1st Week Set Teams: Advantage White
Are you guys happy with the teams as they were constituted this week? Will they stay as they were for the next month? I thought there was some good sustained pressure on both sides. Both teams had there chances and capitalized on a bunch of others.
Contact Crusher
There were a three nice take downs during week 3. Nick was in the middle of all them. He let Ron go by him in the far side and the ol man's feet came out from underneath and wham. That hurt. Nick played some offense and tried to slide by Ron on D only to take a nice spill himself from some convenient stick placement that might have been called a penalty. On the 3rd incident. Here comes Nick again, welcoming Ron Lite to the big leagues with some nice body positioning. The contact crusher of the nite.
Blocked shot that hurt alot
Blocked shot or a wild shot? Either way, Brendon took it on the hand or wrist. That had to hurt. Give the guy credit, he never missed a shift. The trainer taped it up and sent right back out there.
Bing Bang Boom
The combination of Brett and Johnny clicked most of the night. They definitely scored the nicest goals of the evening. Unfortunately the two of them needed more answers and they couldn't find them down the stretch.
White team was offensive
All of the white team offensive players contributed to the teams success tonight. Even Ron Lite notched his 2nd career assist. TPJ was tough down low with plenty of support from Joel, Mike and Dale. After last week's lull from scoring from outside Ron blasted a bunch in from outside.
56 comments:
Ron your goals were as empty as johnny's wins last week
the teams were great i thought
just as long as lenny knows that part of defense involves covering someone.
And goalies will be better next week. well one will be better anyway cause he wont be playing net
Joe? i think you lied about a wedding to go to
Empty, I don't know... but frozen goals yes, Jimmy didn't move after I shot the ball.
The teams were pretty fair I thought. Goaltending made a big difference as that's the worst that Jimmy's played in a long time. There were a lot of open looks from above the blue line that went in. If he played at least as well as he played a couple of weeks ago then we might have won another game (on the plus side he did make some key saves in Game 1 with it tied at 4 to allow us to get the win). Tony played very well and got better as the night went on.
That being said, our team could have played better too. We had countless chances we didn't bury (I did my Jason Varitek impersonation on one). Our coverage in the defensive zone with both the forwards and the D could have improved, and on a personal level I felt sluggish most of the night (I'm not listening to Cindy next time she wants Taco Bell before the game).
Good games though, and I'm looking forward to revenge next week!
A couple of other random thoughts:
Chris continues to improve, and has been the most consistent defenseman to date. Hopefully he gets some time on offense too, because if he develops his offensive side of the game he can give Joe a run for his money this year.
Line of the night came from Lenny in response to Nick trying to tell him who to cover: "SHUT UP!!!"
Jared lob goal from the opposite end was something else.
I think there were 2 other close calls that proved to be an adventure for Jimmy.
I have to disagree a little with Tony's goaltending. I thought early on he let 2 or 3 get by him that he should of had. However, like you said, he definitely settled into a nice grove as the night wore on.
Let's give credit where credit is due. Tony started off bad (letting up a terrible slapshot from the point) but finished amazing. He moved side to side to stop one-timers and anticipated a lot of passes. Risky, but it worked. And you can't say it was all his defense. It was all him. He really picked up his game when his team needed him too.
I have to give some credit to the D-fence. They cleared a bunch of loose balls away, after Tony made the initial saves.
Except for Mike D that is... he scored a beautiful one timer past Tony that he had no shot to save.
Way to go Mike. Does that count on the stat sheet btw?
You guys on the bench really do need to shut up. I'm not saying I'm perfect on D, but I was very aware of Jared behind me.
But yelling off the bench only distracts the players on the floor as there is more to worry about than listening to the three coaches on the bench.
Again, I know I make my share (and sometimes more than my share) of mistakes, but please give me some credit about how to play D. The way you guys act, it's like I've never played D. I play it a certain way to make up for my physical limitations. It's the way it is and if you don't like, SHUT UP! :)
Yeah, white team's defense was pretty good I thought. They cleared the ball out, played physical, did a good job keeping it in at the point, and limited the number of turnovers. That, in combination of Tony's improved goaltending throughout the night helped the white team.
TRADE PROPOSAL:
LENNY FOR JEFF
Lenny needs a change. You guys will never see Lenny's best. Trade him for a prospect with potential.
Jeff played pretty well on D and has good upside.
Has Mike turned into a legit center?
should Jimmy retire?
How many shots off the hand will Brendon take before he realized that's why you wear gloves?
Did Nick roll over little Ron because earlier little Ron broke him up?
Will Big Ron return after his fall?
