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Post by Reesor on Mar 26, 2023 8:01:32 GMT -4
First time since 2008 that the Battle of Nova Scotia has made its way to the playoffs. The Moose and Eagles are rarely good at the same time anymore with their junior hockey cycles being apart. But it's always a fun rivalry and regardless of the outcome, this should be an entertaining series.
The Moose are 2nd in the league with 107 points. The Eagles ended up 11th in the overall standings with 64 points. There were three distinct groupings of teams in the Eastern Conference. Quebec/Halifax, Moncton/Chicoutimi/Rimouski, and the rest of the club in the first stages of the rebuild. Cape Breton made some trades at the deadline to improve, and while their overall record didn't improve much, they've shown at times that they may belong in that 2nd group. They're a little farther along than the other rebuilding teams and have more veteran players in their lineup than the other rebuilding teams. They've been like a Jekyll & Hyde, you don't really know what Eagles team you're going to face. If the good Eagles team shows up, Halifax will have to be on their toes.
Ultimately it's a 2 vs 7 matchup that I'd give the edge to Halifax in in every category: Offensive firepower, depth, defense and goaltending. Special teams also favor the Moose.
Keys for Halifax:
- Adjust. There will be a game or a period where things aren't working. Don't be afraid to be dynamic and change up the strategy if the flow of the game isn't going your way.
- Goaltending. Upsets in the playoffs usually revolve around the underdog goaltender standing on their head, and the favorite goaltender faltering. Rousseau has to maintain focus, especially if the play is up the other end for a long period of time and then all of the sudden he gets busy.
- Keep up the pace. Halifax can overwhelm teams with offense. Don't take the foot off the gas. Keep up the intensity starting in game 1 and force Cape Breton to keep pace. The longer the intensity is kept up, the more fatigue may play a factor later on.
Keys for Cape Breton:
- Special Teams. It could be easy to try to use the occasional face wash and after-the-whistle scrum to get under Halifax's skin. That's a strategy that a lot of underdogs use. The top players on Halifax have very few penalty minutes. If Cape Breton are over-zealous in that department, it may result in the Moose having way too many chances on the power play which won't be a winning strategy for the Eagles. Don't get too lost in the heat of the rivalry.
- Defense-first. The Eagles have a few very good players. But they absolutely cannot open up the game. They have to prevent odd-man rushes and be opportunistic with their chances. I thought they played a pretty decent game Saturday night. They have to think 2-1 games if they're going to win.
- Embrace the underdog role. Go in with no expectations and surprise yourself. Halifax will have more pressure on them. Get excited about the opportunity in front of you. Picture what it would do to the Scotiabank Center if you were up early in game one. Concentrate on playing your game and believe that you can make an impact. Games one and two are the best shot at throwing a wrench into this series. Have fun and take advantage of your opportunities.
Prediction: Moose in five. I think Cape Breton makes a game or two interesting, and wins a game in overtime. Overall the Moose are a good, consistent group. Even though they might have a setback I think they'll overcome it and use it to their advantage. This shouldn't be a yawner of a first round series and I hope Halifax is better off playing a team like Cape Breton than another team. I think Halifax drew a tough match up for round one considering they were 2nd overall. But their talent and work ethic should get them through.
Go Moose!
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Post by howitzer on Mar 26, 2023 8:06:58 GMT -4
Halifax has been on cruise control for a while. They've been waiting for the playoffs. They should have no problems with CB.
I predict a sweep. Two games will be competitive.
