GDT: Islanders @ #hcanes: A Foul Oderus is in the Air

[tarheelhockey]

And on 3/26/2014, Cam Ward had a 29.03 GAA.



One game does not a terrible season make, but Ward is checked out. His first and third goals were weak. (First: he could have held on to the puck and/or been in position to stop it. Third: he could have been in position to stop it.)

All three goals scored against Ward came from less than a foot outside of the blue paint by a player who wasn't being checked. The first was on a rebound where the goal scorer basically just pitchforked him until the puck squirted through; the third was a 1-on-1 from point blank range where the guy had time to deke him away and score and STILL wasn't touched. NHL players are going to score on chances like those.

And the 5th goal was just as bad, Khudobin was hung out to dry as well. The defense was unacceptable against a team that was really not doing anything special to get those chances.

 

[Joe McGrath]

That's crazy, I live in South Windsor.

Southington here. We didn't have a highschool team so I played at St. Paul in Bristol Co-oped with Avon High.

Don't believe we've had any NHLers, but quite a few guys in MLB, Rob Dibble and Carl Pavano chief among them.

Also where the 'Haunting in Connecticut' took place.

 

[Joe McGrath]

All three goals scored against Ward came from less than a foot outside of the blue paint by a player who wasn't being checked. The first was on a rebound where the goal scorer basically just pitchforked him until the puck squirted through; the third was a 1-on-1 from point blank range where the guy had time to deke him away and score and STILL wasn't touched. NHL players are going to score on chances like those.

And the 5th goal was just as bad, Khudobin was hung out to dry as well. The defense was unacceptable against a team that was really not doing anything special to get those chances.

The 1st one Cam has to come up with clean, I'm sorry but he does. There were plenty of other things that went wrong and it's not a "goalie error" but he never got it clean and he should have. The other two were about as abysmal defensive efforts I've ever seen.

Also, Kev was spot on in his analyses again.

 

[GoCanes2013]

NYI and CGY pushing up on us in League standings. This is goodness. Team has mailed it in anyway, new GM (new coach?) next year, so do what you can to fall another spot or 2 in draft. All will be forgiven.

 

[RodTheBawd]

There is blame to go around to be sure, but I'd have to say cam ward and his .667 save percentage has to be more at fault than staal... Nilsson had an .857 and WON. Eric staal didn't contribute much but this was one of the rare games where a complete lack of offense wasn't the biggest problem.

Faulk isn't right. Something happening there. Not sure if it's injuries or he's encountering the first real adversity of his career. Either way, it's not a concern.

I think it's obvious that he's been fighting something physical for a while now. What really concerns me is that there are too often times where I'm watching him coasting in la la land then it's like he realizes "oh ****, I'm supposed to be over here" and it's too late. Probably as you (or someone) said, just completely gassed physically and mentally. I still think he and Sekera will be fine next year knowing what is expected of them.

 

[My Special Purpose]

Southington here. We didn't have a highschool team so I played at St. Paul in Bristol Co-oped with Avon High.

Don't believe we've had any NHLers, but quite a few guys in MLB, Rob Dibble and Carl Pavano chief among them.

Also where the 'Haunting in Connecticut' took place.

Graduated from SHS ... well, a long time ago. Played baseball (between Dibble and Pavano) where I faced Brian Leetch, first at Cheshire High and later at Avon Old Farms. He was a year younger than me and an absolutely incredible pitcher. There's no doubt in my mind he could have been elite if he had chosen that option.

I played in a school-age league with high-school friends in Cheshire, but like you said, no high school program.

Small world. Are you still there? You know you're allowed to leave, right? As soon as I found out, I left.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Are you still there? You know you're allowed to leave, right? As soon as I found out, I left.

You know, I say the same things to my friends / family up north. Some have made the trek, some are now thinking about it after this winter and others will never leave. Each to their own I guess.

 

[tarheelhockey]

The 1st one Cam has to come up with clean, I'm sorry but he does. There were plenty of other things that went wrong and it's not a "goalie error" but he never got it clean and he should have.

I agree.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Graduated from SHS ... well, a long time ago. Played baseball (between Dibble and Pavano) where I faced Brian Leetch, first at Cheshire High and later at Avon Old Farms. He was a year younger than me and an absolutely incredible pitcher. There's no doubt in my mind he could have been elite if he had chosen that option.

I played in a school-age league with high-school friends in Cheshire, but like you said, no high school program.

Small world. Are you still there? You know you're allowed to leave, right? As soon as I found out, I left.

I'm not far away, I'm in Middletown for now (the non hell hole part), but my folks are still there. I left about 7 years ago and it's just insane how much has changed. The street behind ESPN that I used to take to school doesn't even exist anymore. I was visiting my parents and tried to use it and wound up at an ESPN security gate.

 

[Joe McGrath]

You know, I say the same things to my friends / family up north. Some have made the trek, some are now thinking about it after this winter and others will never leave. Each to their own I guess.

Believe me, the thought has crossed my mind pretty much every time it snows, or I drive to another state and see the gas prices.

 

[What the Faulk]

Were we even watching the same game? I've rarely seen a goalie hung out to dry THAT badly.

I keep saying Justin Peters in his last start against Tampa, but since it's Peters, you know how that went. But it's commonly accepted in that one that Sekera and Faulk both had a terrible game in that one too.

