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*Jayba1t* · 06-28-2021, 11:39 PM

With Season 60 of the SMJHL officially underway, Colorado has played 11 games so far and has gotten off to a solid start. With a 7-4-0 record, let's take a deeper look into the Raptors defense.

TEAM STATS

Goals Against: 14 (3rd)
Shots Against: 28.5/game

Goal Differential: +10 (3rd)

Overall, the team has done a good job at preventing goals, with an average of 2.9 goals against per game.

For players, let's start off with the goalies. The backbone and arguably the most important player on the team, especially on defense, excellent goaltending is a must to succeed.

GOALIES

Senji Seteki- The 3rd alternate captain, Seteki has been very good into the season. Playing in 10 of 11 games so far, Seteki has played himself into the #1 starter role after serving as the backup last season. With the offense, they have mostly been able to keep Seteki's work light at times with a few blowouts to help ease pressure. Not a knock on Seteki's play, he has posted a 2.86 GAA and 0.890 SV% along with a shutout. Even though the numbers aren’t the prettiest, they have been inflated by one rough start. If Senji can keep up this excellent play for the season, the Raptors will be in a good position for goaltending. Seteki also had an excellent preseason. (1.93 GAA and 0.938% alongside 2 shutouts) With these numbers, Seteki has cemented and proved himself a #1 goalie the defense can rely one.

Yanno Rosejac- Once the starter, Rosejac has been inactive, leading to reassignment to the backup role. Playing in 1 game this season, Rosejac was good, allowing 3 goals on 50 shots. He did not play in the preseason.

DEFENSE

Defense, one of the more key parts to winning, has fared pretty well so far.

Angus McFife VXIII - Basil Sivart

Jamal Nightingale - Hans Graf

Rovilio Clocksberg Jr. - Leon Schweingruber

Angus McFife XVIII- McFife was recently voted as the captain for Colorado has demonstrated his leadership through his presence and play. He leads by example on and off the ice with his excellent game and leadership within the lockerroom. As the quarterback dman on the team, carrying puck from end to end, McFife has gotten 8 points, 6 helpers while driving a lot of the play and making an impact offensively. He also plays the most minutes a night, averaging over 22. In an interesting stat, he has taken 44 shots, which ranks 2nd on the team.

Basil Sivart- Angus McFife XVIII's partner, Basil Sivart is a crease clearing defenseman who has the best defensive game (76 DR), stats and reads on the team. Sivart plays a big role on the team’s first PK unit, getting 3 minutes a night while getting first pair minutes. He's no slouch on offense either though, with 8 points (3G, 8A) in 11 games. He isn’t afraid to get physical and his defensive stats show: 23 hits and 25 blocks. Since defensive dmen usually don’t get recognized for their efforts as much, Sivart could be the underrated player on the team.

2nd pairing- Nightingale and Graf form a solid second d pair, getting 20 minutes a night each. Nightingale plays a shutdown defense minded role, with over 3 minutes of penalty kill each night, shutting down opponent offenses. Nightingale has shown aptitude in physical battles, blocking 20 shots and getting 17 hits. Nightingale’s 70 DR ranks 2nd on the team, with only Sivart behind. Graf can play both ends as a two-way dman. His extra TOI comes on the 2nd Power Play unit, Graf has recorded 3 points (2-1-3). What you may not realize between these two is they are both rookies! With the poise, confidence and skill they play with, you wouldn’t be able to tell.

3rd pairing- The final pair, Rovolio Clocksberg Jr and Leon Schweingruber round out an overall superb defense on the Raptors. Both average 16-18 minutes a game including penalty killing duties. Clocksberg Jr. (1-3-4) and Schweingruber (1-2-3) really fit their roles well within the team.

In conclusion, Colorado’s Defense is a really well rounded system and plays well in both zones with the personnel and players they have. With lights-out goaltending plus fearless and reliable defenders, the Raptors defense will give them a chance to win every day.