| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| tjpavlik |
Posted - 11/08/2015 : 4:23:12 PM
I'll throw my hat in the ring to try to get things started.
Its very early in the season but here are my impressions of the season so far.
Offense: This group looks like they can score, at least enough to win. Jack Dowling seems impressive when he has the puck and Eric Robinson looks good, at least before his injury last night. I feel there are a few others that are contributing as well and will score more in the future. (Gracel, Perry, Budish, Quenneville and Pendenza specifically) The defense is chipping in with a few goals as well, not so much on the point but leading rushes and cleaning up the loose pucks. Shootout/break aways could use some work.
Defense: Overall a solid group, if not a real physical group. Jonathan Diaby strikes me as a Chad Starling type. He's pretty good with the puck. Weinstein and Schmidt are solid. Two worries, we have issues at times clearing the zone and errant passes, especially across the slot. I expect things to improve as the season wears on.
Goaltending: Both Brad Thiessen and Brandon Whitney have been lights out. Hopefully Nashville/Milwaukee/the AHL doesn't steal them both away for extended periods of time. The goals that have snuck through have not been due to poor goaltending but other defensive issues.
Overtime Format: Is it my imagination or is 3 on 3 overtime a real life version of "BLADES OF STEEL"?
Concerns: So far the team seems to being playing just hard enough to win. Sooner or later that won't be enough and were going to lose games were supposed to win, which was a problem last year.
The lack of a grit is somewhat worrysome. Minella, Carlson and Ambroz have had their moments but they are more valuable as players than as agitators. Rissling impressed in the one game I saw him play.
Organization: So far they have been more responsive than in the past. I have seen much more advertising than in the past. They have a season ticket holder group on Facebook in which they have taken some serious heat. (CLEAN THE $%@$ing GLASS!) The tickets are still very cheap in my book. Nowhere are you going to get professional hockey at the Cyclones' prices, especially with the STH deals. They do need to publicize the increase in prices for tickets on gameday. That being said, it's been that way since last season.
I haven't had a chance to listen to a game but Everett seems to have a good hand on the social media and the video updates.
Puckchop? Don't know what to say. He skated better last night. Perhaps its the outfit. Someone commented that they were introducing him with hopes of eliminating Twister in the next few years. I hope thats not the case. Twister is an icon IMO. He is played very well and can handle all fans and fan related situations. Perhaps Puckchop needs a lesson or three.
The intro. Does it have to be a 10 minute affair? Lets shorten things up a bit. Less advertisement, more let's play hockey!
Lastly, and i'm about to commit a heresy here, but I think the "Howie!" call in the national anthem needs to be retired. I think its disrespectful for those who are protective of the anthem and the person/people singing. I would guess there are less than 50 people in the crowd who even understand what being shouted and less than 20 who could tell you the origin of the call. As Elsa sang...Let it Go...
Just my thoughts. Comment at will.
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| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| cyclonehole |
Posted - 11/14/2015 : 11:07:21 AM
When Neil Conway gets healthy, I think a Thiessen-Conway duo could be the next great Clones goalie tandem a la Desjardins/Morris and Mayer/Smith. Those, of course, were both Championship teams.
Speaking of which, anyone know the details of Conway's injury?
After noticing that Josh Shalla is now playing for the Walleye a few games ago, I couldn't help but think that I bet the Cyclones will have about 2-3 forwards this year who end up with more goals than Shalla's team-leading 17 last year.
I have no problem with "Howie", I see it as one of the few "old" traditions left in the arena that is still going strong, along with the rest of the chants. |
| Donnie Hockey |
Posted - 11/13/2015 : 7:23:39 PM
Agree. Time to retire "HOWIE" during the anthem. |
| Reggie Dunlop |
Posted - 11/12/2015 : 1:21:54 PM
quote:
Originally posted by tjpavlik
Lastly, and i'm about to commit a heresy here, but I think the "Howie!" call in the national anthem needs to be retired. I think its disrespectful for those who are protective of the anthem and the person/people singing. I would guess there are less than 50 people in the crowd who even understand what being shouted and less than 20 who could tell you the origin of the call. As Elsa sang...Let it Go...
Just my thoughts. Comment at will.
I completely agree with you on this topic. Using our national anthem as a punchline is bush league and lowbrow. |
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