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Post by wingman on Nov 18, 2007 11:21:51 GMT -4
Wow that's three wins in a row and the only big difference in their play has been the goal tending. So what's up Latal, he hasn't been getting too much ice time since the new coach came on board. Last night he had only two shifts in the first period, that's not much ice time for an NHL draft pick.  The first couple of games that Chouinard coached I thought he relied alot on Latal because he gave him lots of ice time and was even using him on the point for the power play. I watched a practice in training camp where Jean sent Latal off the ice because he wasn't putting an effort into the defensive drills. Perhaps with Chouinard wanting the forwards to help out the defense more, Latal isn't buying into it and this is the result of it. I'm not saying that's the case but it wouldn't be the first time to see someone's ice time reduced because they didn't want to buy into the new coach's system. |
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Post by coreyapple on Nov 18, 2007 11:24:13 GMT -4
Some notes from last night's game.
1) Smallest crowd I've ever seen at The Cage, by a country mile; no way there were 3400+ there, as the place was barely 1/3 full.
Of course, with these wonderful announcements that tell us how many tickets were sold (WTF does the fan care about that?), we'll never know.
At least they should announce it as "Number of tickets sold for tonight's game", and not try and pass it off as "attendance", which means now many people actually "attended" the game!
The upside was that there was little congestion at the concessions, and got out of the parking lot in a jiffy after the game.
2) The Cage was comfortable - not too hot, not too cold, as Baby Bear would say.
3) It was really nice to see the Rocket come out looking sharp and aggressive - again! 10 shots on goal in slightly under the first nine minutes of the game, just like last week against the Drillers - that HAS to be coaching!
4)....but the NICEST thing to see was the Rocket's work ethic - came back very strong every time Moncton scored, and actually didn't give the Cats any good opportunities in the last minute, with the goalie pulled.
5) Lafleur looked solid, though he should have had that first goal - it looked strangely like Jezegou's series-winning goal last spring, but we won't talk about that. Lafleur is no longer fighting the puck, and he controlled a lot of rebounds last night; the downside is that the Rocket defence is allowing WAYYY too many rebounds, but Guy will fix that soon, I'm sure.
6) There were 18 1/2 Rocket fans at the game, so the attendance went "Over" the posted number of 10 1/2. I say 18 1/2 because I'm including the little kid who wouldn't stop beating a small wooden hockey stick on the ledge in front of the first row, blew his whistle constantly, and spent the rest of the evening kicking the boards with both feet - and no, it WASN'T Junior Cormier!
7) Latal is ineffective, and becoming noticeably frustrated; after he just missed a goal from the slot from a nice feed by Kana at the very end of the first period, he was beside himself, banging his stick on the ice and on the boards, and shaking his head; time for a one-on-one talk with the coach, I'd say.
8) I REALLY like Brian Main out there on defence, and Deighan is holding his own too; Cliche still got too many shifts; Cliche is the one player who shouldn't get ANY shifts - not with the Rocket, anyway.
All in all, not a spectacular effort, but a very good effort and a very enjoyable game.
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Post by stratford on Nov 18, 2007 12:32:14 GMT -4
Wow that's three wins in a row and the only big difference in their play has been the goal tending. So what's up Latal, he hasn't been getting too much ice time since the new coach came on board. Last night he had only two shifts in the first period, that's not much ice time for an NHL draft pick. The first couple of games that Chouinard coached I thought he relied alot on Latal because he gave him lots of ice time and was even using him on the point for the power play. I watched a practice in training camp where Jean sent Latal off the ice because he wasn't putting an effort into the defensive drills. Perhaps with Chouinard wanting the forwards to help out the defense more, Latal isn't buying into it and this is the result of it. I'm not saying that's the case but it wouldn't be the first time to see someone's ice time reduced because they didn't want to buy into the new coach's system. I was at both Rocket games in Lewiston and the only player on the Rocket who stood out as being totally ineffective was Latal. Everyone else seemed to put in a good effort. Hopefully he gets back on track very soon. |
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Post by chillywack on Nov 18, 2007 13:14:01 GMT -4
6) There were 18 1/2 Rocket fans at the game, so the attendance went "Over" the posted number of 10 1/2. I say 18 1/2 because I'm including the little kid who wouldn't stop beating a small wooden hockey stick on the ledge in front of the first row, blew his whistle constantly, and spent the rest of the evening kicking the boards with both feet - and no, it WASN'T Junior Cormier! . So, that's why you got up and moved a section over.  . |
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Post by rockon on Nov 18, 2007 14:12:38 GMT -4
It's kind of difficult to be effective when you're not getting the quality ice time with other quality players. It looks like the coach is throwing him out there with different player combinations and hoping something magical will happen. This is supposed to be his year to impress the big league team(Phoenix) and instead he's being used as an experiment! What a waste of talent!
