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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
 Posted - 02/27/2013 : 3:49:39 PM
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| On Feb 3 some were forecasting doom and gloom and a "fight for the last playoff spot" as we had lost 3 in a row in four days. For the rest of the month we were 9-1 and are tied for first place picking up 9 points on Reading with people constantly coming an going. Skalde and Matt Mc have the "team" playing well with everyone contributing and all are to be congratulated. |
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Reggie Dunlop
(The Next Level!)
USA
399 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2013 : 5:35:51 PM
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| Touche. This has been a very impressive run. I'm really happy to see it and have been enjoying the ride. Jarrod and Matt have done a nice job managing the team and deserve a lot of the credit. They have the team playing as a pretty cohesive unit. Let's hope they can sustain it through May! |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2013 : 6:10:52 PM
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I was one who wasn't a Skalde fan, but I will give this team credit
for playing "Weber" style- heavy on defense, good goaltending and just
enough offense to win the game. Reminds you more of 2010 than 2008.
Without a fighter,other teams have no reason to fight and refs have no
reason to put up with it from our opponents. |
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Catch22
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
676 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2013 : 7:52:56 PM
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"Without a fighter..."
What? Have you not noticed #24 has over 200PIMs?
What we don't have is a stupid penalty taking goon. But we most definitely have a fighter.
As for the success, we were discussing this last night and decided that the credit gets split between McD running the D corps and solid goaltending. The game last night damned near got away from the Cyclones in the 2nd period when the whole team took what appeared to be a 12 minute nap, and Houser held it together. |
Yes, I grew up playing hockey... In Alabama. |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2013 : 06:31:28 AM
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Sorry, I meant a "goon" who the refs are watching and waiting. JJ and
Hans were two players the refs would not give a chance to play clean
because of their rep. Liambas on the other hand did live up to his rep.
2008 featured guys who could play tough if needed. This team now is just
like that. Heck-even Aubin stepped it up last Saturday night ! |
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Hakeedude
(Been Here Awhile)
524 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 07:46:06 AM
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| I'm happy but not surprised the team did not self-destruct as predicted. It must be very difficult to maintain team chemistry with so many moves to the AHL and back on an almost daily basis it seems. The stellar goaltending don't hurt none neither! |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 09:00:08 AM
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Too bad the West is loaded with so many "patsies" or we might have a
chance at best record overall. As it is, Alaska has that almost
clinched ! |
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Catch22
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
676 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 2:07:22 PM
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What's up with the west anyway? Yearly they seem to be able to produce 1 or 2 good teams at best. In theory, the situation is the same there as in the east, right (effectively NHL farm teams)?
In terms of the performance of our team, I'll admit that before the lockout ended I thought we were just benefitting from 2 affiliates and a roster that was heavy with guys that would otherwise be in the AHL. And honestly, the play overall then was better than it is now, but that applied to every ECHL team to some degree.
But other than a couple of stinkers the team has continued to play well, and the two factors that are different this year than the previous couple are the assistant coach and the goaltending. Matt has done a great job with the blueliners and they look FAR better now than previous seasons. In terms of goaltending, I hate to lay a lot of blame on Chet, but not having to deal with him trying to find his game has made a world of difference. We've basically rotated 3 guys this season, all have winning records and all have a save% over 900. Of course, the D corps playing better helps with that as well.
And having a real, honest to goodness "checking line" lately hasn't hurt either. Embach, Conboy and Linstrom aren't going to be scoring much, but they are defensively responsible, are strong on the boards, and are inflicting a whole bunch of bruises. That right there is pretty valuable in a long playoff series.
The powerplay and scoring still isn't exactly stellar, but overall the formula is successful. Assuming there isn't a mass player exodus to the A in the next couple of months this team has a legit shot at another cup.
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Yes, I grew up playing hockey... In Alabama. |
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 3:28:35 PM
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The playoffs could l be a bit strange this year as the teams whose affiliates do not make the AHL payoffs will have an advantage as there are more AHL caliber players than usual who have played the required 5 ( I believe) ECHL games this year who could come back for the playoffs. Right now there are seven players in Milwaukee and SA who could return ( Shalla, Bitetto, Hazen, McFarlandf, Wilson, Vaive, and Ohanley. In addition Lewis is in Peoria. That is half a team!!. If I remember right, the ECHL teams have to list their playoff roster and as the AHL ends its season three weeks later than the AHL, it is a bit of a gamble as to if and who you name in hopes they are sent down. Might be a good question for Skalde as we get closer to the end of March
Not wishing either AHL affiliate bad luck but....... Abbotsville is currently in 8th place with a +4 game to points ratio. Milwaukee is +3, and SA is -1. |
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