In Alphonso’s case, injuries kept him out of the lineup for all but 11 regular season games.
Both have high expectations heading into 2010-11, where the duo have been matched up with returning veteran Brock McPherson on what Scherban hopes can replace some gaping holes up front.
Anilane is glad for the opportunity, though he’s trying not to put to much pressure on himself as the Wolves get ready to start their 10th season on Friday night, with a non-conference clash against the visiting Ottawa Gee Gees.
“I really don’t want to prove anything for anyone. I know I can go out there and do it. And I know I have the opportunity,” said Anilane, who finished last season with 22 points in 27 games, much of it collected in an awe-inspiring first half.
“I’ve just got to go out and do it. I’m not going to think about it too much, because that’s just something that will pressure me.”
Alphonso, limited to a goal and two assists in his sophomore season with the Wolves, says for him it’s just a matter of taking things game by game, even period by period.
He’s all too aware of the opportunity Scherban is affording him and wants to make the most of it while he can.
The chemistry is there, he said of his two new linemates.
“Brock’s a special player in this league. He’s very skilled. He’s the kind of guy you get the puck to and he’s going to put the puck in the net and keep the guys happy,” Alphonso said following an early morning practice on Tuesday.
“I think me and Victor do the job down low and Brock uses his body to get the puck. Hopefully we can get some mayhem going around the net,” said Alphonso, who will be without older brother Shandor for the first time in three seasons, thanks to graduation and the call of the pros.
Scherban said the combination came from training camp tinkering, an experiment he hopes rivals the success of Edison’s light bulb or Marconi’s radio.
He called Alphonso one of his most skilled players, whose speed can make him an impact player. Anilane, a lanky, but tough forward isn’t afraid to steamroll the opposition and does all the little things right.
Joined by McPherson, Scherban hopes he’s caught lightning in a water bottle.
“Victor and Brock seemed to have good chemistry. I think their games match up pretty well. And Arron too,” he said. “They’re all guys who are pretty strong on the puck and work well in the corners. Victor and Arron can get in and get a good forecheck and hopefully create some turnovers and win some battles in the corners. That will allow Brock to get some good shots working out of the corner, which I think is his strength.”
The Wolves and Gee-Gees will face-off Friday and Saturday night at Fort William Gardens at 7:30 p.m.
Anilane, entering his second year with the Lakehead Thunderwolves, and Alphonso, set to start his third on Friday night, got off to great starts last season, but for a variety of reasons, were unable to sustain that success into the second half.
For Anilane, a one-time candidate for the Swedish national junior team, it was a numbers game. When the Wolves added Matt Caria, Ryan MacDonald and the now-departed Matt Dias at Christmas, coach Joel Scherban ran out of ice time.
In Alphonso’s case, injuries kept him out of the lineup for all but 11 regular season games.
Both have high expectations heading into 2010-11, where the duo have been matched up with returning veteran Brock McPherson on what Scherban hopes can replace some gaping holes up front.
Anilane is glad for the opportunity, though he’s trying not to put to much pressure on himself as the Wolves get ready to start their 10th season on Friday night, with a non-conference clash against the visiting Ottawa Gee Gees.
“I really don’t want to prove anything for anyone. I know I can go out there and do it. And I know I have the opportunity,” said Anilane, who finished last season with 22 points in 27 games, much of it collected in an awe-inspiring first half.
“I’ve just got to go out and do it. I’m not going to think about it too much, because that’s just something that will pressure me.”
Alphonso, limited to a goal and two assists in his sophomore season with the Wolves, says for him it’s just a matter of taking things game by game, even period by period.
He’s all too aware of the opportunity Scherban is affording him and wants to make the most of it while he can.
The chemistry is there, he said of his two new linemates.
“Brock’s a special player in this league. He’s very skilled. He’s the kind of guy you get the puck to and he’s going to put the puck in the net and keep the guys happy,” Alphonso said following an early morning practice on Tuesday.
“I think me and Victor do the job down low and Brock uses his body to get the puck. Hopefully we can get some mayhem going around the net,” said Alphonso, who will be without older brother Shandor for the first time in three seasons, thanks to graduation and the call of the pros.
Scherban said the combination came from training camp tinkering, an experiment he hopes rivals the success of Edison’s light bulb or Marconi’s radio.
He called Alphonso one of his most skilled players, whose speed can make him an impact player. Anilane, a lanky, but tough forward isn’t afraid to steamroll the opposition and does all the little things right.
Joined by McPherson, Scherban hopes he’s caught lightning in a water bottle.
“Victor and Brock seemed to have good chemistry. I think their games match up pretty well. And Arron too,” he said. “They’re all guys who are pretty strong on the puck and work well in the corners. Victor and Arron can get in and get a good forecheck and hopefully create some turnovers and win some battles in the corners. That will allow Brock to get some good shots working out of the corner, which I think is his strength.”
The Wolves and Gee-Gees will face-off Friday and Saturday night at Fort William Gardens at 7:30 p.m.