If these games are what happens when they're both off, this team probably isn't going places. I don't know how you can look at these games and be satisfied with the defense or not somewhat concerned about Faulk's deal or Sekera's coming up. They're getting/will be getting paid to play like top pairing guys. There was a time when they were one of the better ones in the NHL, but what's the truth? Even if it's somewhere in between, this team still sorely needs defensive help.

 

[tarheelhockey]

 

[Joe McGrath]

But the defense is so improved....

 

[cptjeff]

Sometimes you just come out and play like utter garbage. When those nights happen, it's usually best to ignore it and move on rather than beating yourself up.

The Canes were already out of the playoffs barring a miracle. Same with the Isles, though the miracle it would take for them would be much, much larger than ours. It was a late season game for two irrelevant teams. It's not worth getting worked up about. No point yelling and screaming either. After the game last night, all Muller should have told them was four words: "be better next time". That's it. No yelling, no hysterics. Because truly, what's the use?

 

[What the Faulk]

If it weren't a trend, you'd be on to something there.

 

[cptjeff]

The start tonight was far worse than the trend. They just completely and totally failed to show up.

 

[bleedgreen]

My family is still in Wethersfield, I visit once or twice a year. I grew up playing for Wethersfield youth, then they merged with into "central". South Windsor was my home rink in high school. I read a local article about McDonald a while back, I had seen he was from Wethersfield but that article mentioned he played for the eagles whereas places like hockeydb don't carry high school stats. Not even Jon Quick at avon old farms.

 

[Joe McGrath]

My family is still in Wethersfield, I visit once or twice a year. I grew up playing for Wethersfield youth, then they merged with into "central". South Windsor was my home rink in high school. I read a local article about McDonald a while back, I had seen he was from Wethersfield but that article mentioned he played for the eagles whereas places like hockeydb don't carry high school stats. Not even Jon Quick at avon old farms.

Try eliteprospects.com. I know the Ducks official site lists Nick Bonino's stats at Farmington high. He had 66 goals in 30 or so games as a sophomore. They were our biggest rivals, luckily I missed him by a year.

 

[tarheelhockey]

My family is still in Wethersfield, I visit once or twice a year. I grew up playing for Wethersfield youth, then they merged with into "central". South Windsor was my home rink in high school. I read a local article about McDonald a while back, I had seen he was from Wethersfield but that article mentioned he played for the eagles whereas places like hockeydb don't carry high school stats. Not even Jon Quick at avon old farms.

bleedgreen signed to ELC

 

[Joe McGrath]

If MacDonald did play for central and Wethersfield high, I must have played against him at least half a dozen times. Adding it to my list if current NHLers faced (and almost certainly embarrassed by).

 

[bleedgreen]

Yeah ct has had a bit of a resurgence in recent years. My generation didnt have many, I think I played a north haven (I think) kid who was drafted or about to be in the state tourney senior year. If we had won we would've played Fairfield prep, and Chris Drury's brother and whaler alum Teddy. He led the state in scoring. Could I be wrong about that? Did the preps have a seperate tourney? I can't even remember anymore.

Funny how he was the brother with expectations. Chris crushed him.

I can think of Hainsey, quick, McDonald, pacioretty.... Who else?

Met Chris Drury here in CO once. Said he was a ranger fan. What a dbag.

 

[bleedgreen]

bleedgreen signed to ELC

Country club atmosphere and an in writing promise of a job post playing career is what sold me the most.

 

[My Special Purpose]

These are all brilliant, but this is my favorite. Four guys literally guarding nobody, while a guy stands all alone in front.

It's a close call with No. 3, but in No. 3, it looks like everyone is in position except for Faulk and Sekera, who decide to defend the same guy. I guess a case could be made that we could try to get within five feet of the rookie defenseman making the pass, too, but that's just pouring salt in the wound.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

These are all brilliant, but this is my favorite. Four guys literally guarding nobody, while a guy stands all alone in front.

It's a close call with No. 3, but in No. 3, it looks like everyone is in position except for Faulk and Sekera, who decide to defend the same guy. I guess a case could be made that we could try to get within five feet of the rookie defenseman making the pass, too, but that's just pouring salt in the wound.

I think that is Staal and Faulk on the same guy in front on #3..no?

And that 4th one..geez. Watching that live and seeing Faulk along the boards and the puck comes behind the net and two guys (Sekera and Loktionov?) both go after the same guy I knew it was trouble. Like I said, looked like a bunch of Mites.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Yeah ct has had a bit of a resurgence in recent years. My generation didnt have many, I think I played a north haven (I think) kid who was drafted or about to be in the state tourney senior year. If we had won we would've played Fairfield prep, and Chris Drury's brother and whaler alum Teddy. He led the state in scoring. Could I be wrong about that? Did the preps have a seperate tourney? I can't even remember anymore.

Funny how he was the brother with expectations. Chris crushed him.

I can think of Hainsey, quick, McDonald, pacioretty.... Who else?

Met Chris Drury here in CO once. Said he was a ranger fan. What a dbag.

Fairfield Prep plays with the regular high schools. Taft, AOF, etc. play in the actual Prep league. Bonino is the only other one I can think of in my general generation. Though I was somehow oblivious about McDonald until now.