Saw Cody Sol and Ed Pasquale tonight against Owen Sound.
Sol is one of those guys who has to step it up in the absence of Brodie and Crawford. While I thought he showed some things offensively, that's not entirely what he's there for (or was drafted for). He was on the ice for 4 of Owen Sound's five goals. For a guy with his size, he has to do a better job of tying up his man in front of the net, and punishing those in the crease. He was caught skating around on two of those goals, failing to pick up a man. Offensively I thought he was pretty good though, and as much as I said this isn't what he's there for, it is something he'll have to contribute with now that Saginaw has lost their two best offensive defenseman (Brodie/Crawford). He's got a huge shot and he picks his spots in putting it on net, and he made a couple nice plays to keep the puck in at the line. But he's got to step it up defensively.
Despite getting the victory in this one, I thought Pasquale was out played by Scott Stajcer. While he's got a good win total, I think it's safe to say he hasn't had an amazing season thus far. It's been plagued by inconsistency. He's given up 15 goals in his last 4 appearances. The Attack were definitely trying to go high on Pasquale tonight, exposing his tendency to 1) go down early on shots 2) stay back too far in his net and not challenge shooters. Four of the five goals given up by Pasquale were high on him. It'll be interesting to see what Atlanta does with Pasquale next year, because I don't think he's ready for pro hockey. I'm willing to bet he returns for an overage season, be it with Saginaw or with another OHL team. Made 31 of 36 saves for the win.
For Koper to date his stats are 23GP 11G 11A +9 18PIM.
He missed last nights game against the Everett Silvertips since he was playing for Team WHL against the Russians. He ended that game with a goal. I sure hope he gets an invite for Team Canada at the World Jrs.
Koper has got to be my favorite player to watch. He's always in the action looking for the puck and looking for the passes. He checks, digs, and does everything else needed to help the team. He's got the speed and puck control to go far. He did have a bit of a slump scoring but he's been working on getting more shots on net.
Here's a schedule of the Chiefs upcoming games.
11/27 at Tri City Americans
11/28 vs Regina Pats
12/4 vs Seattle Thunderbirds
12/6 at Portland Winterhawks
12/8 vs Prince George Cougars
12/11 @ Chilliwack Bruins
12/12 Swift Current Broncos
12/15 @ Seattle Thunderbirds
12/16 vs Portland Winterhawks
12/18 vs Seattle Thunderbirds
12/27 vs Portland Winterhawks
12/28 at Portland Winterhawks
12/31 at Tri City Americans
Saw Jeremy Morin and Ben Chiarot last night, as Kitchener and Guelph faced off.
I thought Morin was the best Rangers forward on the ice last night (even better than Chris MacKinnon and his hat trick). While his play in the OHL so far has been represented by his goal scoring ability, it was his playmaking ability last night that shone. Nearly every time he was on the ice, he was making things happen with the puck; making defenseman miss as he carried the puck in the offensive zone. In the second period, he deked around Peter Holland and Adam Comrie before passing it off to Chris MacKinnon for the tap in at the side of the net. I think the skating concerns have been overblown. He's not the world's best skater, but he has some elusive ability on the ice as evidenced by the amount of room he created for himself with the puck. Had a couple other very nice passes that did not amount to goal, but instead quality scoring chances. It's good to know that he's not just a one trick pony. Morin finished with 2 assists.
Chiarot was excellent too last night. He's a big body defenseman that actually uses his big body. The Rangers could just not beat him along the wall. While he is physical and does not hesitate to push and shove around the net, he's also smart positionally. On one occasion Jeff Skinner dumped the puck in and came flying into the zone for retrieval. Chiarot, knowing that Skinner could potentially beat him to the puck, angled Skinner away from it by physically engaging him and then blocking him with his body as he tapped the puck out to his forward to get the puck up ice. I like how he keeps things simple offensively too. Makes the smart pass, and does it quickly. He finished +1 in the game.
Why rush him? We're now in a luxurious position to not have to force people into the lineup. He's still a one trick pony (but reportedly getting better) so give him more time to complete his game.
Why rush him? We're now in a luxurious position to not have to force people into the lineup. He's still a one trick pony (but reportedly getting better) so give him more time to complete his game.
With so many UFAs after this year, we have huge decisions to make. I said the same thing about Kane. I think if he keeps up these numbers, he has a good chance at least to move up to Chicago.
Spokane Chiefs (WHL) upcoming schedule. Stats for Levko Koper:
11/27 at Tri City Americans---4-1 win--1A +1 2PIM
11/28 vs Regina Pats---4-0 win--1A +1
12/4 vs Seattle Thunderbirds
12/6 at Portland Winterhawks
12/8 vs Prince George Cougars
12/11 @ Chilliwack Bruins
12/12 Swift Current Broncos
12/15 @ Seattle Thunderbirds
12/16 vs Portland Winterhawks
12/18 vs Seattle Thunderbirds
12/27 vs Portland Winterhawks
12/28 at Portland Winterhawks
12/31 at Tri City Americans
I think so. He posted exceptional stats with the Calgary Hitmen and is now with the Wolves in the AHL. He is good, with his main knock being his size. He is listed at 6-3, 190. If/when he adds another 20, it's believed he can step in with the big boys.
Sooooooooooooo..........rereading my comments days later...I gave you thoughts on Postma, not Kulda. Sigh...seems the eggnog has finally worn off. to me.
Kulda is going to be great IMO and will be the next to step in. He is currently leading the Wolves with a +13 (Chelios is +10). He has had some experience playing with Bogosian so maybe they can be paired up again.
to me. 
