London Knights 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 5)

[RangerNation]

There is no way thats all Kitchener's got. Those penalties sucked the wind from their sails.

I fully expect a different team tonight. Instead of the stickwork, they will take the body to slow the Knights down.

I noticed in the 3rd period last night a quick forecheck that gave the Knights some difficulties. Expect that throughout the game.

And the Knights D have to stop those soft clearing passes. Send it out of our end with force. If it goes to icing, ok. Better than the Rangers getting posession inside our zone while our forwards are heading the wrong direction.

Brochi, please stay in your net a bit more. Not sure what the hell happened on that play in the second period, but Ive already had one cardiac event, don't need another thank you.

Rangers size is going to be a factor later in the series.

From the Heart of a warrior" department, Barkey nailing Motew and the boards bttles against the skating tree (Schmit) were epic.

First period was more of what we were expecting. The penalties (which were all deserved) rattled the plan. It was very obvious. They let the Knights skate in the first, but limited their chances, and got plenty of their own. I have seen that Knights PP ever since 2005. It literally hasn't changed, and it almost always works.

Also, can we vote to postpone this game? It's way to nice out to even think about hockey right now. At least it's raining for Sunday's game..

 

[nelli27]

Drop the puck
Let's go!

 

[Knights Watcher]

I think McGurn's struggles late in the season were more of a reflection of the rest of the team's efforts. He is not a "do-it-himself" kind of player a la Evangelista, he is the kind of player who works his butt off and thrives when his linemates are out-working their opponents, which the Knights rarely did over the last month of the season.

All I know, is the Hunters take a lot of abuse over the course of the season, but we have to admit, they got this team ready to play when it mattered most. We have been spoiled since they took over this franchise, and rather than question them after every loss, we need to be thankful, and trust in their ability to get the job done!

I know I've given you a hard time lately (all tongue in cheek) KW, but thanks for being a good sport about it! Cheers!

No worries. I know any jabs are not personal and are only for fun. I don't take any offense to them.
I must say, on the way back from the game last night my buddy and I were talking about the season>
At the beginning of this campaign (nod to Sloany LOL), we didn't think we would win 20 games....we had no scoring, D was green and even the goaltending was shaky.
Then came the Diaco trade and the team turned a corner and looked like a legitimate threat...but we still felt we were missing something. Come trade deadline and I admit that we were both disappointed by our moves to say the least. Disgusted could sum it up better actually. We watched every other contending team in the West load up and we basically stood pat. With our now stellar D and Brochu playing his last season, we felt that this was an opportunity missed, and maybe, just maybe, the other front offices had passed the Hunters in terms of 'massaging the roster'. we felt like this was a go-for-it season. Had the Hunters lost touch with winning?
Then the end-of-season run where, IMO, the team played their worst hockey since the opening weeks of the season. They couldn't score. D was once again suspect. Goaltending was average and Special Teams were horrific. This team looked like a one-and-done in the playoffs and all of my doom-and-gloom predictions were going to come to fruition.
Cue the first playoff series and a 180-degree turnaround from the last 2 weeks of the season.
The offense was clicking, D was on point, the goaltending was good if not great, and the biggest turnaround of them all...team discipline. No dumb penalties. No retaliation penalties.
Wow, I thought. The Hunters deserve a lot more credit than we had given them.
No matter what happens the rest of this playoff run, win or lose, I will never again bet against the Hunters. My hats are off to them and the entire organization for building an exciting, young team. and I emphasize TEAM.
As for McGurn...I've been down on him since the beginning of the season. He lost a bit of touch in the faceoff circle and in my eyes wasn't contributing offensively like I thought a co-captain should. Well slap some lipstick on me and call me Susy! He quietly put up 83 points and was a decent 56% in the face-off dot. Then comes the playoffs and he's the leading points-getter on the team. They say big-time players come to play in big-time games and 16SM has definitely done that.
Hats off to him as well.

 

[rve24]

Funny how coaches n staff go from terrible to great to terrible..........in us fans eyes. So much goes into it behind the scenes we don't see.
I honestly believed ( and posted) it would work itself out and they would make the adjustments and get the buy in needed. Doesn't always work out thst thou lol. So far it has.
Still think Sarnia is the beast if the west. Time will tell. Lots of work before that hurdle.

For Fastpace.... when I said PP adjustments I saw the same set up but using different options off that set up than vs. OS. The were very active cycling up high with the 2 half board n top of umbrella player exchanging vs OS.They did start to go back to that later vs KR but not as frequently as rd 1 and didn't to start. Ya got your systems but with many options......ya take the easy route vmbased on reads.
The first PK was also an example as they knew how KR would attack from the one side and adjusted the "box" accordingly to stiffness the first PP by KR.
They also made adjustments as the game went along to continually improve on limiting KTowns net front presence n pressure. The in game chess match will continue tonight. Whoever adapts best will win tonight.

 

[Otto]

 

[Fastpace]

Funny how coaches n staff go from terrible to great to terrible..........in us fans eyes. So much goes into it behind the scenes we don't see.
I honestly believed ( and posted) it would work itself out and they would make the adjustments and get the buy in needed. Doesn't always work out thst thou lol. So far it has.
Still think Sarnia is the beast if the west. Time will tell. Lots of work before that hurdle.

