Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV
- Thread starter hangman006
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bobber
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HUSH10
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- Sep 16, 2019
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Credit to Sarnia - they played the 'bend don't break' game well. It just caught up to them in the third. They really played a defensive shell in their own end, keeping multiple players in the middle and trying to force the Rangers to the periphery and into long shots. There is a reason their goalie was a star despite giving up 4 goals.
KIT out-chanced Sarnia through the first two periods. A couple of those go in and the game looks different.
In the post-game interview, Jussi said that Sarnia had one chance in the third and it missed the net.
KIT out-chanced Sarnia through the first two periods. A couple of those go in and the game looks different.
In the post-game interview, Jussi said that Sarnia had one chance in the third and it missed the net.
K2
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- Jun 11, 2015
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Congratulations to Trent Swick on signing with Vegas.
bobber
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Kudos to Carter George stopped 52 shots. Attack played with intensity and got in behind the Ranger D on a few occasions. Take the point and run.
As I feared last week, and suspected might occur, complacency has most definitely crept in. I don't think the constant swaps in the bottom 6 help, with guys swapped in and out. With that said, I do understand the need to determine who's the preferred 12 comes playoffs. We know the top 6 D. Forwards are more difficult.
I'll be upset if Vermeulen is the scratch again the remainder of the year. Not sure where Stark fits in, if he's able to return. I wish him good health, however unless he's ready to return in the next 2-4 games, to see what he has, I would again be upset to see him inserted into the lineup.
Who's your playoff bottom 6?
I'll be upset if Vermeulen is the scratch again the remainder of the year. Not sure where Stark fits in, if he's able to return. I wish him good health, however unless he's ready to return in the next 2-4 games, to see what he has, I would again be upset to see him inserted into the lineup.
Who's your playoff bottom 6?
Great question! If anyone really interested, could stop in on a practice...they would see. Tough to get touches in a practice with 5 or more lines. "Some" boys don't even dress for practice anymore. MM does need to market some of these guys though. And some of the little guys need a rest, they just aren't built to go the distance. Having said that, bottom 6 is and will be a revolving door until someone figures out how to develop them.
We are 6-2-1-1 in our last 10. We sat Parsons for a weekend and took three of four points. Simmer down with the complacency business.
you aren't seriously saying the coaching staff in place isn't aware of how to develop players are you??????
LOL if you are I think you would be ONE of a very select FEW.
Rangers True Blue
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bobber
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Jussi said they will be rotating a few players going forward towards the playoffs. He said it's the benefit of having a bigger roster. Also it gives players valuable ice they may not be getting as the play offs come around.
1. Swick. Humphreys. Pridham.
2. Vermeulen. Ellinas. Miseljevic.
3. Arquette. Romano. Lam.
4. Grisolia. Mercer. Ellis.
Ex. Hlacar. Labrash. Headrick.
I’m assuming Stark is done for the season? I also figure they go with Humphreys, Ellinas and Romano down the middle. Come playoff time, you’ll need a third line that can score. If you want to go deep in the playoffs, be successful, you need scoring depth. Romano and Lam on the third line would give us that.
Vermeulen is a little bit of a weak spot at left-wing on the second line, but if the coaching staff feels they can trust him on the second power play unit often this season, they may see him doing well in that slot.
Arquette and Ellis could be interchangeable. Ditto Arquette and Vermeulen. Also, I have Hlacar as the 13th forward. But, if we’re playing a team with size, I’d favour him over Ellis in the top 12. He’d form a good grind / energy line with Grisolia and Mercer.
I feel we only see Labrash or Headrick if we run into injury problems.
At the end of the day though, second line left wing is a problem. If you move Ellinas over and bring Romano up to the top six, you will weaken the third line significantly. If you bring Lam up and move Miseljevic over to left wing on the second line, you’re playing Miseljevic out of position. Bad enough playing Arquette out of position. It is what it is though so we’d have to make do.
Also, I’d like to see the diminutive Lam outside the top six. At a buck 40, I suspect he’d have trouble facing the post season grind of playing against the opponent’s top six F’s and top four D.
rangersblues
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I'm trying to get Hlacar into the 4th line. If you're going to make a run in the playoffs you're going to need his size. Ellis doesn't bring enough offence to justify dressing over Hlacar. There's times when his size will serve a useful purpose, especially as the games get gritty.
I agree. But if the playoffs started today because Flint would be the opponant, I could see Ellis starting on the 4th line. By the end of the round, Hlacar will have gotten into a couple games. After that, with the likes of Windsor / London as the probable opponents, we’d see much more of Hlacar - more than likely, exclusively.
Further, on D, would MacNiel be a better option than Bilecki as the 6th D for the same reason if and when the going gets tough? Hard to tell because it’s tough to get a real read on MacNiel based on his games played. But he looked good lately when he got into a string of games.
Rangers True Blue
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Jussi already adapts his lines depending on what the opposing team brings. Absolutely, he will do the same in playoffs and likely even during playoffs should he and the coaching staff see a need.
As for Hlacar, he seems eager to learn and to embrace his role (takes boxing lessons). He's the thorn in other team's side but at the same time, he has shown improvement in where to be and when as noted by a few goals. For a 16 year old (17 now?), he will put the G in grit down the road.
Bilecki and McNeil are pretty much interchangeable in my POV. Bilecki is better on the rush while McNeil takes no prisoners in the Rangers end. Also, will Xu show up for playoffs at any point?
As for top 6, I'm leaning towards Even's assessment.
As for Hlacar, he seems eager to learn and to embrace his role (takes boxing lessons). He's the thorn in other team's side but at the same time, he has shown improvement in where to be and when as noted by a few goals. For a 16 year old (17 now?), he will put the G in grit down the road.
Bilecki and McNeil are pretty much interchangeable in my POV. Bilecki is better on the rush while McNeil takes no prisoners in the Rangers end. Also, will Xu show up for playoffs at any point?
As for top 6, I'm leaning towards Even's assessment.
bobber
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Hlachar getting five and a game for that hit was a surprise. Didn't look that bad on the replay. Hard to tell watching on the tube.
I agree. It wasn’t bad at all.
Worth 2 min for sure. Five? Not really. Reputation call?
Worth 2 min for sure. Five? Not really. Reputation call?
bobber
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Great game for the Rangers against the high scoring Spits. Killed the cheap 5 minute penalty in the 2nd. Spits are a team to be reckoned with for sure.
Rangers True Blue
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I have to say that Cristoforo sold it very well with his hands up to his head as he slithered to the ice. He was hurt so badly that he immediately played on the PP and went on to finish the game no problem.
BobHockey
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Sadly, hockey is becoming more and more like soccer with the players writhing in "agony" after a borderline hit or stick on the body. Parekh is the master at this and the players see he gets away with it so it is copied.
