We looked good for half the game and then got drawn into taking selfish penalties. It was downhill from Foster’s cross-check; he ate a half dozen in the corner and I understand the team wanting a call or being upset, but his retaliation in front of the benches in open ice away from the puck was such a boneheaded move. It was the same at the end of the period where Foster took a late shot and Peneilli retaliated, leading us to start the third period shorthanded. They may be our two best forwards…but they put us down tonight and it turned the game on us.Hmmm... hope this is not a prelude for this team. We looked decent for about a period, then ran into penalty trouble. Someone said 'our veterans need to lead': yeah but not with penalties
- No Nelson, no Korbler. Rumor has flu is rampant.
- 1st line was our best players: Eckberg, Foster, Pinneli. Alas: no sudden flashes of chemistry (ala Locke/Foy/Shepherd) . Maybe give it time.
- I thought Mayich was our orneriest player and I like him that way. Keep jawing at the opposition, keep smashing 'em.
Very good analysis. This team has to realize who we are. We are NOT a big bruising team that can dish it out. Tonight when Brantford upped the physical play we retaliated ( Foster/Pinelli) took stupid penalties which we don't kill very well and got us off our game. Kudos to Brantford. We are not going to win that way. We have to stay disciplined and make them pay on the PP. As much as I like Pinelli he lets his competitiveness go overboard and he's got to stop the after the whistle stuff. He's not a gorilla he's 170 lbs! Be smart kid and lead by example. Cameron needs to channel the agressiveness of this team to be successful ( mind you not an easy task with testosterone primed 16-19 yrs old).We looked good for half the game and then got drawn into taking selfish penalties. It was downhill from Foster’s cross-check; he ate a half dozen in the corner and I understand the team wanting a call or being upset, but his retaliation in front of the benches in open ice away from the puck was such a boneheaded move. It was the same at the end of the period where Foster took a late shot and Peneilli retaliated, leading us to start the third period shorthanded. They may be our two best forwards…but they put us down tonight and it turned the game on us.
Good points on Whitehead and Kelly. As for Foster I agree he'll likely be quite serviceable at center( i still prefer Ekberg there eventually on that line) although he had a rough game tonight. Not only the stupid penalty but he lost his man twice in for two goals. Another positive is the play of Barlas, starting to think he might be a serviceable OA next year.Not much to add on this game. I think others have pretty much aid what has needed to be said so I am going to pull some positives.
I really feel like it is just a matter of time before Whitehead breaks out. That kid is flying right now. He hasn’t found open ice much yet but he plays as if he is going to find it and I really like that about him. He plays with confidence but not reckless. I also like Amidovski beside him. The way Whitehead plays will complement Amidovski over time. I think the two of those guys should stay together on the 3rd line.
As much as I prefer Foster ont he wing, he seems to be settling in at centre. He has increasingly gotten better as the season progresses, If they keep him there, he may make it as a centre for a team like Ottawa that will be mostly middling.
Ekberg is still a half step behind, especially on the powerplay. Boyd had mentioned that he needed about 10-15 games to find the pace and I think Boyd is right. I expect Ekberg to continue to progress and find the pace. Once he does, I think DC will take the leash off him and let him go.
I don’t think we need to say anything more about Eshkawkogan. That kid is going to be special.
Mayich is our most important player right now.
I gave up on Kelly but it looks like maybe I gave up a little early. I won’t go as far as saying I am wrong but I think his play the last couple games has bought him more time. I’m sort of interested in seeing what he does over the next 3 weeks. See if he can nail down a line. Maybe beside Whitehead and Amidovski? IF he does nail down a spot in that situation, Korbler could have a tough time getting back on a top line. Who am I kidding? Korbler will be back on line one even if Ekberg scores 12 goals on Sunday.
That was my point. When we get into penalty trouble (which is always, given our feeble penalty kill), it seems that it is our leadership group that sits in the box far too often. When we are down and need some offence, far too often that offence is in the box....Someone said 'our veterans need to lead': yeah but not with penalties
I think that he might have been put to forward as a response to the physical play by Brantford.Game 5 and Ottawa is already short on forwards. Does not bode well for later in the season...
And last night, Horner started as a defenseman, but then took several shifts in a row at forward in the third...
Mayich did it all yesterday. His great game was ruined by other leaders on the team.
I agree that he the most important player on the team.
He spent a couple years playing alongside and learning from Matier, and Mayich is now doing the same for Esh.
I don't think we have seen the best from Gerroir yet. Hopefully he needs to step up soon, especially with Stonehouse looming in the stands.
There is worse than a small team though, a small team that tries to play big.I think that he might have been put to forward as a response to the physical play by Brantford.
Again last night it was painfully obvious at how small our team is.
While possible, I think their lack of trust in Brady and desire to ride 4D along with being short up front was likely a bigger factor.I think that he might have been put to forward as a response to the physical play by Brantford.
Because he sucks watch him he’s so lost out there shouldn’t even be in the leagueWho was it said whitehead would be wsted on 4th line
Are you talking about Whitehead? I'm confused as he's been playing rather well imo.Because he sucks watch him he’s so lost out there shouldn’t even be in the league
He looks like a little scared lost puppy dog. What has he done good?Are you talking about Whitehead? I'm confused as he's been playing rather well imo.
He looks like a little scared lost puppy dog. What has he done good?