2008-09 Calgary Hitmen/WHL thread

[604flames]

Nice start for the Ice post-xmas break, 6-1 win in Lethbridge. John Negrin with 5 points if ya need him..

[moon]

Originally Posted by 604flames

Nice start for the Ice post-xmas break, 6-1 win in Lethbridge. John Negrin with 5 points if ya need him..

Terrible, Terrible game from the Hurricanes. Ashton showed up and I am not sure anyone else did.

Another horrendous call from another ineffective WHL referee only added to the brilliance of this game.

Canes continue to give away what should be easy points. Even without their top goalie, two centers and playing with 16 skaters they should be able to beat the Ice at home every time.

I won't comment on Negrin's game because it will only be dismissed when it isn't calling him the next Orr/Neidermeyer but stats only tell about a 10th of the story. Congrats on him for managing to get the 5 points though.

[Resolute 14]

Hitmen exit the break exactly as they entered it: winning. 4-2 over the Rebels. Offhand, I think we are now 15-2 against the division.

One thing I love about Red Deer is that their fans never bail on the team. The Rebels have been pretty bad for a few years now, yet they still put 6400 into that rink every night.

[604flames]

Originally Posted by moon

Terrible, Terrible game from the Hurricanes. Ashton showed up and I am not sure anyone else did.

Probably would have been nice for you guys had you had Metsola, Boychuk et al.. I've been impressed by Ashton ever since the playoffs last year though. I don't expect much from Kootenay considering all the new, young faces, but they've managed to keep it together in the last month or so. Heemskerk leaving might bite them in the you-know-where though.

Originally Posted by moon

I won't comment on Negrin's game because it will only be dismissed when it isn't calling him the next Orr/Neidermeyer but stats only tell about a 10th of the story. Congrats on him for managing to get the 5 points though.

Haven't seen him play live this year, didn't make it down to Seattle/Everett when they were out this way, but he seemed a bit slow last year when they came out to Chilliwack/Vancouver. What was your take on tonight (keeping in mind I didn't watch, just read the gamesheet).

[moon]

Originally Posted by 604flames

Haven't seen him play live this year, didn't make it down to Seattle/Everett when they were out this way, but he seemed a bit slow last year when they came out to Chilliwack/Vancouver. What was your take on tonight (keeping in mind I didn't watch, just read the gamesheet).

Well I have been criticized for "dumping" on Negrin in the past here because I didn't think he would make the team this year or next and that it wasn't a surprise to me that he wasn't an invitee to the WJHC camp so you may need to take this opinion with a grain of salt.

I thought he played decently, but certainly not a dominate or great performance that a 5 point night would suggest by seeing the score sheet.

His first assist was good work by him, the other 3 were plays you me and everyone who can type could have made and the goals were caused by the goal scorer (and Canes) rather than any play by Negrin. His goal was a terribly weak goal.

Also, the Canes goal was directly his fault as he made a terrible (Aucoin-esque) play at the Canes blue line to set up the 2 on 1. Having seen Negrin play a lot the past 2 years Aucoin (right now) is the guy that he reminds me the most of. I think he can be a bit better than that but I would say that Flames Aucoin looks like Negrins upside.

The Canes really didn't show up at all as I mentioned so tough to get a good read on the Ice as a whole as they didn't really have to do much to get the win tonight. Good on them to get the points and good on Negrin for picking up the 5 points as well but I think that this is a game you need to throw out the window when analyzing both teams and Negrin himself.

[Flickered Flame]

Hitmen knock off Moose Jaw 4-0 this afternoon. Marty Jones with 24 saves. I believe that is 8 wins in a row for the Hitmen. Nice to see a big crowd at the Dome.

[604flames]

Originally Posted by moon

Well I have been criticized for "dumping" on Negrin in the past here because I didn't think he would make the team this year or next...I think that this is a game you need to throw out the window when analyzing both teams and Negrin himself.

Agree with you on making the Flames, and I think it takes more than one game to get a good picture of either a player or a team.

I was a bit surprised to not even see Negrin invited to WJC camp, but look at the depth on the blueline.. Was Alex Plante invited either I can't remember...

Hopefully next time the 'Canes are in Cran there'll be more than 25-2600 fans in the building.. Starting to worry a bit about all the rumours.

[Prototype]

Just got back from Kamloops, and saw the Blazers slaughter the Prince George Cougars 7-1 last night. Kamloops has a very strong blueline, and some great snipers up front.

Just thought I'd share seeing other teams first hand.

[604flames]

We had Kelowna in again tonight, third time already.. Even though they didn't have Myers and Benn they still played the Giants tough. Bad goal allowed by (sigh) Lazaruk was the difference.

Proto I'm going to see Kamloops this weekend, saw them about a month ago.. PG is BRUTAL, but the Blazers do have some nice players, Shattock was good when they were here last.

[604flames]

Originally Posted by moon

I think that this is a game you need to throw out the window when analyzing both teams and Negrin himself.

