Saved one of their best performances for their biggest game. Nice win and see what seed they get. Neither matchup is good but London would probably be better from a couple perspectives.
I think we beef up for the Sault game at least. With nothing to play for, you just know there will be shenanigans of some sort. Get Bowen Bilke and Smith plenty of ice in that one I think.
Find that very fine line between having some fun with the big boys and not getting suspended. Last thing we need is a handful of guys out because we got stupid and started brawls.
A good game all around. Nice to see them get into the playoffs. Kids were facing a bit of pressure with the ability to secure at least a spot in the playoffs tonight and they answered the bell. Well done. They were also facing a bit of adversity since a loss would have made the task that much more difficult but as I already stated they ansered the bell.
As for the playoffs, "resting" a couple of kids or whatever when they still have a chance to move up. Now is not the time to teach them to back off. They still have a shot at 7th and regardless of who their opponent may be they need to learn to go for every bit of ground they can gain. dress the appropriate players for the opponent they will be facing but other than that you maintain your core.
A nice high end draft pick would be nice to add to the line up, but not at the expense of what these kids have to gain by continueing to go out there and give it their all to further improve on their season.
A young team that realistically is looking at a first round exit from the playoffs but that is not guaranteed, regardless of who they face.
Realistically most people thought this game was sure to be a loss. the kids went out, played the game and pulled off the big win.
Never look past your next opponent, especially this time of year where anything can happen. Worry about round one when it starts but until then worry about Saginaw and beating them and then the Soo after that game is over.
A nice high end draft pick would be nice to add to the line up, but not at the expense of what these kids have to gain by continueing to go out there and give it their all to further improve on their season.
The last two games show why making the playoffs was important.
From a single player, look directly at Maletta. I think he was one of the best players on the ice tonight and was strong against Sarnia as well. He's shown not only skill but some heart in playing his strongest at crunch time. Even without an extended run, he'll have an opportunity to grow a few more games much like Vail and Kerby did last year. At least he'll head into the off-season with confidence of knowing he can play in the O.
From the team perspective, much like the last five minutes on Sunday, this young team locked down an older, more skilled opponent. Yes there was some luck from the posts but in two of the biggest games of the season, this team played smart in its own end and won the little battles to hold a lead.
There's quite an obsession on this thread about generational talents and wanting to replicate the two Cup teams but really, the last two games may have been the blueprint for the next Cup contender. Is it hard to see the current roster's core develop into either of the OHL's Memorial Cup participants last year with perhaps more skill?
Pavelka is certainly making this off-season interesting. Unless Tolchinski, Nichushkin or Serebryakov are ready to come over from Russia (I didn't see anything out of Hagg during the two Sweden games I caught), I'm thinking having a known quantity in net to team with Dekort is the better way to go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jughead42
London doesn't impress me much as a team, even though they have a lot of really good players. As a team, they aren't anything special though.
Glad I'm not the only one. Thought that after London's last visit even with their lopsided win. Seems to be a lack of heart. Never thought I'd associate Austin Watson with such a statement but he was pretty invisible. Same for McKegg and I'll never understand the love for Namestinkov. It's hard not imagining Plymouth tearing this team apart.
The last two games show why making the playoffs was important.
From a single player, look directly at Maletta. I think he was one of the best players on the ice tonight and was strong against Sarnia as well. He's shown not only skill but some heart in playing his strongest at crunch time. Even without an extended run, he'll have an opportunity to grow a few more games much like Vail and Kerby did last year. At least he'll head into the off-season with confidence of knowing he can play in the O.
From the team perspective, much like the last five minutes on Sunday, this young team locked down an older, more skilled opponent. Yes there was some luck from the posts but in two of the biggest games of the season, this team played smart in its own end and won the little battles to hold a lead.
There's quite an obsession on this thread about generational talents and wanting to replicate the two Cup teams but really, the last two games may have been the blueprint for the next Cup contender. Is it hard to see the current roster's core develop into either of the OHL's Memorial Cup participants last year with perhaps more skill?
Pavelka is certainly making this off-season interesting. Unless Tolchinski, Nichushkin or Serebryakov are ready to come over from Russia (I didn't see anything out of Hagg during the two Sweden games I caught), I'm thinking having a known quantity in net to team with Dekort is the better way to go.
Glad I'm not the only one. Thought that after London's last visit even with their lopsided win. Seems to be a lack of heart. Never thought I'd associate Austin Watson with such a statement but he was pretty invisible. Same for McKegg and I'll never understand the love for Namestinkov. It's hard not imagining Plymouth tearing this team apart.
McKegg hasn't seemed interested the last month in London. Names has struggles for a while he'll have his good games but since the WJC he's been invisible and turning the puck over at a alarming rate. Surprised to Watson mentioned like that... he's been London's best since the deadline. London hasn't had much interest the last two weeks and they're starting to make me wonder if playoff pressure is too much. This is a young team with 2 players(Watson, Knight) that deep playoff runs under the belt. The rest have first and second round loss.
