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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
 Posted - 02/13/2014 : 01:18:16 AM
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The 0-6 streak has resulted in the team falling from 2nd to 6th in the conference The two team behind us, Orlando and Evansville are one and two points behind with each having two games in hand. Using the winning percentage to balance that out, we are actually in the 8th and last playoff position. The ninth and tenth place teams are only 3 and 4 points behind us.
In the three home losses to Fort Wayne in the last two weeks we scored a total of six goals. In the same three games, Mike Embach scored six goals for the Komets. No further comment needed although I am highly tempted. |
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SCUBA
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
584 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2014 : 02:00:11 AM
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| Would it change anything? a further comment should you fall to temptation?.....nope |
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danc
(The Next Level!)
114 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2014 : 03:50:10 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by dbc
In the three home losses to Fort Wayne in the last two weeks we scored a total of six goals. In the same three games, Mike Embach scored six goals for the Komets. No further comment needed although I am highly tempted.
I'll make it for you.
Nice trade, Simon
There you go. No charge. This time |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2014 : 09:11:26 AM
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OK, I wanted to keep Embach too but go back and look at that roster; who do you trade? Someone had to go. At the time we had 3 free agent forwards, (Eves, Embach and Birkholtz), and 5 free agent defensemen (Wysopal, Corbin, Daniels, MacDonald and Reed). Keep in mind that based on what we've read, Embach wanted playing time and you can't fault the kid for that after he took one for the team and started the 12-13 season on 21 day IR. In order to get him more ice time a forward, not a dman, has to go. There's no right or wrong answer here, but I am interested in hearing which one guys you'd keep, trade and why?
Personally, why he hasn't done much scoring this season, I don't think there's any whay to let go of Eves. His versatility is just too valuable with the ever fluctuating ECHL rosters. As a guy that can play any position up front and drop back to defense without being too out of play it gives a Coach a lot of options. So for me it comes down to Birkholtz or Embach. Hindsight being 20/20 it's an easy call with Embach being on a tear since landing in Fort Wayne. But at the time was it? It's hard not to fall into the trap of picking Birkholtz as he's the player with more "perceived" upside. He was drafted whereas Embach wasn't. I was never impressed with Embach in his time in Chicago, but he grew on me last season. The kid always works his ass off on the ice. While he lacks th espeed of Birkholtz, his tenacity makes him every bit as capable in terms of defensive zone play and penalty killing. In my book, Birkholtz should have been the one to go. Would Embach be having the same success had he remained in Cincy? Who knows, but he likely wouldn't be any worse than Birkholtz's 6-10-16 over 26 games played.
It would be really interesting to get Simon's thoughts on the deal at this point. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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Reggie Dunlop
(The Next Level!)
USA
399 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2014 : 10:17:03 AM
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| Let's not lose sight of the fact that Embach is one player (who I really liked on this team). But there are 20 other players wearing the Cyclone sweater that aren't getting it done. They play a very passive style in all three zones. Their soft, amoeba-like defensive scheme allows the opposition to possess the puck in the zone for great lengths of time, helping them set up scoring chances. And rare is the instance where a Cyclone wins a puck battle along the boards or in the corner. Additionally, the PP remains abysmal. They seem to give up more SH chances/goals than they generate SOG. With this collapse happening, I wouldn't be surprised to see a move or two made to freshen things up and send a message. |
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danc
(The Next Level!)
114 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2014 : 3:11:10 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by elvis77
OK, I wanted to keep Embach too but go back and look at that roster; who do you trade? Someone had to go. At the time we had 3 free agent forwards, (Eves, Embach and Birkholtz), and 5 free agent defensemen (Wysopal, Corbin, Daniels, MacDonald and Reed). Keep in mind that based on what we've read, Embach wanted playing time and you can't fault the kid for that after he took one for the team and started the 12-13 season on 21 day IR. In order to get him more ice time a forward, not a dman, has to go. There's no right or wrong answer here, but I am interested in hearing which one guys you'd keep, trade and why?
Personally, why he hasn't done much scoring this season, I don't think there's any whay to let go of Eves. His versatility is just too valuable with the ever fluctuating ECHL rosters. As a guy that can play any position up front and drop back to defense without being too out of play it gives a Coach a lot of options. So for me it comes down to Birkholtz or Embach. Hindsight being 20/20 it's an easy call with Embach being on a tear since landing in Fort Wayne. But at the time was it? It's hard not to fall into the trap of picking Birkholtz as he's the player with more "perceived" upside. He was drafted whereas Embach wasn't. I was never impressed with Embach in his time in Chicago, but he grew on me last season. The kid always works his ass off on the ice. While he lacks th espeed of Birkholtz, his tenacity makes him every bit as capable in terms of defensive zone play and penalty killing. In my book, Birkholtz should have been the one to go. Would Embach be having the same success had he remained in Cincy? Who knows, but he likely wouldn't be any worse than Birkholtz's 6-10-16 over 26 games played.
