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Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 26, 2006 18:51:56 GMT -5
Another dominating game as the Dogs continue to roll over opponents with a big 6-1 afternoon win today for a great weekend overall. Halak was in net and made 31 saves for another big win from our Little Slovak. Impressive stuff and good enough for a second star, and he rendered the only goal of the weekend for him in this game. Great stuff. Maxim Lapierre found his scoring touch big time with his first pro hat trick, and a first star to boot. Milroy had two points with one of each, Grabs with 2 helpers and Kosty with 1g and 1a. The announcers were mentioning how Grabs and Kosty are showing some really good chemistry together, so that is good for those young Belarusians. Milroy also chipping in once again and looking good alongside those two young guys from the land of Minsk. Despite being outshot 32 to 19, this game never sounded like it was in doubt. That is what happens when your shooters have confidence and your goalie is on his game. Great news overall from the Dog Pound. stats.theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1002488 |
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Post by Gogie on Nov 27, 2006 9:13:23 GMT -5
A few comments on yesterday's game:
Kostitsyn continues to impress (yes, I'll admit that I'm biased). He's playing with an edge and getting really involved in the game. He scored a goal scorer's goal on a great pass from Grabovski and then made a terrific tape to tape pass from the far side boards to set up Milroy's goal. Late in the game he raced into a scrum to come to the defense of another Dog, grabbing a Milwaukee player. He's not afraid of the physical stuff.
Milroy looks like he's finally developing into the player many thought he would be a couple of years ago. He played on a line with Grabovski and Kostitsyn. That line is magic - they seem to have a lot of chemistry together.
Grabovski just gets better all the time. Despite his size, he was throwing his weight around a bit late in the game (and he deservedly received the Maxim Lapierre hardest working Bulldog of the game award). Give him an inch of space and he's gone - he has amazing speed and puck-handling skill.
After a couple of "ordinary" games, Lapierre was back at it again yesterday, picking up the hat trick and playing his usual high energy game.Ya gotta like what this kid brings to the rink.
O'Byrne put in another solid effort. He's looking more comfortable out there and he's starting to use his size more. He's not as tentative as he was early in the season - he's developing more and more confidence all the time.
Chipchura played his usual solid defensive game. You don't usually notice him out there (he's not flashy) but his line is terrific at shutting down the opposition.
Halak - what can you say? Another solid effort (2nd star). As in the Saturday night game he didn't have to make too many "great" saves, despite the gaping difference in shots on goal (Milwaukee outshot the Dog's 32-19), but he made them when he had to. I've noticed that he's starting to control rebounds better and that makes it easier for his defense. Also, the guys in front of him played very well, keeping the front of the net clear and preventing a lot of potential 2nd or 3rd shots. The whole team played very well in its own end, blocking a lot of shots and keeping the play on the outside for the most part.
In defense of the Admirals, they had played an OT game the night before in Manitoba so they had a long trip to Hamilton for yesterday afternoon's game. It showed, as they had no legs by the time the 2nd period rolled around. Still, it's these games that Hamilton has to take advantage of if they're going to do well this year, and they did just that. Tuesday night should be interesting - Milwaukee will be rested and there may be a few scores to settle.
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Post by montreal on Nov 27, 2006 13:35:32 GMT -5
Kostitsyn's goal was a hell of a shot, love what the Milroy Grabo Kosty line is doing out there. Even Lever seems to understand to keep them together. Grabovski has been a on tear of late, that goal on saturday night was wicked, at least 3 of his 4 goals have been of the highlight reel varity (can't remember the other goal)
How about Halak, 6 SO's in some 20 career games, holy cow is that impressive. Lapierre picked a good game to get a hattrick since Gainey and company were in attendance. Can't wait to see him as a Hab full time. O'Byrne has been impressive, I hope to see him shoot more though, he's got a cannon of a shot but as long as he continues to play well in his own end, the offense will hopefully come in time, not that I expect him to ever put up Souray's kind of offense.
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Post by chief6 on Nov 27, 2006 18:55:22 GMT -5
O'Byrne has been impressive, I hope to see him shoot more though, he's got a cannon of a shot but as long as he continues to play well in his own end, the offense will hopefully come in time, not that I expect him to ever put up Souray's kind of offense. I have to agree with this. Ryan O'Byrne started the season very slowly, but he seems to be among the team's even-strength ice-time leaders of late, and he's been playing very very well. While I was questioning it early in the season, I can see pretty clearly now why he was one of the last cuts from the main camp. Is this kid going to leave us asking "Sheldon who?" Not any time soon, but in time, I feel the answer is yes. After 20 pro games, he's much better than Mike Komisarek was at that stage, though not as physical. I feel like the physical play, and the power play time will come to him as he gets more and more comfortable with his game. I haven't enjoyed watching a guy play defense the way I've enjoyed watching O'Byrne since Komi was in Hamilton (although Oilers' prospect Mathieu Roy is also here, and I feel very similarly about him). I won't be surprised if he gets a call-up before J-P Cote at this point, and like Max Lapierre, I'm enjoying every game I've got left with this kid. |
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Post by seventeen on Nov 27, 2006 20:12:51 GMT -5
Thanks guys, it's great to get these first hand, eye-witness reports on our kids. I'll keep analysing vicariously and you guys can put me straight.
