London Knights 2018-19 Season Thread (Part 8)

[Old Watcher]

OK. ! Which London Knights deflated the puck ? If someone can tell us perhaps we can understand it better.

The Knights are using inflatable goal posts and goalie pads. Think the 'pump' was just for shoes?

 

[Fastpace]

The Knights have been experiencing a little mental team break down (mini team slump) the past few games, their individual talent and each individual player confidence is there, that's why they are still able to win a lot on individual plays. It's their overall team confidence that's suffering a little, it's very common with top teams, I think it's best they go through it now and not at playoffs time like it happened to Plymouth when lowly London ousted them out of the playoffs that one year with Rick Nash in their lineup.

I think what the Knights will need to watch for is how should they react when they are been pushed back or pressed hard by their opponents, they have the tendency of sitting on their heels and take it all in with no response back. This is the time that is most demanding for players, to dig deep down and find that extra strength or power deep inside and to push back as hard as they can to match their opponents intensity. They have not been doing much of that matching intensity when pressured this season, and they have got to find it in their strength if they want to go far in the playoffs. IMHO

 

[Old Watcher]

Pressure the D to the front of the goal. Have you noticed a lot more traffic in our crease the past 5-6 games? It's not a secret that if you keep our agile D isolated they can't cycle out of the zone. Full court press has reaped rewards for the opposition the past few games..and we didn't even play really strong teams. If opposing teams try to out skate the Knights they'll leave most nights on the losing end of the board. Pressure and take away the lanes and you can neutralize the attack. Flint,Barrie and Kitchener all did it. Better teams would have finished.

I think Bouchard looks lost. Hancock looks out of sorts on his current line. Neither is playing as well as they could (individually). Not enough movement on the PP. Passes too slow.

I think the coach is 'playing' with things while he can. He knows he owns the face-off dot and has the goaltending he needs.....but with Formenton returning the team needs to know what works and what doesn't when player lines are scrambled again. The PP will not look the same.

But....maybe the Knights are spiraling downward and we just haven't seen the end result yet? That's entirely possible. You would know better than I.

Winning while you play terribly isn't particularly worrisome to me this early in the run to the playoffs. Playoffs are a much tighter game defensively. I can't imagine the Knights aren't the team for that game.

Obviously, they are not alone in the run. Four or five other teams are in it with them. The other teams have weaknesses. 2 of them lack the goaltending necessary to win. 4 of them lack the defense necessary to win. All of them will be beaten badly in the face-off circle.....which means they lose the possession game.

London finds a way to win when other teams don't....all the time. I would know about that.....maybe more than you.

If it's helpful I will worry along with you guys.

 

[Knights2729]

LOL well put, not really much of a football fan anymore but somewhat like our Knights you have to respect the performance level of the Patriots since Brady and Bellichek arrived. Can’t be disputed they can turn over the core of that team and still win year after year. Impressive to say the least! I think with Brady’s age we may be seeing the last of the championships though? Has to come to an end eventually.......maybe?

If you look at it the Patriots have had the same management and coaching ( and Brady lol ) for the last 18 years and they have been to the Superbowl 9 times in that 18 years and won 6. The Knights have been to the OHL Championship 5 times in the last 14 years and won 4 of them and have been to the Memorial cup 5 times in the last 14 years and have won 2 of them as most are well aware. It just comes down to the fact that everyone hates to dominant team and sometimes even to the point that they think the officials favour that team which we know isnt the case right??

 

[CarriageRider]

If you look at it the Patriots have had the same management and coaching ( and Brady lol ) for the last 18 years and they have been to the Superbowl 9 times in that 18 years and won 6. The Knights have been to the OHL Championship 5 times in the last 14 years and won 4 of them and have been to the Memorial cup 5 times in the last 14 years and have won 2 of them as most are well aware. It just comes down to the fact that everyone hates to dominant team and sometimes even to the point that they think the officials favour that team which we know isnt the case right??

I'll try this again. I don't believe officials favour the Knights. London is a very well run organization. But these comparisons to New England are a stretch.

 

[Buttsy]

I'll try this again. I don't believe officials favour the Knights. London is a very well run organization. But these comparisons to New England are a stretch.

Thank You your feedback is always welcome here!

 

[Knights2729]

No...that was me saying that I didn't know but if I had to guess, a Feb 8 return. Perhaps a little too optimistic.

