London Knights 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 5)

[rangersblues]

I have to agree with you on the over valued of our MPs and MPPs, but to compare them to our league officials, I don't know about that

Our biggest mistake as fans is judging referees with our eyes at a much higher angle from the stands, not from their angles from ice level, they are closer to the action, yes, but they also have a much more narrowed view to ours. Like all league employees at the head office, they too should get a decent pay, it should be based on progression with experience, as per how many years and games refereed IMHO

I wasn't comparing league officials to politicians. I was comparing the length of service they would need to qualify for pensions to politicians. Big difference

 

[tjziel]

If you want to be technical, the hockey definition of a goalie stealing a game is when your team is out shot but wins. Which would technically mean Simpson stole game 1 of the playoffs, he did make some great saves and was definitely a factor why they won. This was a stat kept years ago in the NHL, just haven't seen it in recent memory.

Anyway, I do agree with you that you can't just look at stats. Simpson has been a really good goalie on a really good team, but to the eye test, not the technical stat, I don't recall many games this year when Simpson was the sole reason they won. Now, I also don't think he had the opportunity because the team in front of him is good.

Thanks OP. I respectfully don’t agree with you about just being the technical term. I agree that that is a factor and contributes to how a goalie steals a game, but it’s not the full spectrum of why a goalie steals a game.

In Game 1, how many “Grade A” scoring chances did Flint have where are Simpson conceivably bailed them out on a dangerous scoring chance? I remember one where he slid across and made a glove save, but other than that. the Knights kept them to the outside and limited dangerous scoring chances. So yeah, Simpson was definitely good Game 1 but by no means did he steal that game for them.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

So LK fans... Is there something up with Dickinson?

In the regular season in the maybe 10 games I've watched thru the 2nd half.. Dickinson seemed to play a much bigger role and was really noticeable in a good way. In the playoffs they seem to have really leaned on George and Bonk and Dickinson's role seems to have decreased and his play hasn't been as good.

Any comments or info?

 

[BobHockey]

So LK fans... Is there something up with Dickinson?

In the regular season in the maybe 10 games I've watched thru the 2nd half.. Dickinson seemed to play a much bigger role and was really noticeable in a good way. In the playoffs they seem to have really leaned on George and Bonk and Dickinson's role seems to have decreased and his play hasn't been as good.

Any comments or info?

He is still a young defenceman who played a lot of ice this season. His play of late has been a bit sloppy often due to poor decision making and not choosing the simpler safe play. I think he is fatigued from all the ice time this year and perhaps has some nagging injuries - his skating just doesn't seem to be up to his standard. . My guess he is being rested to the extent possible for later rounds. Just my opinion. I have no inside knowledge

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Thanks OP. I respectfully don’t agree with you about just being the technical term. I agree that that is a factor and contributes to how a goalie steals a game, but it’s not the full spectrum of why a goalie steals a game.

In Game 1, how many “Grade A” scoring chances did Flint have where are Simpson conceivably bailed them out on a dangerous scoring chance? I remember one where he slid across and made a glove save, but other than that. the Knights kept them to the outside and limited dangerous scoring chances. So yeah, Simpson was definitely good Game 1 but by no means did he steal that game for them.

For sure, I don't disagree with what you are saying. That one save by Simpson is all that comes to my mind as well for a true gem of a save.

My only point was, there is an actual stat for a goalie to "Steal" a game and that is the criteria, but there is still the eye test of stealing a game and when it comes to the eye test, I agree with you.

 

[HockeyPops]

The first criterion for stealing a game would probably be that the team needs to be outplayed badly.

How many games has Simpson played this year that meet this first criterion? Probably not many opportunities to steal a game?

 

[tjziel]

The first criterion for stealing a game would probably be that the team needs to be outplayed badly.

How many games has Simpson played this year that meet this first criterion? Probably not many opportunities to steal a game?

Not many opportunities when you face between 15-25 shots a game and the system in front of you is solid. Put him on Windsor and he might be able to steal a game, but his stats will definitely be worse on the flipside.

 

[Buttsy]

To all of the perfectionists out there: I to am guilty of this at times BUT London is up 3 games to none all the while missing our leading goal scorer. Deep breath the only thing worth worrying about at this point is how badly injured is our Ruskie forward? We are going to need him sooner rather then later, still thinking it's that damn "high ankle sprain" that is becoming rather popular in hockey?

 

[nelli27]

Tonight 7 pm Rogers: St Mary's at LDN Nationals.
Prospect watch: Fagan, Arrowsmith.

