2010 Mastercard Memorial Cup

[arloiginla]

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.

[Jesse834]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

good grief - lighten up....ya gotta remember that these are kids who are 17.

a little adversity is not the end of the world....the spits beat the 'men by a couple of goals with a sub-par Jones and no kozun - I expect a different outcome Sunday.

as an aside someone mentioned about moncton bussing to brandon - it is my understanding that each league pays for thier champion to fly to the memorial cup.

i thought those uni's worn by brandon were very classy and respectful. their is a large military base just outside of brandon

Nyren is a bloody 21 year old veteran who should not be making those mistakes.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by arloiginla

-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.

I've heard this a lot. The Iginla/Parise hybrid is something I have heard a lot of. If he even comes close to that, I will love it!

[!!!Gongshow!!!]

Can someone explain to me why they chant Kootenay Sucks at the Hitmen games??? lol I found it funny that they did at tonights game though too!!!

[Hades]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

I've heard this a lot. The Iginla/Parise hybrid is something I have heard a lot of. If he even comes close to that, I will love it!

He made some bad turnovers in the 2nd period that led to chances, but also got down and blocked some shots. All in all, I thought the Hitmen did a decent job on him; the breakaway and bad goal by Jones aside. Nice move on that breakaway, no mistake there!

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by !!!Gongshow!!!

Can someone explain to me why they chant Kootenay Sucks at the Hitmen games??? lol I found it funny that they did at tonights game though too!!!

I was at the game and didn't notice it. When did that happen?

[bigtmac19]

Originally Posted by Jesse834

I still hope we have a Calgary/Windsor final.

Bring it!

Looking forward to it

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by !!!Gongshow!!!

Can someone explain to me why they chant Kootenay Sucks at the Hitmen games??? lol I found it funny that they did at tonights game though too!!!

Old rivalry thing. I'm not sure if it goes back to the days of the Edmonton Ice, but in 1999 and 2000, the Hitmen and Kootenay played a couple of tough series against each other. Calgary won in 99, Kootenay in 00, and the two teams went on to win the league title each of those seasons. The chant started back then, died off a bit, then picked back up for some reason in 2004-05 and has been going strong since.

[Resolute 14]

Tough loss. Even tougher that the score got out of hand at the end. Looks like Brandon and Calgary tomorrow will determine who gets home ice when Brandon and Calgary play in the semi finals.

[Trojan97]

Hopefully Moncton can win tonight and force a tiebreaker on Thursday.

[Jesse834]

Windsor is a dang powerhouse. I'm going to say they win in a blowout tonight. 6-0.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

I've heard this a lot. The Iginla/Parise hybrid is something I have heard a lot of. If he even comes close to that, I will love it!

Only thing I noticed about him is he has a bad trend to skate through the neutral zone with his head down.

Stone nearly destroyed Hall, he just missed him. Lindros played the same way, Hall will need to fix that issue or someone will hurt the guy.

As for the game, I thought he was great. He is very strong with the puck.

[!!!Gongshow!!!]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

I was at the game and didn't notice it. When did that happen?

It kinda sounded like it in the 3rd maybe mid way through it!!!

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Old rivalry thing. I'm not sure if it goes back to the days of the Edmonton Ice, but in 1999 and 2000, the Hitmen and Kootenay played a couple of tough series against each other. Calgary won in 99, Kootenay in 00, and the two teams went on to win the league title each of those seasons. The chant started back then, died off a bit, then picked back up for some reason in 2004-05 and has been going strong since.

Oh okay, good to know thanks!!!

[Jesse834]

Windsor/Moncton are headed to OT.

[Jesse834]

Eric Wellwood ends the Wildcats tournament.

[Resolute 14]

Hell of an effort against Windsor, though I don't really think it would have gone this far if the game mattered at all for the Spitfires. Great game for Moncton though. A couple bounces and they'dve been 2-1 in this tournament.

Both Brandon and Calgary breathe a sigh of relief.

[getbak]

Wellfed 2.0 scores in OT for Windsor, so tomorrow's game between the Hitmen and the Wheaties will just be a simple warm-up for the semi-final on Friday night.

[bigtmac19]

Way to go Welly!

GO SPITS GO!

[Flickered Flame]

That is a great result for the Hitmen because in my mind it all but guarantees that Kozun will miss tomorrows game now, save for him for when it really counts, if he is ready for Friday.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

The funniest thing about the Memorial Cup is these teams go through four grueling playoff rounds and then they enter this intense tournament where every game matters so much - unless it doesn't matter at all. The Calgary/Brandon game tomorrow will be an interesting one. It now means as much as an exhibition game, in the midst of all these do-or-die games for the National Championship. I wouldn't be surprised if the game turned into a goonfest as both teams try to "send a message".