For Fastpace.... when I said PP adjustments I saw the same set up but using different options off that set up than vs. OS. The were very active cycling up high with the 2 half board n top of umbrella player exchanging vs OS.They did start to go back to that later vs KR but not as frequently as rd 1 and didn't to start. Ya got your systems but with many options......ya take the easy route vmbased on reads.
The first PK was also an example as they knew how KR would attack from the one side and adjusted the "box" accordingly to stiffness the first PP by KR.
They also made adjustments as the game went along to continually improve on limiting KTowns net front presence n pressure. The in game chess match will continue tonight. Whoever adapts best will win tonight.

All various plays tried through out the season with variety of players and positions, no adjustment were needed. The only difference is the urgency of playoffs makes them execute better what they have learn all year

 

[rve24]

All various plays tried through out the season with variety of players and positions, no adjustment were needed. The only difference is the urgency of playoffs makes them execute better what they have learn all year

Agree to disagree. I'd bet alot on the fact they looked at tape n said he players this is the first option or 2 we want you to look at on the PP in both series n then work your way thru the options. That's adjusting, giving guidance, coaching.
If all it ws is urgency of playoffs and not conscious adjustments......all teams would pick up effectiveness.
I agree they tried stuff all year.
I defend that as well with my posts when people complain about line changes, trying different systems, challenging players at times with different roles.
Dale adjusts thru the year and in games every year. We have heard it from staff and players personally. It's done purposely.

All good fastpace, enjoy your feedback n thoughts on the team!

 

[LDN]

GO KNIGHTS GO

 

[Otto]

Rags doing Raggy things

 

[rve24]

Great start. Lots of game left.

 

[Otto]

4 periods of hockey played in the London/ Kitchener series and the Knights have already scored more goals on Kitchener than first place Windsor did.in the entire last series

 

[Otto]

Once again the pundits were correct... the Rangers are not playing like an 8th place team.....

They are playing like a 9th place team.

 

[Otto]

Stay classy, Kitchener

 

[Knightsfan90]

Once again the pundits were correct... the Rangers are not playing like an 8th place team.....

They are playing like a 9th place team.

10th or 11th now LOL at this point I think Erie would been stiffer competition

 

[rve24]

There has been an extremely focused attention to detail and commitment by LK "so far" in this series. Both staff n players.
Coaches set the table n expectations and the players have executed.
Impressive to watch, but they gotta stay focused.
Stay away from any garbage. ( not saying who is starting it) Just play it out even if you are frustrated. Don't give them anything to build on. Just play it out tonight.

 

[rve24]

Play it out, but stand up as a team.

Edit. Great answer to the BS #16.

 

[Otto]

Golly that Hollett is a dirty player

 

[Otto]

Dale900, call timeout

 

[Otto]

8 different goal scorers

WHAMMO!!

 

[crowncarrier]

2:11 left and you score a goal to get you within 3 and you do not pull your goalie?? Very odd.

 

[nelli27]

Rangers having a hard time with the Knights speed, and taking a lot of undisciplined penalties. Dale900 has the boys playing well. Whether Pinelli's return, home ice (last change) and coaching adjustments make a difference, we shall see.
Mailloux rested for much of the 3rd.
Change nothing for game 3.

 

[Otto]

2:11 left and you score a goal to get you within 3 and you do not pull your goalie?? Very odd.

Out coached, out played, out classed.

 

[Knightsfan90]

Rangers having a hard time with the Knights speed, and taking a lot of undisciplined penalties. Dale900 has the boys playing well. Whether Pinelli's return, home ice (last change) and coaching adjustments make a difference, we shall see.
Mailloux rested for much of the 3rd.
Change nothing for game 3.

I hope the McCue factor comes back in game 3

 

[dmead]

Well I stand corrected. The ......bags went full on ......bag with the stickwork, mugging, what have you.

Well done Knights, played like a team, stuck up for each other as a team.

Federkow with a huge game. Textbook body check at the blue line.

Fav moment... captain Scrappy Doo and Arcuri chirping each other on the bench turns into a near fracas as Scrappy Doo drops the gloves and offers an invitation. EPIC

The games in Kitchener are going to be war. Close em out boys.

 

[Fastpace]

Wow ! 8-4 win and are now leading 2 games to none, and I don't know if this is good or bad . Quick take it before Kitchener comes back to wrestle them away.

What a horrible second half of this game, letting off around the 15 minute mark of the second and coasting to the end of game. This could very well be a big mistake, first they let off by cutting down on their speed, this meant the Rangers could catch up and play their scrum game as much as they wanted it, also allowing the Rangers new life to their plays and abling them scoring 3 thid period goals of their own and a momentum switch for the up coming game 3. And this my friends is what we'll likely see in Kitchener, a very woken up Rangers team in front of their own fans. No way can you play defensive hockey by letting off the pedal, for me watching this is very disappointing. I'd like to find some positive in this game but other then a good start and first half, scoring 8 goals and taking 2-0 series lead there isn't much else. Their plays was getting so ugly even their powerplays were losing it's urgency after they took the 5-0 lead. Can't allow new life to your opponent when you got them where you want them, remember the 3 game lead on Guelph in 2019 they got hurt 4 times in a row after allowing them new life. In today's game I was hollering at the tv in the second period, but no way could they hear me all the way up from Quebec where I now reside . At my age I need to stop watching these kids, they are going to give me a heart attack. Cheers !

They need to go crazily fast for three period against Kitchener or go home "Fast Pace" !!!

Rangers having a hard time with the Knights speed, and taking a lot of undisciplined penalties. Dale900 has the boys playing well. Whether Pinelli's return, home ice (last change) and coaching adjustments make a difference, we shall see.
Mailloux rested for much of the 3rd.
Change nothing for game 3.

Didn't like the second half of this game, and don't forget Francesco Pinelli will be in their lineup for game three