You're right, my bad. Walton did take the next face-off. I must have confused that goal with another one.
Did you notice who came right back out 10 seconds later when Gaudreau froze the puck?
Sudbury Wolves 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 4)
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Did you notice who came right back out 10 seconds later when Gaudreau froze the puck?
Wolfman Jack
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- Jan 19, 2009
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Since the trade deadline the Wolves have played 5 games.
2 Wins
3 losses
25 goals for
26 goals against
Beat- Sarnia and Barrie
Lost- Mississauga, Windsor and Erie
Home Wins - 0
Home losses- 2
Road Wins- 2
Road losses- 1
Trade deadline deals stat line:
Giroux in 5 games- 2 goals 1 assist and a -4
McCoy in 5 games- 0 goals 3 assists and a plus 2
Van Vliet in 5 games- 0 goals 1 assist and a -1
Vandenberg in 11 games has a 3.98GAA and a .867 save %
Our trade deals are surely not lighting the world on fire! Now I realize its only 5 games and we need to give them a bit more time to adjust. But my fear is what are they adjusting too. These coaches are not providing the guidance these players need IMO. This has to be addressed and scrutinized by the management team and ownership. There is too much at stake here. If they don't address the white elephant in the room then they are all to blame on the way this season will end up.
There is absolutely no way this team should be playing the way they are. Even with the the two wins they were not convincing if you watched the games. Sarnia had way too many chances and really did play well however goaltending (local rookie) let in a few softies for them.
In Barrie Thursday the Wolves did not control the play and Barrie pressed and hemmed Sudbury for large portions of the game forcing Sudbury to take penalties. These are concerning trends. In fact the last time Barrie beat Sudbury pre deadline without a Punnet and Frasca in the line up. This all needs to be considered in evaluating the coaching group.
The losses to Windsor and Erie, Sudbury was chasing the puck all night. Never once had any control of the game. Versus Mississauga, Sudbury had difficulty getting really good chances with a solid defence and when they did the goalie made some huge stops to secure the win.
Physicality has been lacking in Sudbury and have had no real team toughness throughout the games in the last two weeks. Certain players need to assert themselves. Guys like Yearwood, Van Vliet, Pharand, Coughlan and McCallum need to step up and play a much more physical game. These are the players that I need to see more from. The other players are your pure skilled guys who I expect to be offensive and score consistently. But they also need the heavier guys to set the tone and create space. Taking the body throwing the opponent off their game.
Sudbury needs to be more aware of what the roles are. It appears nothing is clearly defined. Its evident where the problem lies. There is time to rectify these issues its just a matter of how committed the ownership and management are to winning now!!!
As for last night that's what happens when you are up against structure and solid goaltending.
WJ
2 Wins
3 losses
25 goals for
26 goals against
Beat- Sarnia and Barrie
Lost- Mississauga, Windsor and Erie
Home Wins - 0
Home losses- 2
Road Wins- 2
Road losses- 1
Trade deadline deals stat line:
Giroux in 5 games- 2 goals 1 assist and a -4
McCoy in 5 games- 0 goals 3 assists and a plus 2
Van Vliet in 5 games- 0 goals 1 assist and a -1
Vandenberg in 11 games has a 3.98GAA and a .867 save %
Our trade deals are surely not lighting the world on fire! Now I realize its only 5 games and we need to give them a bit more time to adjust. But my fear is what are they adjusting too. These coaches are not providing the guidance these players need IMO. This has to be addressed and scrutinized by the management team and ownership. There is too much at stake here. If they don't address the white elephant in the room then they are all to blame on the way this season will end up.
There is absolutely no way this team should be playing the way they are. Even with the the two wins they were not convincing if you watched the games. Sarnia had way too many chances and really did play well however goaltending (local rookie) let in a few softies for them.
In Barrie Thursday the Wolves did not control the play and Barrie pressed and hemmed Sudbury for large portions of the game forcing Sudbury to take penalties. These are concerning trends. In fact the last time Barrie beat Sudbury pre deadline without a Punnet and Frasca in the line up. This all needs to be considered in evaluating the coaching group.