I was just watching the report on Formenton on the news and he is expected to be in the lineup this Friday.

 

[Drop the Puck]

I was just watching the report on Formenton on the news and he is expected to be in the lineup this Friday.

Fantastic news. On a side note I believe this will be his 14th game in the LK colours this season. Lots of hockey left for him to get game ready.
Think he will get first line minutes, or, 4th line for the weekend.

 

[aresknights]

I was just watching the report on Formenton on the news and he is expected to be in the lineup this Friday.

Nelli posted as much here a month ago And to the day? Hhmmmmmm...........
As long as Formenton is all good to go for POs, alls good.

Nelli=Michel de Nostredame

 

[EbonyRaptor]

Hawks fan here - I've seen some highlights of Boqvist making offensive plays - but how has he been in the d-zone? How has he handled pressure/forecheck? How has his positioning and gap control been? Has he been making improvements from the start of the season?

 

[zman77]

Hey Knights Fans!

Check it out.

They Hate Us - Green and Gold by ohlcolltective



AS mentioned, any money generated will go directly to a London Area Charity. I am currently in talks with a popular Knights poster and we are figuring out a charity!

 

[zman77]

 

[STS]

Hawks fan here - I've seen some highlights of Boqvist making offensive plays - but how has he been in the d-zone? How has he handled pressure/forecheck? How has his positioning and gap control been? Has he been making improvements from the start of the season?

Been improving a lot defensively as the season has progressed. Needs to fill out physically though as he does seem to get pushed aside at times and because his game is offense does get caught out of position at times. Upside is of course his skating and offensive play - very dynamic and that will only get better as he gets stronger physically. Just hope the Blackhawks don't rush him along too soon. Another year adapting to the more physical North American game in the OHL would definetly help him.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

Been improving a lot defensively as the season has progressed. Needs to fill out physically though as he does seem to get pushed aside at times and because his game is offense does get caught out of position at times. Upside is of course his skating and offensive play - very dynamic and that will only get better as he gets stronger physically. Just hope the Blackhawks don't rush him along too soon. Another year adapting to the more physical North American game in the OHL would definetly help him.

That's good to hear. I hope the Hawks don't rush him to the NHL too. I'm hoping they can convince Ian Mitchell to sign and get him to the Hawks next season and have Boqvist and Beaudin play together in the AHL next season - then bring up Boqvist and Beaudin to the Hawks in 2020/21. That would be my best case scenario.

 

[GobigorGohome]

Hawks fan here - I've seen some highlights of Boqvist making offensive plays - but how has he been in the d-zone? How has he handled pressure/forecheck? How has his positioning and gap control been? Has he been making improvements from the start of the season?

He is actually pretty calm when pressured.Even though he is not the biggest dman ,he effectively ties his man up or cuts them off and plays the body.
He gets the puck up with a quick pass or skates it out.
Plus he is a pretty good skater or should I say an Awesome skater.
Hope that helps.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

He is actually pretty calm when pressured.Even though he is not the biggest dman ,he effectively ties his man up or cuts them off and plays the body.
He gets the puck up with a quick pass or skates it out.
Plus he is a pretty good skater or should I say an Awesome skater.
Hope that helps.

Yeah - thanks. I've seen him play (on TV) only about 5 or 6 OHL/WJC games and a few times in Hawks preseason and the offensive instincts and skating are evident but he was not always in good position defensively to make the best play. I'm happy to hear he's making some improvements in that area.

 

[superdee]

Like STS said another year in the OHL would probably be beneficial to him. If he was here next year he would be top pairing and play 30 minutes a game compared to AHL likely 15 minutes. Has been steadily improving and is going to be a good one and the Hawks will need to show patience here to fully reap benefits but it ultimately rests on their shoulders.

 

[Fastpace]

Like STS said another year in the OHL would probably be beneficial to him. If he was here next year he would be top pairing and play 30 minutes a game compared to AHL likely 15 minutes. Has been steadily improving and is going to be a good one and the Hawks will need to show patience here to fully reap benefits but it ultimately rests on their shoulders.

I think Boqvist is very close to be a NHLer , his skating and his skills are at that level now, where he lack of is his hockey vision on a smaller North American ice surfaces. He has greatly improved and if we give him a couple more months plus a long playoff run and some workout over the summer he'll be ready just like Mete did in Montreal. Let's not forget the Black Hawks are in need right now of a good rushing defenseman, I think Boqvist will fit the bill nicely and will be in London for only one season.

