Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 4)

[K2]

Not sure who is worse........Burchell or Rogers TV. No replay on what happened before Swick

 

[rangersblues]

That was the comment at the game as well. If Adam Keefe is on these Rangers and sees that liberty taken with a rookie defenseman Namestnikov is having facial surgery.

The game is better for it today, but the league needs to be better, too.

It's great to think that but facing a lengthy suspension doesn't really help the team going forward. There's smarter ways to seek retribution.

Let's just hope not much comes of this for Swick.

 

[rangersblues]

Swick isn't really known to get into scraps. Only saw him fight one other time. Guess undrafted he is trying to show a physical element. He did have a foot in height on the Storm player Nametnikov. Who by the way likes to agitate and hopes there is back up close by. Probably why he took a run at a 06 rookie. On Burchell. Is there a reason he was not asked to return to the NHL? My guess he made the same mistakes up there and they refused to tolerate his attitude anymore. Now OHL fans have to suffer his clown show here.

Just a simple question. Don't you wish more Rangers went into the corner with the zest that Nametnikov did? Yes it was over the line but not outrageous imo.

And Reid being an 06 rookie has nothing to do with it. He just happened to be the player. It's not like he was being stalked.

 

[sbpointer]

Officiating can be horrible AND players still need to be responsible for their emotions/actions. In the real world, you will encounter a boss, co-worker, etc. doing something "unfair"... how do you cope with that?

Officiating needs better quality control, no doubt... the answer isn't more Boultons.

I half agree with you but I'm the camp that until there is consistency from the league keeping younger/smaller/skilled players safe I'm all for using resources available to you for stupidity prevention..

 

[All the Answers]

It's great to think that but facing a lengthy suspension doesn't really help the team going forward. There's smarter ways to seek retribution.

Let's just hope not much comes of this for Swick.

I presume he'll get the last 2 reg season games, no more. He doesn't have a history, but on the flipside he doesn't have Boulton's immunity card.

 

[GeoBlue]

There are almost always upsets in the first round.

Hmm? Didn't someone recently establish that there NOT? Kitchener being the rare exception in the last couple of years? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[dirty12]

Just a simple question. Don't you wish more Rangers went into the corner with the zest that Nametnikov did? Yes it was over the line but not outrageous imo.

And Reid being an 06 rookie has nothing to do with it. He just happened to be the player. It's not like he was being stalked.

I think it's alright because the rangers player leaned in to bump the storm player before either could play the puck. The rangers player made his move too soon and got rocked by the better balanced player moving a heck of a lot faster.
I doubt many avoided contact with MadMax when he was a 5'3" 140 lb 16 yr old

 

[bobber]

Hmm? Didn't someone recently establish that there NOT? Kitchener being the rare exception in the last couple of years? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I'll CORRECT you Geo. Yes someone posted that fact I was just being facetious when I mentioned it. Always hope one of the teams above like the Green Monster go golfing early

 

[rangersblues]

I think it's alright because the rangers player leaned in to bump the storm player before either could play the puck. The rangers player made his move too soon and got rocked by the better balanced player moving a heck of a lot faster

It was definitely a violent hit but hockey is a violent game at times. Which can be a problem when 16 year old kids are playing against up to 20 year old men.

Above all I hope Reid is ok and it doesn't turn into something chronic like with Connor Hall (if it's a recurring injury)

 

[bobber]

Just a simple question. Don't you wish more Rangers went into the corner with the zest that Nametnikov did? Yes it was over the line but not outrageous imo.

And Reid being an 06 rookie has nothing to do with it. He just happened to be the player. It's not like he was being stalked.

Yes I do wish more players went into corners harder both ends of the ice. Not everyone likes that style. Still think if Names saw Bolton's number he just may not of done whatever he was accused of. Be nice to see a video.
I think the people in charge of scouting have to draft players that play on the edge or more physical if they want that element added into a system. Just an opinion.

