Iowa losing 6-2 tonight after 2. Wallstedt chased after 5th goal. Purely stat watching tonight.
30th in the league... Iowa is a crap team. I don't think the talent is that bad, and it's mainly a coaching problem. BG has to fix it, before the atmosphere down there ruins the development of our prospects. Army was a genius compared to Mclean.
It's not just Wallstedt who's development is being stunted. Jiricek has 3 assists in 16 gp, which is far below his production in his previous time in the AHL. Walker the same. Beckman's production is far outstripping Clarke's, etc., etc. Something stinks down in Iowa.
It's not just Wallstedt who's development is being stunted. Jiricek has 3 assists in 16 gp, which is far below his production in his previous time in the AHL. Walker the same. Beckman's production is far outstripping Clarke's, etc., etc. Something stinks down in Iowa.
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Didn't post yesterday since mostly had the game on in the background - but Hlavaj played really well. Ended up losing the shutout because he got greedy and went for an empty netter that deflected of a Moose player but Iowa won 3-1.
Today Iowa just tied it up. Haight scores shortly after Moose capitalized on PP with a nice forehand to backhand coming in from the left side. Jiricek had a rough shift that led to a penalty but good response by Iowa (which has tendency to just stop playing if scored on early).
Forgot to mention, Kahkonen is in net for Manitoba. So far pretty good pace for a back to back afternoon game.
Former Wild player Mason Shaw tries wrap around which causes havoc in front of the net, juicy rebound comes out and Moose D man slams it home as Hlavaj had lost his stick and was out of position. Moose up 2-1. Manitoba goes on PP and scores on a quick shot in the middle of the circles (some traffic in front of the net). Manitoba up 3-1 and outshooting Wild 17 to 7.
5 minutes into period and Boyd redirects a Jiricek wrister from the blue line to make it 3-2 Moose ahead of Wild. Jiricek didn't get a lot on it but it was a bouncing puck that Boyd was able to redirect.
Moose score two more to make it 5-2. More defensive breakdowns, 2 or 3 guys following puck carrier, etc.
Iowa on PP - Jiricek turned it over at blue line and it ends up with an SH offensive scoring chance for Manitoba. Hlavaj makes first stop but eventually pops out with a wide open net. Manitoba scores so its 6-2 Manitoba. I am going to go do something outside because this is awful.
Today Iowa just tied it up. Haight scores shortly after Moose capitalized on PP with a nice forehand to backhand coming in from the left side. Jiricek had a rough shift that led to a penalty but good response by Iowa (which has tendency to just stop playing if scored on early).
Forgot to mention, Kahkonen is in net for Manitoba. So far pretty good pace for a back to back afternoon game.
Former Wild player Mason Shaw tries wrap around which causes havoc in front of the net, juicy rebound comes out and Moose D man slams it home as Hlavaj had lost his stick and was out of position. Moose up 2-1. Manitoba goes on PP and scores on a quick shot in the middle of the circles (some traffic in front of the net). Manitoba up 3-1 and outshooting Wild 17 to 7.
5 minutes into period and Boyd redirects a Jiricek wrister from the blue line to make it 3-2 Moose ahead of Wild. Jiricek didn't get a lot on it but it was a bouncing puck that Boyd was able to redirect.
Moose score two more to make it 5-2. More defensive breakdowns, 2 or 3 guys following puck carrier, etc.
Iowa on PP - Jiricek turned it over at blue line and it ends up with an SH offensive scoring chance for Manitoba. Hlavaj makes first stop but eventually pops out with a wide open net. Manitoba scores so its 6-2 Manitoba. I am going to go do something outside because this is awful.
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I'm start to realize AHL teams need those skilled AHL tweeners to really up their game - its not an easy league.
We signed a bunch of guys who put up points in the NHL as grinders/depth guys (Gaunce, Boyd, Shore, Crotty, Cecconi) because they are pretty safe callups that you can plug and play or cover any players to push the line up (ie. Ohgren/Gaudreau covers an injured 2nd liner, Shore comes in to play on 3rd/4th).
But you need guys like Petan, Rau, Anas etc. to actually create a winning team. You may not call them up in the NHL but you need AHL-specific only skill.
Frustrating to watch the ineptitude of Iowa continue. Worried that they are ruining the development of some our prospects, especially Wallstedt. Maybe I'm wrong, and the coaching staff is just fine, and the prospects just aren't any good, but Wally alone has had far better numbers previously in his career. At this rate he would've been better of staying in the SHL.
