Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

arloiginla · 05-17-2010, 09:40 PM

Some thoughts:

-Windsor is one of the best junior teams I've ever seen in transition. The speed they have through the neutral zone is incredible. They never ever chip the puck out when they are in trouble, they either ice it looking for a stretch pass or they make half line changes allowing their forwards to still mount a rush.

-Calgary's problem tonight is that they were a little slow. They tried to be methodical in their decision making and were arguably the better team in two zones tonight but they had no speed through the neutral zone and couldn't compete with Windsor's. Lots of odd man rushes against tonight and Windsor could have scored 9 again - they hit a lot of goal posts.

-Martin Jones was not good tonight. Philipp Grubauer was, but the Hitmen almost never tested him up high. He was good down low and the Spits did a good job getting sticks on pucks.

-Taylor Hall is a player. We all know the hype but he honestly is even better than I thought. He's a better Zach Parise in the making.

-The Hitmen despite all this showed that they can skate with the Spitfires. What is really encouraging is that they didn't quit after going down 3-0, although the Hall goal 12 seconds into the 3rd seemed to break their backs a bit.

-The one thing this season that the Hitmen have showed they are good at is adjusting their game for various opponents and playing really smart hockey. Jones has also played really well when the chips are down and should these two teams meet again in the final I think the Hitmen are primed for an upset. Windsor won't play a meaningful game between now and then, and I think once Williamson makes the proper adjustment to take control of the neutral zone, stop the turnovers and counter attacks, and thus limit the grade-A scoring chances against the Hitmen will be fine. Jones will be better too.

-This is a special, resilient group of young men and I don't think they are done yet. They have made me proud to be a season ticket holder and win or lose this season is an unmitigated success. And I would bet on the former.

05-17-2010, 09:40 PM	#101
arloiginla #1 Goaltender Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Calgary Exp:	Some thoughts: -Windsor is one of the best junior teams I've ever seen in transition. The speed they have through the neutral zone is incredible. They never ever chip the puck out when they are in trouble, they either ice it looking for a stretch pass or they make half line changes allowing their forwards to still mount a rush. -Calgary's problem tonight is that they were a little slow. They tried to be methodical in their decision making and were arguably the better team in two zones tonight but they had no speed through the neutral zone and couldn't compete with Windsor's. Lots of odd man rushes against tonight and Windsor could have scored 9 again - they hit a lot of goal posts. -Martin Jones was not good tonight. Philipp Grubauer was, but the Hitmen almost never tested him up high. He was good down low and the Spits did a good job getting sticks on pucks. -Taylor Hall is a player. We all know the hype but he honestly is even better than I thought. He's a better Zach Parise in the making. -The Hitmen despite all this showed that they can skate with the Spitfires. What is really encouraging is that they didn't quit after going down 3-0, although the Hall goal 12 seconds into the 3rd seemed to break their backs a bit. -The one thing this season that the Hitmen have showed they are good at is adjusting their game for various opponents and playing really smart hockey. Jones has also played really well when the chips are down and should these two teams meet again in the final I think the Hitmen are primed for an upset. Windsor won't play a meaningful game between now and then, and I think once Williamson makes the proper adjustment to take control of the neutral zone, stop the turnovers and counter attacks, and thus limit the grade-A scoring chances against the Hitmen will be fine. Jones will be better too. -This is a special, resilient group of young men and I don't think they are done yet. They have made me proud to be a season ticket holder and win or lose this season is an unmitigated success. And I would bet on the former.