King'sPawn
Enjoy the chaos
- Jul 1, 2003
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2015-16 AHL Ontario Reign - going back to Cali, Cali, Cali...
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Holden Caulfield
CANADA. True North Strong and FREE
Free audio for tonights game between Reign and Moose. Kempe sounds like he's doing well so far today.
http://moosehockey.com/listenlive/
Moose put one into their own net. Sounds like McBain will get credit.
http://moosehockey.com/listenlive/
Moose put one into their own net. Sounds like McBain will get credit.
Holden Caulfield
CANADA. True North Strong and FREE
Reign kill a extended PP with 5v3 time thrown in (much thanks to LoVerde) and Auger scores coming out of the box on a semi-weak goal against by Hellebuyck.
2-0 Reign.
2-0 Reign.
Holden Caulfield
CANADA. True North Strong and FREE
Kempe's wheels are awesome. Once he starts to use his frame a little more effectively he is going to be a beast of a player.
Zykov is so freaking effective in board battles. Comes out with the puck every time.
EDIT: Bad giveaway by Kichton on pressure from Dowd and Mersch makes it 3-0. Shots are 17-10 Ontario with 12 minutes left. Seriously 27 total shots.
Zykov is so freaking effective in board battles. Comes out with the puck every time.
EDIT: Bad giveaway by Kichton on pressure from Dowd and Mersch makes it 3-0. Shots are 17-10 Ontario with 12 minutes left. Seriously 27 total shots.
Last edited:
PJ Kings Hockey
Registered User
- Oct 15, 2013
- 4,861
- 73
Thanks for the commentary, Holden. Was is Dowd who scored or Mersch? 27 shots total, eh?
ETA: Never mind. Pressure from Dowd, then Mersch scored. Got it.
ETA: Never mind. Pressure from Dowd, then Mersch scored. Got it.
Holden Caulfield
CANADA. True North Strong and FREE
Holden Caulfield
CANADA. True North Strong and FREE
Holden Caulfield
CANADA. True North Strong and FREE
Mersch with a great individual effort to create a breakaway on an empty net to get his second of the game. 4-1 final.
I'll just add that the kids were the stars. Mersch, Kempe, Zykov, Dowd were certainly the best players on the ice for the Reign.
Mersch is just effective without being great at anything. Love his game, very smart. Kempe has wheels to burn, good hands, and not afraid to toss the body. Just needs to work on some details (body position, positioning, etc).
Zykov is a beast in the corners. Effective in tough areas. Needs to find some more "jam" in his game but plays a very effective pro style.
Dowd was another good player. Plays an effective high pressure style and has good skill. Solid twoway player.
Auger rather impressed me. His skating is coming along, albeit it's still weak. His goal wasn't much, but he seemed to play pretty effectively.
Gravel wasn't very noticable. Moose weren't really pressuring the D so they didn't have much to do.
Didn't notice Brodzinski too much out there in the middle. I think he'd find some more success on the wing, don't think his game is suited to the middle at the pro level.
Nobody else really stood out.
I'll just add that the kids were the stars. Mersch, Kempe, Zykov, Dowd were certainly the best players on the ice for the Reign.
Mersch is just effective without being great at anything. Love his game, very smart. Kempe has wheels to burn, good hands, and not afraid to toss the body. Just needs to work on some details (body position, positioning, etc).
Zykov is a beast in the corners. Effective in tough areas. Needs to find some more "jam" in his game but plays a very effective pro style.
Dowd was another good player. Plays an effective high pressure style and has good skill. Solid twoway player.
Auger rather impressed me. His skating is coming along, albeit it's still weak. His goal wasn't much, but he seemed to play pretty effectively.
Gravel wasn't very noticable. Moose weren't really pressuring the D so they didn't have much to do.
Didn't notice Brodzinski too much out there in the middle. I think he'd find some more success on the wing, don't think his game is suited to the middle at the pro level.
Nobody else really stood out.
CTKingsFan
6/11/12 & 6/13/14
I just saw 1st and 3rd periods. But another domainte effort for the Reign.
This team is so much more fun to watch....
This team is so much more fun to watch....
CTKingsFan
6/11/12 & 6/13/14
Frolov 6'3
Unregistered User
Good thing they are doing their job.
Until now, there is not much to get excited about. The Kings are playing like crap, and it isnt much better with the prospects either.
Until now, there is not much to get excited about. The Kings are playing like crap, and it isnt much better with the prospects either.
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
Highlights from last night. The penalty called to put the Reign down by two-men towards the end of the game was such B.S., but that's AHL level officiating for you.
