73’s look to shutout the competition
Goaltender Trevor Wheaton (38) of the Essex 73’s sets up in goal against the Dresden Kings at the Essex Sports Complex on Sept. 22, 2015. Wheaton is in possession of the best goals against average in the Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League. (Photo by Garrett Fodor)
By Garrett Fodor/Converged Citizen Staff
The Essex 73’s made major offseason acquisitions as the team will be looking to defend their seventh Schmalz Cup.
Former Leamington Flyers goaltender Trevor Wheaton is one of the acquisitions. Through seven games Wheaton holds a league best 0.66 goals against average, while maintaining a .974 save percentage.
Head coach Gil Langlois has been pleased with Wheaton’s play since he came back to the 73’s after spending two years with the Flyers.
Since day one, he (Wheaton) has done everything that was asked,” said Langlois. “He’s been calm in the crease and has been a strong presence on the ice. He’s vocal, and a leader out there which really helps the young players and the defense.”
Wheaton said he credits much of his success to the supporting cast around him. Helping Wheaton is the team’s penalty kill unit who have successfully killed off every penalty this year.
“The defense has been playing well in front of me,” said Wheaton. “They have been really limiting the amount of chances I face every night. Despite the opposition’s attempts to get in my crease, bump me and get me off my game, I know the team has my back and I just gotta play the game and make the saves”.
Although the agitating can get serious in Wheaton’s opinion, he loves it.
“It can get bad at times but it means I am doing things right,” said Wheaton. “I feel when they [the opposition] get in my crease and bump me it just makes me focus more and overall play better”.
As of Sept. 29, the league’s GAA was 3.77. At that time Wheaton stood above all with a 0.66 GAA, which was good enough to earn him the starting job. Wheaton’s 2013 performance with the 73’s ranks as the fourth best goals against average in a season with 1.86.
Wheaton will look to better his league best goals against average and save percentage Friday night.
The 73’s currently sit in first place in the Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League winning six of seven to start the season. Wheaton will likely get the start in net against the Dresden Jr Kings.
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