It has before, we just don't complain about it as much as you do. Nor do we troll other team boards looking to start something, like you guys do. If you have an issue with my comments go back to the Ranger boards and find someone there who actually wants to listen to what you have to say. Don't come here looking for sympathy.
Guelph Storm 2018-19 Season Thread
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"A check from behind is a check delivered on a player who is not aware of the impending hit, therefore unable to protect or defend himself, and contact is made on the back part of the body. When a player intentionally turns his body to create contact with his back, no penalty shall be assessed."
Living Vicariously
Registered User
This. Let’s face it, a lot of players have learned the trick of turning at the last minute to draw the penalty - not a smart trick really, as a miscalculation can lead to injury. Sometimes the refs bite, sometimes they don’t. They probably have figured out which players in the league are notorious for it.
Can Hillis
12-1-3-4 minus 3
After 12 games played (mostly on the top line with Ratcliffe and Schnarr) he has 2 even strength points (both assists). Do most fans think his production will improve? Do any fans think that Curious George should think about trading him for a upgrade in a “go for it” year? Who was the Montreal Scout who was banging his fist on the table to draft him early in the 3rd round, 66th overall?
12-1-3-4 minus 3
After 12 games played (mostly on the top line with Ratcliffe and Schnarr) he has 2 even strength points (both assists). Do most fans think his production will improve? Do any fans think that Curious George should think about trading him for a upgrade in a “go for it” year? Who was the Montreal Scout who was banging his fist on the table to draft him early in the 3rd round, 66th overall?
Living Vicariously
Registered User
When you have to score 5 or 6 goals a game to win, I think the problem is obvious. Granted tonight Erie played a sixty three minute game and the Storm somewhere around 30 t0 35 minutes and the result reflected that. Going forward, if this team is to succeed there has to be an upgrade between the pipes In an earlier post it was stated that in 2013-14 we went to the Memorial Cup with Justin Nichols. Well Nichols had 35 wins that season, 4 shutouts,save percentage .918, 2nd in the league, and goals against average of 2.85, 7th in the league. I would take that any time over save percentage of .883 and goals against of 3.85. As an old goaltender I hate dumping of the keeper, but George we need to upgrade, or we won't have a deep run in the playoffs. This is supposed to be our year, we are loaded with 19 year olds we'll be losing alot at the end of the season.
Living Vicariously
Registered User
Agreed Geo - Storm need a clutch tendy. Poppy and Daws have their moments and we all want to champion them, but a tender that can close off games and steal them at times is needed.
Also, the team needs to simplify their game. Tony Saxon quoted Burnett tonight as saying “We want to play like the Globetrotters and we paid a price for it tonight.". Too much cutesy crap out there, and while it looks spectacular if it works out, the 95% of the time it doesn’t results in a costly loss of controlled possession or a complete turnover. The Otters deserve full credit for hustle and perseverance in this one. Storm have the footspeed if they want to use it - they need to start using it on every shift all game long and good things will happen.
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Why was Merkley out on the ice for overtime at all? He was struggling very much throughout the game and to suddenly expect him to turn it around with a minute long break between end of regulation and OT is a serious question of judgement, which Merkley followed up with a brutal 1:40 long shift that had a snowball effect messing with line combos. This loss is entirely on the decision to put him out there.
A 'clutch' goalie won't solve this teams issues, it would just be a bandaid until an inevitable meltdown.
We need an upgrade on Porier, preferably one who could also be a 1c. I like Hillis a lot but he's not the #1 this year.
I still want a coach too, I'm 100% against GM also being coach.
A 'clutch' goalie won't solve this teams issues, it would just be a bandaid until an inevitable meltdown.
We need an upgrade on Porier, preferably one who could also be a 1c. I like Hillis a lot but he's not the #1 this year.
I still want a coach too, I'm 100% against GM also being coach.
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Ideally I say we go out and get DiPietro and Saigeon (or Robertson depending on cost of DiPi and what's left). Available to trade for big time impact players are Bertuzzi, Primeau, Popovich and picks. The above forwards have value on the trade market while not being huge pieces to a championship run this year.
Guelph has a few available 2nds and 3rds in the next 5 years to use for trade bait.
They've got 4 2nds they can trade however 2 of them still have conditions attached and with research i can't find what they would be. The 2nd in 2019 and 2nd in 2021.
So there is a chance you guys may only have TWO 2nd round picks to play with at the deadline.
GB is going to have to get creative trading roster players to make a push.
Why is it when the Storm lose it's always the goalies fault? Two of the goals scored against Poppy were because of stupid penalties taken. It sounds like you think that Poppy and Daws should be brick walls every game. We don't need to do trades, we need the boys to step up and not be lazy and cocky against teams they think they can just walk all over. And if they played like we know they can every game come from behind wins for the other team wouldn't happen. And putting Merkley out for overtime was just ridiculous. He played last night as if he'd just come off a week long bender, and there were a couple others who weren't much better. The overtime period looked as if the boys were in a movie in sloooow moooootion........
I have different view on the Merkley comments. With Samorukov out last night we had two rookies on the blue line and without knowing for sure I would say that Merkley logged well over 30 minutes last night. Fans all around me were all over Merkley for what appeared to be lack of effort. I would say he was gased on a few shifts. Merkley ends the game a +1 and Lalonde is -3 but all he comments are about Merkley. I too get frustrated with some of his decision making and play but over all feel there have been positive strides in his game this year.