The losses to Windsor and Erie, Sudbury was chasing the puck all night. Never once had any control of the game. Versus Mississauga, Sudbury had difficulty getting really good chances with a solid defence and when they did the goalie made some huge stops to secure the win.
Physicality has been lacking in Sudbury and have had no real team toughness throughout the games in the last two weeks. Certain players need to assert themselves. Guys like Yearwood, Van Vliet, Pharand, Coughlan and McCallum need to step up and play a much more physical game. These are the players that I need to see more from. The other players are your pure skilled guys who I expect to be offensive and score consistently. But they also need the heavier guys to set the tone and create space. Taking the body throwing the opponent off their game.
Sudbury needs to be more aware of what the roles are. It appears nothing is clearly defined. Its evident where the problem lies. There is time to rectify these issues its just a matter of how committed the ownership and management are to winning now!!!
As for last night that's what happens when you are up against structure and solid goaltending.
WJ
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You can blame the players, the physicality all you want I blame coaching. Nothing else. With Ken Mckenzie all expectations to get to the Memorial cup are over. Dave Cameron is going to tear us apart in 4 if we get to Ottawa. There’s no structure I can’t believe that Zulich and Papineau are not doing a thing about it.
cub
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- Apr 11, 2012
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tough game to watch, team needs to be prepared and ready to go from the start.
5 man Dzone coverage has to be instilled and structured at all times. Erie exposed Wolves early in the game ripped them apart. Since trade deadline the coverages are almost non-existent.
Wolves need to play a more physical game finishing checks and slowing down the opposition. Erie was flying out there yesterday, I was impressed by them, but Wolves were terrible yesterday.
Vandenberg I thought didn't have a good game yesterday, even though few goals were not all his fault. Vondras coming in looked good. Flip a coin whats happens with goaltending, I'm still in the corner of Vandenberg unless proven otherwise.
Coach needs to be more finite, shifts have to be shorter, rotation of the lines have to be instilled to have good flow. All four lines are good roll them and make it a team effort.
5 man Dzone coverage has to be instilled and structured at all times. Erie exposed Wolves early in the game ripped them apart. Since trade deadline the coverages are almost non-existent.
Wolves need to play a more physical game finishing checks and slowing down the opposition. Erie was flying out there yesterday, I was impressed by them, but Wolves were terrible yesterday.
Vandenberg I thought didn't have a good game yesterday, even though few goals were not all his fault. Vondras coming in looked good. Flip a coin whats happens with goaltending, I'm still in the corner of Vandenberg unless proven otherwise.
Coach needs to be more finite, shifts have to be shorter, rotation of the lines have to be instilled to have good flow. All four lines are good roll them and make it a team effort.
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Wolfman Jack
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- Jan 19, 2009
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That was my entire point if you read my post. A certain amount of blame is always with players but I like explained the leadership behind the bench is more the concern heading this group.
WJ
First off Vandy was pulled the game before last weekend. He gave up 4 goals on 10 shots and Krawchuk came in to save 13 out of 14 shots to earn the win against Kitchener. You stated "He is now 6-1-1-1" which is a true statement but look at the numbers and his performance. There is only 1 goalie win in those 6 wins. The team has given Vandy great goal support by averaging almost 7 goals per game in those 6 wins. But I do agree Vandy is the #1.
Here are the #1s for the other team near the top of the eastern conference:
North Bay DiVincentiis - Looks like Dom has found his game going 6-1 in his last 7 and leading North Bay to the top of the eastern conference.
Mississauga Leenders - Really don't need to say much here. Ranked #3 in NHL Central Scouting.
Oshawa Oster - Oster had a save percentage of over .900 in 7 of 8 January games. Oster has given up 1 goal in half of those 8 games.
Brantford Drobac - Probably the weaker of the bunch but he is an overager and is consistent.
I put the blame on management starting with Dario for his lack of accountability from his staff. He allowed his GM to turn this team from a favourite to a long-shot after the trade deadline and the team is playing like they have accepted their fate. Dario seems disinterested since he lost his bid for the entertainment centre. Hopefully the boys continue to bond together and are not drawing lines in the sand
Funny comment. Made me smile. Nope I don't have a son on the team. Am new to Sudbury. I agree that Delic is better than Pharand right now. I'm not so sure about Giroux though as his size isn't going to help in playoffs. Surely though you'd agree that putting Mauro on the 3rd line was a bit strange. I'll also still take Pharand over Konyen. His ice time is a mystery. The players refer to him as the "guy where the puck goes to die." Anyhow I don't want to badmouth players. The underwhelming play of the team is on the coaches. No accountability. I've also noticed that some of the players regularly swear at the coaches without consequence.
