‘Sin bin' a second home

DARRELL L. BREESE/ Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - Entering their weekend series against the Wichita Falls Wildcats, the Wasilla Spirit Junior A Hockey team had spent over 1,000 minutes in the penalty box. All that time in the ‘sin bin' has been costly for the Spirit, which ranks second in the league to the Springfield Blues - a team that has been whistled for a league-high 1,356 minutes.

Saturday, against the Wildcats, penalties cost the Spirit a chance at another victory as they gave up three power play goals in a 5-0 loss.

During the loss, the Spirit were called for 12 infractions and a total of 51 minutes. A lofty number that included three 10-minute misconducts for abuse of the officials misconduct.

It was the 24th time in their 30 losses this season, the Spirit has been whistled for more penalty minutes than their opponents.

&#8220It's been a frustration all season,” Spirit coach Dean Larson said. &#8220I know if we can skate 5-on-5 with any team we have a chance to win. But when we are short handed, we're a different team.”

A 6-1 victory in Wasilla's last home game, Jan. 15, proves Larson's point. During that contest, the Spirit committed just one infraction, and spent two minutes in the penalty box. Coincidently, that was also the last victory for Wasilla. They have lost seven straight and have been whistled for more penalties in each of the games.

The frequent trips to the penalty box have resulted in the Spirit giving up 50 power play goals, the second-highest in the league. They trail only Western Division foe Billings, who has surrendered 63 power play tallies.

The Spirit have been just as futile when skating with a man-advantage, scoring just 26 power play goals in 259 chances, or at a rate of 10.04 percent, the worst in the league.

Andy Sternberg, with six, and Mike Glaesmer, with five, account for nearly half the team's power play tallies

&#8220It's frustrating,” Larsen said of his team's proclivity to committing penalties and allowing power play goals. &#8220It is a mental hurdle we just haven't been able to clear this season. We can be skating well, but then as the game progresses we lose focus and wide up short handed.”

The chief offender on the team is defenseman Jeff Dimmen who has accumulated 120 minutes of penalties. His total is more remarkable considering he has only played in 34 of the teams 50 games. That's an average of four minutes in the box for each game he has played.

Four other Spirit players have been penalized for at least 80 minutes.

&#8220I don't mind Jeff getting most of those penalties,” Larsen said. &#8220We count on him to be our enforcer. But too often it goes one step to far and a two minute penalty turns into five or even 10 minutes. It's not just Jeff. The whole team is committing the extra penalty.”

While Larsen is holding his team responsible for their actions, he also believes that there is a problem with consistency with the officiating in the league.

&#8220What might be a penalty one night isn't the next,” Larsen said. &#8220That is hard for the players to adjust too.

&#8220There are some guys who are calling games in this league who shouldn't be,” he concluded. &#8220But ultimately it is up to us as coaches and the players to eliminate the penalties.”

Larsen hopes his team can stay out of the penalty box for the upcoming weekend series on the road against the Santa Fe Roadrunners, Friday and Saturday.