 

[superdee]

Sure hate the fact that they haven't announced Cole's suspension when they have listed a bunch from the same night. I think that MacPherson should be suspended as well as that was a viscous crosscheck but the fact he never even got a penalty means that isn't happening. If Hutchinson and the other bozo make the right call Tymkin doesn't throw his stick. The very thing that burns my ass is the terrible inconsistency in officiating in this league. Gustov got high-sticked vs Barrie right in front of referee then seconds later we have him and Moskal in the box for a 5-3 ffs.

 

[PhlyerPhanatic31]

Sure hate the fact that they haven't announced Cole's suspension when they have listed a bunch from the same night. I think that MacPherson should be suspended as well as that was a viscous crosscheck but the fact he never even got a penalty means that isn't happening. If Hutchinson and the other bozo make the right call Tymkin doesn't throw his stick. The very thing that burns my ass is the terrible inconsistency in officiating in this league. Gustov got high-sticked vs Barrie right in front of referee then seconds later we have him and Moskal in the box for a 5-3 ffs.

By the rules it's an automatic 3 game (minimum) suspension for throwing your stick towards an official

Automatic Suspension – Category III - Any player who, by his actions, physically demeans an official or physically threatens an official by (but not limited to) throwing a stick or any other piece of equipment or object at or in the general direction of an official, shooting the puck at or in the general direction of an official, spitting at or in the general direction of an official, or who deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall be suspended for not less than three (3) games.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

I think Boqvist is very close to be a NHLer , his skating and his skills are at that level now, where he lack of is his hockey vision on a smaller North American ice surfaces. He has greatly improved and if we give him a couple more months plus a long playoff run and some workout over the summer he'll be ready just like Mete did in Montreal. Let's not forget the Black Hawks are in need right now of a good rushing defenseman, I think Boqvist will fit the bill nicely and will be in London for only one season.

If the Hawks think he's ready or "close enough" that he makes the team next season - then that's cool and I hope they make the correct decision. But if not, the reason I'd prefer him to be in the AHL than back with London is so he can pair up with Beaudin and play the entire season with him so they can make the Hawks team together in 2020/21. Kinda far fetched, I know, but I wouldn't mind him playing next season in London either as long as it makes him a better player and more prepared for when he eventually makes the Hawks.

 

[Bleedinggreen]

Sure hate the fact that they haven't announced Cole's suspension when they have listed a bunch from the same night. I think that MacPherson should be suspended as well as that was a viscous crosscheck but the fact he never even got a penalty means that isn't happening. If Hutchinson and the other bozo make the right call Tymkin doesn't throw his stick. The very thing that burns my ass is the terrible inconsistency in officiating in this league. Gustov got high-sticked vs Barrie right in front of referee then seconds later we have him and Moskal in the box for a 5-3 ffs.

No call does not mean no suspension but in this case it probably does, and since the stick throw was likely caused by this I am afraid that it will be more than 3 games.

 

[Fastpace]

If the Hawks think he's ready or "close enough" that he makes the team next season - then that's cool and I hope they make the correct decision. But if not, the reason I'd prefer him to be in the AHL than back with London is so he can pair up with Beaudin and play the entire season with him so they can make the Hawks team together in 2020/21. Kinda far fetched, I know, but I wouldn't mind him playing next season in London either as long as it makes him a better player and more prepared for when he eventually makes the Hawks.

If he's ready he'll play with the Black Hawks regardless if Nicolas Beaudin is ready or not. In the big league Boqvist got to be ready with anybody he's sent with, I think he'll play in the big league next year based on what we see of him at this level. IMHO

 

[Otto]

If he's ready he'll play with the Black Hawks regardless if Nicolas Beaudin is ready or not. In the big league Boqvist got to be ready with anybody he's sent with, I think he'll play in the big league next year based on what we see of him at this level. IMHO

You missed the point again.... re-read his post

( I actually tried to explain it but I found myself retyping it practically word for word)

 

[Fastpace]

You missed the point again.... re-read his post

( I actually tried to explain it but I found myself retyping it practically word for word)

I understood every bit of his point in his post, I even liked it, as it's stated at the bottom of my post my comment was In My Humble Opinion ; "IMHO" * I believe you know what an opinion is !