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He who laughs last thinks slowest
- Jun 7, 2010
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Minnesota 2024-2025 Affiliates Thread (Iowa Wild, Iowa Heartlanders)
- Thread starter Forsbergaura21
- Start date
Jbcraig1883
Registered User
Iowa vs Grand Rapids. Ferguson in net.
Bankier has had two godawful turnovers and Lambos one pretty bad turnover 5 minutes in...that's pretty much it thus far.
Edit: Spacek gets pocket picked in D zone and ends up in back of the net. GR leading 1-0.
Edit 2: Lambos with another turnover trying to do simply breakout and GR gets a decent scoring chance. Sloppy all around so far. 8 minutes left.
Edit 3: Nice breakout with Hunt and Ohgren involved. Now Spacek with a good individual play for a breakout. Yes, these are the positives to highlight.
Alright, Milne feeds Cecconi who shoots and gets a tip by Gaunce. Clarke and Milne created it from forecheck/winning board battles. Tied 1-1.
Toporowski noticeable all period - a few shots and just dangled a D.
Raska with a good tilt to end the period. Really sloppy start, Iowa got better as period went on, and its tied 1-1.
Bankier has had two godawful turnovers and Lambos one pretty bad turnover 5 minutes in...that's pretty much it thus far.
Edit: Spacek gets pocket picked in D zone and ends up in back of the net. GR leading 1-0.
Edit 2: Lambos with another turnover trying to do simply breakout and GR gets a decent scoring chance. Sloppy all around so far. 8 minutes left.
Edit 3: Nice breakout with Hunt and Ohgren involved. Now Spacek with a good individual play for a breakout. Yes, these are the positives to highlight.
Alright, Milne feeds Cecconi who shoots and gets a tip by Gaunce. Clarke and Milne created it from forecheck/winning board battles. Tied 1-1.
Toporowski noticeable all period - a few shots and just dangled a D.
Raska with a good tilt to end the period. Really sloppy start, Iowa got better as period went on, and its tied 1-1.
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Jbcraig1883
Registered User
5 minutes into 2nd period, Haight's line just had best chances of period. Haight with zone entry to Ohgren...Ohgren ripped it. Then after they regain puck control Haight with a shot that I think was deflected. This line was fairly quiet last period but it's Haight with Walker and Ohgren. Before Milne was called up, he was on that line.
Lambos just had a decent breakout but its his skating. Again, if he's going north south and doesn't have to use anyone else, he looks good. But if you were to isolate him during most shifts he makes poor decisions/fumbles the puck way too often.
Hunt blew a tire and takes out Cossa, answers the bell with a a fight - almost connected on big right cross but ends up getting the worst of it. Can't tell if his visor cut him or if its his nose/etc. EDIT - report is that visor cut his hand.
Spacek with a snipe with Bankier partially screening Cossa. Iowa up 2-1.
GR ties it up a few minutes later. Defensive breakdown - Cecconi was up too far for breakout, Bankier didn't catch the person coming in from behind and ROR was focused on guy in front of the net, so didn't slide over.
Things are getting chippy. Watson goes after Milne after Milne stood up for Gaunce getting hit from behind. Iowa on PP.
Period ends with a huge hit by Hunt with about 30 seconds left. 2-2. Should be an entertaining third.
Lambos just had a decent breakout but its his skating. Again, if he's going north south and doesn't have to use anyone else, he looks good. But if you were to isolate him during most shifts he makes poor decisions/fumbles the puck way too often.
Hunt blew a tire and takes out Cossa, answers the bell with a a fight - almost connected on big right cross but ends up getting the worst of it. Can't tell if his visor cut him or if its his nose/etc. EDIT - report is that visor cut his hand.
Spacek with a snipe with Bankier partially screening Cossa. Iowa up 2-1.
GR ties it up a few minutes later. Defensive breakdown - Cecconi was up too far for breakout, Bankier didn't catch the person coming in from behind and ROR was focused on guy in front of the net, so didn't slide over.
