PR - Saints

Saskatoon Loves the Saints

As the regular season enters its final month, the city of Saskatoon is overflowing with enthusiasm to what the fans believe will be the franchises most first real chance at a TFHL Championship. With great depth throughout the roster, the Saints have played consistently thoughout the season thus far and they have bounced back and forth between 1st and 2nd in the League Standings over the past 65 games. "I am confident that we will soon reclaim the lead for 1st in the league and bring home the presidents trophy by the end of the season," says Coach Ratzinger. Ratzinger took over at the beginning of this season after Young decided he would try a more apostolic approach to coaching. All hockey heresies have been squashed and the player's communal confidence is strong. This may explain the success of numerous players at their various positions: Bouchard and Sjostrom have consistently been leading and in the top 5 goal scorers list, Kreps is at t he top of best rookies, Ballard for top defensemen, Higgins for points. Bryzgalov has also been winning consistently in his starts but has not been able to play every game due to fatigue. For this reason, GM Young made his first trades of the season this weekend to strengthen their goaltending depth for a long playoff run.

Dan Cloutier, who led the Achaeans to their first TFHL Championship last season, joins the Saints roster. In his first game, he was solid with 34 saves and only 1 goal against against the high-flying Misconducts. GM Young: "I like my deals - I always do! I've had my eyes on Falardeau for some time. I didn't have to give up too much for a goaltender and for a good goal scorer...Kostitsyn played fairly average for us when you consider he played on the top line with Higgins, Getzlaf and Blake. I wish him and the Achaeans luck for i'd like to meet them in the Finals so we have the honour of defeating the champions definitively!" The Saints also acquired Artemenkov from the Wheaties in another deal.

The New Ice Age

The TFHL has an all new look with young stars topping the scoring charts and new teams building fresh dynastys. The Saskatoon Saints hope to be among the elite teams throughout the next five seasons or more. The core of the team, including Higgins (C), Ballard (D), Getzlaf (RW), Bouchard (RW), Sjostrom (LW), Rozakov (D), Kreps (LW), Weber (D), Kobasew (RW) is all 21 and younger. As well, Bryzgalov continues to improve each season and at 26, he has about 5 more seasons to give to the Saints at least. Also, with Rask at 19, the future is strong in goaltending. Cloutier provides immediate veteran experience and insurance in net which has given the fans hope for a cup run. If this season is different from any others, its because of the experience added by the signings of Rob Blake, Brian Leetch, and the resignings of Jason Arnott and all-time top Saints scorer - the Joe Sakic - who the fans lovingly proclaim as "Cappo Sako." This could be Sakic's last season and he has promised a cup win to the fans and to himself. Blake may return in the offseason for he has given Young the indication that he is quite happy and would like to stay for many more seasons.