Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season, Part I
- Thread starter SoupNazi
- Start date
No return date at the moment. Robertson has yet to get back on the ice. This could be awhile. Flores will start Friday and Saturday.
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I was at the game last night and it is becoming apparent that Kevin He has decided to play by himself instead of playing with his line mates. Loshko is too slow and can not keep up with Kevin's pace. Max Crete is still learning but better than Loshko already. I know there was some injury risk to keeping Gavin Bryant but he is a better fit for Kevin He's game. Now that all players are back from NHL teams, Loshko's lack of foot speed is costing the IceDogs against better players.
I will be surprised if Kevin He makes it through the season without suffering a major concussion the way he skates through the middle with his head down with speed every rush.
knowescape
Made you look
I was surprised Boudreau left Flores in that long. We've all seen it when he's having an off-night and the puck won't stay out of the back of the net. Hoping that he can fight through it, is futile. Flores has proven time and again when he gets inside his own head, he shouldn't be between the pipes. If I can see it happening from my spot on the couch, why can't the coach, in person.
knowescape
Made you look
Surely DDD, I mean good old Wes the actual 100% GM, thought of this?
Look for the machine to start rattling itself apart soon, then the trades will happen. Hope I'm wrong, would love to see Niagara in the top 3 all year and make it to the second round. Something tells me it will be a battle to make eighth.
Dude what? I like Crete as much as the next guy but Loshko is awesome. He has elite speed no one can keep up with him but Loshko is not holding He back.
You’re right when talking about Flores game but I think the reason he was left in for as long as he was is because Ben knew he’s the only goalie right now that gives you a shot to win games even when he’s off
Little early to write things off yet. I don’t think anyone expected them to continue the early season roll, a little misleading, but they’re not as bad as last night either. Gotta remember you’ve got Wassilyn away, two injured regulars still a few weeks away and several players playing up in the lineup before they’re ready.Inexperienced .Basically going with 8/9 f who are being asked to play too many minutes. Rookies who would normally see 7 minutes are playing 17. Not the best. The lack of depth is pretty clear but this group when full can definitely compete. They’ll get through this.
Must win tonight at home with a depleted Sarnia due to a ton of injuries plus 2 at u17 plus their #1 centre is also suspended. Filak is their only true centre in the lineup. This is a game where Czata and Wray need to be over 50% on the dot and Loshko needs to dominate faceoffs. Wray is 47.7% on the year and Czata is an abysmal 85 for 212 good for 40.1%. Loshko is 209 for 391 good for 53.5%. Really miss Assadourian as 2C who was 72 for 135 (53.3%) before injury.
My opinion is that Loshko looks like he is skating in sand. He has a good shot and can make some plays in the offensive zone. He disappears when bigger players lean on him so I believe his numbers will decrease as we play teams for a second time
I agree this team is playing great. But I am still not okay with how DD runs the team. Are you really okay with the IceDogs:
- not having a real GM
- only having 5 scouts
- not drafting US players due to scholarship costs
- not investing in the import draft
- drafting most of their high end players from players who are under one agent.
- DD exploring moving the team to Brantford (Yes I know that was when he first bought the team but is he really committed to Niagara long term?)
You can dislike the way Darren is doing things and still talk about how the teams playing well which I think is the point DE was making
Fans staying away also strengthens the argument for the team moving where as I can’t imagine a team that performs well attendance wise ever having a strong argument for relocation.
I thought Frasca last night showed that 7th D is the right spot for him right now. The game is too fast for him.
Even moreso than Cheynowski, Virgilio has been such a disappointment this season, for someone they paid a 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 10 for: too soft, too many lost puck battles, too many giveaways.
Any SSM fans, what did you observe in his play last year?
Quite a few fans at the games would agree. Most see Loshko as a good playmaker, good hands but slow feet. Still effective enough at this point
I think Virgilio is better than Cheynowski but because the price paid for Virgilio was so high I expected more from him defensively. He offers offensive upside but too casual with the puck in his own end.
I probably worded my opening incorrectly. They have been “equally” disappointing.