Things are getting chippy. Watson goes after Milne after Milne stood up for Gaunce getting hit from behind. Iowa on PP.
Period ends with a huge hit by Hunt with about 30 seconds left. 2-2. Should be an entertaining third.
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Jbcraig1883
Registered User
3 minutes into 3rd and puck squeaks through Ferguson but Spacek there to clean it up. Both teams have had a couple of decent chances.
Buium just shut down Haight quite nicely. Haight tried to walk him right to left after gaining zone on the rush but that doesn't work as easily in pro hockey.
Austin Watson bullying Milne again after whistle. Looked like Milne could still see puck and poked at it right as/closely after whistle was blown. Watson...man, had high hopes for him when he was draft eligible. He is running all over.
Toporowski stays hot and puts one away with 6 minutes left. All because of Hunt's touch pass at the blueline. Hunt had no time to do anything else and could have easily have been a terrible turnover if he would have just shot it into shin pads of forward coming out to check him. Hopefully Iowa's Twitter will have it to post soon.
And looks like Milne just took a slight knee on knee but hopefully it's like what happened to Kaprizov.
And Ohgren gets the 4th to hopefully put nail in the coffin. Walker comes down far into corner but sends it across ice pass (Haight slowed down so they had to respect the drop). Pass was in air and Ohgren bats it in out of air. Iowa 4 - GR 2. 4 minutes left.
Marek scores EN goal and that should be it. Good last two periods after shaky start.
Buium just shut down Haight quite nicely. Haight tried to walk him right to left after gaining zone on the rush but that doesn't work as easily in pro hockey.
Austin Watson bullying Milne again after whistle. Looked like Milne could still see puck and poked at it right as/closely after whistle was blown. Watson...man, had high hopes for him when he was draft eligible. He is running all over.
Toporowski stays hot and puts one away with 6 minutes left. All because of Hunt's touch pass at the blueline. Hunt had no time to do anything else and could have easily have been a terrible turnover if he would have just shot it into shin pads of forward coming out to check him. Hopefully Iowa's Twitter will have it to post soon.
And looks like Milne just took a slight knee on knee but hopefully it's like what happened to Kaprizov.
And Ohgren gets the 4th to hopefully put nail in the coffin. Walker comes down far into corner but sends it across ice pass (Haight slowed down so they had to respect the drop). Pass was in air and Ohgren bats it in out of air. Iowa 4 - GR 2. 4 minutes left.
Marek scores EN goal and that should be it. Good last two periods after shaky start.
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Jbcraig1883
Registered User
Late to the game due to the craziness that is the Vikings game today but Bankier finally gets 1st of year after he puts in a rebound after a Spacek wristshot from the middle of the circles. Spacek finding himself on the scoresheet quite a bit lately - broadcast said his 7th point in 5 games.
Iowa on the PP with 4 minutes left, tied 1-1.
It's Hunt, Topo, Milne, Bankier, and Ohgren on 1st PP. And they give up a 2 on 1 and take a penalty to negate the PP.
GR scores as their PP expires with a fairly easy deflection from the front of the net. GR up 2-1 end of 1.
GR scores a minute or two into 2nd. Wouldn't blame the goals on Wallstedt but he's been giving up a lot of rebounds. When he's really playing well, he tracks the puck and absorbs the puck well. GR 3-1, outshooting 15-7.
Ville Husso robbed Hunt after a great feed by Ohgren. Ohgren was circling net and found Hunt coming in from point to get a good scoring chance from between the top of the circles.
GR controlled puck for more than 2 minutes 5 on 5. Iowa barely gets out of zone and gets 3 new guys but GR sends puck to front of net and it goes off a skate. Iowa looked like it was a 5 on 3 but it was 5 on 5. GR up 4-1.
