|
|
Post by seventeen on Feb 8, 2007 1:09:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Gogie on Feb 8, 2007 9:17:06 GMT -5
It was a disappointing end after an exciting third period rally. Kosty started the comeback when he wired one through the 5-hole with 23 seconds left and then Ferland got his 2nd of the game when he tipped a Biron point shot over Freddy Brathwaite (remember him?).
Halak had no chance on Chicago's first two goals but he looked pretty bad on the third goal - he came out to challenge Oystrick who was flying down the right side but he didn't get positioned properly and Oystrick managed to blast one past Halak and inside the left post. The overtime goal was a deflection in the slot.
O'Byrne had a difficult night, making an extremely bone-headed give up in front of his own net that led to Chicago's first goal. He was pretty ordinary the rest of the night.
Grabovksy is injured and is expected to be out at least 1-2 weeks. Cory Urquhart played his first game for the Dogs this year and looked good. He's a big, solid centre and he didn't look out of place. I've heard some complaints from Cincy fans that Uruqhart is lazy and they were glad to see him go - let's hope it's not the case and the kid wants to play. He had 22 goals and 40 points in 43 games with Cincy so he must have been doing something right.
Kostitsyn continues to play a strong game. Even though he didn't factor into the scoring until late in the game, he played a physical game and wasn't backing down. At one point he hammered a Wolves' d-main behing the Chicago net. The d-man took a whack at Kosty and Kosty went right back at him when the puck went back into the corner.
This is a very good Chicago team (they are currently 3rd overall in the league, they lead the AHL in goals scored and were coming off an 8-1 drubbing of the Marlies) that the Dogs played well against. If not for the heroics of Brathwaite the result probably would have been different. Rematch tomorrow night.
|
|
|
|
Post by duster on Feb 8, 2007 13:38:16 GMT -5
Freddy Braithwaite is a good goalie and a pretty decent fellow (He's from Nepean. We had the same circle of friends). It's too bad his NHL career didn't go as he hoped.
Glad to hear Cory Urquhart had a good game. Perhaps he's simply a late bloomer?
|
|
|
|
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Feb 8, 2007 13:54:28 GMT -5
Freddy Braithwaite is a good goalie and a pretty decent fellow (He's from Nepean. We had the same circle of friends). It's too bad his NHL career didn't go as he hoped. Glad to hear Cory Urquhart had a good game. Perhaps he's simply a late bloomer? Didn't Braithwaite play in Russia during the Lock-out? |
|
|
|
Post by Gogie on Feb 8, 2007 14:16:46 GMT -5
Freddy Braithwaite is a good goalie and a pretty decent fellow (He's from Nepean. We had the same circle of friends). It's too bad his NHL career didn't go as he hoped. Glad to hear Cory Urquhart had a good game. Perhaps he's simply a late bloomer? Didn't Braithwaite play in Russia during the Lock-out? You would be correct: He spent 2 years with Kazan Ak-Bars (04-05 and 05-06). |
|
|
|
Post by chief6 on Feb 10, 2007 0:35:37 GMT -5
Better result tonight. Grabovski was back. He played very well. Kostitsyn is coming along very very nicely. This guy is getting physical, and using his size to gain position, and playing with a lot of sandpaper, to go along with the scoring touch. He led the team with three points tonight and four minor penalties. If the Canadiens lose anymore forwards to injury, Kostitstyn should be the first guy called up. His overall game is so vastly improved from one year ago, it's almost incomprehensible.
Ryan O'Byrne played a very strong game tonight. He is still learning, but he's learning fast, and making some great plays every night. He needs to work on his footspeed, and footwork (good forwards get him turned around, and past him too quickly, but they used to say that about Komi, right?). So far as I can tell, he's less than two seasons away from the NHL. Cote meanwhile, was named the hardest-working player of the game, and he's pretty well as good as it gets in the American League. His shot-blocking ability amazes me every night.
Kyle Chipchura is a guy I haven't mentioned in a long time. I'll admit it, the honeymoon's over, and he played a pretty regular brand of hockey for the last two months or so. But he was named the hardest-working player Wednesday night, and he had another very strong game tonight. He's playing with confidence, and he's once again very strong on the puck. It's nearly impossible to take it from him. He is not making great passes right now, and that's the only area of concern at this point. He's still leading by example, and he's really making things happen.
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Feb 10, 2007 2:26:14 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Yeti on Feb 10, 2007 5:44:47 GMT -5
 AK has been producing at a pace of 2-3 pts per game for the past 3-4 weeks. We need to find him a spot. My solution: trade Ryder. AK will be at least as good to score goals on the PP and can't do worst defensively and 5 on 5.
|
|
|
|
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Feb 10, 2007 6:46:56 GMT -5
AK has been producing at a pace of 2-3 pts per game for the past 3-4 weeks. We need to find him a spot. My solution: trade Ryder. AK will be at least as good to score goals on the PP and can't do worst defensively and 5 on 5. Kostitsyn (don't know if these stats include the last game) is second on the Dogs in assists (behind Grabovsky), second in goals (behind Milroy), second in points (behind Milroy), first in PPG, and first in */-. Not bad for a 21-year old first round bust. |
|
|
|
Post by Gogie on Feb 10, 2007 9:22:58 GMT -5
I echo chief6's observations. I've been a supporter of AK since day one and I'm finally being rewarded for my perserverance  . Instead of just showing flashes of brilliance he's now pretty much consistently brilliant. O'Byrne had a much better game last night. One play that stands out in my mind was a blocked shot where he put his "bells" at risk to prevent a goal, dropping to one knee and facing the shooter (he wasn't in position to try to slide at him). The team was on fire early, building a 4-1 lead late in the second and leading 5-2 early in the third before they disappeared for awhile. Opposite result from Thursday - Wolves tied it late and Dogs won in OT instead of the other way around. One other player of note - D'Agostini continues to impress me. I don't know if it's simply a case of whoever plays with AK and Grabovski does well (Milroy piled up most of his stats playing with them before Lever decided to move Dags (not that Dags!!!) to the first line) or if he's really talented, but he's been producing at a good pace in his rookie season (12-14-26 +12 in only 34 games). I'll make a comment on Chipchura. He's not an offensive player (at least not yet), but I think he's a solid two-way player. He's developing into a Bob Gainey type guy - he's the one you want out there when the game's on the line. Personally I think it's a case of the kid is being told to develop his defensive game at this level as that's where he'll have the most success and let his offensive capabilities develop as they will. I'm confident that he'll be a solid 3rd line shut-down type of player in the NHL who will provide some offense. |
|
AK has been producing at a pace of 2-3 pts per game for the past 3-4 weeks. 
. Instead of just showing flashes of brilliance he's now pretty much consistently brilliant.