I mean the vet forwards have respectable production at the AHL level. Also Clarke led Utica by 17 points 2 years ago and he's on pace for what, 30 points? Walker's numbers regressed the longer he played for McLean before being dealt. I'd argue regression from Milne/Bankier this year as well given they were healthy to start and have similar production to last year. McLean is simply not qualified to be an AHL head coach. Give Simon the interim tag and redo the entire staff in the offseason.
Haight with a beautiful individual play to shelf it to bring Iowa into the game as they went down 2-0 early. Only saw one of the goals (Wallstedt had no chance on that one).
And as I am typing it, Iowa scores again after a good forecheck caused a turnover in front of Cossa. 2-2!
And as I am typing it, Iowa scores again after a good forecheck caused a turnover in front of Cossa. 2-2!
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End of 2nd - Iowa outshot quite a bit that period as they only got 2 shots on goal themselves. Wallstedt held strong and Iowa ended period with a 5v3. Sop was able to tip in a point shot but his stick was a foot above the crossbar - looked more like he was trying to get out of the way.
Despite being outshot, Wild are skating/being more engaged than the last few times I watched them. You can tell Haight has been playing well lately - playing with lots of confidence.
Wild do not score during 5 on 3 at start of 3rd. Couple of shots but were too stationary and looking for a perfect pass IMO.
Wild go back on PP - with 4 righties. Couple good shots on net and Haight tries to put in a rebound but is denied.
Wallstedt made a save on a 2 on 1 and Iowa killed a penalty thereafter.
Iowa now on the PP with 8 minutes left. Not sure how Clarke just missed an empty net - GR D man may have made a great save...or Cossa. Haight just made great play along wall to take it in and get a great scoring chance - and takes a solid hit after making the right decision to go to the net.
Just realized Bankier not in the lineup. Just realized Milne is - has not really been the same player since he was called up and then sent down after an unmemorable 1st game.
Wild on PK and Jones gets a breakaway - dekes Cossa forehand to backhand but I think the puck came up on its side and he flubbed it. Is possible Cossa got a little. Huge block by Spacek and Wild kill penalty. Hold GR from getting a shot on net.
And GR almost scores near end of game but Iowa holds on - OT time! Wallstedt makes a big save as GR gets a 2 on 1 early on in the OT. Haight makes lazy play after being on ice for awhile and allows Austin Watson to walk him and take it to the net for a good scoring chance - Wallstedt makes the save. Wild make a couple of sloppy plays that allow another good shot or two but Wallstedt makes the save and gets help from the pipe. Haight then gets a chance at the other end but Cossa makes the save.
Wallstedt just did the two-pad stack to make a phenomenal save. Now onto shootout.
And Wallstedt makes two saves and the pipe made the other - win 3-2 after being down 2-0 early and being outshot 33-26. Wallstedt looked as good as I can recall - good to see.
Despite being outshot, Wild are skating/being more engaged than the last few times I watched them. You can tell Haight has been playing well lately - playing with lots of confidence.
Wild do not score during 5 on 3 at start of 3rd. Couple of shots but were too stationary and looking for a perfect pass IMO.
Wild go back on PP - with 4 righties. Couple good shots on net and Haight tries to put in a rebound but is denied.
Wallstedt made a save on a 2 on 1 and Iowa killed a penalty thereafter.
Iowa now on the PP with 8 minutes left. Not sure how Clarke just missed an empty net - GR D man may have made a great save...or Cossa. Haight just made great play along wall to take it in and get a great scoring chance - and takes a solid hit after making the right decision to go to the net.
Just realized Bankier not in the lineup. Just realized Milne is - has not really been the same player since he was called up and then sent down after an unmemorable 1st game.
Wild on PK and Jones gets a breakaway - dekes Cossa forehand to backhand but I think the puck came up on its side and he flubbed it. Is possible Cossa got a little. Huge block by Spacek and Wild kill penalty. Hold GR from getting a shot on net.
And GR almost scores near end of game but Iowa holds on - OT time! Wallstedt makes a big save as GR gets a 2 on 1 early on in the OT. Haight makes lazy play after being on ice for awhile and allows Austin Watson to walk him and take it to the net for a good scoring chance - Wallstedt makes the save. Wild make a couple of sloppy plays that allow another good shot or two but Wallstedt makes the save and gets help from the pipe. Haight then gets a chance at the other end but Cossa makes the save.
