How did you grade out?

We have all had the night where you thought you played fantastic and yet didnt make WPR. Instead, you got destroyed in the recap. On the other side of the coin, we have all had the night where you thought you played horrible and surprisingly you get compliment after compliment for a solid performance.

What does it all mean? We all have a warped concept of ourselves. Almost no grasp on the reality of how we played. That's why grading each other is fun. Its interesting to see what people really think (some people aren't as open with their opinion of your play as Brett is for instance). Its cool to see the "real" reality of how we play.

So, the polls are closed. The grades are in baby. And we are about to focus on your faults (mostly). How did you grade out?

Darin:

Average Grade: C

I have to say that when this league started and was told that we had Darin instead of Tony I got excited (not a knock on tony...ehh). I expected him to be and perform as a top tier goalie. I expected to get multiple weeks where Darin stole the game. I expected Tim Thomas but we got Jaroslav Halak. Halak is nice, but hardly a game changer. Darin still has the potential to steal a game or two but he has to work on the shots from the outside...if only our dmen were willing to get in front of those shots.

Brett:

Average Grade: B

When Brett is playing like Brett more often than not he is one of the best players, the fastest player and the most aggravating player (for the other team) involved in the game. So why did he get a B? Line mates? Shinsplints? Just a way for people to knock him down a peg after reading WPR? Frendon voting 15 times? Or was it his play? The truth is Brett is our David Krejci. Best player on the ice for long stretches of time and then disappears.  Brett's game can be hindered because of his size sometimes, but his biggest detriment is his reliance on his wing mates. Pass, after Pass, after Pass. He is an excellent passer but sometimes they're forced despite having an open shot. Brett doesn't shoot enough. His shot is accurate with a quick release, the best way to score on a good goalie and defense. He needs to shoot more.

Bob

Average Grade: D

Ouch. Part of me wants to say the grade would have been worse if the votes happened this week instead of last because Bob had a little, ah, meltdown.  I remember two bad penalties in the first playoff game. I remember him yelling at Griff for his own mistake, his own error. Bob has his faults including the calling for passes at the point when he isn't open, the aforementioned penalties, the lack of desire to "step up" against winger charging down the seem and of course his speed (lacking). But with all that said Bob has been a solid stay at home Dman and teammeate. He likes to do the rah! rah! cheerleader thing. He likes the concept of practice. A D may have been harsh grade.

May have been.

Johnny

Average Grade: F

Wow. I admit that I have been driving the over the hill bandwagon on the recap for a few years now, but that doesn't make it fact (it doesn't make it not true either). Johnny has become the classic case of failing to reach expectations. He set the bar so high for himself that it has become his own detriment during the apparent decline phase of his hockey career. Also known as the twilight years. The lesson? John has to adapt. He needs to shoot more with a quicker release or expectations have to be reset, completely. John has not been an "F" type player, overall, but its all relative to expectations. Maybe he misses his wing mate Frendon, the guy who did all of his dirty work for years.  At the very least he doesn't have to "fight" with Mike Ward for the slot anymore.

Mike D

Average Grade: D

Defense is not a demotion! The curse of being Julian Eddleman. Can play anywhere on the rink but he hasn't really found a home.  This season Mike started out on offense but, because of the lines we he had up top, he found himself back on D.  He may actually have found a home. If Mike can solidify himself with a position he has the ability to be a solid defenseman. Needs to work on his shot from the point, the passes up the middle and board play.  It sounds like a typical Alliance defenseman. You'll fit right in?

Billy

Average Grade: C

The perfect George. The perfect C. The other lefthanded defenseman (they are the best kind). Billy has become a contributor with above average board play and deceptive speed. Ok, I had to lie at some point, Billy isnt fast. With Billy its tough because he doesnt do anything that makes me go "wow!" (except for when he dekes to carry the ball into the offensive zone....did you see him go around like 3 guys in one play last week? I mean, he lost the ball in end, but wow!). He really is the literal C. I think Billy can take that next step if the passing gets more crisp (meaning not slow or soft) and if the shot develops a little. Billy will be the top dman for the rest of the playoffs...will he step up?

Ron

Average Grade: C

Like Johnny, I think the expectations were Ron's downfall in the grades. Consistently described as the man with a deadly shot. The man that can score from anywhere. But he hasnt. Quite Frankly the goalies are too good to be taking "open shots" against and expect to score. If they see'em, they have been stopping them. This isn't Saugus quality goal tending (except for that goalie we played on Monday). No one is scoring from the blue line. "Open shots" are good for rebounds...thats about it. Ron has great moves, and decent speed actually. Im sick of a slapshot everytime (I understand the irony of me saying that). Let the mustache show some creativity. He can carry the offense. Release the beast.

Griff

Average Grade: D

Ok, I have no idea how to explain this one. Perhaps people were frustrated that Griff didnt have the best attendance. Perhaps they were more aggravated by the fact that when Griff did show we were never really sure if good Griff or bad Griff showed. Griff hasnt been the dominating "heavy", scoring threat that I expected after his great performance in Montreal last year, but he has been more than adequate. If Griff can find consistency he would be a top winger.

JB

Average Grade: A

Despite him being a fat slob he got an "A". His secret weapon? Smelly Gloves. His disgusting gloves smell like I dont even know. I wish they smelled like a skunk. I'd prefer it if they smelled like horse manure. I think death smells better. Borges has been a top contributor so i dont really have a lot of negative things to rant about, but the faults are there. For instance: His shot takes all day to get off. All day. I think Johnny carries the ball in zone, looks up, picks a spot, looks down at the ball again and shoots faster than his wind up. I also believe that he yells at Nick way too much. Personal Opinion.

Jared

Average Grade: A

"A" for effort. I was watching from the bench in amazement of the hustle and the fight. Its not even close. Diving and blocking shots. A true battler. He has been the most consistent goal scorer on a week to week basis and it cant end now. The best players are supposed to shine when it matters most. Depth wins in the regular season. Top Tier Players win it for you in the playoffs. Is Jared the big fish in the small pond or his he the real deal? Down 1-0 in a best of three..the turnaround starts at the top. Jared hasnt given any grader room for complaint to this point, but will he leave something to be desired?