As for the goaltending we definitely need an upgrade if we are to truly contend. Popovich's glove hand is a weakness that this league knows about. This team needs an upgrade on the the one OA spot a goaltender and a defenseman. We will see where this team goes but am unsure on how much asset capital you spend to fill these needs. It would be nice to see this team have a few years of sustained success.
As for the goaltending we definitely need an upgrade if we are to truly contend. Popovich's glove hand is a weakness that this league knows about. This team needs an upgrade on the the one OA spot a goaltender and a defenseman. We will see where this team goes but am unsure on how much asset capital you spend to fill these needs. It would be nice to see this team have a few years of sustained success.
If one regular out on defence causes this much turmoil we better hope we avoid injuries/suspensions/ WJHC etc.
Here's a thought- don't take 1:20 shifts if you are tired (one PP and to start the OT). But to stop skating at the defensive circle and let the opposition go in untouched to get the puck in the corner is inexcusable and indefensible.
Having said that- Merkley certainly wasn't alone with poor defensive play- I thought Woolley had his worst game of the year, and the entire defence was weak. Terry looked lost at times- maybe the result of lack of playing time. Hoping for a better result today. Forwards will need to backcheck to avoid odd man rushes.
Here's a thought- don't take 1:20 shifts if you are tired (one PP and to start the OT). But to stop skating at the defensive circle and let the opposition go in untouched to get the puck in the corner is inexcusable and indefensible.
Having said that- Merkley certainly wasn't alone with poor defensive play- I thought Woolley had his worst game of the year, and the entire defence was weak. Terry looked lost at times- maybe the result of lack of playing time. Hoping for a better result today. Forwards will need to backcheck to avoid odd man rushes.
I'm not knocking Poppy or Daws, but when you look at the stats this team needs shut down D to be over the top. What better way to shore up the defensive side of the game than upgrade your goalie? This team as is could go deep into the playoffs but won't win the Robertson with a +3 goal differential.
Living Vicariously
Registered User
That is what I meant saying they need a clutch tender. When a team comes in and you see where they are shooting consistently and getting goals when they don’t miss the net, the scouting report is out there all over the league. Two of the goals today should have been snagged imho.
We are very good, but you need to be great in all aspects (forwards, defence, goaltending) if we are thinking of winning it all.
We need goal tending with save percentage in the 9** not the 8’s. Is it the quality of chances given up by our D or a combination of both D and goaltending?
We defintely need better Defence. We need more solid tough defensive play. Our frist pass out of our end is still weak in my opinion. We turn over and get hemmed in way too much and way too long. A lot of this can be avoided with simple quick (good passes) to exit. If not we will pay the price against great teams and not be successful.
Forwards. I think we need an upgrade from 7, 24,20,12 if we are truly going for it. We need 4 very good lines. Right now we have 8 F that can compete in my opinion to go very very far but that wont be good enough.
I really like Poppy and hope he can turn it around and be the one.
I disagree with your approach to the forward lines. Any OA needs to be an impact player - agreed. However upgrading all other younger forwards (assuming the return are 1999s) for essentially a one year run would relegate the Storm back to the same cycle we just exited. There needs to be an appropriate role for those players within a championship team.
Fabbri won the playoff MVP award in his draft year. Younger players need to be contributors while they gain experience, not simply trade currency.
Fair enough. I admit I am just looking at this year, since we lose so many players next year. I am looking at it “all in” this year. On the surface, fans only seem to remember the year you win, not how many years you were competitive ( not saying that is right) but it is still a business and have to fill the seats.
Still have to figure out a way to upgrade in my opinion, but not sure how we can accomplish that. Perhaps by Christmas some of these players will make that step.
So far Hutton has 4 points in just 2 games played with his new team. Looks like he wants to get back to the OHL.
battfan888
Podcaster
With all due respect to Tag Bertuzzi, Mason Primeau and Keegan Stevenson they are not Robby Fabbri
It was also repeated ad-nauseam that Fabbri was what Guelph would have to pay with if we wanted to make a big trade, despite him showing very early he was the 1C. I don't think we need to sell the farm. Upgrade on Porier, possibly Hanley as well. I'm all for an early trade, the earlier the better. I feel like the Rychel deal was perfect partly because it was early into the season and that gave us the slightest leg up on teams loading up at the very last second.
This team needs a true #1C, that's where we should be willing to spend most imo.
Also bert is an untouchable right now, he's shown a huge amount of upside the last month and I've been eating my words about him. Any deal with him is off the table.
This team needs a true #1C, that's where we should be willing to spend most imo.
Also bert is an untouchable right now, he's shown a huge amount of upside the last month and I've been eating my words about him. Any deal with him is off the table.
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Bert entering the offensive zone is painful to watch - turnovers, forgetting the puck. He had a little spurt with Commisso but is not living up to 2nd year 1st rounder potential. I don't know if it's conditioning or the GAF meter. Not saying he has no value - on the team or traded... just not untouchable (as Fabbri was.)
Edit to add: Fabbri had 33 pts his rookie season and 87 pts the next.
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