Wallstedt just did the two-pad stack to make a phenomenal save. Now onto shootout.
And Wallstedt makes two saves and the pipe made the other - win 3-2 after being down 2-0 early and being outshot 33-26. Wallstedt looked as good as I can recall - good to see.
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Haight's improved play is good to see on an otherwise forgettable season. Can see him being a Sam Steel type player...hopefully better. He seems to have NHL level skating, and decent skills. Not big, but not tiny. If he can play some defense, and PK, he should be a NHL'er.
Iowa vs Rockford for a big game for playoffs. If Iowa wins, 4 points behind Rockford. If lose, 8 points behind.
Wallstedt in net. Early on Spacek with ROR and ROR actually had a couple good plays. Was assertive and mobile.
Wallstedt makes a nice save on Mayhew on a 3 on 2 low blocker - stood his ground...little bit of a rebound and Rockford got another shot - good save. Thought it was a sure-fire goal.
Bankier back in lineup on a line with Milne and Sandelin.
D pairings all mixing and matching. Spacek witha couple good outlet passes. Looks good. ROR just had a great lead pass as well. OOf, then ROR got stuck closing gap and finishing check on wall but took himself out of play so trailer gets good scoring chance but Wallstedt has to make a great save. Then Haight and Clarke have OK chance on other end.
Peart to Spacek on the breakout hits Toporowski in stride and Toporowski blows by D and gets a scoring chance. Rockford take penalty. 1st PP gives up SH scoring chance but Wallstedt makes the save. Appears issues on PP remain...as they did week 1.
Anthasiou (however you spell that dude's name) hits the pipe on the rush shortly after penalty expires.
And Mayhew scores on their 10th shot with 30 seconds left. ROR backed into zone a bit too much and didn't close gap then light pass/shot just kinda goes through ROR/Spacek and Wallstedt as a few Rockford players were crashing net.
Lambos almost ties it up with ten seconds left - really nice toe drag to quick wrist shot and just missed.
End of 1 with Rockford up 1-1.
Wallstedt in net. Early on Spacek with ROR and ROR actually had a couple good plays. Was assertive and mobile.
Wallstedt makes a nice save on Mayhew on a 3 on 2 low blocker - stood his ground...little bit of a rebound and Rockford got another shot - good save. Thought it was a sure-fire goal.
Bankier back in lineup on a line with Milne and Sandelin.
D pairings all mixing and matching. Spacek witha couple good outlet passes. Looks good. ROR just had a great lead pass as well. OOf, then ROR got stuck closing gap and finishing check on wall but took himself out of play so trailer gets good scoring chance but Wallstedt has to make a great save. Then Haight and Clarke have OK chance on other end.
Peart to Spacek on the breakout hits Toporowski in stride and Toporowski blows by D and gets a scoring chance. Rockford take penalty. 1st PP gives up SH scoring chance but Wallstedt makes the save. Appears issues on PP remain...as they did week 1.
Anthasiou (however you spell that dude's name) hits the pipe on the rush shortly after penalty expires.
And Mayhew scores on their 10th shot with 30 seconds left. ROR backed into zone a bit too much and didn't close gap then light pass/shot just kinda goes through ROR/Spacek and Wallstedt as a few Rockford players were crashing net.
Lambos almost ties it up with ten seconds left - really nice toe drag to quick wrist shot and just missed.
End of 1 with Rockford up 1-1.
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Start of 2nd and Haight takes dumb penalty in O zone and then Jones takes a penatly so Rockford goes 5 on 3 for 1 min 35 seconds. Rockord scores to make it 2-0.
Wild have no answer to Mayhew+Anthanasiou.
Peart with a great shift. Skated it out of zone, through neutral zone, and entered so that Iowa could have some O zone time.
Wallstedt makes first two stops but third one is put in. He didn't see first shot through traffic so the rebounds were juicy.
Raska takes penalty so Rockford goes on PP with 5 minutes left in 2nd.
And ROR tips in cross ice pass on his own goalie. Rockford up 4-0.
Wild have no answer to Mayhew+Anthanasiou.
Peart with a great shift. Skated it out of zone, through neutral zone, and entered so that Iowa could have some O zone time.
Wallstedt makes first two stops but third one is put in. He didn't see first shot through traffic so the rebounds were juicy.
