Syracuse Scouting Report II
Jan 1, 2004 9:01:06 GMT -5
Post by hab1fan on Jan 1, 2004 9:01:06 GMT -5
What a difference 5 days makes! First of all, the Bulldogs arrived on time after sending out three "scouts" to survey which bridge to cross the border into the US on.
Plus, Archer, Higgins and Dwyer were in the line up this time.
The Bulldogs after falling behind on two power-play goals by the Crunch, stormed back with 3 straight goals lead by Ron Hainsey (1 G, 1A) and a nifty move from the face-off circle just to the right of the goal by Olvestad in the third.
The Crunch's tying goal late in the third was due to the hard work of Tim Jackman (who will be a full-time NHLer by the end of the season). Damphousse went flying just before the shot which was deflected by Jackman and had a cut just under his right eye. He'll have a shiner there today. Since I was right there, I think he was clipped by a stick lifted as four bodies were fighting for position.
This game was far different than last Friday's game. Very chippy for long periods followed by minutes of offensive pressure from one team and then the other. The Crunch seemed better perpared for the Bulldogs speed this time and, at times, really took advantage of the smaller ice surface. (I don't know why they didn't fix that when they refurbished the ol'War Memorial 10 years ago!)
Impressions....
Ron Hainsey came to play and was by far the best Bulldog player out there. Great positioning, excellent outlet passes and even through his body around. His blistering, along-the-ice slap shot in the first minute of the second period got the Bulldogs back into the game after the Crunch has scored with only 4.5 seconds left in the first. IF Hainsey can keep going like this, he will deserve a return visit to Montreal.
I was excited to see Andrew Archer in the line up. I know some of you were impressed with his pre-season play with the Canadiens. He is big and fast but still learning the pro game. At times, he and Hainsey were teamed together and I had visions of the future. He played aggressively and had a regular shift including power plays and short handed situations. A note here, Doug Jarvis plays EVERYONE on special teams.
Chris Higgins played a "careful" game. He was never caught out of position. Covered the point when a defencemen pinched in and was in the right place for breakouts plays. He was pushed around quite a bit in both zones and needs to put some more muscle on.
Marcel Hossa...what a floater at times BUT I think I know how to get him going. About midway through the third period, a Crunch player nailed him from behind. No call and boy was Hossa mad. After that play, Marcel was hitting, skating, shooting and his eyes got "big" (told you I was close to the ice. ). It was channeled too. He didn't do any cheap shots at anyone and should have scored in OT. The puck just hopped over his stick. Hope the coaches point that out to him when going over the game tapes.
Alexander Perezhogin continued to impress me. He was skating, shooting and assisted on Ron Hainsey's goal. I even saw him doing some backchecking. Think this kid is finding out what it takes to play in North America.
Hamilton plays one more time here in Syracuse on January 31st. Looking forward to seeing improvements over the next 10 games as the AHL season starts to get into many 3 games in 3 night periods for all teams.
Plus, Archer, Higgins and Dwyer were in the line up this time.
The Bulldogs after falling behind on two power-play goals by the Crunch, stormed back with 3 straight goals lead by Ron Hainsey (1 G, 1A) and a nifty move from the face-off circle just to the right of the goal by Olvestad in the third.
The Crunch's tying goal late in the third was due to the hard work of Tim Jackman (who will be a full-time NHLer by the end of the season). Damphousse went flying just before the shot which was deflected by Jackman and had a cut just under his right eye. He'll have a shiner there today. Since I was right there, I think he was clipped by a stick lifted as four bodies were fighting for position.
This game was far different than last Friday's game. Very chippy for long periods followed by minutes of offensive pressure from one team and then the other. The Crunch seemed better perpared for the Bulldogs speed this time and, at times, really took advantage of the smaller ice surface. (I don't know why they didn't fix that when they refurbished the ol'War Memorial 10 years ago!)
Impressions....
Ron Hainsey came to play and was by far the best Bulldog player out there. Great positioning, excellent outlet passes and even through his body around. His blistering, along-the-ice slap shot in the first minute of the second period got the Bulldogs back into the game after the Crunch has scored with only 4.5 seconds left in the first. IF Hainsey can keep going like this, he will deserve a return visit to Montreal.
I was excited to see Andrew Archer in the line up. I know some of you were impressed with his pre-season play with the Canadiens. He is big and fast but still learning the pro game. At times, he and Hainsey were teamed together and I had visions of the future. He played aggressively and had a regular shift including power plays and short handed situations. A note here, Doug Jarvis plays EVERYONE on special teams.
Chris Higgins played a "careful" game. He was never caught out of position. Covered the point when a defencemen pinched in and was in the right place for breakouts plays. He was pushed around quite a bit in both zones and needs to put some more muscle on.
Marcel Hossa...what a floater at times BUT I think I know how to get him going. About midway through the third period, a Crunch player nailed him from behind. No call and boy was Hossa mad. After that play, Marcel was hitting, skating, shooting and his eyes got "big" (told you I was close to the ice. ). It was channeled too. He didn't do any cheap shots at anyone and should have scored in OT. The puck just hopped over his stick. Hope the coaches point that out to him when going over the game tapes.
Alexander Perezhogin continued to impress me. He was skating, shooting and assisted on Ron Hainsey's goal. I even saw him doing some backchecking. Think this kid is finding out what it takes to play in North America.
Hamilton plays one more time here in Syracuse on January 31st. Looking forward to seeing improvements over the next 10 games as the AHL season starts to get into many 3 games in 3 night periods for all teams.