I'm not trying to light fires. Am just telling the truth. Unfortunately Dmac was roundly despised by players and support staff.
Having Mauro and Pryce in the lineup shows this team is not a serious contender. We'll agree there.
I do think Konyen is much better than Pharand. Pharand is actually where the puck goes to tie. Or moreso to toedrag and then lose possession. Atleast Konyen consistently engages and works hard. Pharand is floating around most shifts.
I'm also still waiting for someone to show me how Van Vliet is actually an upgrade over Protz. He's shown nearly 0 physicality which is the whole reason he was brought in.
Got a be patient. A guy like McCoy looks lost in the D zone because he doesn’t know what to do with the puck t. Its hard to play when there’s no system, no option. Pretty sure the adjustment is tough for VanVliet too Just proves how bad the coaching is. It’s probably why guys like collins and Mania look like they haven’t progressed a bit.
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I Loveallsports
I'm a optimist not a optometrist
- Apr 13, 2010
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In other hockey news, my Islanders just named Patrick Roy new head boss
Wolfman Jack
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The New York Islanders fired their head coach today. And hired Patrick Roy! Hope the Sudbury Wolves makes the same move this week.
WJ
WJ
Lucky Islanders
I was thinking it might be time for N.Milley to be a head coach, maybe the wolves can hire him away from the ‘67s in the off-season.
would love to see that however, I think he would take into consideration who is bosses would be thus resulting in a hard NO
Lycanthrope
Registered User
- Dec 3, 2011
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I don’t know how anybody can think Vandenberg is going to be the guy. He was so out of position on some of them goals it wasn’t even funny. The goaltending we’ve been getting lately really doesn’t help but I can’t believe the way the team came out yesterday . I don’t remember the last Friday home game where they played that bad.
Can they afford to fire Ken? They're still playing out Duncanson. I wonder if Zulich wants to be paying out 2 ex-coaches and paying for a new coach.
I feel like Duncanson and Ken combiend are making 1/2 the money of a real coach. Bargain bin hunting.
I Loveallsports
I'm a optimist not a optometrist
- Apr 13, 2010
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Dario needs to step in NOW.
Leadership starts with ownership.
He needs to inform RP to hire new coach for the remaining games., and take part in the process. They need someone who can hold these players accountable and get the best out of them with this flawed roster. It's in his best interest now and the future.
Leadership starts with ownership.
He needs to inform RP to hire new coach for the remaining games., and take part in the process. They need someone who can hold these players accountable and get the best out of them with this flawed roster. It's in his best interest now and the future.
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Dario will not spend another penny then he has to until either he gets his arena, or moves the team, he's made that evident.
Holding the players accountable is step 1. There are too many malcontents who complain incessantly. A coach if they wantef too could quickly put an end to that.
Curious as to how much input / pressure is put on coaches from agents in regards to icetime, what line the player is on, seeing special teams etc. Is there a fear of a future talent not wanting to report if an agent is pissed at a team or is this a non issue in junior hockey.
Even Kitchener moves players when/where agents and NHL teams ask. Brantford acquiring Hamara to play a larger role than he had in Kitchener for 3, 4 picks was one of the more impactful trades this season.
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Dario doesn’t care as long as there are fans in the seats. To continue to support his GMs decision making is proof of that. The players see this and their play indicates such. They are playing for their own stats and for some where they will go soon as the season ends. rest of the way is a washout iam afraid
justawolfan
Timbertype
I agree, totally! He'd be happy if we exchanged the whole team with the Shorsey boys.
It seems to me that the theme we're all discussing is that the coaching staff are not doing their jobs, for the most part. Whether it's a high school team or an OHL hockey team, these are youngsters who need to be constantly reminded of their responsibilities, discipline required and shown examples of what's right and wrong. I don't see this changing at this late stage of the season with this group of coaches.
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