ROR gets annihilated and is being helped off (hope he is OK). ROR not looking and not close to boards, Soderblom hits him and looked like he went head first into boards and then was out. Looked like Bankier tried to stick up but got knocked down, then Spacek comes in to fight him while another fight breaks out between Johnson and Watson. Found video of it -
Iowa on the PP with 4 minutes left, tied 1-1.
It's Hunt, Topo, Milne, Bankier, and Ohgren on 1st PP. And they give up a 2 on 1 and take a penalty to negate the PP.
GR scores as their PP expires with a fairly easy deflection from the front of the net. GR up 2-1 end of 1.
GR scores a minute or two into 2nd. Wouldn't blame the goals on Wallstedt but he's been giving up a lot of rebounds. When he's really playing well, he tracks the puck and absorbs the puck well. GR 3-1, outshooting 15-7.
Ville Husso robbed Hunt after a great feed by Ohgren. Ohgren was circling net and found Hunt coming in from point to get a good scoring chance from between the top of the circles.
GR controlled puck for more than 2 minutes 5 on 5. Iowa barely gets out of zone and gets 3 new guys but GR sends puck to front of net and it goes off a skate. Iowa looked like it was a 5 on 3 but it was 5 on 5. GR up 4-1.
ROR gets annihilated and is being helped off (hope he is OK). ROR not looking and not close to boards, Soderblom hits him and looked like he went head first into boards and then was out. Looked like Bankier tried to stick up but got knocked down, then Spacek comes in to fight him while another fight breaks out between Johnson and Watson. Found video of it -
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Jbcraig1883
Registered User
GR scores again with 10 minutes left. in the third. GR won faceoff and left someone wide open for easy put away. GR 5-1.
Clarke picked up a goal (I missed it) and Iowa falls to GR 5-2.
Unlike Friday where they got better as the game went on, they just seemed to flat most of the game, even after a big hit on ROR. Certainly don't blame Wallstedt but 5 GA against...need to see him put together a string of games where he plays like he did last year.
I'd like to see Milne back with Haight. Keep Topo with Bankier, and then mix in the rest. Lambos and ROR, they are what they are. Spacek has definitely shown improvements and can tell he's more confident. I did not expect his offensive game to be better than his defensive game at this point of his career. He's not bad defensively but still gets beat to the outside and doesn't always time his gaps that well. Has some Calen Addison-esque reaching moments with his stick....
Clarke picked up a goal (I missed it) and Iowa falls to GR 5-2.
Unlike Friday where they got better as the game went on, they just seemed to flat most of the game, even after a big hit on ROR. Certainly don't blame Wallstedt but 5 GA against...need to see him put together a string of games where he plays like he did last year.
I'd like to see Milne back with Haight. Keep Topo with Bankier, and then mix in the rest. Lambos and ROR, they are what they are. Spacek has definitely shown improvements and can tell he's more confident. I did not expect his offensive game to be better than his defensive game at this point of his career. He's not bad defensively but still gets beat to the outside and doesn't always time his gaps that well. Has some Calen Addison-esque reaching moments with his stick....
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Why does it sound like and feel like the team plays better in front of a different goalie? I don't know my eye test doesn't believe so, but my gut says so.
Iowa is 4th worst out of a 32 team league. Either our prospects are worse than we think, or the coach needs get a handle on things. It's only 19 games in, so I'm not going to call for his head, but there need to be some hopeful signs by the New Year.
Jbcraig1883
Registered User
I only caught bits over the weekend - noticed Wallstedt didn't play (unsure if injured or I missed a callup). Saw a few big saves yesterday by Hlavaj.
I don't think the forward prospects and Spacek are worse than we think. I think that the coaching is the issue. The PP is still giving up more scoring opportunities or SH goals than they score...
Lambos and ROR (out injured after that big hit) are borderline AHLers, Masters same, Hunt traded, and no coaching. Wallstedt looks worse than last year but he's a system/pattern goalie, and they don't have any system/structure/etc.
TLDR - I don't like the coach.
