Wildcats @ Titan - March 28

[WhiteTyAffair]

[hockey1981]

What does everyone think?

[SteveUL]

I watched the game yesterday on the Rogers Ch 9 which is a French broadcast, and my French skills are poor. With 20 sec left on the clock, Wildcats scored into an empty net ... short handed ... to go up 5-3. But a few minutes later ... according to the broadcast, the goal was disallowed and the score (on the Rogers broadcast) was reset to 4-3. As I understood the reason from what the Rogers guys were saying (in French), was the Wildcat player had exited the penalty box early and so there were too many men on the ice at the time of that 5th goal ... but I felt they were guessing at the reason. No big deal since we won, but later in the evening I saw that the final score was 5-3.

I did hear from one person that the review that the officials did after the EN goal was for an earlier play where the Titan hit the post, and they wanted to make sure it did not go in. So when the Ref came back to the faceoff circle after the review, he gave the "no goal" signal, and I guess the Rogers guys thought he was referring to the EN goal.

Does anybody know exactly what happened ?

[SteveUL]

Mar 29, 2021 7:42:12 GMT -4 hockey1981 said:

What does everyone think?

They are frustrating to watch, but they can still score. So many give-aways and poor clearing attempts make me want to pull my hair out. They lack speed. But they work hard most games and I can appreciate that. You don't beat more talented teams unless you can outwork them. When we are down by two goals going into the 3rd, I always feel that we will come back to tie it, and they usually do it. It doesn't hurt that we are playing against two poorly coached teams that don't stress team-defence.

I didn't expect much after losing Spence, Stewart and Fortier, but the fact that they are in almost every game until the final buzzer is encouraging. Nobody really stands out as a superstar although Loshing has good promise once he thinks the game a little better ... like all rookies need. But as these kids all progress over the next 2 seasons we will get stronger and stronger.

Our young goaltender had a strong showing yesterday and I expect that is probably the end of Sheehan for this season, although he'll probably be the backup next season.

We will clearly be in at least one of the single-game playoff matchups. We'll either play CB first or we'll await a Hal-CB winner. I'd rather finish in 5th to get that game vs CB, and perhaps come out with a win, and then matchup with Halifax. They would be two interesting games. But then if you managed to win both games then you'd get Charlottetown, which would be over quickly. I would have very little interest in that series, but I guess any playoff experience is better than none.

[chootoi]

The thing that sticks out most to me is they've given up 5+ in 6 of 8 games since coming back in March. And this is vs only SJ and BAT two very mid pack teams. Scoring 5 per night is great but when you're giving up 6 or 7 you're gonna have a bad time. Frustrating to watch but this is a young and inexperienced team for the most part so enough of the negatives.

- Fillion has looked good in limited action
- Labelle has been a good add despite injury time
- Cloutier seems like he's starting to figure it out which is encouraging
- Small sample size but Daoust is on a 90pts pace over a full season. I would have never expected that
- Also small sample size but Hudson is putting up Garland-like numbers since coming back. Where did this come from?
- I've really liked the Hamel pick up
- Once Barbashev dials it in I feel he has the potential to be every bit as good as his brother

[Captain Obvious]

I find this year has been a pleasant surprise, the team is in most games, which is all you can ask for from a rebuilding team. They moved some vets for picks and prospects(Spence Pelletier Stewart) and some of the kids are showing promise...Filion Pilotte Iasenza Cloutier Loshing & Barbashev. Plus casey has not looked out of place as an AF, same for Darcy.

The free agents have looked good in Labelle, Olson and Bernier. Dejong Daoust and HUdson plus DLC in nets have looked very good.

The biggest bright spot for me has been Langlois taking a big step forward at 18, he could be a big trade chip next year or a key piece as a 20 in 2 years. He was pretty invisible last year.

Obviously the rebuild will not be short and quick, I'm sure there will be growing pains, but at least we a see a small light at the end of the tunnel.

[lirette]

The best story so far for me has been late round draft picks having an impact

Pilote, Langlois, Daniel and even Leblanc have all had their moments. Pilote looks like he could be a solid 4/5 at 19 or 20, Langlois looks like he could fit in the top 6, and the other 2 will likely be solid role players to provide some depth when the team wasnt exactly loaded with draft picks.

It doesn't seem to matter who is injured the team still seems to play the same. Speaks to Lacroix as a coach. There's obviously a ton of turnovers and questionable defence but none of that is a surprise with a roster this young and inexperienced. DeJong is trying to play as a #1 D when he is more suited as a 4/5 guy.

The team really needs to add high end talent now, its crucial they hit with the valdor pick in the draft and get a top line 17 YO euro to add with Barbashev. If they lose out in both Rozzi and Hopkins I fear they just wont have the depth to compete at the end of this cycle without everything else going right.

[Captain Obvious]

Mar 29, 2021 10:57:11 GMT -4 lirette said:

The best story so far for me has been late round draft picks having an impact

Pilote, Langlois, Daniel and even Leblanc have all had their moments. Pilote looks like he could be a solid 4/5 at 19 or 20, Langlois looks like he could fit in the top 6, and the other 2 will likely be solid role players to provide some depth when the team wasnt exactly loaded with draft picks.

It doesn't seem to matter who is injured the team still seems to play the same. Speaks to Lacroix as a coach. There's obviously a ton of turnovers and questionable defence but none of that is a surprise with a roster this young and inexperienced. DeJong is trying to play as a #1 D when he is more suited as a 4/5 guy.

The team really needs to add high end talent now, its crucial they hit with the valdor pick in the draft and get a top line 17 YO euro to add with Barbashev. If they lose out in both Rozzi and Hopkins I fear they just wont have the depth to compete at the end of this cycle without everything else going right.

I think Pilotte could be a top 3 guy, he is already a #4-5 caliber guy. He is big and strong and usually makes good decisions with the puck. If we project in 2 or 3 years, by improving his skating and agility and gaining maturity, he can be a guy that provides offense and also play a shutdown role with his size and length. Olson is a similar guy, but a year older and more polished as a skater.

Pavan is more of a stay at home type with an edge, he would be a #4-5 guy, more limited with the puck but more natural skater.

Losing out on Hopkins would be huge, though the WC are saying all the right things about him reporting. Rozzi as well.

As you said, they have some pieces but they need more impact guys and more depth as well. Quality + quantity.

[WhiteTyAffair]

Mar 29, 2021 8:00:03 GMT -4 SteveUL said:

I watched the game yesterday on the Rogers Ch 9 which is a French broadcast, and my French skills are poor. With 20 sec left on the clock, Wildcats scored into an empty net ... short handed ... to go up 5-3. But a few minutes later ... according to the broadcast, the goal was disallowed and the score (on the Rogers broadcast) was reset to 4-3. As I understood the reason from what the Rogers guys were saying (in French), was the Wildcat player had exited the penalty box early and so there were too many men on the ice at the time of that 5th goal ... but I felt they were guessing at the reason. No big deal since we won, but later in the evening I saw that the final score was 5-3.

I did hear from one person that the review that the officials did after the EN goal was for an earlier play where the Titan hit the post, and they wanted to make sure it did not go in. So when the Ref came back to the faceoff circle after the review, he gave the "no goal" signal, and I guess the Rogers guys thought he was referring to the EN goal.

Does anybody know exactly what happened ?

You nailed it.

When the refs said no goal after their review, the Bathurst fans and players thought it was Moncton's empty net goal. As did the Rogers announcers. 

But they were actually reviewing a play in Moncton's zone prior to the ENG.

[Captain Obvious]

any idea who is in and out tonight?