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Post by Joe Burrow on Mar 26, 2023 8:14:48 GMT -4
Moose in 7 I think cb won’t be a pushover
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Post by Jacques Strap on Mar 26, 2023 10:06:32 GMT -4
Moose in 7 I think cb won’t be a pushover If CB wins 3 games I think the Mooseheads are in trouble the rest of the way. IMO. |
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Post by Reesor on Mar 26, 2023 11:03:35 GMT -4
Moose in 7 I think cb won’t be a pushover If CB wins 3 games I think the Mooseheads are in trouble the rest of the way. IMO. While logically that makes perfect sense, I think the adversity Halifax had in their first round series vs Quebec woke them up and helped them in their next two series. I would feel a lot better if Halifax played their A game off the bat and took care of what will be a tenacious Eagles team as quickly as possible. |
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Post by yesisaiditfirst on Mar 26, 2023 16:33:55 GMT -4
If CB wins 3 games I think the Mooseheads are in trouble the rest of the way. IMO. While logically that makes perfect sense, I think the adversity Halifax had in their first round series vs Quebec woke them up and helped them in their next two series. I would feel a lot better if Halifax played their A game off the bat and took care of what will be a tenacious Eagles team as quickly as possible. correct - hockey is dotted with teams who struggled (were battled) in first round and only ended up winning the cup - even great teams like the Oilers of 80s and even last years Sea Dogs who lost a best of 5 vs Rimouski. What would cause it is a hot goalie? Maybe Ruccia. He has to out play Rousseau and that can happen. Maybe not 3 times but Rousseau has been fortunate this year being able to assume wins and never be under stress. What he did on the Quebec road trip leads you to believe if he is peppered with work he will battle and win. But what if Cape Breton gets a few good chances and sinks a few? It's hard to be sharp when not as busy. Cape gets not a lot of shots but a lead off just a few breaks and then Ruccia closes the door with 35-40 saves. That stuff does happen. As for other series. Rimouski comes in cold. But know Sags well and vice versa. The B-C vs Moncton one is not a slam dunks for Moncton. It may even be an upset as B-C has played pretty good lately. And that travel means will it be 2-3-2 ?? (if they measure the ferry or the long drive its a different calculation) - I think Moncton may lose this time if they split at home or worse. Quebec due for a loss. Say 2nd round they lose a game of 2. |
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Post by Reesor on Mar 26, 2023 19:01:14 GMT -4
While logically that makes perfect sense, I think the adversity Halifax had in their first round series vs Quebec woke them up and helped them in their next two series. I would feel a lot better if Halifax played their A game off the bat and took care of what will be a tenacious Eagles team as quickly as possible. correct - hockey is dotted with teams who struggled (were battled) in first round and only ended up winning the cup - even great teams like the Oilers of 80s and even last years Sea Dogs who lost a best of 5 vs Rimouski. What would cause it is a hot goalie? Maybe Ruccia. He has to out play Rousseau and that can happen. Maybe not 3 times but Rousseau has been fortunate this year being able to assume wins and never be under stress. What he did on the Quebec road trip leads you to believe if he is peppered with work he will battle and win. But what if Cape Breton gets a few good chances and sinks a few? It's hard to be sharp when not as busy. Cape gets not a lot of shots but a lead off just a few breaks and then Ruccia closes the door with 35-40 saves. That stuff does happen. As for other series. Rimouski comes in cold. But know Sags well and vice versa. The B-C vs Moncton one is not a slam dunks for Moncton. It may even be an upset as B-C has played pretty good lately. And that travel means will it be 2-3-2 ?? (if they measure the ferry or the long drive its a different calculation) - I think Moncton may lose this time if they split at home or worse. Quebec due for a loss. Say 2nd round they lose a game of 2. Cape Breton seem like a version of Halifax from last year. If you keep them in the game they are pesky and will give you a hard time. If you can score a few on them early, the floodgates could open and you might end up with 8 or 9. Pin them down early and get them out of it. You mentioned it and I agree. What a Cape Breton win would look like is Halifax hems them in the zone for 10 minutes, then gives up a 2 on 1 the other way and Cape Breton scores. Their chances go in, and Halifax's don't. The Eagles aren't going to win the puck possession game. They have to make the most of their chances on the rush and hope their goaltending keeps them in games. The Moncton/Baie-Comeau series is 2-3-2. |
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Post by hockey1981 on Mar 27, 2023 9:35:56 GMT -4
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Post by Reesor on Mar 27, 2023 9:39:16 GMT -4
^^ I was wrong on that one. I'm happy the league reversed the decision on the aggressor. It goes to show how careful L'Heureux will have to be in the playoffs. Even though they got the call wrong on the ice the officials tend to error on the side of more, especially with a player like L'Heureux who has a history. Can't have him racking up 5 minute majors and getting himself kicked out of the game at critical times.