 

[TheOrangePylon]

To all of the perfectionists out there: I to am guilty of this at times BUT London is up 3 games to none all the while missing our leading goal scorer. Deep breath the only thing worth worrying about at this point is how badly injured is our Ruskie forward? We are going to need him sooner rather then later, still thinking it's that damn "high ankle sprain" that is becoming rather popular in hockey?

That high ankle sprain certainly is becoming popular in hockey. It’s the Skates, they make the boot on them so stiff now. It allows for no flex, the only flex is bone.

 

[Buttsy]

First off I think Simpson in net was a great acquisition for the Knights in retrospect. At the time I questioned it a bit as I was a bit nervous about the Knights being in a "go for it year". I don't believe the price we paid was excessive and I love the kids experience.
BUT I do recall Gurn scoring in Game 2 of the OHL Final from just inside of center ice on him. It's kinda like he "resets" himself after a shot on net but sometimes relaxes a bit to long? Anyway thankfully for the Pete's our youngster in goal really struggled that night so Peterboro prevailed. Otherwise it could very well have been a different outcome to the series?

 

[nelli27]

That high ankle sprain certainly is becoming popular in hockey. It’s the Skates, they make the boot on them so stiff now. It allows for no flex, the only flex is bone.

Yeah, and last night Doyle said that Gazizov is skating, but still wearing a boot (not the boot you mean). If he's skating, why would he still need a boot? Maybe someone can clarify.

 

[Wifi]

Looks like the OHL has halfway updated the draft order for this year. The website is now showing were all the teams are slotted, just not showing the traded picks in the correct spots.

London's comp pick for Moore appears to be 4th last in the second round (39th overall)

 

[Knightsfan90]

Gazizov will be needed in round 2 (should we finish this off), and he's expected back at that time according to Doyle.
Not Simpson's best game as he allows two stinkers.
Hunter knows that he doesn't have the luxury of rolling four lines. As we get deeper into the playoffs, will that prove to be a liability or can three lines do the job?
Lawrence continues to score.
I like that line... assembled as a checking line, but contributes offensively.
George... another strong game as a shutdown D-man.

Yes, Gazizov could play if it was needed but with how this series has gone they have elected to keep him out till round 2. Can't wait to have playoff Gazizov

 

[LDN]

Our games have been closer then the Saginaw and SSM series… not sure if this is something to worry about?

 

[nelli27]

Our games have been closer then the Saginaw and SSM series… not sure if this is something to worry about?

No

 

[TheOrangePylon]

Yeah, and last night Doyle said that Gazizov is skating, but still wearing a boot (not the boot you mean). If he's skating, why would he still need a boot? Maybe someone can clarify.

My best guess would be, because the skates are so stiff, it gives him the support he needs and it’s not quite the same support in his shoes. Also, probably being extra cautious off ice. Ankles are such a touchy injury, stepping on a stone in the street can aggravate it.

 

[HockeyPops]

London's comp pick for Moore appears to be 4th last in the second round (39th overall)

This checks out. In 2023 London's 2nd round pick was 38th overall. The comp pick this year would be one pick later than that pick.

 

[LDN]

Tonight 7 pm Rogers: St Mary's at LDN Nationals.
Prospect watch: Fagan, Arrowsmith.

How was that game? How do they look?

No

Sounds good. Would you say we are learning a lot?

 

[nelli27]

How was that game? How do they look?


Sounds good. Would you say we are learning a lot?

I didn't watch much of the Nats game.
Knights are a well oiled machine, players know their roles. You'll see more offence throughout the lineup once Gazizov returns.

 

[Fastpace]

Our games have been closer then the Saginaw and SSM series… not sure if this is something to worry about?

You saw how they came out for the overtime, that was the real London Knights team that is heading to the big "M"cup. Up until then we hadn't seen them yet, I am not worried, and I dont think they are either

 

[BobHockey]

Our games have been closer then the Saginaw and SSM series… not sure if this is something to worry about?

Goal differential for first three games for each of the three series are about the same

 

[ArielNederland]

Gazizov is in the line up tonight according to knights pr

 

[tjziel]

Gazizov is back in the lineup tonight so we can continue get our chemistry back. Hopefully we see something like this. I can see Cowan and Barkey getting put back together if we need an offensive spark.

Cowan - O’Rielly - Halttunen
Barkey - Julien - Gazizov
Sim - Lawrence - McCue
Boulton. -Nichol - Boulton

Nichol is the spare guy they used to give guys a break and the Boulton’s go over the boards to set a tone and finish checks.

 

[dmead]

Gazizov is in the line up tonight according to knights pr

Hope its not too soon.