Post by countryboy on Aug 19, 2007 22:15:00 GMT -4
I see a few have posted their comments on the Aug. 19 game between the Foggies and the Rocket in the training camp thread. I thought I'd start a game thread as those comments are buried on pg. 7.
Summerside seems to be really putting on the dog for their foray into Q hockey. They didn't cut any corners though we're only in preseason action. They used their dimmers, had promotions (mostly for the Caps and Caps tickets) and had a little pregame ceremony. The Wellness Center is a great facility and I had a ton of fun going to Caps games in the playoffs last spring and tonight brought back those memories. The only complaint was how slow the ticket lines moved. It was even worse than the CCC! Show up early tomorrow to get in without the wait.
After an offensive explosion in the 1st, with the Rocket way up the teams kind of mailed in the effort in the 2nd and 3rd. There wasn't a lot of intensity later in the game, which was suprising on a couple of accords. Firstly, the Fog Devils carry their reputation of getting nasty when down and they had a few of their *notables* dressed (O'Keefe, Boland - though he took a puck in the mouth early and didn't return, Fillier). Secondly, this early in camp you often have lots of guys around camp looking to get noticed any way possible. A good tilt in an out of reach game is sometimes a ticket to a few more days. I was surprised Real didn't fire his team up and start some jam. It was kind of a sleeper after the 1st though.
JS Allard was the only body was going for the FDs tonight... otherwise, most others were asleep. PA Marion was particulary shaky in the net... surprising for a guy who should be the a lock for the backup job and would've probably been #1 had their Euro not reported.
For the Rocket.....
Nathan DesRoches made a very strong case for himself to get a much longer look in camp. He took full advantage of the room Walker and Cliche opened up for him and put up a lot of offense. Also, he missed a couple of good chances along the way. I thought DesRoches' skating might not be up to snuff for major jr. prior to camp, but he made a very strong case for himself tonight to stick around for a little while.
Cliche played well... using his size to create room. He's still ackward (at 6'6" he always will be) but he used a lightning quick release in the slot a couple times.
As mentioned, Walker dominated as well.
Lucas McKinley needs to show more in preseason to see his role expand. He didn't take full advantage of his opportunities tonight and didn't use his size the same way Cliche and Walker did.
I like the way Kana plays along the boards. He's not as quick or flashy as Latal but can grind it out like Marty. He might not be the offensive player we were looking for... at least not at 17.
I like the way MacLean and Street play. Both are hard skating 16 year olds and look to take the body whenever they can. Early on, both look like the'll be able to play Q hockey at 16.
Kris Schmidt made a strong case for himself with a couple of markers, but he's in tough as a 19 year old trying to crack a roster with most spots likely decided.
Paynter is playing like he's trying to earn his spot. He doesn't take a shift off and is alwasy looking to take the body.
I really like the way Coon-Come plays as well. He's kind of a Paynter clone in terms of size and the fact he's always hard skating and looking to take the body. He's a little dirtier than Greg though, from what I saw tonight and in the morning scrimmage on Saturday. As much as I like him though, does Paynter occupy the role he's looking for?
On defense, I thought Swit was as adverstised.... nothing special, but few mistakes. He won't be the best 20 we've seen on the Rocket blueline, but should be adequate.
I liked the agressiveness Main played with, but I don't know if there's room for him on the blueline. I'd like to see Jean try him up front as well.
Southorn looked really good tonight and through a couple of big hits. He also looked good in the AM scrimmage on Saturday I thought.
Out of Deighan and Owens, I thought Deighan was a little sharper. I think he's stronger and better in his own end than Owens... plus he's a year younger.
Clow skates very well. He'll need to get stronger but his skating will carry him this year.
To the best of my knowledge, Wright played his minor hockey on defense, but the Rocket are using him up front. He certainly struggled tonight and I think part of it would be learning to play a position he's not familiar with. He's got impressive size and was looking for somebody to tangle with in the 3rd tonight but there were no takers. I don't think his skating is close to Q level though. If he's looking to be a tough guy he'll probably need a year of season in Jr. A to working on his skating.
I didn't think Clermont was overly stellar either. He allowed a couple of soft goals and isn't strong in handling the puck. He did make a couple of nice glove saves in the third and as the Fog Devils did put a bit of pressure on he stayed focused and kept them at bay.