He's got to show more than winning the 123 center ice faceoffs before he gets anointed legit centerman.
Retirement should only be an option when your on top. Does that answer your question?
Brendon and wearing gloves... yes he should of been wearing gloves and not just a batting glove.
Not sure what Nick was thinking on the bull dozer play with little Ron
As for whether Mike is a legit center, it would depend on the day that you ask. Last night he played great - he covered guys, was responsible defensively, passed it well, scored a couple of goals, and played very physically (not that he pounded guys but he battled for the puck and won it on numerous occasions).
Unfortunately, the first two weeks weren't really like that (nor was MTL for that matter). That's what can get frustrating picking teams sometimes: players like Nick, Brendon, Mike D, Griff, etc, all have the talent to be top 5 players on any given night - you just don't know what you're going to get from them. Some weeks they play great, some weeks not really. Once they can develop that consistency it will elevate them into that next tier.
If Mike D were to play like he did last night on a regular basis, he would absolutely be a legit center though.
I want to give some credit to lee, he was solid on D as well as all the white D they were blocking a lot of shots and clearing well. Lenny, I think you had an off night, I know youhave some limitations, but you have to come up closer to the blue line or even inside the blue line on a regular basis while we are on the offense. As far as Rons rocket shot. I don't think Jimmy even see's it till it's bouncing out of the net. Some of the offensive guys nne to got in front and close to him to prevent a clean shot. I know I don't want to get in front of it. But I will!, OUCH! other than that I thought the match ups were great.P.S. I won't go for the one timer.
consistency is hard because of the people you play with. some nights the teams just dont gel. maybe with set teams we will see more consistency as players can get used to playing with the same people each week.
The Hustle Award goes to: Brett
The Right-place-at-the-right-time Award goes to: Joel
The I-tried-my-best Award goes to: Cam
The Off-night Award goes to: Lenny
The Injury Award goes to: Brendon
The Sniper Award goes to: Ron
The I'm-back-baby! Award goes to: Ron Jr.
The Pointless-running award goes to: Jared :)
The Mouth-on-the-bench Award goes to: Nick
The Whiff-shot Award goes to: Tie (Johnny and Matt)
The Presence-on-D Award goes to: Chris
The No-more-backhanders Award goes to: Dale
The Rising-star-center Award goes to: Mike
The Quiet-but-solid-night Award goes to: Lee
The Invisible-guy Award goes to: Jeff
The Red-headed-step-child Award goes to: Jimmy
The Comeback-kid Award goes to: Tony
The Are-you-sure-he-was-there? Award goes to: Reggie
lol - I thought my off night was last week. Whoops...
And Matt, that's one of those things that I struggle with is playing that far up at times. One is fatigue - I'd wear out faster than usual. And two, getting beat back down the rink. I'd rather try to keep guys in front of me even if it means us losing possession. But it's duly noted and I'll do my best. :)
Matt, I agree with you about getting on the shots on the point - I don't think we did a good enough job doing that. We were much better at that last week.
On the other hand, not everyone of those shots were lasers - there were probably at least 6 or 7 goals that were soft. Also, with those slapshots, even if they are great shots, the goalie has to make some tough saves at least to give his team a chance. Normally Jimmy handles the slapshots pretty well; last night was just not his night.
That's not to take our team off of the hook though. A good team can win with bad goaltending, just like a good goalie can win with a bad team. Maybe not all the time, but enough. When a team plays mediocre, it's not enough to overcome bad goaltending, and that's what happened to us last night. If we had played better as a team, we probably win at least another game.
Lenny, that's why I gave you the worst endurance rating when I did the player ratings a couple of months ago!
That's why you gotta Love Lenny D, just give a little constructive criticism ,and off he goes working on something else.
Thats why you are the man lenny, no matter what they yell from the bench!
Ok guys, give me some tips... Get me on offense .
offensive tip #1:
shoot the ball and score. often.
#2:
if you can't score, complain like Jared and then you eventually get your way.
#3:
Don't whiff.
#4:
Make sure you offer some useless advice to someone else to make it look like you know what you're talking about.
How's that? Is that enough?
Is dave going to be in net next week? Then we have Dave and Tony. Will tony show up twice in a row?
Thanks Advice Guy!! That should do it ...Is there anything else??
nahh. I think that was too much actually.
It should be Dave and Steve in net this week. If Steve can't make it then either Tony or my dad will play against Dave.
Chris, I'll be back in the purchasing department again on Saturday...I'll give you my tips on how to take a good slapshot (just watch what I do and do the opposite!)
Actually, Johnny is improving in his slapshot...but when do you get to actually use it in game??
dave will be back? there should be a lot of scoring this week!!!
