PEI - Halifax Season Opener

[IslandersHKY]

Personally I’m really looking forward to the season opener and am super enthused that Morrison, Walker & Lessard will all be back in time. I noticed this mornings Guardian didn’t mentioned Lafleur will be back so it sounds like he is going to the main camp (congrats Antoine).

Anyway I just wanted to get a game thread started early and everyone is welcome to share their thoughts on potential line combinations or whatnot. So here is what I would like to see:

Walker-Morrison-Cliche
Schmidt-Doyle-Kana
Locke-Lachaine-MacLean
McKinely-DesRoches-Paynter

Lessard-Southorn
Gervais-Main
Swit-?


Tough not having Street in the opening lineup but I’m hoping to see him Sunday. At this point I am putting in McKinley unless he isn't 100% yet then it probably would be Street.

Also want to say congrats to Wright for earning a spot on this team. I thought he worked hard and he has gotten better as training camp went on. Hopefully he continues to work hard and earns some decent ice time in his rookie year. At only 17 he certainly has some potential for the future.

On defense it will be a tough call on that final spot. Honestly I would rather see Clow, Malouin & Deighan all in there over Swit but we know that isn’t going to happen. And IMO the right thing to do will be to play each of them in a game on Friday, Sunday and next Wednesday likely with Clow & Deighan playing Friday/Sunday. I know it is tough for them now but if those 3 show they can all contribute regularly they will force Swit out regardless of if he improves his play from preseason. Nothing personal against Swit he just hasn’t lived up to the expectations of a 20 yr old defenseman so far and it is hard having 3 talented 17 yr olds fighting for 1 spot.

And if any Moose fans have any guesses on what their lineups might be I would be interested in hearing them. Prindham, Swan and maybe Bodnarchuk with likely be back. MacMillian and Voracek likely won’t be and Hillier is a question mark. Could be the Rocket’s best opportunity to earn a win against Halifax.

[Krang7]

Won't Latal be in Phoenix?

I'm definetly looking forward to this game as well. I've been missing Rocket hockey quite a bit over the summer, so I need my fix.

Beer please.

[IslandersHKY]

Good point I totally forgot about that.

I have edited the Roster accordingly.

[bois]

Looking forward to the game, hoping for a good sized crowd and a better opener than last years debacle against Lewy

[CrazyJoeDavola]

I dont know who is where for Halifax right now... Bodnarchuk hadnt even left for camp as of the weekend, so I would think he may be on his way. Would be surprised to see Voracek back.

I actually see a Rocket win... probably 5-3... if we are missing Voracek and Bodnarchuk, 2 key guys on F/D.

[Krang7]

Whoever we have in net, whether it's Gelinas or Mosher, is going to have little QMJHL experience, so that might be a big factor. I'm sure the nerves will be jacked, especially in a home opener. Might be a high scoring game.

[rocketlauncher]

Hockeyfan99. The top 6 D look pretty much set, and Yannick is not the type who rolls D in and out equally to give them all a chance ie: Malouin last year.

I expect that you will see

Lessard Southorn
Gervais Main
Swit Deighan

Clow and Malouin will be spotted in when there are injuries and to give an occasional rest

[canbeer]

Moose will almost certainly be missing Voracek and MacMillan, likely missing Pridham and Bodnarchuk. Hillier is a bit of an unknown (i'd guess he would be back for Friday). Swan is back. So you'll likely see some different lines on Friday. I'd guess PEI wins.

Potential Moose lineup.

Hillier - Corsi - Swan
Cheremetiev - Knotek - Peters
Smith - White - Randell
Louis-Seize - ... - O'Donnell

O'Connor - Monast
Bona - MacAskill
Pender - Goyens

Yetman
Kennedy

They may dress Greer (7 D) or call up Grant or... maybe someone else is back.

Lund (injured and may return in two weeks), MacMillan (away and injured), Voracek/Bodnarchuk/Pridham (away).

[1barney22]

That would be huge mistake to not play Clow and Malouin....clow especially. He needs the playing time to adjust to the league. He could be a real impact player if he is given a chance.

I honestly believe that the only problem with him is confidence. Once they show some confidence in him, he will begin to play his game and stop playing full of nerves and afraid to make a mistake

[Krang7]

canbeer said:

Moose will almost certainly be missing Voracek and MacMillan, likely missing Pridham and Bodnarchuk. Hillier is a bit of an unknown (i'd guess he would be back for Friday). Swan is back. So you'll likely see some different lines on Friday. I'd guess PEI wins.

Potential Moose lineup.

Hillier - Corsi - Swan
Pridham - Knotek - Peters
Smith - Cheremetiev - White
Louis-Seize - Randell - O'Donnell

O'Connor - Monast
Bona - MacAskill
Pender - Goyens

Yetman
Kennedy

Greer (sits), Lund (injured and may return in two weeks), MacMillan (away and injured), Voracek/Bodnarchuk/Pridham (away).

So Pridham is going to be away, yet on the second line

[canbeer]

krang7 said:

canbeer said:

Moose will almost certainly be missing Voracek and MacMillan, likely missing Pridham and Bodnarchuk. Hillier is a bit of an unknown (i'd guess he would be back for Friday). Swan is back. So you'll likely see some different lines on Friday. I'd guess PEI wins.

Potential Moose lineup.

Hillier - Corsi - Swan
Pridham - Knotek - Peters
Smith - Cheremetiev - White
Louis-Seize - Randell - O'Donnell

O'Connor - Monast
Bona - MacAskill
Pender - Goyens

Yetman
Kennedy

Greer (sits), Lund (injured and may return in two weeks), MacMillan (away and injured), Voracek/Bodnarchuk/Pridham (away).

So Pridham is going to be away, yet on the second line

lol I knew something wasn't right.

[IslandersHKY]

rocketlauncher said:

Hockeyfan99. The top 6 D look pretty much set, and Yannick is not the type who rolls D in and out equally to give them all a chance ie: Malouin last year.

I expect that you will see

Lessard Southorn
Gervais Main
Swit Deighan

Clow and Malouin will be spotted in when there are injuries and to give an occasional rest

I would be extremely disappointed if Jean followed your suggested approach and played Deighan the majority of games and only gave Clow/Malouin spot duty.

No knock against Deighan who has played great simply the fact that ALL 3 are quality 17 yr old prospects who ALL need development time. And if all three understand the situation and are regularly rotated in-and-out of the lineup it won't hurt them for now although my preference is to move Swit and let the three of them share 2 spots instead of 1.

I'm a big fan of all three Defensemen and think they all have a bright future in this league.

[1barney22]

I think that Jean will do that to Clow and Mally....but I don't agree with it

[lessards1fan]

krang7 said:

Whoever we have in net, whether it's Gelinas or Mosher, is going to have little QMJHL experience, so that might be a big factor. I'm sure the nerves will be jacked, especially in a home opener. Might be a high scoring game.

on the rocket website, it says that lafleur and gelinas are in net for friday..well not both at the same time but u know what i mean... ;D

[nolman29]

5-3 Rocket with an empty net