Jbcraig1883
Registered User
Wally played the first period how he did last year. Engaged, anticipating, etc. Best he's looked easily.
Ohgren gets a goal from Haight and Walker. Haight just setup Spackek. Iowa up 1-0.
Iowa gave up a PP goal. Was 5-3 for a bit.
Bankier gets a breakaway but is hauled down . Does not score on the penalty shot.
Ohgren gets a second, Marek gets 1, Lambos gets 1, and Clarke gets an EN. Wild win 5-2. Wally kept them in it in the first and Iowa was the better team the 2nd and 3rd periods. I only saw bits and pieces of third so just going with the highlights/boxscore. Ohgren's shot was on display for both goals.
Ohgren gets a goal from Haight and Walker. Haight just setup Spackek. Iowa up 1-0.
Iowa gave up a PP goal. Was 5-3 for a bit.
Bankier gets a breakaway but is hauled down . Does not score on the penalty shot.
Ohgren gets a second, Marek gets 1, Lambos gets 1, and Clarke gets an EN. Wild win 5-2. Wally kept them in it in the first and Iowa was the better team the 2nd and 3rd periods. I only saw bits and pieces of third so just going with the highlights/boxscore. Ohgren's shot was on display for both goals.
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Jbcraig1883
Registered User
Hlavaj just made two fantastic saves to keep Iowa up 2-1. Then Bankier tries to go between the legs but is denied. Peart just got a clear lane to walk in and almost gets 5-hole.
Gaunce got the second goal to put the Wild up 2-1. Sop has been very noticeable today. 90 points in OHL last year and 19 points in 12 games in ECHL. No idea if he has any NHL potential but his playmaking/hockey sense stands out. Nice to see.
Zmolek in over Masters. Broadcast went on to talk about it being a good sign for ECHLer Zmolek. Not that I had a ton of hopes for Masters...I also think it could be more that Spacek, Crotty, and Cecconi are RH, but that's what announcers said.
As said above, Ohgren had another heavy wrister on the rush. Goalie was slightly off angle IMO but it was still a hell of a shot. He, Haight, and Walker are looking good.
Gotta give Lambos props - he just had a great defensive play and was a single-man outlet using his solid skating to get out and then dump it in. Milne then uses his speed to draw a penalty. Wild 4 on 3: Its Clarke, Gaunce, Spacek, and Ohgren. Clarke ends up scoring to put the Wild up 3-1. Wild outshooting Milwaukee 39-19.
Milne just scored a SH. Blew away from Milwaukee, backhand to forehand and beats blocker. 4-1 Wild with 5 min left.
Gaunce got the second goal to put the Wild up 2-1. Sop has been very noticeable today. 90 points in OHL last year and 19 points in 12 games in ECHL. No idea if he has any NHL potential but his playmaking/hockey sense stands out. Nice to see.
Zmolek in over Masters. Broadcast went on to talk about it being a good sign for ECHLer Zmolek. Not that I had a ton of hopes for Masters...I also think it could be more that Spacek, Crotty, and Cecconi are RH, but that's what announcers said.
As said above, Ohgren had another heavy wrister on the rush. Goalie was slightly off angle IMO but it was still a hell of a shot. He, Haight, and Walker are looking good.
Gotta give Lambos props - he just had a great defensive play and was a single-man outlet using his solid skating to get out and then dump it in. Milne then uses his speed to draw a penalty. Wild 4 on 3: Its Clarke, Gaunce, Spacek, and Ohgren. Clarke ends up scoring to put the Wild up 3-1. Wild outshooting Milwaukee 39-19.
Milne just scored a SH. Blew away from Milwaukee, backhand to forehand and beats blocker. 4-1 Wild with 5 min left.
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Jbcraig1883
Registered User
Alright, boys and girls, hold onto your butts! Jiricek is in the lineup!
Only 7 minutes gone and Iowa leads 2-0. Gaunce tipped a shot from Toporowski (Sop got an assist and was also in front of the net) and then Walker finished a semi-breakaway.