Looking forward to a little more intensity tomorrow night. That should be the case though. We'll probably have some animostiy develop in a 3 in 3 nights series.
cb
Summerside seems to be really putting on the dog for their foray into Q hockey. They didn't cut any corners though we're only in preseason action. They used their dimmers, had promotions (mostly for the Caps and Caps tickets) and had a little pregame ceremony. The Wellness Center is a great facility and I had a ton of fun going to Caps games in the playoffs last spring and tonight brought back those memories. The only complaint was how slow the ticket lines moved. It was even worse than the CCC! Show up early tomorrow to get in without the wait.
After an offensive explosion in the 1st, with the Rocket way up the teams kind of mailed in the effort in the 2nd and 3rd. There wasn't a lot of intensity later in the game, which was suprising on a couple of accords. Firstly, the Fog Devils carry their reputation of getting nasty when down and they had a few of their *notables* dressed (O'Keefe, Boland - though he took a puck in the mouth early and didn't return, Fillier). Secondly, this early in camp you often have lots of guys around camp looking to get noticed any way possible. A good tilt in an out of reach game is sometimes a ticket to a few more days. I was surprised Real didn't fire his team up and start some jam. It was kind of a sleeper after the 1st though.
JS Allard was the only body was going for the FDs tonight... otherwise, most others were asleep. PA Marion was particulary shaky in the net... surprising for a guy who should be the a lock for the backup job and would've probably been #1 had their Euro not reported.
For the Rocket.....
Nathan DesRoches made a very strong case for himself to get a much longer look in camp. He took full advantage of the room Walker and Cliche opened up for him and put up a lot of offense. Also, he missed a couple of good chances along the way. I thought DesRoches' skating might not be up to snuff for major jr. prior to camp, but he made a very strong case for himself tonight to stick around for a little while.
Cliche played well... using his size to create room. He's still ackward (at 6'6" he always will be) but he used a lightning quick release in the slot a couple times.
As mentioned, Walker dominated as well.
Lucas McKinley needs to show more in preseason to see his role expand. He didn't take full advantage of his opportunities tonight and didn't use his size the same way Cliche and Walker did.
I like the way Kana plays along the boards. He's not as quick or flashy as Latal but can grind it out like Marty. He might not be the offensive player we were looking for... at least not at 17.
I like the way MacLean and Street play. Both are hard skating 16 year olds and look to take the body whenever they can. Early on, both look like the'll be able to play Q hockey at 16.
Kris Schmidt made a strong case for himself with a couple of markers, but he's in tough as a 19 year old trying to crack a roster with most spots likely decided.
Paynter is playing like he's trying to earn his spot. He doesn't take a shift off and is alwasy looking to take the body.
I really like the way Coon-Come plays as well. He's kind of a Paynter clone in terms of size and the fact he's always hard skating and looking to take the body. He's a little dirtier than Greg though, from what I saw tonight and in the morning scrimmage on Saturday. As much as I like him though, does Paynter occupy the role he's looking for?
On defense, I thought Swit was as adverstised.... nothing special, but few mistakes. He won't be the best 20 we've seen on the Rocket blueline, but should be adequate.
I liked the agressiveness Main played with, but I don't know if there's room for him on the blueline. I'd like to see Jean try him up front as well.
Southorn looked really good tonight and through a couple of big hits. He also looked good in the AM scrimmage on Saturday I thought.
Out of Deighan and Owens, I thought Deighan was a little sharper. I think he's stronger and better in his own end than Owens... plus he's a year younger.
Clow skates very well. He'll need to get stronger but his skating will carry him this year.
To the best of my knowledge, Wright played his minor hockey on defense, but the Rocket are using him up front. He certainly struggled tonight and I think part of it would be learning to play a position he's not familiar with. He's got impressive size and was looking for somebody to tangle with in the 3rd tonight but there were no takers. I don't think his skating is close to Q level though. If he's looking to be a tough guy he'll probably need a year of season in Jr. A to working on his skating.
I didn't think Clermont was overly stellar either. He allowed a couple of soft goals and isn't strong in handling the puck. He did make a couple of nice glove saves in the third and as the Fog Devils did put a bit of pressure on he stayed focused and kept them at bay.
Looking forward to a little more intensity tomorrow night. That should be the case though. We'll probably have some animostiy develop in a 3 in 3 nights series.
cb
