Barracuda News & Discussion - Part 6
- Thread starter The Nemesis
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
- Status
LadyStanley
Registered User
one2gamble
Registered User
- Dec 24, 2007
- 17,757
- 9,174
If he's got Roy's blessing then DW needs to call him up and sit Simek. Let's put a real puck-mover on the 3rd pairing and hope it is a release valve defensively when the 3rd pair is on the ice.
That has been mentioned more than once in this thread, giving R. Merks a couple games in the bigs. There is thought that he’d benefit and flourish by having NHL caliber talent around him.
LadyStanley
Registered User
Dicdonya
Registered User
- Jul 21, 2011
- 4,489
- 2,653
He says this, and then so far in the game tonight it feels like Merks has gotten about 3 mins of ice time.
I like the D pairings tonight. My boy Cicek is a good partner for Merkley, then I like the Kniazev and Meloche pairing. 2-1 Cuda after one, I think the Cuda dominated the first 12 or so minutes of the period. Gregor was the best forward by a country mile and had one of the goals, and Meloche had the other goal and was the best defenseman - aggressive in the O zone, but playing a sandpaper game tonight with good D - though he took a late penalty. Cuda gave up a goal on the PK, Melnichuk beaten clean on a gorgeous set up with a crisp pass across the zone to Sherwood who snapped off a rocket just outside the face off dot - it was a pretty, perfect play and a really nice goal. Sherwood has looked good all year for the Eagles.
2-2 Second intermission. Cuda were the better team, played a solid two way game this period. Way way too much time on the PK, felt like half the period on the PK. Melnichuk gave up a very soft goal in my opinion. Not Martin Jones soft, but he appeared to have a clean line of site to the shooter who fired off an average speed shot that beat him glove side. With that said, Melnichuk did have some nice saves that period and the Cuda defended well considering how much time was spent on the PK.
Gregor has been dominant, best player on the ice out of either team and strong in all phases. He looks like an NHL’er out there tonight comparatively. Leonard has flashed a bit, and I think Nick Merkley has played a strong albeit quiet game with good detail work. Again, Cuda looked really solid all around just way too much time on the PK. What felt like rare even strength time, they tilted the ice against the Eagles. If the Cuda can stay out of the box in the third they should win this game based on their play thus far.
Gregor has been dominant, best player on the ice out of either team and strong in all phases. He looks like an NHL’er out there tonight comparatively. Leonard has flashed a bit, and I think Nick Merkley has played a strong albeit quiet game with good detail work. Again, Cuda looked really solid all around just way too much time on the PK. What felt like rare even strength time, they tilted the ice against the Eagles. If the Cuda can stay out of the box in the third they should win this game based on their play thus far.
Dicdonya
Registered User
- Jul 21, 2011
- 4,489
- 2,653
Absolutely beautiful play by Merkley on the PP to setup a goal.
Yeah that was really nice, and his little side step move at the point to create time and space. Leonard scored possibly the easiest goal he will ever get.
Dicdonya
Registered User
- Jul 21, 2011
- 4,489
- 2,653
Yeah, good job by him not whiffing seeing the net that wide open lol
Dicdonya
Registered User
- Jul 21, 2011
- 4,489
- 2,653
Man looks like both Merkleys deserve some NHL time.
Not a fan of the Sharks defensive zone pressure, not sure if the players are lazy, or the coach has them playing very passive...but it is not pretty.
Not a fan of the Sharks defensive zone pressure, not sure if the players are lazy, or the coach has them playing very passive...but it is not pretty.
4-4 headed to OT. Cuda should have won this already but they are their own worst enemy. Too many penalties and sloppy play, gave up quite a few odd man rushes that period. They have clearly been the better team all three periods.
I agree with D, I’m seeing the same thing on the Merk squared.
I agree with D, I’m seeing the same thing on the Merk squared.
Last edited:
Cuda fall 5-4 in OT with 22 seconds left in a game they should have won.
Melnichuk gave up three goals over the shoulder tonight.
Melnichuk gave up three goals over the shoulder tonight.
Last edited:
Dicdonya
Registered User
- Jul 21, 2011
- 4,489
- 2,653
Yeah not a great showing for Melnichuk, otherwise a pretty good night from the Cuda
Does seem like Kniazev is out of favor early with the Cuda. Replaced on the PP by Cicek tonight, don't remember seeing him out for OT at any point. Hasn't been a strong start for him so, might be deserved.
That was a great game from Ryan Merkley. Can't remember a thing he did wrong.
Way too many penalties tonight.
That was a great game from Ryan Merkley. Can't remember a thing he did wrong.
Way too many penalties tonight.
In watching him preseason through now, I see an AHL goaltender. Some nice glove saves, but inconsistent, and he has given up the high corners multiple times.
After Merks getting a call up, I see Cicek getting a call at some point this year. He had that one gaffe leading to a breakaway where he tried to hold the puck in the O zone as the last man back on the PP but otherwise I find his game to be ultra consistent and solid. He reminds me of a young Braun. Cicek had PP and PK duties yet again which says something.
I thought the Kniazev pairing with Meloche was a good call, but Kniazev was invisible which is fine for a defensive Dman but not an offensive Dman. The talent is definitely there but I can see why Cicek has jumped over him,
Cicek will need an NHL contract before he can be called up to the Sharks.
Thanks - I keep forgetting that part. Watching him he just looks the part, steady two way play. If DW doesn’t give up the farm chasing an Eichel type it’s going to be fun to watch the Cuda late this season as well as next year with the kids we’ve got coming along.
I was at the game last night and agree with most accounts here. Merkley surprised me in a good way. Confident with the puck and much better defensively than I expected. Gregor, Leonard, Merkley, Chmelevski, and Raska showed well at forward. Raska didn’t do much with the puck but he thrives in the pest role better than anyone we have had for a long time.
- Status