Me personally, I'd be fine with losing both and Guelph winning one, but I don't think Guelph wins either against OS, so we're looking at the 7th seed regardless so might as well try to win out.
Guelph/Owen Sound are 3/3 so far and chances are they take 1 of the 2 games.
Guelph has not played well against London or Plymouth so Guelph has no preference who they play in the playoffs. As for us, we should be trying to match up against London instead of Plymouth. London first overall is not a given as well so we may need to win the games. It's going to be an interesting weekend.
McKegg hasn't seemed interested the last month in London. Names has struggles for a while he'll have his good games but since the WJC he's been invisible and turning the puck over at a alarming rate. Surprised to Watson mentioned like that... he's been London's best since the deadline. London hasn't had much interest the last two weeks and they're starting to make me wonder if playoff pressure is too much. This is a young team with 2 players(Watson, Knight) that deep playoff runs under the belt. The rest have first and second round loss.
A friend of mine went to the London game, and he stopped by my house afterwards. We were talking about the knights, and how neither of us were very impressed with them, and I mentioned how surprising that was with talented guys like Watson etc. He looked at me kind of shocked, then said "London has Austin Watson now?" (he doesn't follow the league as closely as I do I guess) "I didn't even notice he was on the ice." I love the guy as a player, but sure didn't see him do much to put London over the top myself.
The last two games show why making the playoffs was important.
From a single player, look directly at Maletta. I think he was one of the best players on the ice tonight and was strong against Sarnia as well. He's shown not only skill but some heart in playing his strongest at crunch time. Even without an extended run, he'll have an opportunity to grow a few more games much like Vail and Kerby did last year. At least he'll head into the off-season with confidence of knowing he can play in the O.
From the team perspective, much like the last five minutes on Sunday, this young team locked down an older, more skilled opponent. Yes there was some luck from the posts but in two of the biggest games of the season, this team played smart in its own end and won the little battles to hold a lead.
There's quite an obsession on this thread about generational talents and wanting to replicate the two Cup teams but really, the last two games may have been the blueprint for the next Cup contender. Is it hard to see the current roster's core develop into either of the OHL's Memorial Cup participants last year with perhaps more skill?
Pavelka is certainly making this off-season interesting. Unless Tolchinski, Nichushkin or Serebryakov are ready to come over from Russia (I didn't see anything out of Hagg during the two Sweden games I caught), I'm thinking having a known quantity in net to team with Dekort is the better way to go.
Glad I'm not the only one. Thought that after London's last visit even with their lopsided win. Seems to be a lack of heart. Never thought I'd associate Austin Watson with such a statement but he was pretty invisible. Same for McKegg and I'll never understand the love for Namestinkov. It's hard not imagining Plymouth tearing this team apart.
I don't think you can afford to keep Pavelka around. There's no chance he will be around for 13/14. You will have a high import pick top 12-15 which you can utilize and bring in a very good player for 2 maybe even 3 years. It would be a very poor use of resources to keep Pavelka around and sacrifice your import pick especially when the team needs to be upgraded on offense and defense and this is one of the best ways to do it since you will have a more experienced guy coming in. That won't necessarily happen with the draft in April.
I don't think it's London not performing well more than it's been Plymouth finally playing lights out hockey winning 2 in a row. London hasn't been great lately they have merely been average which in most circumstances would be good enough if a team didn't run off 10 wins in a row.
I don't think there was any type of blueprint against Sarnia, they played a backup a goalie who stunk it up their 3rd game in 2.5 days dressing 9 forwards without Yakupov. Windsor took advantage of the situation but overall against Sarnia that was some ugly hockey, they got the W which was important but that game also exposed the issues Windsor still has. The game last night was a huge improvement but judging singular games can be a big issue for instance is Guelph going to be a top team in the future because they went into Plymouth and won 9-1?
We'll have to trade Pavelka, but his playing decent enough down this stretch means we might actually be able to get something of value for him. Maybe package him and whatever else to get a new non-import goalie to pair with DeKort.
Looking at the draft in three weeks it seems like we'll be looking at who's left of McDavid(first overall), Ho-Sang, McKeown(D), McCann, Fabbri and Cornel. Kingston takes Ho-Sang or McKeown, supposedly the Petes had Cornel in for a visit in owners box for last Pete's home game. I know we want a sniper/scorer but if defenceman McKeown is left to us at 6 we'd have to take him as a value pick.
We'll have to trade Pavelka, but his playing decent enough down this stretch means we might actually be able to get something of value for him. Maybe package him and whatever else to get a new non-import goalie to pair with DeKort.
