2009 Hitmen/WHL Playoffs - Page 33 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

moon · 05-07-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

The WHL has been better than the OHL and QHL for some time. Look what Spokane did last year. Look at the number of players being drafted from the WHL.

I am the biggest advocate that the WHL is the best of the three leagues, but they aren't so far and away better that you should ignore what the other top teams in the OHL and QMJHL do.

The Hitmen finished with a whopping 3 more points than the Giants and had less points than Kelowna since the trade deadline. Windsor and Drummondville had great seasons themselves and finished a lot further ahead in their leagues.

I know that all the Hitmen fans were excited about the team this year (for good reason) but it wasn't as though they were heads and shoulders ahead of every other team in the CHL or even the WHL.

Spokane played well and desereved to win but they had a one goal win, an OT win and a 2 goal win in the round robin. They didn't exactly roll right through the teams from the other leagues.

Resolute 14 · 05-07-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

They certainly should be in contention for the Memorial Cup but they haven't been that much better than Windsor or Drummondville all year long that they should be handed the Memorial Cup right now.

Realistically they haven't been any better than Kelowna since the Trade Deadline acquisitions and Kelowna really improved.

If they were losing to a poor team then I could see it being a big disappointment/choke but the fact is that Kelowna is as good, if not better, right now than the Hitmen are.

Drummondville (and Rimouski), take a hit on the competitiveness scale because of the league they play in. The Q has always been the weak sister in the CHL, and frankly, the top teams in that league have to prove they can compete with the WHL and the OHL, they don't get the assumption.

Windsor is a damn good team, while yes, Kelowna is Calgary's equal at this point, the result of this series notwithstanding.

But, no matter what you think of the Rockets, they will never get the credit they deserve if they should win this series. The focus will be on the Hitmen's failure, and especially the no-show by the top line in the first three games.

moon · 05-07-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Drummondville (and Rimouski), take a hit on the competitiveness scale because of the league they play in. The Q has always been the weak sister in the CHL, and frankly, the top teams in that league have to prove they can compete with the WHL and the OHL, they don't get the assumption.

I agree for the most part and think that normally this is the case with QMJHL teams but for me Drummondville has won so convincingly that I am pretty close to giving them the benefit of the doubt and think that they are likely for real.

Resolute 14 · 05-07-2009, 11:49 AM

We'll see in a week or so, I suppose.

FireFly · 05-07-2009, 12:00 PM

I knew it! I knew that Lowry's goal was to make things more exciting. What excitement is there in 4 straight sweeps? none. What they needed was to get down by 3 games so when they win 4 in a row to take it, it's EPIC! It's a tad risky though. We know they can do it.

edn88 · 05-07-2009, 09:11 PM

Game 5 - 2-0 hitmen in the second.

Dion · 05-07-2009, 09:38 PM

4-1 Hitmen after 2 periods!

edn88 · 05-07-2009, 09:38 PM

4-1 hitmen end of two

moon · 05-07-2009, 09:39 PM

I know Hitmen fans are morons but how can they boo that penalty after the cheap shot by Schultz?

calculoso · 05-07-2009, 09:40 PM

4-1 Hitmen

2 minute Charging penalty to Shultz for nailing Barrie and probably giving him a really good concussion.

krazycanuck · 05-07-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

I know Hitmen fans are morons but how can they boo that penalty after the cheap shot by Schultz?

I admittedly rarely watch the WHL...I flipped over at the end of the 3rd in the Canucks/Hawks game. But, I don't know how that classifies as a cheap shot. Seemed to be a pretty solid shoulder check. The Kelowna player had his head down and he got cranked. Perhaps it was a charge, but the announcers were acting like buddy pulled out a gun and opened fire. Is it called differently in the dub?

moon · 05-07-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

I admittedly rarely watch the WHL...I flipped over at the end of the 3rd in the Canucks/Hawks game. But, I don't know how that classifies as a cheap shot. Seemed to be a pretty solid shoulder check. The Kelowna player had his head down and he got cranked. Perhaps it was a charge, but the announcers were acting like buddy pulled out a gun and opened fire. Is it called differently in the dub?

When a guy takes that many steps and hits a guy without the puck I think it is a cheap shot in any league. Doesn't help that Schultz is a dirty player as well that prefers to make the dirty hit and run and hide afterwards.

LockedOut · 05-07-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

When a guy takes that many steps and hits a guy without the puck I think it is a cheap shot in any league. Doesn't help that Schultz is a dirty player as well that prefers to make the dirty hit and run and hide afterwards.

He had the puck just moments before he got hit which is why he left himself vulnerable and off balance.

calculoso · 05-07-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

When a guy takes that many steps and hits a guy without the puck I think it is a cheap shot in any league. Doesn't help that Schultz is a dirty player as well that prefers to make the dirty hit and run and hide afterwards.

It wasn't the "without the puck" that was cheap. He had just got rid of it and was watching the puck.

The cheap part was that ALL of the contact was shoulder to the head. It's what needs to get out of the game. If Shultz just powers through the middle of his chest, he destroys him and it's a clean hit. With this one, he was directly targeting the head. It's cheap.

troutman · 05-07-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

When a guy takes that many steps and hits a guy without the puck I think it is a cheap shot in any league. Doesn't help that Schultz is a dirty player as well that prefers to make the dirty hit and run and hide afterwards.

Callahan was running around last night for KEL too.

LockedOut · 05-07-2009, 10:35 PM

Two convincing wins in a row for the Hitmen. They're clicking on all cylinders now. Their passing is much crisper, they're driving to the net, winning the puck battles along the boards, the special teams are much better and Jones is outplaying Googlebooger. Probably a lot of pressure on Kelowna now to wrap it up in game 6 and there is some doubt in their heads.

Also this has been 5 games in 7 nights. Kelowna could be getting a bit of fatigue having gone 6 games against Vancouver with some OT thrown in there along with the Hitmen's physical game wearing them down.

Glassman · 05-07-2009, 10:45 PM

I can't believe how bad the reffing is. It just get worse every game. The last game in Kelowna the reffs needed police escort. Why only a 2 minute penalty for Schultz for intent to injure. Myers get a 10 minute misconduct, for what?. Calgary cannot win a game with 5 on 5. They need the reffs help. I AM DISCUSTED WITH THE PLAY OF CALGARY. I hope Granthem runs a hitmen player and knockes him into next week.

FireFly · 05-07-2009, 10:47 PM

I admit I only watched the third period as I was watching a movie, but what a game by the Hitmen! Looks like they're back!

Dion · 05-07-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glassman

I can't believe how bad the reffing is. It just get worse every game. The last game in Kelowna the reffs needed police escort. Why only a 2 minute penalty for Schultz for intent to injure. Myers get a 10 minute misconduct, for what?. Calgary cannot win a game with 5 on 5. They need the reffs help. I AM DISCUSTED WITH THE PLAY OF CALGARY. I hope Granthem runs a hitmen player and knockes him into next week.

calculoso · 05-07-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glassman

I can't believe how bad the reffing is. It just get worse every game. The last game in Kelowna the reffs needed police escort. Why only a 2 minute penalty for Schultz for intent to injure. Myers get a 10 minute misconduct, for what?. Calgary cannot win a game with 5 on 5. They need the reffs help. I AM DISCUSTED WITH THE PLAY OF CALGARY. I hope Granthem runs a hitmen player and knockes him into next week.

Careful Glassman - Ever heard of the saying "People Who Live In Glass Houses Should Not Throw Stones"?

What did Myers do? He didn't stop bullying Broda even after told to stop by the referee. Even after the ref stepped in, he still continued to shove Broda from behind.