Coachella Firebirds: News and Discussion

[Bear of Bad News]

Best of three.

 

[Scomerica]

Not good losing a home game

 

[Fuhrious]

Anyone watching the game, what was with the diving/embellishing call on Melanson in the 3rd? Legit call? Not a great time for Melanson to get called for that one…

 

[sigma six]

Tonight feels like must-win, and now they'll have to win another in Hershey too.

 

[PanniniClaus]

any news for tonight?

 

[The Marquis]

It ain’t good news. 3-2 Hershey.

Last game for Bylsma in Coachella. Last two in Hershey.

 

[Fuhrious]

What’s with the “unofficial final” on the AHL site? Something unusual about the ending?

 

[The Marquis]

What’s with the “unofficial final” on the AHL site? Something unusual about the ending?

I think it means the stats haven’t been fully loaded and reported.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

Got some business to take care of now.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Driedger was not sharp. He should have got goal #2, and maybe even #3.

 

[Fuhrious]

Driedger was not sharp. He should have got goal #2, and maybe even #3.

Saw that he was like 17 for 20? Didnt look great, but I didnt watch so I wasnt sure. Feels like tough sledding having to win both games 6 and 7 on the road. Kinda feels like they choked this one away.

 

[fivehole32]

It was brutal losing those last two at home. Their success in their wins was heavy forecheck and winning faceoffs. The didn't win a faceoff when it counted in either of the last couple of games.

Their power play killed any momentum they were building. Hersey pressured the points hard and the firebirds couldn't get the puck into the zone to establish much zone time. (The double drop pass through the neutral zone was finally abandoned halfway through game 5.)

Drieger wasn't sharp as most noted. In game 4 he gave up a bad angle goal that went between his legs when in the RVH, a lack of focus thing, in my opinion.

Overall a bummer to see Dan's last game here finish like that. I hope Stu Bickel stays down here as HC. He seems to be a lot like Dan and it would be nice to keep some continuity.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Not looking great. Down 3-4 with under 10 to go in the 3rd. On the bright side, 2A for Wright and 2G for Winterton so far.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Fleury ties it up with under 3 min to go. Another assist for Wright. That is 3 for the night.

Fleury is having quite the good playoffs as well. 15 points in 19 games for him in the playoffs.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Tough loss in OT. Season over. But the boys can be proud of themselves. A lot of bright spots for the Kraken with WInterton, Wright and Fleury.

 

[The Marquis]

Rough loss. I was hoping for another game so hockey (as I care for it) didn’t end tonight. Alas.

 

[Fuhrious]

Hell of a run. Shocked that it ended the way it did, with 3 straight losses two of which were at home.

Will be interesting to see how they shape the team in the offseason with Wright and Bylsma coming to Seattle, Poturalski, McCormick, Hayden, Hughes, Driedger and Lind all on expiring contracts. Could be their last playoff run for a bit?

 

[Kevinsane]

It was indeed a great run. They’ve established themselves as a franchise.

 

[fivehole32]

Hell of a run. Shocked that it ended the way it did, with 3 straight losses two of which were at home.

Will be interesting to see how they shape the team in the offseason with Wright and Bylsma coming to Seattle, Poturalski, McCormick, Hayden, Hughes, Driedger and Lind all on expiring contracts. Could be their last playoff run for a bit?

I wouldn't be surprised if they re-sign McCormick, I'm sure they would like to keep a little bit of continuity in the line up for the newer hockey fans sake. I doubt they will keep much else in the high price AHL free agents. The Kraken are starting to funnel some of their own draft picks through the ranks and there will need to be room for them.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

I wouldn't be surprised if they re-sign McCormick, I'm sure they would like to keep a little bit of continuity in the line up for the newer hockey fans sake. I doubt they will keep much else in the high price AHL free agents. The Kraken are starting to funnel some of their own draft picks through the ranks and there will need to be room for them.

Yep. Exactly. I expect a few of our prospects there this new season.

Forwards
---------

Roed (Was signed as a UFA late this season)
Morrison
Nyman (Came on board after his season ended in Finland)
Winterton (unless he starts with the Kraken)
Firkus (N)
Goyette (N)
Melanson

Defense
--------

Nelson (N)
Ottavainen

Will need to re-sign folks on defense, but a lot more options at forward. That being said, next season is likely to be a step backwards for Coachella, unless our prospects produce right away.

 

[Fuhrious]

Yep. Exactly. I expect a few of our prospects there this new season.

Forwards
---------

Roed (Was signed as a UFA late this season)
Morrison
Nyman (Came on board after his season ended in Finland)
Winterton (unless he starts with the Kraken)
Firkus (N)
Goyette (N)
Melanson

Defense
--------

Nelson (N)
Ottavainen

Will need to re-sign folks on defense, but a lot more options at forward. That being said, next season is likely to be a step backwards for Coachella, unless our prospects produce right away.

Yeah, I suspect there will be some growing pains as they transition to a younger group. It felt like they went to some pain to create a winning culture down there with Bylsma and AHL bedrock players like McCormick and Poturalski. Hopefully they don’t dismantle that in one fell swoop, letting all those player pieces walk AND pulling Bylsma up to Seattle. Maybe another reason they might tab Bickel to take over there?

 

[Fuhrious]

Kraken announced last week that they had hired Derek Laxdal as the new HC for CV. Supposedly Bickel is staying in his current role.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Apologize in advance if this is a bit of an obscure post but just curious about the status of defenseman Ryan Jones. At least in looking at his numbers it looked like he showed promise two years ago in his first season with Tampa affiliate Syracuse. This year he played just five games with the Fire birds and spent most of the year in Kansas City (ECHL).

Was there an injury, has his game regressed or did the Kraken just have prospects with higher pedigree that needed the ice time?

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Apologize in advance if this is a bit of an obscure post but just curious about the status of defenseman Ryan Jones. At least in looking at his numbers it looked like he showed promise two years ago in his first season with Tampa affiliate Syracuse. This year he played just five games with the Fire birds and spent most of the year in Kansas City (ECHL).

Was there an injury, has his game regressed or did the Kraken just have prospects with higher pedigree that needed the ice time?

I believe we just have prospects or other players who are better.

Ryker Evans (only played 25 games in Coachella splitting time with Seattle)

Cale Fleury
Ville Ottavainen
Peetro Seppala (not sure if he is better but definitely younger)
Connor Carrick (not a prospect)
Jimmy Shultz (not a prospect)
Gustav Olovsson (year older than Jones but statistically better)

There were a few other D-men sprinkled in the mix but those above would likely be played over Jones.