The Manitoulin Islanders have still had their share of struggles this season. But things do indeed appear to be looking somewhat more positive now.
The Islanders suffered through a dismal 2007/08 campaign, winning just two out of their 50 regular season contests.
The club, coached by former NHL star Reggie Leach, also finds itself at the bottom of the NOJHL standings this season.
But the Islanders have registered three big wins since calendars were switched over to a new year, to bring their season total of victories up to five.
Two of the Manitoulin victories in ’09 have been against the Soo Eagles. The Islanders dumped the visiting Eagles 8-5 on Jan. 30. Manitoulin then edged the host Eagles 4-3 on Feb. 15.
The Islanders also defeated the visiting North Bay Skyhawks 5-4, in a match decided by a shootout, on Feb. 6. That triumph was especially sweet for Manitoulin since North Bay is occupying top spot in the NOJHL’s over-all league standings.
Manitoulin had picked up 12 points in 44 games this season and was in the basement of the league’s four-team Western Division. The Islanders trailed the third-place Blind River Beavers by 36 points and were a whopping 54 points behind the division-leading Soo Thunderbirds.
With their improved play of late, and the fact all league entrants advance to the playoffs, no doubt the Islanders are hoping to pull off some post-season upsets. |