 

[bobber]

I think it's alright because the rangers player leaned in to bump the storm player before either could play the puck. The rangers player made his move too soon and got rocked by the better balanced player moving a heck of a lot faster.
I doubt many avoided contact with MadMax when he was a 5'3" 140 lb 16 yr old

MadMax as you call him does find ways to get under opponents skin. That incident was a small part of the contest but it did effect the whole game in a way.

 

[EvenSteven]

That was the comment at the game as well. If Adam Keefe is on these Rangers and sees that liberty taken with a rookie defenseman Namestnikov is having facial surgery.

The game is better for it today, but the league needs to be better, too.

Ditto Mike Mascioli.

 

[HockeyPops]

Upsets are actually very rare in the first round.

2023: better seeds went 7-1 (#8 over #1)
2022: 7-1 (#7 over #2)
2019: 8-0
2018: 8-0
2017: 8-0
2016: 7-1 (#7 over #2)
2015: 7-1 (#5 over #4)
2014: 7-1 (#6 over #3)
2013: 7-1 (#5 over #4)
2012: 7-1 (#5 over #4)

2023: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 0-1
2022: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 4-0, 3rd round 2-0, 4th round 1-0
2019: 1st round 8-0, 2nd round 2-2, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 0-1
2018: 1st round 8-0, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 2-0, 4th round 0-1
2017: 1st round 8-0, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 1-0
2016: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 0-2, 4th round 1-0
2015: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 1-0
2014: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 1-0
2013: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 4-0, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 1-0
2012: 1st round 7-1, 2nd roudn 3-1, 3rd round 2-0, 4th round 1-0

Totals: 1st round 73-7 (91.25%), 2nd round 31-9 (77.5%), 3rd round 12-8 (60%), 4th round 7-3 (70%)

Conclusion: based on the last 10 post seasons, home ice means the most in the first round (91.25% home team win rate), and the least in the 3rd round (60% home team win rate).

 

[StormWatcher]

Alrikkson isn't a rookie since he's 19 (also 6'6" 215lb, SWE U20 + NHL drafted). Rangers had 6 16/17 year old rookies playing, including a call up that's played 5X fewer OHL games than Alrikkson.



Beat both the Knights and their off-ice officials in 2022! Besides the Ranger sweep of the top seed Spits (West), the 10th overall seeded Petes went on to beat all the other Division winners and play in the Memorial Cup final.

View attachment 838876

Thank you for posting video!

Not trying to be a homer, was that a board or an interference, yes - should've been a call, a major penalty if you are taking into account injury on the play (and posters here are even speculating it may have just aggravated a previous injury). The latter has always been inconsistent in the league. The calling a 5 to video review and decide would've likely been the best option. The issue was he was out from the boards, but not open ice. Max didn't leave his feet, raise an arm, or target the head in any way. People calling this "vicious" or "targeted" are way off base. I'm the first to call out a dirty player, even on the Storm - we had two Bertuzzi's who would fit that bill. This is not that.

 

[Tim Wallach]

I thought the Namestnikov hit was worthy of a boarding minor. Should have been called, but I don't think it was a major. I also thought Swick over-reacted. In this league you just can't fight an unwilling opponent. It's begging for a suspension. There are ways to do it without risking that.

Everyone is over-analyzing Kitchener's deficiencies last night. What you had last night was a team with absolutely nothing on the line, resting guys who weren't 100% against a team playing a playoff style. Simple as that. The Rangers lost some control of their emotions, much like the game earlier in London and paid a stiff price in penalties, which led to the score. That's all.

Not much else can be inferred from this game if you ask me.