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Post by Jack Bauer on Mar 27, 2023 9:43:56 GMT -4
If CB wins 3 games I think the Mooseheads are in trouble the rest of the way. IMO. While logically that makes perfect sense, I think the adversity Halifax had in their first round series vs Quebec woke them up and helped them in their next two series. I would feel a lot better if Halifax played their A game off the bat and took care of what will be a tenacious Eagles team as quickly as possible. An awful lot is being put on the Eagles Friday night performance while ignoring the other 67 games. Tenacious isn't exactly what I'm expecting. Average goaltending and a 1 line offense has basically been the story of the Eagles season. That isn't changing leading up to Friday night. Halifax should steamroll this Eagles team and have no issue putting up 5 every game. |
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Post by Reesor on Mar 27, 2023 9:53:03 GMT -4
While logically that makes perfect sense, I think the adversity Halifax had in their first round series vs Quebec woke them up and helped them in their next two series. I would feel a lot better if Halifax played their A game off the bat and took care of what will be a tenacious Eagles team as quickly as possible. An awful lot is being put on the Eagles Friday night performance while ignoring the other 67 games. Tenacious isn't exactly what I'm expecting. Average goaltending and a 1 line offense has basically been the story of the Eagles season. That isn't changing leading up to Friday night. Halifax should steamroll this Eagles team and have no issue putting up 5 every game. It's not so much that I have a fear of Halifax losing the series. It's a 2 vs 7 matchup and I don't think the Moose will have an issue overall. But I'd prefer them to just finish it as quickly as possible. You start getting into more games verses heated rivals and you increase the risk of suspensions, injuries, fatigue etc. Halifax might have to get through Cape Breton and Moncton to get to the semis, and I don't want their emotional and physical energy spent in extra games. I mentioned CB are a Jekyll and Hyde team. If the Eagles team that showed up in Moncton on Saturday afternoon showed up in Halifax Friday night, I'm sure that's a blowout win for the Moose. Maybe there's recency bias in my analysis. I do think if Cape Breton plays like they did in Halifax on Friday night for the entire series, they'll win at least one game. If they play like they did against Moncton, they probably won't. |
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Post by yesisaiditfirst on Mar 27, 2023 9:58:21 GMT -4
While logically that makes perfect sense, I think the adversity Halifax had in their first round series vs Quebec woke them up and helped them in their next two series. I would feel a lot better if Halifax played their A game off the bat and took care of what will be a tenacious Eagles team as quickly as possible. An awful lot is being put on the Eagles Friday night performance while ignoring the other 67 games. Tenacious isn't exactly what I'm expecting. Average goaltending and a 1 line offense has basically been the story of the Eagles season. That isn't changing leading up to Friday night. Halifax should steamroll this Eagles team and have no issue putting up 5 every game. Eagles season needs to be looked at from mid-November around when Thurston arrived on D until the end of season. That's who they really are. That first month was brutal with all the road games, all those tough Quebec games early, and distraction from how the hurricane messed up schedule. They still are far from perfect & unpredictable like Chicoutimi and the Drakkar, but it's small improvement and confidence. You know Ivan is going to play like it's the end of his junior career and leave it all out there. But yeah can't go by the Friday 2-1 win in Halifax or the rebound 9-2 loss in Moncton. Halifax had to manage their emotion to end season to avoid suspensions. Guys like l'heureux and Mackinnon play with one hand tied behind their backs and that is something Eagles can exploit. Missing Whynot they can exploit the depth on Halifax back end. May be smart to disrupt players like Schultz and make it hard to let him involve in the play. But they shouldn't win 3 games...but maybe 1 win. **it will be better for Halifax if these aren't 5 goal cake walks. That will not prepare them for future rounds. |
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Post by Jack Bauer on Mar 27, 2023 10:59:45 GMT -4
An awful lot is being put on the Eagles Friday night performance while ignoring the other 67 games. Tenacious isn't exactly what I'm expecting. Average goaltending and a 1 line offense has basically been the story of the Eagles season. That isn't changing leading up to Friday night. Halifax should steamroll this Eagles team and have no issue putting up 5 every game. Eagles season needs to be looked at from mid-November around when Thurston arrived on D until the end of season. That's who they really are. That first month was brutal with all the road games, all those tough Quebec games early, and distraction from how the hurricane messed up schedule. They still are far from perfect & unpredictable like Chicoutimi and the Drakkar, but it's small improvement and confidence. You know Ivan is going to play like it's the end of his junior career and leave it all out there. But yeah can't go by the Friday 2-1 win in Halifax or the rebound 9-2 loss in Moncton. Halifax had to manage their emotion to end season to avoid suspensions. Guys like l'heureux and Mackinnon play with one hand tied behind their backs and that is something Eagles can exploit. Missing Whynot they can exploit the depth on Halifax back end. May be smart to disrupt players like Schultz and make it hard to let him involve in the play. But they shouldn't win 3 games...but maybe 1 win. **it will be better for Halifax if these aren't 5 goal cake walks. That will not prepare them for future rounds. Halifax just has depth all over that CB can't match. Goaltending might be the only area but there's only 1 net so having an experienced backup only matters so much. CB can certainly steal a game. Especially at home where the 2 buildings will be polar opposites. That atmosphere change from big and loud crowds to a half full C200 probably sees Halifax play down to CB's caliber a little early on but the depth Halifax has is going to give them fits. The elements are an upset were shown loud and clear Friday night. Solid goaltending, defensive structure, and scoring when then chances are there. But I also think that happening so close to game 1 hurts CB if Halifax's coaches know how to exploit that for games 1 and 2. They have the depth and experience and talent that should come prepared to do that. |
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Post by Briwhel on Mar 27, 2023 12:26:13 GMT -4
I expect Halifax's top line to lay down double digit points (each) in 4 games.
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Post by howitzer on Mar 27, 2023 14:38:12 GMT -4
That's great news. Unfortunately, I wouldn't bet 1$ he'll go all playoffs and not be suspended for at least a game. When the intensity picks up, he just can't help himself. |
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