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Post by johntherevalator on Nov 18, 2007 14:37:34 GMT -4
Holy somkes, what an adventure getting to Moncton. I've never worked that hard to get to a hockey game, ever. Me and my girlfriend are visiting Halifax this weekend, some QT with the parents, and decide that since we're already over the bridge, we might as well go see the Rocket play in Moncton. The night before the game, we're having dinner at Ryan Duffy's in Halifax, and when we go back to the car, BAM, a flat tire. Midnight at the corner of Barrington and Spring Garden, and more than a little drunk, (GF was driving) we performed the slowest tire change EVER. That's fine,we thought, we'll take this oppurtunity to get new snow tires put on the car. The next day we couldn't find 1 mechanic without a booking in Hali, so we drove all the way to Truro, lokking like a Hippo in high heels, and sat and waited for a cancellation at Canadian Tire. There finally was one at 3.30 and we went to give them our keys. The only problem was, the keys were left in the car, and you know the car was locked. Apparantly, the tools for opening doors are highly regulated, and CT did not have them. So we waited for CAA and prayed there would be another cancellation in time. As luck would have it, there was, and we finally got on the road to Moncton at 5.30. We found ourselves a pidgeon and motored at fair speed to get there, however, on the Cobiquid pass we ran into a freak snowstorm, and could only do about 80. After we broke free, I'll spare you the details as to not incriminate myself, we made it to the Moncton Colisee with 18 minutes left in the 1st. And the Rocket pulled it out. Needless to say, it was worth it. PS To the random girl in the Rocket hoodie I mistakenly touched romantically on the small of the back, my sincere apologies once more |
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Post by hockeychick21 on Nov 18, 2007 14:40:09 GMT -4
Jesus that is quite the adventure thats for sure, atleast in the end u made it to the game
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Post by wingman on Nov 18, 2007 14:45:51 GMT -4
It's kind of difficult to be effective when you're not getting the quality ice time with other quality players. It looks like the coach is throwing him out there with different player combinations and hoping something magical will happen. This is supposed to be his year to impress the big league team(Phoenix) and instead he's being used as an experiment! What a waste of talent! Then how are players like Paynter and MacKinley who are not getting the "quality" ice time with those same "quality" players, but yet are effective with the ice time and the players they are playing with? Players don't have to play with the top players to be effective and if they are not making the most out of the ice that they do get, why would they be deserving of more ice time over players who are being effective and are getting the job done. |
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Post by rockon on Nov 18, 2007 18:52:00 GMT -4
It's kind of difficult to be effective when you're not getting the quality ice time with other quality players. It looks like the coach is throwing him out there with different player combinations and hoping something magical will happen. This is supposed to be his year to impress the big league team(Phoenix) and instead he's being used as an experiment! What a waste of talent! Then how are players like Paynter and MacKinley who are not getting the "quality" ice time with those same "quality" players, but yet are effective with the ice time and the players they are playing with? Players don't have to play with the top players to be effective and if they are not making the most out of the ice that they do get, why would they be deserving of more ice time over players who are being effective and are getting the job done. |
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Post by rockon on Nov 18, 2007 18:53:38 GMT -4
and when did Paynter and Mackinley get drafted?
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Post by bois on Nov 18, 2007 19:03:41 GMT -4
if Latal makes it to Phoenix he'll be playing with players other than Morrison, Walker and Kana
He was better today but he certainly is not playing like he did late last year or at the start of this season.. and we need him to be a presence every night
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Post by rockon on Nov 18, 2007 19:18:37 GMT -4
I agree and we know how much talent he has and my point is that the coaching staff should be utilizing that talent. He did have a good game tonight and I think he should be used more often on the PP, with his speed and puck control it gives them a better chance to gain the zone and setup. I think the top line gets way too much ice time on PP and 5 on 5!
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Post by North Shore on Nov 19, 2007 11:09:51 GMT -4
I agree and we know how much talent he has and my point is that the coaching staff should be utilizing that talent. He did have a good game tonight and I think he should be used more often on the PP, with his speed and puck control it gives them a better chance to gain the zone and setup. I think the top line gets way too much ice time on PP and 5 on 5! He should also get more time on the PK. With his speed he is very effective breaking up the rush and is a real threat when the puck turns over. Because of that the opossing D have to be more conservative when he's on the pk. |
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Post by wingman on Nov 19, 2007 18:42:51 GMT -4
and when did Paynter and Mackinley get drafted? What does being drafted have to do with being effective and which linemates you play with? |
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Post by rockon on Nov 19, 2007 19:07:41 GMT -4
and when did Paynter and Mackinley get drafted? What does being drafted have to do with being effective and which linemates you play with? Being drafted means that the scouts have agreed that the player has talent and potential and it's up to the coach to utilize that talent by knowing what the best mix of players will yield the most effectiveness.  |
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