 

[bobber]

2023: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 0-1
2022: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 4-0, 3rd round 2-0, 4th round 1-0
2019: 1st round 8-0, 2nd round 2-2, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 0-1
2018: 1st round 8-0, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 2-0, 4th round 0-1
2017: 1st round 8-0, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 1-0
2016: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 0-2, 4th round 1-0
2015: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 1-0
2014: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 3-1, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 1-0
2013: 1st round 7-1, 2nd round 4-0, 3rd round 1-1, 4th round 1-0
2012: 1st round 7-1, 2nd roudn 3-1, 3rd round 2-0, 4th round 1-0

Totals: 1st round 73-7 (91.25%), 2nd round 31-9 (77.5%), 3rd round 12-8 (60%), 4th round 7-3 (70%)

Conclusion: based on the last 10 post seasons, home ice means the most in the first round (91.25% home team win rate), and the least in the 3rd round (60% home team win rate).

Based on these stats an upset isn't really considered "rare" in the first round. The odds though are against it happening for the most part.

 

[Living Vicariously]

View attachment 838876

Thanks for posting this - I've been trying to find it and came up empty. Now, if someone could break down the dirtiness of the hit for me, that would be great. No headshot, shoulder to shoulder, no charging...at one point they seemed lateral to one another, so I'm not seeing how it was blindside. The kid was off the boards which made the contact worse - if he had been on the boards, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Edited to apologize for redundancy - just saw SW post above.

 

[HockeyPops]

It could be a blindside hit. The CHL rulebook is not very descriptive in what they deem to be a blindside hit. When searching for a better description of the criteria for a blindside hit, I found this in a random blog by Dani Arbuckle

A blind-side hit in hockey refers to a body check delivered to a player from a side he cannot see. This includes checks from behind and lateral checks when the player on the receiving end has his head turned away from the checking player, leaving him unable to anticipate the hit. If the player can see the checker coming, it does not constitute a blind-side hit. Blind-side checks can be especially forceful because they catch a player off-guard and leave him unable to protect his head, putting him at risk of head trauma.

https://www.weekand.com/healthy-living/article/blindside-hit-hockey-18059336.php

The Hockey Canada rulebook has a little more description using a 90 degree angle of approach for the criteria

Note 1: A blindside hit will be defined as an ‘open-ice body check that is delivered from an angle of approach outside a 90° peripheral point of view of a vulnerable opponent, whether or not the player has the puck. Should an open-ice body check be delivered from within a 90º angle of approach and the check is otherwise legal in all other aspects, then no penalty would be assessed.

Rule 7.4 – Charging » Rule Book Admin

rulebook.hockeycanada.ca

There continues to be much debate on what is or is not a blindside hit. When using either definition above, I believe this would constitute a blindside hit. The player receiving the hit is focused on the puck and his head is turned away from the checker. The checker comes from slightly behind (outside of the 90 degree angle of approach).

But, perhaps the OHL uses a different set of criteria?

 

[rangersblues]

Swick gets 5 games. Returns game 4 of the playoffs.

 

[GeoBlue]

Based on these stats an upset isn't really considered "rare" in the first round. The odds though are against it happening for the most part.

So what do you consider "rare" if the stats are 7 upsets out of 80 in the 1st round?

 

[Matttheleaf]

Swick gets 5 games. Returns game 4 of the playoffs.

Would have thought 3 games total, especially cause the league set the precedent that the suspensions to Sudbury players doesnt count for the postseason

 

[Krangers08]

Would have thought 3 games total, especially cause the league set the precedent that the suspensions to Sudbury players doesnt count for the postseason

At least they get over a week for the appeal process

 

[GeoBlue]

Would have thought 3 games total, especially cause the league set the precedent that the suspensions to Sudbury players doesnt count for the postseason

It would be nice to see an appeal. Sudbury did this as well.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Swick gets 5 games. Returns game 4 of the playoffs.

have no issues with the 5 games. As soon as I saw it happen, I was saying to myself "why why why?" There was a lot of game left to administer some sort of frontier justice without getting suspended!
But yes, go the appeal route!

 

[EvenSteven]

Swick gets 5 games. Returns game 4 of the playoffs.

Not surprised really. I suppose they’re considering it bullying? By that I mean comparable to what Steve Downie did here years back. Jump and pummel an unsuspecting player.