Took the day off work so I just watched last nights Hamilton game. They actually played a solid game as they had a great 1st period where they threw 19 shots on goal. Jack Campbell was making his AHL debut for the stars and was impressive but Hamilton stuck with it and Mayer kept them in the game.
The top line was Willsie Engqvist Nattinen and they looked good out there. Engqvist had a sweet setup to Nattinen for the game winner from behind the net with just over a minute to go in a tie game in the 3rd. Dumont made a nice move on his PP goal as well. Berger has continued to look better so hopefully he can build off that.
Masse made his return, the game didn't have the Hamilton feed so I didn't get any injury updates on Schultz, Fortier, Callahan, etc...
The Dogs are 6 pts out of the playoffs with 7 games to play. They are currently 14th in their conference but are .500 on the season.
Hoping the Habs draft Forsberg after backing Grigorenko all year and possibly get Vasilievski,this would make Hamilton's chances much better next year.The prospects for the Bulldogs are immense next season,kind of envious and I can't wait for the defencemen coming in a couple of years.
Took the day off work so I just watched last nights Hamilton game. They actually played a solid game as they had a great 1st period where they threw 19 shots on goal. Jack Campbell was making his AHL debut for the stars and was impressive but Hamilton stuck with it and Mayer kept them in the game.
The top line was Willsie Engqvist Nattinen and they looked good out there. Engqvist had a sweet setup to Nattinen for the game winner from behind the net with just over a minute to go in a tie game in the 3rd. Dumont made a nice move on his PP goal as well. Berger has continued to look better so hopefully he can build off that.
Masse made his return, the game didn't have the Hamilton feed so I didn't get any injury updates on Schultz, Fortier, Callahan, etc...
The Dogs are 6 pts out of the playoffs with 7 games to play. They are currently 14th in their conference but are .500 on the season.
Thanks for these updates, much appreciated.
What's your (and other posters') take on Nattinen's future? Center or wing, going forward? Does he look quicker than at the beginning of the season? Who do you think would be a more likely 4th line midseason injury replacement next season, Nattinen or Dumont?
Naatinen has played really well for the last couple months as a wing. He might get moved back to C next year though with all the RWs coming to Hamilton.
He looked like he just needed time to adjust to smaller ice and he's done that now.
As for who the callup is next year camp will tell the story but I'd put Naatinen as the favorite. Dumont had a great camp this year but his season is disapointing
What's your (and other posters') take on Nattinen's future? Center or wing, going forward? Does he look quicker than at the beginning of the season? Who do you think would be a more likely 4th line midseason injury replacement next season, Nattinen or Dumont?
I assume they have a good reason for keeping him at wing, like Leblanc, so perhaps he will stay on the wing. We'll see how he does next year after a full season in North America under his belt. He's been much better in the 2nd half but still not overly impressive imo.
Dumont has been solid for what type of game he plays but really disappointed in the lack of offensive production. Granted he's hit career highs in goals and points but 22 points in 54 games is much less then I was expecting this year.
That said as to who would get called up first to me it would depend on who is injured and what type of role they play.
I assume they have a good reason for keeping him at wing, like Leblanc, so perhaps he will stay on the wing. We'll see how he does next year after a full season in North America under his belt. He's been much better in the 2nd half but still not overly impressive imo.
Dumont has been solid for what type of game he plays but really disappointed in the lack of offensive production. Granted he's hit career highs in goals and points but 22 points in 54 games is much less then I was expecting this year.
That said as to who would get called up first to me it would depend on who is injured and what type of role they play.
Do you see Dumont on a 4th line next season in Montreal, or as #13 forward ?
His play reminds me a lot the way Max Talbot is playing (maybe less talentted than him, though)
If the Dogs can win tonight (1-1 after 2), they'll be 5 points out with 6 games left to play and they play the 8th place Americans next Saturday in Hamilton. They also play some other so-so teams like Lake Erie and Grand Rapids twice. In short, there's still a small chance.
I really hope Moen, Darche and Kaberle come back for our next game so we can send down 3 players to help them. Gallagher getting eliminated in the WHL and joining them would also be a big boost.
Cripes, I jinxed it, Houston scores. 2-1 now.
Willsie ties it! Now in OT.
Last edited by Marc the Habs Fan: 03-31-2012 at 10:48 PM.