Jiricek's first two shifts were...interesting. Hunched over - looks maybe bow legged or just not grown into body. Made an interesting drag in defensive zone without moving his feet but it worked to get it to Lambos. He then made an ill advised attempt to keep the puck in offensive zone and then tried to stand someone up at his own blueline, both of which didn't work. Right now, he just made a nice touch pass on PP for an entry.
Only 7 minutes gone and Iowa leads 2-0. Gaunce tipped a shot from Toporowski (Sop got an assist and was also in front of the net) and then Walker finished a semi-breakaway.
Jiricek's first two shifts were...interesting. Hunched over - looks maybe bow legged or just not grown into body. Made an interesting drag in defensive zone without moving his feet but it worked to get it to Lambos. He then made an ill advised attempt to keep the puck in offensive zone and then tried to stand someone up at his own blueline, both of which didn't work. Right now, he just made a nice touch pass on PP for an entry.
Jbcraig1883
Registered User
Spacek just had a really nice defensive play - closed the gap and shut down the lane. Wallstedt is tracking well and leaving no rebounds despite only facing 6 shots thus far.
Iowa up 2-0 at end of 1. Rockford came on at the end of the first but Iowa controlled most of the period.
Start of 2nd - Jiricek takes a penalty and Wallstedt makes a great save to keep it 2-0. Rockford's Nazar is the leading rookie scorer and so far has been shut down.
Jiricek just gave up a mini two on one trying to be a bit too aggressive. He's been fine skating backwards IMO, just getting caught flat footed or trying to step up to make a play - timing off.
Great defensive play by Jiricek that stopped the cycling and led to a scoring chance going back the other way. Strong along boards.
Iowa had a 5 on 3 - they were overpassing it and didn't get a great chance. But after that, Sop makes a fantastic pass to Gaunce. Sop is really impressing. Iowa up 3-0.
Wow, Gaunce may have a hattrick here...he fired it down and goalie was playing it as an icing...takes a bad hop and into the net!
Lambos blows a tire and Gerry Mayhew almost setups up a goal but then Sop comes back and makes a nice pass to Gaunce but time runs out - would have been a great scoring chance for Gaunce. 4-0 Iowa.
Iowa up 2-0 at end of 1. Rockford came on at the end of the first but Iowa controlled most of the period.
Start of 2nd - Jiricek takes a penalty and Wallstedt makes a great save to keep it 2-0. Rockford's Nazar is the leading rookie scorer and so far has been shut down.
Jiricek just gave up a mini two on one trying to be a bit too aggressive. He's been fine skating backwards IMO, just getting caught flat footed or trying to step up to make a play - timing off.
Great defensive play by Jiricek that stopped the cycling and led to a scoring chance going back the other way. Strong along boards.
Iowa had a 5 on 3 - they were overpassing it and didn't get a great chance. But after that, Sop makes a fantastic pass to Gaunce. Sop is really impressing. Iowa up 3-0.
Wow, Gaunce may have a hattrick here...he fired it down and goalie was playing it as an icing...takes a bad hop and into the net!
Lambos blows a tire and Gerry Mayhew almost setups up a goal but then Sop comes back and makes a nice pass to Gaunce but time runs out - would have been a great scoring chance for Gaunce. 4-0 Iowa.
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Ehh, he got some games in the NHL. Good for him. Was a good aHL scorer that couldn't do it in the NHL ... also pretty careless with the puck, and couldn't spell defense if you spotted him 5 letters.
I see Chaffee is still playing games with TBL- I thought he was done when he sat out a season+ with an injury.
He is also really small so he didn't have a good fit anywhere.
Bussieres is still playing in Europe. Amazing how many of our busts are still playing.
Remember, "busts" are still really good hockey players. Many of them can have a vg living playing in a variety of pro leagues around the world, then move into coaching, training, scouting, or other positions in hockey, should they wish to.
