As the winter grows longer in the tooth, the games get bigger. Here’s some observations from the buildings that I was in this weekend.
Friday Night – Osprey @ Growlers (DF Barnes Arena)
*** In any 4-out-of-7 playoff series, the opening game is usually a feel-out process and this game was no different. The game did not feel like a playoff game though – to me, the match had a very ‘regular season’ vibe.
*** Growlers Forward Noah Boland had the hot stick in this one, potting a pair of goals in the first half of the game. Boland – who is usually a pass-first guy – shooting the puck with regularity has to be a good sign for coach Trevor Budgell and company because Boland has a sneaky good (accurate) shot.
*** I have seen the Tri-Pen Osprey play about a half dozen games this season (or more), and Forward Alex Crane creates something positive in about 90% of the shifts that he’s on the ice. If you do not slow Crane down coming through the neutral ice, his speed forces defenders to back off which – in smaller arenas – puts him into the slot. Crane shoots around defenders as well as anyone in U18 hockey, so you’re essentially picking your poison as a defenceman. Back off and he shoots around you and scores (his first goal last night), stay up and he blows the doors off you. You HAVE to chip Crane in the neutral zone to have any chance to slowing him down. Shoves, re-routes, subtle hooks, finishing checks, stuff like that. If Crane gets free releases all night long, he’s going to make you pay. Period. Junior ‘A’ teams have to pick up the phone and call this late-blooming star tout suit – I think he has a good Junior ‘A’ career ahead of him if given the opportunity.
*** The Growlers forecheck was a little too much for the Osprey today – a nice forecheck by Daniel Kearley led to a turnover and the Growlers 3rd goal, and was a bit of a back-breaker as it came on the heels of Boland’s second goal.
*** The way goalies play now (on their knees, reverse VH, heavy reliance on pushing off posts), would it make sense to mandate anchor pegs in higher-level leagues such as U18 Major? The Growlers scored a goal yesterday with the net off its moorings, and there was more than one net-related stoppage of play in this game. The traditional arena pegs wear down at the tip with frequent use, and where net pegs are absurdly expensive, most rinks don’t replace them every so often. Having a more anchored net helps the goalies, keeps the play going, and prevents a lot of disallowed goals. Maybe we need to ask a high-ranking official about this subject (stay tuned).
Saturday Night – Impact @ Blizzard (Glacier).
*** It’s hard to believe that this is my first U18 Major game at the Glacier I this year. The Blizz have called a lot of arenas home this year; Southern Shore, the Mary Brown’s centre aka The Chicken Coop, you name it!
*** The goal on the road in the playoffs is to get the split (win 1 of 2), and the Central Impact accomplished that feat by dumping the Blizzard 5-2. The Impact played a masterful road game, keeping the Blizzard to the perimeter for the most part and only giving up 30 shots.
*** Impact forward Ethan Simms had a career game on Saturday, potting four (4) goals and routinely using his speed to blow by Blizzard defenders. Simms could have had one more, as he just missed on another third period breakaway. If there was an All-Star Skills contest for the NLU18 Major League, Simms would likely win fastest skater. Simms skates like a former team-mate of mine – Ryan Desrosiers.
*** Blizzard D consultant Adam Pardy – who has been praised for his great work with the Blizzard this season – has to go back to the drawing board after this game as his charges seemed out-of-sync from the jump (took a penalty first shift).
*** To be successful in the playoffs, the dancers must dance and the singers must sing. WTF does this mean, Andrew? Well, not everyone can be a dancer. So if you’re not a dancer, you gotta be a singer. The Impact’s dancers danced (4 goals from their top unit of Simms-Pinsent-Kelloway) and their singers sang (R Pinksen with a tremendous late-game back-check to save a goal, L Coish’s line finished their bumps and hemmed the Blizzard in numerous times). Coaches Brian Casey and ‘Tremmy’ Tremblett have clearly outlined these roles with his players going in, and the execution of their roles was there on Saturday evening.
*** I have watched approximately 1,876,569 games of hockey in my life, but never before have I seen so many neck guard malfunctions. There was more laundry on the ice than a flag-ridden NFL game on Saturday night, which seemed to work against the Blizzard. Blizz Carter Coady took a penalty for playing the puck sans neck guard, then the Impact did the same thing but the official was late to call it. Blizz coach and die-hard Tampa Bay Bucs fan Jeff Brewer was unhappy about this, which prompted a heave-ho! Jeff – if you’re reading this – after Brady retiring and watching our Bucs inconsistent play all season, we both have some pent-up frustration! LOL!
Fixing the NHL Playoffs
*** Top 2 teams from each division are seeded 1,2,3, and 4 based on record
*** Next best 3 are seeded 5,6, and 7 based on record
*** 1st overall in each conference gets a bye to the second round …. this way, a team that has a great regular season doesn’t get stuck with an incredibly tough first round matchup. If you finish first in the regular season, you earn the right to a first round bye. Finish 2nd? You get an easier first round matchup. Take a page from the NFL system, a league that makes a lot of money. If this isn’t your forte, add-in the 8th team and go 1-8, 2-7 again. Reward teams who do well in the regular season, and stop with this rivalry stuff. Detroit and Colorado are a long ways apart, but their late-1990’s rivalry was epic TV. This rivalry was born out of two good teams seeing each other when the stakes mattered most in the Western Conference. Rivalries will be built in 1v8, 2v7 set-ups.