Rochester 4 Hamilton 2 - Jan 26th

[NWTHabsFan]

Amerks explode for 4 goals in the first, chase starting goalie Danis, and hold on to face 44 Dogs' shots to hang on for the win. Jason Ward, and his Easton stick no doubt, scores both of the Dogs' goals. This was an opportunity for the Dogs to make up some ground on the RoadRunners for that last playoff spot, but they ran into superb goaltending as they outshot Rochester 44-24.

www.canoe.ca/Bulldogs/News/2005/01/26/911205.html

Edit: AK ended up playing with Ott and Ward on the top line, so good to see Jarvis' continued confidence in him (he ended up with 1 assist tonight). Miettinen played in his first game, so hopefully he gets into game shape quickly and makes an impact. Ryan Miller, Rochester's goalie, is a good one. Rochester is 2nd overall in the AHL, so the Dogs were up tough tonight; however, they have to start converting these games into points.

[Gogie]

NWTHabsFan said:

Jason Ward, and his Easton stick no doubt, scores both of the Dogs' goals.

Actually, Ward was using a CCM stick (I have seats behind the Dog's bench and made a point of checking it out after reading about the CCM deal and Ward's complaining about using CCM sticks).

A few thoughts on the game:

Ward has stepped up his play and was a real factor last night.

AK played on the first line for most of the game. He seems to be playing much better since coming back from the WJC (mind you last night was the first time I've seen him since before Xmas). He was much more physical, going to the net and into corners, then earlier in the year. He also seems to have discovered that he doesn't have to do it all himself - he made some nice plays and passed the puck more than in the past.

Higgins was a non-factor last night - I had to consciously look for him to make sure he was actually dressed.

Danis was very disappointing, although he didn't have any help from his D. They were continually backing into him and not taking out players in front of the net. Ellis got off to a shakey start when he replaced Danis in the first - he muffed a soft shoot in right off the bat and let it dribble into the net. By that point in time we were calling for the Dogs to pull the goalie and play with 6 forwards - we couldn't have done any worse!

The team as a whole didn't show up in the first period. After that they dominated, with some very strong play in the Amerks' end. Unfortunately they ran into one of the best goalies in the AHL at a time when he was hot.

The Dogs' defense has a real problem trying to control their own end of the ice. They don't have the size or strength to move guys off the puck and it cost them a lot. If they can solve that problem (Komi, where are you?) things should improve.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

gogie said:

Actually, Ward was using a CCM stick (I have seats behind the Dog's bench and made a point of checking it out after reading about the CCM deal and Ward's complaining about using CCM sticks).

A few thoughts on the game:

Ward has stepped up his play and was a real factor last night.

AK played on the first line for most of the game. He seems to be playing much better since coming back from the WJC (mind you last night was the first time I've seen him since before Xmas). He was much more physical, going to the net and into corners, then earlier in the year. He also seems to have discovered that he doesn't have to do it all himself - he made some nice plays and passed the puck more than in the past.

Higgins was a non-factor last night - I had to consciously look for him to make sure he was actually dressed.

Danis was very disappointing, although he didn't have any help from his D. They were continually backing into him and not taking out players in front of the net. Ellis got off to a shakey start when he replaced Danis in the first - he muffed a soft shoot in right off the bat and let it dribble into the net. By that point in time we were calling for the Dogs to pull the goalie and play with 6 forwards - we couldn't have done any worse!

The team as a whole didn't show up in the first period. After that they dominated, with some very strong play in the Amerks' end. Unfortunately they ran into one of the best goalies in the AHL at a time when he was hot.

The Dogs' defense has a real problem trying to control their own end of the ice. They don't have the size or strength to move guys off the puck and it cost them a lot. If they can solve that problem (Komi, where are you?) things should improve.

I noticed that the only guy on the team who was +1 was Locke. It's becoming a pattern, but it doesn't make a lot of sense for a small slow offensive player to not be getting goals and also not be on the ice for the oppositions goals.
Who is Corey playing with and is he getting much ice time? Is he not giving 100% or doing something that alienates the coach?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Habs_fan_in_LA said:

I noticed that the only guy on the team who was +1 was Locke. It's becoming a pattern, but it doesn't make a lot of sense for a small slow offensive player to not be getting goals and also not be on the ice for the oppositions goals.
Who is Corey playing with and is he getting much ice time? Is he not giving 100% or doing something that alienates the coach?

I beleive Locke was primarily on the third line last night with Ferland, and I can't remeber the other winger. Ferland is a sound two-way player who's development has been hindered by injury this season up until now - he's also a tough cookie. I like him quite abit.

[Gogie]

Locke spent most of the night playing with Ferland and Ivanans. Actually, he's another player who has impressed me. Believe it or not, he can be physical (although he's limitied by his size) and I've seen him go after guys a lot bigger than he is (not with the intention of fighting, but in the sense that he won't back down when other teams get physical with him). I'm not so sure that he's a "slow" skater, either. He doesn't have great speed, but he seems to always be around the play. I think he'll make it to the NHL without much trouble. He's one of those guys that just seems to produce without making a big splash.

[NWTHabsFan]

M. said:

Ferland is a sound two-way player who's development has been hindered by injury this season up until now - he's also a tough cookie. I like him quite abit.

Ditto, one of the few Dogs who finishes checks shift after shift.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

I remember Ferland in Jr's as a tough gritty guy who overachieves his talent and ALWAYS gives an honest effort.
Ivanans is a tough enforcer who uses his size and reach to overcome his mobility limitations.
Somehow I see Ferland and Ivanans on a tough checking enforcer type line getting limited shifts and not scoring a lot of goals.
Pairing them with a small slick offensive passer is like putting Brian Boitano and Rosanne Barr togerther in a pairs competition. I guess it works because they allow fewer goals against than Perezhoegin, but could it be better?