Frolov 6'3
Unregistered User
I actually think that was a pretty nice goal.
Rather odd, normally you see a player skate towards the net but he probably doesnt have the speed.
Sheng Peng
Registered User
Holden Caulfield
CANADA. True North Strong and FREE
Every single player playing pro hockey at any level can shoot the puck a little bit. It wasn't particularly well placed and he had all day. Players never have that much time and it's one Hellebuyck would have liked to have back.
King'sPawn
Enjoy the chaos
- Jul 1, 2003
- 23,199
- 24,121
I agree. One of my biggest criticisms of Auger is his shooting technique, and that is definitely one Hellebuyck would like to have back.
Sheng Peng
Registered User
Very true. Like Nolan, what's the point of having a good shot if you're not able to use it regularly?
Jericho111091
Registered User
Holden Caulfield
CANADA. True North Strong and FREE
Went to the game last night. In fact I'm 95% the person standing up cheering at the bottom of this gif is me
Some thoughts.
Forwards
Mersch - Dowd - Zykov
Michael Mersch is straight beast mode. That guy is CLEARLY above this level of play. All over the ice making plays, finds the soft areas, always in position. Dwight King on steroids.
Nic Dowd looked fairly decent as well solid twoway center. Nothing really stands out in his game though, not sure where he fits in for an NHL player beyond replacement level.
Zykov scored the winner and looked good. He plays a strong twoway game and is always in proper position. Plays a real mature game, something that's been a strength back to draft year. Doesn't really stand out but has high hockey IQ to find areas.
Kempe - Newbury - Backman
Adrian Kempe is a star in the making. Very early in the making but still. He is a speed demon out that ice. His skating lets him get all over the place out there. Has the size to mix it up as well. One particular play that stands out is AHL grinder Patrice Cormier giving him some hacks and wacks off the faceoff in offensive zone. Play happens and late in the shift Cormier is caught with puck around Kings bench and Kempe finishes check. He then proceeds to give Cormier a few extra shots and stare the guy down. No fear, loves mixing it up. The very early part is his defensive positioning can be a mess. At one time on the ice with Zykov. Zykov crosses over from F2/RW spot to follow a man moving to other side to become F2/LW spot. Kempe fails to recognize this switch and it results in both wingers on same side of ice even after puck moves RW corner. Kempe saw Zykov skate in front of him should move over to RW/F3 spot on weak side. So Moose LD (where RW spot should be) gets a free shot on net. Kempe was too focused in on playing LW, when he should be understanding principles of F1, F2, F3 and rotate. But still the skill level is great.
Newbury is a AHL vet. Meh, whatever.
Backman has some good wheels but limited skill and size. Don't see any NHL future.
Brodzinski - Crescenzi - Auger
Brodzinski is quite a bit bigger than I remember him from college game. Didn't really manage to make a impact. Didn't see him with the puck very much and couldn't create some space.
Crescenzi is a real hard worker. I was blah about his acquisition a few years ago but he is a quality hard working AHL bottom 6er. Plays the body and plays defensively decently.
Auger has blown me away the last two games to be honest. Yes his skating is awkward at best. Yes strength in board battles in not ideal for a guy his size. But he has been very impressive finding space, finds the soft areas really well. Other than Kempe and Mersch he probably had most possession time of any Reign forward.
Bissonnette - Horvat - Sabourin
Horvat I noticed a couple times. Think it was just the gf asking if he was related to Bo Horvat. Bissonnette and Sabourin I didn't see. Think this line played less than 4 minutes all night.
Defense
MacDermid is a really really poor skater. Very awkward, doesn't get full strides, no agility. Despite this limitations he managed to use his body effectively a few times and loves to hit. His hands and positioning were just average. He's a guy that needs quite a bit of work still but might have some upside.
Gravel I was a bit disappointed in. Smart and safe but didn't really make an impact. Played #1 PP but struggles on that unit. Has zero offensive awareness. Moves the puck up from defensive zone effectively enough.
LoVerde was brutal compared to his game on Thursday. Literally fell over in the middle of the ice on a 3v2, struggled mightily with the puck, could not hold the zone, poor gap control, poor positioning. After being the Reign best defenseman on Thursday he was easily the worst last night.
McBain on the other hand was easily the Reign's best defenseman. Skates like the wind at this level, moves the puck real well, positioned well defensively. Reign had no trouble leaving the zone with him on the ice. Great game he was a awesome driving the play forward.
Raine I didn't notice too much. Didn't play a whole lot. Just average all around.