I'm quite hopeful of Grabovsky, O'Byrne, Kostitsyn, Lapierre and Halak. Chips is progressing nicely and will be our Bonk replacement in due course. The main board is discussing Souray and the UFA status of various players and the best way to not get taken to the cleaners, to retain the guys you really need and to replace those who leave, is to have a really strong scouting group and farm system. I sure hope we aren't hurt by Savard's absence. One of Gainey's weaknesses in Dallas was a less than stellar farm system. He was saved there by Daddy Warbucks, but they don't exist any more. From the play of Maxwell and White (don't know how Fischer's doing), our scouts are still earning their pay. What a change!
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Post by montreal on Nov 27, 2006 23:01:26 GMT -5
O'Byrne has been impressive, I hope to see him shoot more though, he's got a cannon of a shot but as long as he continues to play well in his own end, the offense will hopefully come in time, not that I expect him to ever put up Souray's kind of offense. I have to agree with this. Ryan O'Byrne started the season very slowly, but he seems to be among the team's even-strength ice-time leaders of late, and he's been playing very very well. While I was questioning it early in the season, I can see pretty clearly now why he was one of the last cuts from the main camp. Is this kid going to leave us asking "Sheldon who?" Not any time soon, but in time, I feel the answer is yes. After 20 pro games, he's much better than Mike Komisarek was at that stage, though not as physical. I feel like the physical play, and the power play time will come to him as he gets more and more comfortable with his game. I haven't enjoyed watching a guy play defense the way I've enjoyed watching O'Byrne since Komi was in Hamilton (although Oilers' prospect Mathieu Roy is also here, and I feel very similarly about him). I won't be surprised if he gets a call-up before J-P Cote at this point, and like Max Lapierre, I'm enjoying every game I've got left with this kid. I think O'Byrne does play physical at times but I don't know if he'll ever be as physical as Komisarek. When he was drafted out of the BCHL, he was known for his physical play. When he was a freshman at Cornell, he would run all over the place trying to crush players through the boards. I got to interview him and the defense coach at Cornell, he said they really were trying to get Ryan to tone down the physical play, pick his spots better so that he would be in better position in his own end. With each year he seemed to improve, he was still among the team's most physical players but it seems he also started to understand that he is more important to the team on the ice then in the box, where he spent a lot of time (considering he only played around 36 games a year) Last year at Cornell he was a beast, was the team's MVP until he got injured. Imo he was not only one of the best defensemen in the ECAC but in the entire NCAA. If anyone saw him play in the frozen four against Wisconsin (what a game that was) he was great and wasn't even 100% since he came back early from injury to help his team. I've seen him play a lot at Cornell and most of his games with Hamilton, I think he will surprise many down the road, although it may take him 2 years or so to really work on the little things in his game, I consider him a sure bet to play in the NHL at some point. |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Nov 28, 2006 14:50:20 GMT -5
Maxim Lapierre found his scoring touch big time with his first pro hat trick, and a first star to boot. What in hell will it take for Max to get a call up  |
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Post by Gogie on Nov 28, 2006 16:28:36 GMT -5
Maxim Lapierre found his scoring touch big time with his first pro hat trick, and a first star to boot. What in hell will it take for Max to get a call up The problem with Lappy, IMHO, is that he is not destined to be a 2nd line centre, which seems to be the hole the Habs need to fill. He is better suited as a third or fourth line, high energy centre on a line that will crash and bang and throw in a few goals along the way (think Risebrough, Tremblay, Lambert). |
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Post by Anardil1 on Nov 28, 2006 19:16:18 GMT -5
What in hell will it take for Max to get a call up The problem with Lappy, IMHO, is that he is not destined to be a 2nd line centre, which seems to be the hole the Habs need to fill. He is better suited as a third or fourth line, high energy centre on a line that will crash and bang and throw in a few goals along the way (think Risebrough, Tremblay, Lambert). Exactly! If Lapierre was a winger, say buh-bye Murray or Downey. In fact, I think it would be beneficial to call up Lapierre to play 4th line centre, move Begin to one wing and play Murray or Downey. One question to those here that have seen the Dogs live: Is Lapierre defensively responsible enough to handle the duties required in the NHL? |
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