Syracuse at Hamilton - Jan 2nd

[NWTHabsFan]

Dogs lose in a a shootout today against Syracuse. Daley (on the PP) and Pleky get goals for the Dogs, but they cannot hold on and lose in a shootout. Pleky's third goal in three games. Danis was in net for the loss, although the boys walk away with a point for their effort. Hainsey still missing after suffering post-concussion like symptoms and Morgan back after missing a few with his hand injury. Dogs are off this week for two mid-week games on the Rock against the Baby Leafs, followed by a few on the weekend at home, so a busy week for the boys.

[CentreHice]

NWTHabsFan said:

Dogs lose in a a shootout today against Syracuse. Daley (on the PP) and Pleky get goals for the Dogs, but they cannot hold on and lose in a shootout. Pleky's third goal in three games. Danis was in net for the loss, although the boys walk away with a point for their effort. Hainsey still missing after suffering post-concussion like symptoms and Morgan back after missing a few with his hand injury. Dogs are off this week for two mid-week games on the Rock against the Baby Leafs, followed by a few on the weekend at home, so a busy week for the boys.

I was at the game and to be fair it was their 4th game in 5 nights. But it was a winnable game. Dogs up 2-1 just over 7 minutes into the third when Danis let out a huge rebound on a long shot that went right to our D-man who had no stick. Motzko picked it up....2-2. Huge mistake by Danis, who had been playing very strong. Dogs skillfully killed off a penalty in OT.

Shootout. Plekanec scored a beauty to tie it at 1. Svitov went in for Syracuse and fumbled too close to the net. Then Ward did exactly the same thing. After 5 shooters, tied 1-1. Sudden death round: Motzko fired one high...Danis got a piece of it with his catching glove and the puck just rolled in over the line...then Plekanec tried a laser slapper to the top corner and missed the net....game over.

Ivanans really impressed me. A force along the boards.

Dogs have some trees on D.

Focht 6-6, 240; Cote 6-3, 207; Archer 6-4, 217; Jancevski 6-3, 212; Hainsey 6-3, 211 (still out with post-concussion) but among the weakest in the league from what I've read on this board.

From what I saw on Sunday, it was the mental errors that got them in trouble. They were very physical when the opportunity presented itself. But like I said, perhaps 4th game in 5 nights? I'll have to go again soon to analyze if it's their mobility/speed....or just mental errors. There were several times when Crunch forwards were left all alone in front of the net as both d-men were chasing the puck, leading to a few goalmouth scrambles.

[NWTHabsFan]

CentreHice said:

I was at the game and to be fair it was their 4th game in 5 nights. But it was a winnable game. Dogs up 2-1 just over 7 minutes into the third when Danis let out a huge rebound on a long shot that went right to our D-man who had no stick. Motzko picked it up....2-2. Huge mistake by Danis, who had been playing very strong. Dogs skillfully killed off a penalty in OT.

Shootout. Plekanec scored a beauty to tie it at 1. Svitov went in for Syracuse and fumbled too close to the net. Then Ward did exactly the same thing. After 5 shooters....Motzko scored for the Crunch...then Plekanec tried a laser slapper to the top corner and missed the net....game over.

Ivanans really impressed me. A force along the boards.

Dogs have some trees on D.

Focht 6-6, 240; Cote 6-3, 207; Archer 6-4, 217; Jancevski 6-3, 212; Hainsey 6-3, 211 (still out with post-concussion) but among the weakest in the league from what I've read on this board.

From what I saw on Sunday, it was the mental errors that got them in trouble. They were very physical when the opportunity presented itself. But like I said, perhaps 4th game in 5 nights?

I read on the Dogs board that Focht was injured in the first and missed the end of the game, and Dan Jancevski played at about 50% after taking a blast off his foot. So, when you combine that with Hainsey already being out, that is a very depleted D corps. Not what these guys need to hold a lead, even against a poor Crunch team.

[CentreHice]

NWTHabsFan said:

I read on the Dogs board that Focht was injured in the first and missed the end of the game, and Dan Jancevski played at about 50% after taking a blast off his foot. So, when you combine that with Hainsey already being out, that is a very depleted D corps. Not what these guys need to hold a lead, even against a poor Crunch team.

Yeah, I forgot about that shot off the foot....and I don't know how cause it was right in front of us. I saw him back on the ice so I figured he was okay.....but as you say, the corps were already depleted...he had to play...even at 50%.

It was a Montoya-like rebound that Danis let out in the third that led directly to the 2-2 goal. Very sloppy D in the final minute of the first with the Dogs up 1-0. A faceoff in Hamilton's zone....everyone except Syracuse seemed to think the period was over. 1-1.
How many times have we seen a team score in the final minute because of that very fact?

Dogs D played great killing off a full 2-minute penalty in OT, though. 4 on 3 usually means a goal.