The Borderland Thunder net became much less crowded this morning.
Head coach Dave Allison announced goalies Tom Iwaniec and Kyle Rogers have been released, which comes on the heels of the SIJHL team letting go netminder Chris Cain two weeks ago.
“They’re all competent goalies,” said Allison. “We just had too many.”
Iwaniec, who had compiled an 8-5-3 record and a 2.85 goals against average in 21 games last season backing up starter Rob Hrabec, was 1-0-1 with a 4.50 GAA this year.
Rogers, brought in from the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League late last month, won both his starts while posting a 3.50 GAA.
The Thunder goaltending chores now fall to D’arcy and Jamie Munroe, cousins who came over from the Manitoba Junior ‘A’ Hockey League.
D’arcy, 17, joined the Thunder on Monday after spending the first part of this season with the defending MJHL champion OCN Blizzard.
Jamie, 18, spent last season with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. He earned the victory in his Thunder debut last Friday in a 5-3 win against the Northwest Wisconsin Knights here.
Meanwhile, Allison added a deal was being worked on involving defenceman Mark Morin, who was acquired from the Dryden Ice Dogs along with forward Rob Scales for former Thunder defenceman Terry Parisien last week.
“We couldn’t guarantee Mark any ice time so we’re trying to find him a place to play,” noted Allison.
In related news, an already-thin Borderland roster added another name to its injury list this week.
Forward A.J. Tucker, tied for fourth in team scoring with a goal and six assists for seven points, had an in-grown toenail removed Tuesday and will miss this weekend’s games in Nipigon against the Feathermen Hawks.
Thunder captain Josh Baxter’s knee injury also will keep him out of the line-up this weekend, with his return to be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.
Forward Aaron Grynol (shoulder/rotator cuff) has had his return bumped back at least another two weeks while defenceman Ryan Hampton (concussion) is not expected back until at least December.