Raska takes penalty so Rockford goes on PP with 5 minutes left in 2nd.
And ROR tips in cross ice pass on his own goalie. Rockford up 4-0.
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Haight currently down on ice after a big hit. Need to see replay but he's likely done.
Milwaukee outshooting 6-2 and up 1-0 on Cal O'Reilly's 1000th game (also goal scorer).
The only Iowa forward prospect that has shown anything lately of course is the one that gets hurt.
Milwaukee outshooting 6-2 and up 1-0 on Cal O'Reilly's 1000th game (also goal scorer).
The only Iowa forward prospect that has shown anything lately of course is the one that gets hurt.
Things getting crazy here in the 2nd. Rask just finished a big check...then next faceoff Peart and the dude that hit Haight ran into Hlavaj - they have an old fashioned throwdown - both just throwing lefts and Peart eventually got hit pretty good. Peart gets instigator.
Still 1-0 Milwaukee.
Still 1-0 Milwaukee.
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Ohgren 1g, 1a in a 5-4 OT loss. Wall let in 5g on 30 shots. His poor season(statistically) continues. Peart popped his cherry....1st goal. Think he has 3 points on the season.
As bad as our NHL team is right now, Iowa is far worse.
As bad as our NHL team is right now, Iowa is far worse.
If they don't replace Brett after this season...
Going to put on the game here in the background in a second...I see Haight is still out after big hit last weekend.
Boyd with a rocket 1 min and 15 seconds into game. I think ROR and Ohgren get the assists. Iowa up 1-0.
Looked like Clarke just scored after a little Boyd to Ohgren to Clarke but may have been pipe. Iowa outshooting 5-1.
And Manitoba scores from the slot after a faceoff. Tied 1-1.
Ohgren with a fairly dominant shift near end of the 1st. Strong on wall/and pivoting off guys protecting the puck to dish it off to D or a forward at the point to continue the possession. Did so at least 3 times.
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I hope Ohgren continues to put up points. You sure like to hit on your 1st rounders, if nothing else.
Clarke with a snipe after faceoff - pulled it from scramble on the dot, mini toedrag, and shelved it. Wild up 2-1.
ROR to Clarke to Ohgren and Ohgren puts it away glove side. Iowa up 4-2. Clarke had the third goal in the 2nd that I missed.
18 minutes left in the third.
Boyd tips a Spacek wrister shortly after a faceoff win on the PP. Wild up 5-2.
Wild end up winning 6-2. Line of Boyd, Ohgren, and Clarke was very dominant.
ROR to Clarke to Ohgren and Ohgren puts it away glove side. Iowa up 4-2. Clarke had the third goal in the 2nd that I missed.
18 minutes left in the third.
Boyd tips a Spacek wrister shortly after a faceoff win on the PP. Wild up 5-2.
Wild end up winning 6-2. Line of Boyd, Ohgren, and Clarke was very dominant.
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In your watching this year, who impresses you most of the dmen from a purely defensive standpoint?
That is a good question. Of ROR, Lambos, Spacek, and Peart, oof.
I think Lambos has simplified his game and is trying to be a mobile shutdown defender. I still question his hockey IQ and ability to box out but he has looked better than he did at the start of this year, and way better than last year. I will give him credit for effort, too. He is involved every night (as seen by his handful of fights) - he is always chirping and around the chaos.
Spacek looks to be the most polished overall but strictly defensive standpoint, he can lose his man or mess up his gap. I have seen him have strong games defensively but he has been on the ice for quite a few goals and his +/- reflects when comparing him to the other D.
ROR has actually played noticeably better since returning from injury (and was injured at end of game). But his improvements have been puck management, not defense. He gets beat too often, isn't nearly as mean/physical as I thought he would be, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't tendered a qualifying offer as an RFA. Oft injured, hasn't showed much for as many games he has played, and we have a logjam on D.
Peart - I can't say I focused enough on him during his shifts. I still think he understands the game better than ROR and Lambos but can't speak enough to his defense. What stands out are his breakouts and skating (not as good edges or powerful as Lambos but still good).
Man, it's hard to say. But I guess I would take Lambos for purely D at this point. I'd tell him to just shadow a player and he probably could due to his skating. Now, if you asked me for the D of those 4 that I think will make it, I'd probably go with Spacek. I think he's matured a lot and is coachable, can still improve his agility/first step, and get a little stronger.