Not to keep harping on this game, but I also forgot to mention that Dustin Sylvester is out for the season with a broken (in 2 places) ankle..

That said, everyone I have heard speak about it agreed Versteeg didn't deserve 5 and a game, it was just an awkward landing.

[moon]

Originally Posted by 604flames

Not to keep harping on this game, but I also forgot to mention that Dustin Sylvester is out for the season with a broken (in 2 places) ankle..

That said, everyone I have heard speak about it agreed Versteeg didn't deserve 5 and a game, it was just an awkward landing.

It was bad luck for Sylvester as he was having a good season and great game but there was no way that Versteeg deserved a penalty let alone a major.

The worst part was that you could see Stephenson not call anything until he saw that Sylvester was down and then increase the call to a major once he saw how bad the injury was.

Sylvester turned at the wrong time and went awkwardly into the boards, but I guess the WHL official felt the need to call something because if a guy is hurt there must have been a penalty.

Also, Hurricanes with another terrible game tonight. They are brutal without Boychuk and Bancks and not much better with them. It is amazing how bad they are playing with the talent that they have.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by moon

Also, Hurricanes with another terrible game tonight. They are brutal without Boychuk and Bancks and not much better with them. It is amazing how bad they are playing with the talent that they have.

Is Dyck on the hot seat?

[moon]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Is Dyck on the hot seat?

With the fans he certainly is, the media makes Ken Thrower look impartial with their homerism so tough to judge from them and I think that Roy Stasiuk (GM) will keep him until the end of the year at least, although he could be on the hot seat as well.

There have been some odd coaching decisions this year (constant overplaying of Braes and Iwanski would be tops for me) but really it just seems to be an effort issue with the players. Not sure it is Dyck's fault that King only gives 5% out there or that the defensemen make insanely bad plays all the time? Perhaps but in my view a lot of the blame has to go the players. I think he lasts the year but after that I could see both Dyck and Stasiak gone.

The team was also killed by not getting Sbisa back. That was a really tough/unexpected loss.

There is enough time/talent for the team to get into the 4/5 spot in the East and then could easily win a round or two. If that happens then obviously they both stick around.

It will be interesting to see what happens at the trading deadline (and something had better happen) whether they add or substract from the team. They have a lot of good forwards up front (King, Sceviour, Boychuk) that likely won't be here next year but could still get some decent talent in return. They also have some young depth that might be able to get them another top 6 forward and/or top 4 defense.

Personally I don't think anyone in the East is super talented (I know what he Hitmen's record is but they don't scare me in the least) and with Boychuk, King, Wright, Versteeg here for this year only I think now is the time to go for it and make a move to improve.

[604flames]

^^ do people in Lethbridge think that they are in the running for Joel Broda from the Warriors? That's a name I hear being sprinkled about, they are here tonight but I am working unfortunately. He has at least one goal tonight.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by 604flames

^^ do people in Lethbridge think that they are in the running for Joel Broda from the Warriors? That's a name I hear being sprinkled about, they are here tonight but I am working unfortunately. He has at least one goal tonight.

I am not sure about the Canes but I would think that the Hitmen are looking at Broda or Bast from MJ. I think the Hitmen are set on the blueline, not to mention that the price for a defenceman might be out of this world.

[604flames]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I am not sure about the Canes but I would think that the Hitmen are looking at Broda or Bast from MJ. I think the Hitmen are set on the blueline, not to mention that the price for a defenceman might be out of this world.

That and the fact that there aren't a ton of D available that I can think of off the top of my head. Cepek from Prince George maybe? I know the Giants would be well off adding a defenseman although word is they are looking for something up front. Doesn't make much sense to add Broda to have him as their third line centre though...

[Resolute 14]

Hitmen win their 9th straight tonight, as Edmonton got punked by Calgary twice in one night. Rob Kerr mentioned that Calgary is now the #1 ranked team in the country, though the CHL website hasn't updated yet.

[FallingMeTook]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Hitmen win their 9th straight tonight, as Edmonton got punked by Calgary twice in one night. Rob Kerr mentioned that Calgary is now the #1 ranked team in the country, though the CHL website hasn't updated yet.

The CHL site isn't updated, but the press release is available from the WHL website,

http://www.whl.ca/news/?id=10907

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by moon

Personally I don't think anyone in the East is super talented (I know what he Hitmen's record is but they don't scare me in the least) and with Boychuk, King, Wright, Versteeg here for this year only I think now is the time to go for it and make a move to improve.

I would like to take this opportunity to point to the scoreboard...

[moon]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I would like to take this opportunity to point to the scoreboard...

That may have come out wrong. They obviously are the better team this year but they aren't a buzzsaw type team like the Giants are. They have a good record but I don't think they are a real dominant type team that would be immune to upsets in the play-offs.

I give them full marks for what they have done this year for sure even if I am still trying to figure out how they have done it with that roster.