That was one strange game. First they didn't think the game would even happen as the ice compresser broke so they had to delay the start of the game for an hour. Then Mayer gives up a softie and it looks like we are going to be in for a long night but then he regains his form and shuts the door. Dogs end up winning it in OT as Willsie has all the sudden be Mr Game Winner, as he's picked up a couple game winners in the past week or so.
The road trip from hell ends on tuesday in tough fashion against the oilers farm team. After that the Dogs finish the remaining 5 games against division rivals so it should at least be interesting especially if the Dogs get any of Leblanc, St-Denis, Geoffrion or Palushaj who are all on the clear day roster. Out of all the players they need St-Denis the most but any would be huge.
Fortier and Schultz both made their return so up front they are finally getting healthy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by habitue
Do you see Dumont on a 4th line next season in Montreal, or as #13 forward ?
His play reminds me a lot the way Max Talbot is playing (maybe less talentted than him, though)
No I don't think he makes the team out of camp, would be surprised if he did but could see him getting a callup at some point.
It sure would be nice to have the Bulldogs to cheer on,having both teams out of the playoffs is like being a new franchise all over again.I sure hope the new GM makes the best of the Entry Draft choices the Habs have this year and next.
I hope the AHL takes a look at the close playoff races and realize they need to go back to playing 80 games. Taking away those 4 games was stupid and now the fans pay the price as that's 4 playoff like games that we won't get to see. Of course as a Dogs fan I'm more pissed off since being 5 pts back after being on the road trip from hell, with those extra 4 games it would have given the dogs a little more hope as they head back for some home games.
Oh well, hopefully they send Gallagher to Hamilton for the final 6 games, they are must wins games so at least he would step into a situation where the games mean something plus they could sorely use an offensive boost.
I hope the AHL takes a look at the close playoff races and realize they need to go back to playing 80 games. Taking away those 4 games was stupid and now the fans pay the price as that's 4 playoff like games that we won't get to see. Of course as a Dogs fan I'm more pissed off since being 5 pts back after being on the road trip from hell, with those extra 4 games it would have given the dogs a little more hope as they head back for some home games.
Oh well, hopefully they send Gallagher to Hamilton for the final 6 games, they are must wins games so at least he would step into a situation where the games mean something plus they could sorely use an offensive boost.
I hope the AHL takes a look at the close playoff races and realize they need to go back to playing 80 games. Taking away those 4 games was stupid and now the fans pay the price as that's 4 playoff like games that we won't get to see. Of course as a Dogs fan I'm more pissed off since being 5 pts back after being on the road trip from hell, with those extra 4 games it would have given the dogs a little more hope as they head back for some home games.
Oh well, hopefully they send Gallagher to Hamilton for the final 6 games, they are must wins games so at least he would step into a situation where the games mean something plus they could sorely use an offensive boost.
Yes it is too bad but realistically even with a bunch of recruits we need to win all six and hope that the 4 or 5 teams we are chasing play less than 500 hockey. Still it would be noce to see Gallagher.
Avtsin is a healthy scratch, Berger takes his place in the lineup as he was out healthy last game. Callahan and Stafford are still day to day same for Lawson.
Delmas in net. Dogs got to stay out of the box, have already taken 4 minors in the 1st but their PK has been hot of late.
Avtsin is a healthy scratch, Berger takes his place in the lineup as he was out healthy last game. Callahan and Stafford are still day to day same for Lawson.
Delmas in net. Dogs got to stay out of the box, have already taken 4 minors in the 1st but their PK has been hot of late.
Willsie Engqvist Nattinen is the top line.
Good top line -3 in a 3-0 loss and Enqvist is known as a defensive guy.
Darling, 23, has played 35 games for the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Mississippi RiverKings, compiling a 15-17-1 record with a 2.92 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound native of Lemont, Illinois previously played for the University of Maine and the USHL’s Indiana Ice.
Pro tryout deal
I think he was a Coyotes late round draft pick that was never signed
Good top line -3 in a 3-0 loss and Enqvist is known as a defensive guy.
Had nothing to do with them though. The first goal was a 2 on 1, the 2nd goal was all Maka's fault as he couldn't handle his man in the crease as he was outmuscled. The last was an empty netter.
Dogs were just flat, cann't really blame them though as it's stupid that the schedule makers had such a brutal road trip at this time of the year.
