Niagara Icedogs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III

[Fastpace]

Walton scored twice has Sudbury beat the Icedogs 7 to 3 before a sellout crowd of 5,300 at the Meridian Centre. Next game tomorrow night at home against Kitchener questions is do they go back to Flores tomorrow night or start Humphries.

Go with your best, unless you think the game is lost before it begins

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

When we lose, we lose bad.

 

[dogs777]

So far through 2 periods looks like last night team is playing fine defensively (considering what they have been this year) offence and goaltending letting them down (multiple goals against that your goalie will want back again)

 

[Fastpace]

So far through 2 periods looks like last night team is playing fine defensively (considering what they have been this year) offence and goaltending letting them down (multiple goals against that your goalie will want back again)

This should resolve who the starter should be against top teams

 

[dogs777]

This should resolve who the starter should be against top teams

I said it to a group of people before the game you shouldn’t be starting a rookie against a top team no matter what your starter looked like last game but just my opinion

 

[three dog night]

Embarrassing lost tonight to Kitchener 9 to 1 rage team no fight especially in the third left Humpries out to dry and to make it worse Vermulien two goals against us. 4,412 fans in attendance next game in Erie Wednesday night .

 

[knowescape]

Embarrassing lost tonight to Kitchener 9 to 1 rage team no fight especially in the third left Humpries out to dry and to make it worse Vermulien two goals against us. 4,412 fans in attendance next game in Erie Wednesday night .

The Meridian Centre is going to need a good airing out. Nothing like two home ice spankings in a row to drive the fans away.

 

[Dogs Enthusiast]

When we lose, we lose bad.

 

[Sam14]

When we lose, we lose bad.

Unfortunately, after the Christmas Break the losses have been a both bad and not so bad. 17 games, 12 losses (5 bad and 7 not so bad).

 

[three dog night]

Next home game against Brantford tickets sales looks good.

 

[bobber]

Ice Dogs have a skilled squad that can skate and get decent scoring chances. Not sure if it's just a goaltending issue. If they played like they did in the first period and kept it up for 60 minutes they could be a challenge to beat.

 

[knowescape]

Unfortunately, after the Christmas Break the losses have been a both bad and not so bad. 17 games, 12 losses (5 bad and 7 not so bad).

I had cautioned that the second half of the season would be different but the pom-pom wavers had stars in their eyes. Once the teams in contention made their trade deadline upgrades (and Niagara couldn't), the writing was on the wall. DD has to learn to bank those picks during the lean years so that when it comes time to make a run, there is a healthy reserve.

The team actually peaked this year, but the back office wasn't able to respond.

Ice Dogs have a skilled squad that can skate and get decent scoring chances. Not sure if it's just a goaltending issue. If they played like they did in the first period and kept it up for 60 minutes they could be a challenge to beat.

Thanks for a benevolent post-spanking post. The Rangers are a quality organization and that extends to their fans. Classy.

 

[dirty12]

I had cautioned that the second half of the season would be different but the pom-pom wavers had stars in their eyes. Once the teams in contention made their trade deadline upgrades (and Niagara couldn't), the writing was on the wall. DD has to learn to bank those picks during the lean years so that when it comes time to make a run, there is a healthy reserve.

The team actually peaked this year, but the back office wasn't able to respond.


Thanks for a benevolent post-spanking post. The Rangers are a quality organization and that extends to their fans. Classy.

I think it might be a lot more accurate to state the IceDogs did not make additions at the deadline because the current core will peak 2025-27. The team is really needing Assadourian and Paris to return and stay healthy for the remainder of the season.

 

[bigsportsfan]

I had cautioned that the second half of the season would be different but the pom-pom wavers had stars in their eyes. Once the teams in contention made their trade deadline upgrades (and Niagara couldn't), the writing was on the wall. DD has to learn to bank those picks during the lean years so that when it comes time to make a run, there is a healthy reserve.

Great post. This is why the IceDogs need an experienced GM. Until they get a GM, I doubt they will ever be a true contender.

 

[knowescape]

I think it might be a lot more accurate to state the IceDogs did not make additions at the deadline because the current core will peak 2025-27. The team is really needing Assadourian and Paris to return and stay healthy for the remainder of the season.

I think it is even MORE accurate to state the IceDogs won't have the ability to make those additions when the core peaks because they are also short many key pieces due to poor planning. That word "rebuild" will come back to haunt DD.

 

[Sam14]

Great post. This is why the IceDogs need an experienced GM. Until they get a GM, I doubt they will ever be a true contender.

I think it is even MORE accurate to state the IceDogs won't have the ability to make those additions when the core peaks because they are also short many key pieces due to poor planning. That word "rebuild" will come back to haunt DD.

This team needs new ownership and an experienced GM, otherwise this franchise is going to be spinning its wheels in the 4-5 spot for years to come.

IceDogs Draft Cupboard End of 23-24 Season
2025. 2, 3, 3, 4, 4,
2026. 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4
2027. 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4
2028. 2, 3, 4,
+ Frolov, Prodrekar (and able to add one of Loshko or Eliasson or both)
+ Wassilyn, Crete
…other than adding Brauti (for say a 2nd, 3rd, 3rd) to that group of names, none of those others surplus draft picks should have been used on players who won’t be here or who are not really very good.


Draft Cupboard Today
2025 - , 3, 4, 4
2026 2, 3, 4, -,
2027 2, 3, 4, 4
2028 2, 3, 4, -

 

[Sam14]

Next season, the IceDogs need a D core that resembles the current top teams in the OHL and upgrade significantly by add 2-3 top four D. This starts on the 2025 Import Draft day.

A year from now when Virgilio, Cheynowski, and Brauti are among the older players in the league the defencemen will appear better.

With a VanVliet type ahead of the next deadline, ideally the RH version, the IceDogs D will likely be fine.

I'm not so sure about that. Are you sure about that?

 

[dirty12]

I'm not so sure about that. Are you sure about that?

Yeah; I’m quite sure Brauti, Cheynowski, Virgilio, and Frasca will appear better a year older and more experienced and with all the ‘04s and most ‘05s graduated.
Add to that Scott or Wycisk or some other OA and an import or deadline addition, and I think the IceDogs D will be fine:

 

[Sam14]

Yeah; I’m quite sure Brauti, Cheynowski, Virgilio, and Frasca will appear better a year older and more experienced and with all the ‘04s and most ‘05s graduated.
Add to that Scott or Wycisk or some other OA and an import or deadline addition, and I think the IceDogs D will be fine:

LOL. Thanks for that reassurance Wes!

 

[Countyview]

For a variety of reasons I think you will find 2 of those D and possibly 3 will not be back next year.

 

[dirty12]

For a variety of reasons I think you will find 2 of those D and possibly 3 will not be back next year.

The two OAs and Frasca? I would not be surprised by that if able to improve. I think they should wait until closer to the deadline before doing something big prematurely though.