0-0 just into the 2nd. The 'Pack outshot the Devils 15-5 in the first. Play is more even in the 2nd so far, but HFD still appears to be the better team.
Go 'Pack! Byers and Jessiman got some time on the previous PP.
So eerie watching this game. Lowell Devils include guys named Parise, Pandolfo, Gionta, McGillis, LaCouture, Marshall - feels like I'm listening to a pro game. As an added bonus, the ref is Jamie Koharski.
An observation on Dawes - he's almost TOO N-S. He is always going a mile a minute toward the net and always takes the writster or slapshot before he gets there. There's no variation in his game - he never goes wide, he never dekes and, worst of all, he never passes unless it's up/down the boards. Maybe it's just this game, but I've been somewhat dicouraged by his play so far - don't get me wrong, he looks good doing it here where he's so much faster and has better hands than the competition, but that won't cut it at the next level.
Olver looks good - very skilled with the puck, seems to be able to dictate play in the offensive zone. Great speed. He's pretty slight, though - needs to add some beef.
Reese has been pretty invisible - but for a D, that can be a good thing.
Dawes can't be N-S or shoot enough. Half the big club either has no ability to shoot, won't shoot or skates in circles. Dawes is a sniper and has been his entire career. Something this team badly needs. If Renney had put him on a scoring line all year he'd have 15+ goals by now.
HFD is dominating the play but has nothing to show for it so far. Shots are 28-15. Most impressive players so far have been Olver, Bourret, Jessiman, Immonen at forward and Degon and Potter on D (both of whom are not afraid to shoot the bomb from the point, which is nice to see).
Dawes has a ton of shots, but I want to see him show things other than simply firing the wrister every time he touches the puck.
Don Maloney at the game, Crawford is about to interview him between periods.
DM says that Callahan's game last night was a "statement" game, demanding a regular shift. Commenting on how hard it is where the Rangers are (fighting for the last playoff spot) to give a 10-14 minutes to a guy up from juniors (implying that it would be much easier if they were higher in the standings or out of the race). Especially guys who are "offensive" players need to produce pretty quickly in order to justify PT with the big club.
Very excited with the 'Pack's performance - he thinks 6-8 HFD players could be in NY right now.
Liffiton - needs some growing and learning, will probably be back at HFD soon. Has something the Rangers need, an "abrasive" defenseman. Liffiton is a player that had to re-learn his game due to the rules change. Gets a little hyper at times, needs more seasoning - probably a year or two away. Loves his courage and willingness to stick up for teammates.
DM's main purpose at this game is to see Olver and Reese and determine if they can play at this level out of college. Olver is too small right now, but he's made some nifty plays. DM really likes what he's seen in term of his "slipperiness".
Dawes can't be N-S or shoot enough. Half the big club either has no ability to shoot, won't shoot or skates in circles. Dawes is a sniper and has been his entire career. Something this team badly needs. If Renney had put him on a scoring line all year he'd have 15+ goals by now.
Eh, I of COURSE have no problem with him whipping the puck on net from the slot off the pass a la Prucha or while screaming down the wing with a decent angle on the net. But if you were watching the game, you'd know what I mean. 2-on-1, Dawes shoots from 30 ft. 1-on-3 being driven wide by the D, he shoots from 30 ft. From a dead stop at the circle with two players between him and the goal, he shoots from 30 ft. (despite the fact that Bourret is open at the side of the net either for a jam shot or a give-and-go). There IS such a thing as shooting too much - and Dawes is guilty of it.
Gotta mix it up - I'm beginning to understand why the 'Pack regularly has games where they shoot 40+ times, but only score 2-3 goals.
An observation on Dawes - he's almost TOO N-S. He is always going a mile a minute toward the net and always takes the writster or slapshot before he gets there. There's no variation in his game - he never goes wide, he never dekes and, worst of all, he never passes unless it's up/down the boards.
The thing is that Dawes have never been good on the rush. He have to scramble just to not get caught by backcheckers. There are no room for him with his skating to try to beat D's wide, or split them ect.
Dawes are dangerous when his line have gotten the puck down low, created a circle, and are able to find him for a onetimer.
If you look at Dawes skating, he is slow gooing N-S. He doesn't have a perfect stride, looking at lbs/inch he is really thick which slows him down even more. What he do got is extremely quick feets, and he works really hard so once in the attacking zone his skating is great, he is a expert on finding openings there. Dawes also got very serviceble hands, he are great at reciving a pass and getting of a shot in a hurry.
I where in Finland and saw the WJC live in '04, some of my friends remarked about Dawes like who is this guys and how the hell could he have made the Canadian WJC team? Dawes looked really out of place on the big ice, having huge problems keeping up with the pace. Then he were moved to a line with Richards and Carter, who managed to pin down just about any line they went up against in the attacking zone, and -- suprise -- Dawes finnished in the top of the entire WJC in goals.
Dawes have come a long way and developed tremendously since 04'. He can now even play a good grinding game.
One problem with Dawes is that he isn't fast. He got great acceleration and have really fast feets ect. Which results in that when he gets the puck in the attacking zone he can fly past most guys.
But he isn't much of a threat on the rush. He either must do something incredible - succed as a scorer in the NHL without beeing big or a threat on the rush or, become faster on the rush. Neither is impossible, when it comes to Dawes I don't even know if its unlikely, but there are still some huge questionmarks surrounding him. He should get a good long look though.
and I still think this is a aspect that he just haven't been able to fix, and that it probably are gooing to cost him a career in the NHL.
Dawes are now extremely fit, he have had allot of time to work on his skating, and it have got a bit better, but not enough for him to be a threat on the rush. I guess thats how it is with prospects like him, its small marginals, he looked darn good and were really interesting, but Dawes have not managed to be a threat on the rush anywhere but in the WHL. That aint good enough.
I am REALLY getting down on him - hopefully it's just a bad game.
