Thanks for the kind comments.
This is my analysis of Mailloux's play in the London/Ice Dogs game tonight:
Overall: Mailloux was once again very noticeable tonight and though he was kept off the score sheet, Mailloux was clearly the Knights most dynamic player. Hunter again paired Mailloux with George and, as was commented on by one of the broadcast's announcers, they continue to form one of the best defensive duos in the OHA. There is no question that the Knights' defense is the strength of their team and is largely responsible for London's recent success. Mailloux, who continues to play in all situations, is an integral part of that impressive defensive corps. One only has to compare London's win/loss record after both Mailloux and George returned to the team to the team's record before these two impressive players returned to the lineup. It should be noted that this was the Knights' fifth gave in seven nights and the wear and tear of this compact schedule clearly showed on the team's collective and Mailloux's individual performances. Both the team and Mailloux, who is now a core player on the Knights, had clumsy games. Neither were sharp. But the talent differential between London and the Ice Dogs allowed London to overcome the team's uneven and sloppy performance.
On the Offence: Mailloux's offensive contribution was built on his excellent skating. Mailloux made numerous end to end rushes that placed great stress/pressure on the Ice Dogs' defence and created several excellent scoring chances. These dramatic rushes occurred in all phases of the game: at even strength, on the power play and even when the Knights were killing a penalty. In the latter situation, Mailloux's great straight forward speed quickly turned an opponent's momentary bobble, into a 2 on 1. Mailloux will have to simplify his rush tactics as the toe drags and the slipping the puck past the defender that works occasionally against OHL defencemen will work work far less successfully against NHL level defencemen. He has to learn to use the chip and chase tactic and rely on his size, agility and excellent speed to extend the play. Mailloux's normal pinpoint and subtle passes were missing tonight. His passes were either too hard for his teammates to effectively receive and handle or they were just off, either in his teammates skates or out of the intended target's reach. He also tried to force passes (like on the 2 on 1 during the penalty kill) where a simpler ( better) play or a shooting option was available. Despite taking numerous shots, Mailloux was not credited with any official shots on net as all of his shots were either blocked or missed the net. And he was blasting away from the point and the half board all night long. As I previously commented, Mailloux, who actually 'walks the line' reasonably well, will have to get better at getting his shot through and hitting the net with more consistency if he is to reach his full potential as an offensive force in the NHL.
On the Defence: Mailloux played a confident, strong defensive game that was largely error free. As with his offensive game, the hallmark of Mailloux's defensive game was his skating ability. He showed great recovery speed and was able to easily stop and mirror offensive players who tried to challenge him by either going wide or by trying to split the London's defence. He used an active stick and his great reach to stymie repeated offensive plays. Perhaps due to fatigue, Mailloux did not show much of a physical game tonight, instead, he relied more on anticipation and positioning to counter Ice Dogs forays. Also, for the first time, I noticed that Mailloux was losing his balance and falling when trying to pivot or when trying to make a play at high speed. This sudden display of unsteadiness was most probably another manifestation of the sinister effects of accumulative fatigue on a player that is still not in top game shape. Nevertheless, he largely had an efficient and effective defensive game. The only major error that I saw Mailloux commit was being overly aggressive at the London blueline on one play which effort created a free pathway to the Knights' net for another Ice Dog forward.
Final Comment: While nothing I saw tonight caused me to change my mind about Mailloux's ultimate potential, his display of a complete lack of judgment and discipline at the end of the game when he tried going after several Ice Dog players for a late hit on George just as the siren sounded, is worrying to this writer. To put the incident in context, this unwarranted hit came closely on the heels of another dangerous hit on an London player Dickinson who has checked head first into the boards. That play warranted at least a two game suspension. Nevertheless, Mailloux has to understand that he is a marked man and that any infraction he commits will be viewed, whether rightly or not, with greater scrutiny than if same is committed by another player. The game was over. You have the two points in your pocket. Just get off the ice. Don't risk a suspension for fighting after the conclusion of a game. Also, you are just recovering from major surgery for an injury that you suffered in a previous useless fight. There was no useful point or statement to be made here. It was just a statement of poor judgment.
Next Game: I will be in the GTA this weekend scouting AAA players and I will be attending Sunday's London- Mississauga afternoon game, which will give me a chance to watch both Mailloux (assuming his not suspended) and Beck in person. I will provide my analysis on these two important prospects after the game.