It would be really interesting to get Simon's thoughts on the deal at this point.
I would've moved a defenseman As you correctly pointed out, Eves is very versatile and he also is a solid personality and good veteran presence. Birkholz has so much speed that any coach would probably like to work with him and play a role in his development. I still think that if the sun, stars and moon align properly, that Birkholz could be a PK/energy line type in the NHL. I don't blame Simon for keeping either of these two players.
I believe that the Embach trade was round 2 for Simon in making it "his team". Embach isn't the shy and retiring type and my feeling is that Simon really prefers the quiet and unassuming types of personalities.
Skalde was always quick to point out Embach's offensive upside. Last year in the playoffs, the kid really hit stride as the team leader in points.
I'd like to blame the current 0-6 slide entirely upon roster issues, but last night, there were 7 forwards who played who are regulars: Luciani, Hazen, Birkholz, Lewis, Brace,Eves and Crowder. Nugent has contributed 4 goals as a fill in....cant ask for anything more from him. Bushbacher has also been a good contributor. McFadden, Aronson, MacDonald and Daniels have all been regulars as well and O'Keefe is a legit ECHLer....haven't seen enough of Krogh to make a call.
So, this roster is hardly a decimated roster and the free fall can't be pinned on that. Hopefully, the team is just going through a slump and will right the ship in short order, but this is the second major slump of the year.
While one player does not a team make, Embach-in addition to his scroing prowess-is a vocal guy who brings enthusiasm, agitation and hustle to the game. The trade is water under the dam, but damn it would be nice to have saved that water. |
Edited by - danc on 02/13/2014 3:22:33 PM |
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Coach
(Rookie)
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2014 : 5:55:18 PM
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| A review of last night stat sheet showed Luciani, Crowder, and Brace were all -3. This is from the top line, which did nothing offensively and obviously defensively. This is totally unacceptable and must be corrected quickly or we will be on the outside looking in ! Now is the time for Simon to pick it up or he could be a one and done. |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2014 : 7:52:44 PM
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I should correct my earlier post, the Cyclones also had free agent forward Kyle Bodie. Remember him? Yeah, me neither. Any way, both Embach and Bodie were trade on the same day 11/13 so you can't really pick Bodie as the guy to move so it's a wash.
Based on what I've heard, Embach was frustrated with a lack playing time. I went back and looked it up. Embach was with the Clones for 8 games. Over the course of those 8 games only 1 free agent was in the lineup more than Embach. The player was Kyle Bodie. For the record, Embach played in games 1-3, 5, and 7. Bodie played in all but the opener and game 7. Eves and Birkholz played in just 3 games over those first 8 games. I'm not sure how Embach could have any complaints about getting into games. Seems to me he was given plenty of opportunity so perhaps there is more to it. However danc, if Embach was pitching a fit over ice time, trading a dman wouldn't have remedied the situation.
It's too bad there isn't still a regular Monday night coach's show. If there was I'd be 1st to the mic asking about the deal and if there's any regrets. Although Simon's personality doesn't seem the sorts to own up to it if there were. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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danc
(The Next Level!)
114 Posts |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2014 : 08:44:09 AM
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I've read that article, and a friend of mine who chats with a lot of the players frequently, said Embach had issues with his ice time. As I posted, after looking at the lineups, Embach had plenty of opportunity. As you said though, it's water under the bridge.
***
In regards to this losing streak, I see a lot of similarities to the slide the team went on after winning the 1st 7 games.
I have no issue with defensive hockey, but I like several others have posted, wouldn't mind seeing them be a bit more aggressive, and physical, in their own end. However, the system has been suitable for much of the season. While it does take away passing and shooting lanes, the lack of physicality allows players without the puck to move into high quality shooting areas too easily. When the pucks do get threaded through the opposition ends up with very high quality chances.
The Cyclones also have issues breaking the puck out. Opponents are getting a lot of chances on plays where the 'Clones couldn't get the puck cleared. The 'Clones had too many guys jumping forward and when the puck was turned over there was little support behind.
The Cyclones score the vast majority of their goals in primary and secondary transition. As has been mentioned by others, when teams forecheck the 'Clones hard (ie Toledo a few games back) they struggle to get that transition game going and the chances are few and far between. Factor in that many of these chances are 1 and done with the opponents picking up the puck and racing back the other way all because the 'Clones are missing the net completely. The Cyclones do not have the personnel to compete in track meets at the moment.
To get it corrected, they need to at least match the intensity of the oppositions forecheck. They also need to manage their puck possession a lot better. They go spells without the puck and then when they gain possession, race up ice for a shot or 2 and it's gone again. If they can start to generate some offense off puck possession (rather than relying on the transition game) then can easily get out of this funk. Also, we've been lamenting the Cyclones power play woes. There's very little transition game to the power play, it's all about possession. If they can start generating offense 5 v 5 through puck possession, the PP should improve as well. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
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