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Post by rowcfanatic on Sept 17, 2007 8:27:14 GMT -4
Comparing the weights of the 18 skaters who played last night, the Cats averaged 181 2/3 pounds per man, while the Fog Devils averaged 194 5/6 per man, a difference of over 13 pounds per skater. Despite this I found we hit as often as them throughout the game (not in first though) but lost some along the boards battles. This is a large difference and one can only hope our speed makes up for the difference. This is not the size of team(especially forwards who are very small on average) that I was expecting, considering that Flynn said he wanted a bigger team than last year. I also expected a somewhat younger team. We seem to be using older free agents in some cases instead of developing younger draft picks, who may not be as good this year as the free agents, but may be better next year.Your comments please.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Sept 17, 2007 8:36:05 GMT -4
Comparing the weights of the 18 skaters who played last night, the Cats averaged 181 2/3 pounds per man, while the Fog Devils averaged 194 5/6 per man, a difference of over 13 pounds per skater. Despite this I found we hit as often as them throughout the game (not in first though) but lost some along the boards battles. This is a large difference and one can only hope our speed makes up for the difference. This is not the size of team(especially forwards who are very small on average) that I was expecting, considering that Flynn said he wanted a bigger team than last year. I also expected a somewhat younger team. We seem to be using older free agents in some cases instead of developing younger draft picks, who may not be as good this year as the free agents, but may be better next year.Your comments please. The 18/19 year old FA's are not replacing any young players, the only legit young d-men are Barberio and Pianosi plus Dimitruk who is at home right now. It's not like they cut a young Welton or MacDonald to keep Eastman Wilson and Gomes. Those guys help offset the loss of guys like Demers just like Sniderman and Lavigne help offset the loss of Blanchard. It's not an ideal situation, but a lot better than having crappy 17 year olds that won't help this year and end up cut next year. The team should get bigger with the return of Brannon and Marquardt, plus Baca was not dressed last night. They won't win on size so they have to be quick. |
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Post by SteveUL on Sept 17, 2007 8:38:42 GMT -4
St. John's is a big team ... but their big guys aren't that skilled ... an arguement that took place on another board just last week. SJ's set the tempo in the 1st period with physical play and were rewarded with a 2-0 lead. In the 2nd and 3rd ... Moncton started to use its speed and out hustled SJ's for the next 2 periods ... SJ's was still trying to hit but it wasn't nearly as effective.
We aren't big ... but you just can't get big overnight unless you are willing to sacrifice skill along the way. Missing Brannon and Marquardt from the lineup makes us even smaller ... and Cameron has decent size too ... just not a physical presence. Sill laid the body well and had a great game ... he does appear to be a little out of shape in the legs though as it takes him awhile to get up to speed ... but he had a couple of shifts where he showed great speed ... just not quickness ... that will come.
This team will be similar to last year ... they won't beat teams they don't out work ... and solid goaltending is a neccessity. Riopel was much better last although his Dmen played much better as well ... and we limited our penalties a little better. Refs seemed to put away their whistles in the 3rd.
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Post by jimmy on Sept 17, 2007 8:39:49 GMT -4
Comparing the weights of the 18 skaters who played last night, the Cats averaged 181 2/3 pounds per man, while the Fog Devils averaged 194 5/6 per man, a difference of over 13 pounds per skater. Despite this I found we hit as often as them throughout the game (not in first though) but lost some along the boards battles. This is a large difference and one can only hope our speed makes up for the difference. This is not the size of team(especially forwards who are very small on average) that I was expecting, considering that Flynn said he wanted a bigger team than last year. I also expected a somewhat younger team. We seem to be using older free agents in some cases instead of developing younger draft picks, who may not be as good this year as the free agents, but may be better next year.Your comments please. The Foggies definitely are a big team - I was impressed with their play last night, especially the first half of the game - I think in the second part they sat back on their heals trying to protect their lead, and later the tie, and it got them away from what they were doing well that got them the lead in the first place. Pielmeier looks like the real thing in net - good size, moves well, doesn't leave much to shoot at. We do have several FAs, but I am not sure it is really at the expense of our young draft picks ... we don't really have any players whom I consider to be very good prospects who were cut to make room for FAs ... the FAs are basically replacing guys who were late round picks and have limited upside ... it seems like we have had very few high picks in recent years, mainly due to having traded them away for the Mem Cup year. It will be interesting to see what develops in the coming weeks, however, with our young forwards. I think Brown and MacAusland (and to a lesser extent Stephens) should be regulars on the fourth line, in order to develop them properly ... so who is going to sit when Brannon, Cameron, and MacAusland are back? Tough choices ... |
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Post by chsb on Sept 17, 2007 8:40:06 GMT -4
They will do like last season, having a strong first half and running short of energy and stamina in the 2nd half and the playoffs...typical young team or team made up of junior A players used to 55 games per season schedule.
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Post by Captain Obvious on Sept 17, 2007 8:45:35 GMT -4
They will do like last season, having a strong first half and running short of energy and stamina in the 2nd half and the playoffs...typical young team or team made up of junior A players used to 55 games per season schedule. They are not a young team really, only regular younger than 18 is Barberio. The only 1st year guys who will have to adjust to a longer schedule are Gomes Eastman and Wilson and those guys may not dress for 70 games anyways. |
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Post by AceKikr on Sept 17, 2007 9:04:59 GMT -4
I thought Lessard was the best player of the cats last night. He won battles on the board, was fast and in position. Eagles had a good game too... Anyone else didnt stand out that much IMO
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Post by buckybuckbuck on Sept 17, 2007 9:39:32 GMT -4
I thought Lessard was the best player of the cats last night. He won battles on the board, was fast and in position. Eagles had a good game too... Anyone else didnt stand out that much IMO I liked Lessard last night too. There was one point where SJ's were swarming the net and put on an open SJ's players stick who had a open net. Lessard went from the blue line and barely got it off the guy while he was in his back swing. I don't know how he got from the blue line to the guy so quick. He is much more fluid and quick this year so far. |
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