I still think it will be difficult to find a place for Pavelka. This is going under the assumption a team would want Pavelka as a #1 and not a backup because if a team wants him as a backup then he has very little value.
By my count the only teams that may/should have interest are Sudbury and Kingston. longshot at Ottawa or London. Obviously if Houser is back there won't be interest. Ottawa would probably be better off drafting one of their own unless they really want to keep Campbell and Nishi.
Looking at the draft in three weeks it seems like we'll be looking at who's left of McDavid(first overall), Ho-Sang, McKeown(D), McCann, Fabbri and Cornel. Kingston takes Ho-Sang or McKeown, supposedly the Petes had Cornel in for a visit in owners box for last Pete's home game. I know we want a sniper/scorer but if defenceman McKeown is left to us at 6 we'd have to take him as a value pick.
Next year I think the spits will get a 93 born goalie ie Chartrand from belleville but it wont cost Clarke or Maletta
From what I hear spits might just go with Dekort and Kuchmey next year
Both have had great years and look to be ready for the next level
Import. Can only have two and Spits want to make a pick in the 2012 Import Draft to help with scoring up front in our top 6. Khokhlachev or course is our other current import and isn't going anywhere.
Pavelka - Marchese - Alonge & McQueen left at home to rest for the weekend according to Jim Parker & Go_Spits_Go just tweeted that Smith and JDK are on the bus
Odd choices of guys to rest. I would have thought they would have rotated guys like Rychel and Vail out to rest. The MacQueen/Maletta/Alonge line have been great for us lately.
Cullen should start tonight. DeKort should start Saturday.
Odd choices of guys to rest. I would have thought they would have rotated guys like Rychel and Vail out to rest. The MacQueen/Maletta/Alonge line have been great for us lately.
Cullen should start tonight. DeKort should start Saturday.
Well considering Pavelka got run into last night and is are #1 going into the playoffs while Alonge, McQueen and Marchese all have injuries that have effected them i would like to see Cullen start in Saginaw and Dekort start in SSM
Odd choices of guys to rest. I would have thought they would have rotated guys like Rychel and Vail out to rest. The MacQueen/Maletta/Alonge line have been great for us lately.
Cullen should start tonight. DeKort should start Saturday.
Lineup changes might have been those players except for Pavelka may be more dinged up
You are right I would go with Cully tonite and DeKort tomorrow at the Soo
What's the scoop on Ebert at this point? I noticed that his point totals are now about the same as they were last year and he's now even with his +/- (better than last year). Not the best way to evaluate, but I don't get to see much OHL action.
Coming into the year, he was expected to be THE man on the blue-line. People pegged him as the next Ellis, good or bad. His off-ice attitude was no secret (and not good) and that lead to some issues both on the ice and off. He openly criticized his draft status at one point and has fallen from Top 10 prospect to, really, be happy you're drafted. This has resulted in a combination of "I'm the best" attitude on the ice, but when it doesn't materialize (and it often doesn't), he gets frustrated and tries to do too much.
When he's on his game (it's happened at points), he's got a rocket shot from the point (hardest in the Prospects game) and he's a physical, serious d-man.
When he's off his game, he'll rush the puck to behind the opposition goaltender, or try to beat two-or-three players by himself, often giving up the puck in the offensive end, leading to a odd-man break going the other way.
Really, he's one of those players who will go as far as he wants, but as long as he thinks he's already there, he won't go far. An NHL team could seriously humble him and I think it'd be worth the risk to grab him in the draft. He has all the tools. It's just his head game is so far off, I don't believe a first, or even second round selection is a guarantee at this point.
A friend of mine went to the London game, and he stopped by my house afterwards. We were talking about the knights, and how neither of us were very impressed with them, and I mentioned how surprising that was with talented guys like Watson etc. He looked at me kind of shocked, then said "London has Austin Watson now?" (he doesn't follow the league as closely as I do I guess) "I didn't even notice he was on the ice." I love the guy as a player, but sure didn't see him do much to put London over the top myself.
Something that would have helped London would have been a 6'3+ 215+ power forward. Watson helps this team out IMO more then McKegg does. You win games like Windsor did last night in the playoffs... Ya it's nice to out score you opponents 7-1 but if your opponent where's you down because of your own style you lose. Look how well London did 2 years ago against Kitchener. London has no forwards except Anderson that can lean on you and create problems. The Ruperts are good but aren't a Salters, MacDermid or even Rinaldo type. Nobody is afraid of the London forecheck partially because we have none it's dump it in and retreat.
OHLTG... I don't think you're being entirely fair to Ebert as to his recent play. Since the acquisition of Braithwaite and Holden, Ebert has much improved and his performance have been more like the Ebert that was hyped last year. He's simplified his game and it has translated into better on-ice performance.
He does have an attitude problem but he is a teenager after all. He will go 3rd round at the latest and hopefully the NHL team will help him along with the mental aspect of the game.
