To be honest, I was a little disappointed with Carpentier tonight. He played on the third line, and I thought that was fitting. He looked out of place at times, and timid at other times. Hopefully that will change on Saturday against the Chops.
Vandermeer was the player that stood out to me tonight. I knew he was more than a goon coming in, but I never expected him to be a first line defenseman. He was all over the ice tonight, even quarterbacking the dismal power play. He's also a master of the "slap pass." Oh, I couldn't forget one thing - he is a master of the cheap shot. He speared a Riv' t'wixt the nethers while the ref wasn't looking.
I was also really impressed with camp invitee Mike Hamilton. He had a very solid game, and I hope he's kept around for a longer look. He played most of the game with Ryder.
Ryder had a very solid game - and a pretty sweet shootout goal. He was more physical then what I remember last year.
Kris Chucko is a completely different player this season. Tonight he was hitting everything in sight. He had two or three highlight reel hits, including a hit where he absolutely pasted a Rivermen forward against the corner of the bench.
Dan Spang and Brad Cole both looked very good as well. They were paired together on D, and I thought that they complimented each other well. Cole looks a lot more ... involved, I'd say, this season. He is always in the play, and he seems quite a bit more aware as well.
I thought Cracknell had a great game. Very solid up front. There's no way, based on the three days of camp and tonight's game, that he should be going down to Vegas.
A couple video highlights -
Dan Ryder's slick shootout goal
JD Watt Vs. Robin Richards