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Three days, 3 games for Drillers |
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Written by Norm Cowley
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Tuesday, 29 December 1998 |
The Drillers, 9-4 and in first place in the North Division, take on divisional rivals Buffalo Blizzard and Detroit Rockers followed by the first game of a home-and-home series with the reigning NPSL champion Milwaukee Wave this week.
It will be difficult for the Drillers to continue their winning ways on the road. In the NPSL the home team wins 70 per cent of the games. And by Thursday in Milwaukee, the Drillers will be exhausted.
Full Text (347 words)
Copyright Southam Publications Inc. Dec 29, 1998
Welcome to the Edmonton Drillers' ongoing nightmare. For the second time this season, they'll be playing three road games in as many days.
The Drillers, 9-4 and in first place in the North Division, take on divisional rivals Buffalo Blizzard and Detroit Rockers followed by the first game of a home-and-home series with the reigning NPSL champion Milwaukee Wave this week.
"If we can just bring this style with us on the road, we've got a serious chance of doing well this year," Drillers forward Domenic Mobilio said about Edmonton playing tight defence combined with explosive offence in the second half.
The Drillers have played 15 straight quarters without allowing five or more points and gave up only five or more points in a quarter twice during their previous seven games. Edmonton outscored opponents 70-32 during the second half of its past seven games.
Goalkeeper Pat Onstad was named the league's defensive player of the week Dec. 21 and the NPSL's defensive player of the month for November.
"Pat's been tremendous," said Edmonton midfielder Martin Dugas. "There are times he doesn't face a lot of shots. Sometimes, that's the hardest thing for a goalie to do because they're not getting constant action so, when they get something to do, they're not prepared. Pat's always prepared. That's a tremendous ability to stay in the game."
It will be difficult for the Drillers to continue their winning ways on the road. In the NPSL the home team wins 70 per cent of the games. And by Thursday in Milwaukee, the Drillers will be exhausted.
"Because we've done that more than other teams, there's a familiarity to it," Dugas said about the three-day endurance test, which includes a pair of overnight road trips.
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DRILL BITS
ON THE ROAD -- The Drillers play tonight in Buffalo, Wednesday night at Detroit and Thursday afternoon in Milwaukee.
* NEWCOMER -- Midfielder Paul Dailly joined the Drillers on Boxing Day after finishing his university course in Vancouver. He was added to the 16-player roster in place of Alfredo Valente for the road trip.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 19 October 2006 )
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