Schultz was just there. Solidly in position, not driving the play forward, just there. Meh.
Goalies
Budaj was never tested that much. The shot count flattered the Moose as most shots were from the outside. Moose had one or two good chances that they never got on net. Budaj was just there not really being tested.
Still 1 GA and 2 shutouts in 3 games in damn impressive. However I think it's more an indication of the strength of the Reign rather than strength of Budaj.
Some thoughts.
Forwards
Mersch - Dowd - Zykov
Michael Mersch is straight beast mode. That guy is CLEARLY above this level of play. All over the ice making plays, finds the soft areas, always in position. Dwight King on steroids.
Nic Dowd looked fairly decent as well solid twoway center. Nothing really stands out in his game though, not sure where he fits in for an NHL player beyond replacement level.
Zykov scored the winner and looked good. He plays a strong twoway game and is always in proper position. Plays a real mature game, something that's been a strength back to draft year. Doesn't really stand out but has high hockey IQ to find areas.
Kempe - Newbury - Backman
Adrian Kempe is a star in the making. Very early in the making but still. He is a speed demon out that ice. His skating lets him get all over the place out there. Has the size to mix it up as well. One particular play that stands out is AHL grinder Patrice Cormier giving him some hacks and wacks off the faceoff in offensive zone. Play happens and late in the shift Cormier is caught with puck around Kings bench and Kempe finishes check. He then proceeds to give Cormier a few extra shots and stare the guy down. No fear, loves mixing it up. The very early part is his defensive positioning can be a mess. At one time on the ice with Zykov. Zykov crosses over from F2/RW spot to follow a man moving to other side to become F2/LW spot. Kempe fails to recognize this switch and it results in both wingers on same side of ice even after puck moves RW corner. Kempe saw Zykov skate in front of him should move over to RW/F3 spot on weak side. So Moose LD (where RW spot should be) gets a free shot on net. Kempe was too focused in on playing LW, when he should be understanding principles of F1, F2, F3 and rotate. But still the skill level is great.
Newbury is a AHL vet. Meh, whatever.
Backman has some good wheels but limited skill and size. Don't see any NHL future.
Brodzinski - Crescenzi - Auger
Brodzinski is quite a bit bigger than I remember him from college game. Didn't really manage to make a impact. Didn't see him with the puck very much and couldn't create some space.
Crescenzi is a real hard worker. I was blah about his acquisition a few years ago but he is a quality hard working AHL bottom 6er. Plays the body and plays defensively decently.
Auger has blown me away the last two games to be honest. Yes his skating is awkward at best. Yes strength in board battles in not ideal for a guy his size. But he has been very impressive finding space, finds the soft areas really well. Other than Kempe and Mersch he probably had most possession time of any Reign forward.
Bissonnette - Horvat - Sabourin
Horvat I noticed a couple times. Think it was just the gf asking if he was related to Bo Horvat. Bissonnette and Sabourin I didn't see. Think this line played less than 4 minutes all night.
Defense
MacDermid is a really really poor skater. Very awkward, doesn't get full strides, no agility. Despite this limitations he managed to use his body effectively a few times and loves to hit. His hands and positioning were just average. He's a guy that needs quite a bit of work still but might have some upside.
Gravel I was a bit disappointed in. Smart and safe but didn't really make an impact. Played #1 PP but struggles on that unit. Has zero offensive awareness. Moves the puck up from defensive zone effectively enough.
LoVerde was brutal compared to his game on Thursday. Literally fell over in the middle of the ice on a 3v2, struggled mightily with the puck, could not hold the zone, poor gap control, poor positioning. After being the Reign best defenseman on Thursday he was easily the worst last night.
McBain on the other hand was easily the Reign's best defenseman. Skates like the wind at this level, moves the puck real well, positioned well defensively. Reign had no trouble leaving the zone with him on the ice. Great game he was a awesome driving the play forward.
Raine I didn't notice too much. Didn't play a whole lot. Just average all around.
Schultz was just there. Solidly in position, not driving the play forward, just there. Meh.
Goalies
Budaj was never tested that much. The shot count flattered the Moose as most shots were from the outside. Moose had one or two good chances that they never got on net. Budaj was just there not really being tested.
Still 1 GA and 2 shutouts in 3 games in damn impressive. However I think it's more an indication of the strength of the Reign rather than strength of Budaj.
I see Cernak hasn't played yet. Do you see him breaking into the rotation anytime soon with such a logjam in Ontario? Perhaps someone else gets sent down to Manchester?
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