My husbands right butt check is all black and blue.
I want to know who is responsible for this?
He cried like a baby when I slapped him on the butt last night.
I told him that if he wants to play there again he will have to wear a padded diaper.
where's wpr?
and did anyone see brendon giving johnny slapshot advice yesterday, and johnny listening!?!?!
johnny, ron was there last night, maybe ask him, unless your looking for the 10 second windmill wind up that's reckless and has a history of swinging and missing. (good thing brendon doesn't read this anymore)
and nick, just cuz ppp gives a quick recap does not let you off the hook.
lenny you WERE playing like you've never played before.
ok, great you knew Jared was there...... BUT YOU STILL STOOD 10 FEET AWAY FROM HIM AND LEFT HIM WIDE OPEN.
that might be your way of playing D but it's the wrong way to play it.
So don't complain about what 2 of the best D on our team are trying to tell you to help you do better and alert you of what you honestly weren't aware of.
You were covering Jimmy pretty good. Maybe you thought you had a better chance of stopping the shot than he did. Cause if that was your strategy then i totally understand.
I think you just had a brain fart for a second. I think you'll correct the problem next week. I predict a big week for you lenny
lol - now Brett, it did cross my mind from time to time that maybe I should stand BEHIND Jimmy so I could stop some shots. :)
"and nick, just cuz ppp gives a quick recap does not let you off the hook."
it doesnt?
It worked for me! Big Bruise on the arm...so worth it!
9-27-09
Jaw Dropping
5 Dale - Not the #1 star but 2 weeks in a row? He was such an upgrade over anyone else they had back there.... or up there. And he gave the white team a legitimate 3rd option, cause Joel is as rusty as the inside of a dumpster(I don't care if he scored 4 goals, he's soft and only scored 4 cause Jimmy was in net)
4 Brett - Brett put more pressure on the white team than anyone else. And while a goal was taken away(close call) he still took the win from the white team. Brett's passing is still among the top if not the best, but his team isn't finishing enough. But that's what having the same teams week after week will fix.
3 Mike D - I do think he is the second centre(Canadian way of spelling center) Saugus is looking for. He was effective covering Johnny all night(not staying 10 feet away). Apparently JR never scored while he was on the ice. Mike netted 2 goals which were just a bonus. Consider him the Alex Gonzales of Saugus.
2 Ron - As stated before, it's not about the points. Ron's goals were demoralizing. He kept on trucking even after his spill in the corner. I did notice it effected his game a bit but not enough to stop him from obliterating Jimmy with goal after goal from the point.
1 Jared - As stated before, it's not about the points..... most nights. Jared's 8 goals were just too much. He almost outscored the dark team all by himself.
Honorable Mentions:
Tony - Got better as the night progressed. Please play more. More Tony = less Jimmy
Brendon - His fore checking was impressive and he created his own chances. Just needs to capitalize on more next week.
Ron, if you're going to bring little Ron again let me know and I can try and bring Logan to balance him off.
i'm pretty sure Jimmy C balances him off quite nicely
unreal.
who we gunna bring to compensate Jimmy?
No!
lol...same wave length.
brett needs to pick a position and stick with it, i think playing defense, then wing, then center messes up his game. some call that versitility, i call it bad coaching. babe ruth could pitch, but then people figured out he was a better hitter. that doesn't really apply at all.
Hey if you don't want me to bring Logan, that's fine
Jared i had to play D cause Lenny wouldn't. He wanted a shift playing up.
And who would you suggest play center when Johnny was subbing?
I do agree with you. I hate shifting around. It does get me off my game. But what am i gonna do?
Maybe BB can help me
well there are very few in any guys who WANT to play D all night
Everyone wants a chance to play up and score, you can thank the stats for that
Every other week Ronnie has shop week at the tech, and so if he wants, he can play.
Next week is an academic week, so he's out.
and brett, you said you were working, tisk tisk
gotta pay for those diapers
ariel needs me tonight to help with the baby.
He's sleeping right now
I want Joe on my team next week.
that's all I want.
the question is Ron...... Are you out too?
Ron is questionable for this week.
He is going in for a doctor examination today to be sure there is no structual damage after that wipeout on the damp slippery floor.
hey I will work on stopping the ball before the shot on the long pass. Right in front of the net I don't have enough time but I need to position my body right. It's a working progress, but the more we play a position the better you get RIGHT!
Lenny I know you had an off night, trust me I know your regular play, but if you have an off night or aren't feeling well or for some reason you're getting tired, just sub quicker and stay as fresh as you can while you are out there.
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