2009 Hitmen/WHL Playoffs

[Resolute 14]

Metzola made two incredible glove saves to make this look closer than it was, while Jones should have had a shutout but for Seabrook screening him on LA's goal. But, as expected, a much, much better push back from the Hurricanes. By far the most difficult game the Hitmen have had these playoffs, and I expect more of the same when the series heads south.

That said, Lethbridge isn't going to frustrate Calgary's powerplay for long (nobody will believe that it is happening at all looking at the scoresheet), and if they want to keep throwing cheap shots and late hits after every whistle, they are dead meat. Great job by Calgary not to respond to the cheap play, and then to bury both goals on powerplays caused by cheap hits away from the puck.

And in that vein, The Hitmen are doing a masterful job of exposing Beach as a useless goon. It was plain to see at the end of this game that he's frustrated by the fact that nobody on Calgary's side even cares what he's doing, and he went off trying stir something up with anyone and nobody responded. 14 minutes in penalties for him, nothing for anyone else. The only other time I noticed him this entire series was his cheapshot on Jones early in the first, which cost his team their powerplay.

Of course, once Lethbridge did finally realize that the only thing their cheap hits were doing is costing them penalties, they actually got down to playing, and made it an interesting third, though our D really prevented much of anything from getting through to Jones. I am impressed with how the Hurricanes really nullified our shot from the point today, especially on the powerplay. Broda was unbelievably snake bit today, while Plante did his Jeckyl and Hyde routine, playing like crap in the first, then coming on strong towards the end.

[Flickered Flame]

Tyler Ennis of the Tigers has 4 assists after the first period tonight. The Tigers lead the Wheaties 5-3 after 20 minutes.

[FallingMeTook]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Tyler Ennis of the Tigers has 4 assists after the first period tonight. The Tigers lead the Wheaties 5-3 after 20 minutes.

What is with these two teams and scoring in one period? Last night they combined to score 7 goals in the second period, and tonight a combined 8 in the first. I can't recall a time where, in back to back games, there was one period in each game with that many goals by both teams.

[Resolute 14]

Not a whole lot of D in this game. 5-5 now. Medicine Hat just doesn't seem to have what it takes to beat Brandon.

[johnnyluv]

Michael Dyck is apparently a little pissed off about the refereeing last game:

“For them to make a call like that in a playoff game, it cost us the game,” Lethbridge head coach Michael Dyck told Scott Fisher of the Calgary Sun. "Obviously if you look at a replay, it was a phantom call. In the third period, they get their stick up on our defenceman and there is no call. All we're looking for is a level playing field.” . . .

I don't know that the refereeing was very good, but it was hardly biased in favour of the Hitmen - how about the boarding call on Ian Schultz where they ignored Beach and Sbisa punching him in the head afterwards? Dyck should just be upset that his team wasted Metsola's performance.

[united]

I don't agree that the officials were biased in any way but Dyck is correct on both accounts in my opinion.
The roughing call was pretty marginal but I can see why they called it.
The highstick non-call was just shocking. Everyone in the 'Dome saw it other than the officials apparently. Everyone was laughing out of surprise no call was made. It was clear as can be.

Hopefully the Hitmen can finish it up in Lethbridge and I think they will.

Have to laugh at Beach's antics, especially going after Schultz at the end of the game. He jumps off the bench and heads straight for Schultz, no attempt at getting into the play. Schultz just stood there laughing while Beach kept trying to throw punches over the Referee and Linesman. Good on the Hitmen players for just laughing him off the ice instead of doing anything.

[Resolute 14]

Dyck can suck a... well, you get the idea.

Fact is, the officials called less than half of the late and cheap hits Lethbridge threw yesterday. They literally could have had a player sent to the box on virtually every stoppage in play. Well, if you are going to play like that, you simply are not going to get the benefit of the doubt. If you got a problem with the calls you took, Dyck, look in the freaking mirror and decide if that is the type of game you think is going to make you successful. If it is, suck it up. If it isn't, then change your strategy.

Now, that being said, the missed call on Schultz was an egregious error by the officials. But it also came on the heels of a missed check from behind by Lethbridge and a missed too many men infraction. Obviously the officials chose to let everything go in the third, and frankly, the Hurricanes got the benefit of that. That is not to excuse that mistake at all, because that should have called.

But I have to laugh at the crybaby routine from Lethbridge. Grow up Dyck.

[Prototype]

This, coming from a coach who leads players who are on the bench to elbow, all-be-it ever-so-slightly, a player who is on the ice. Great leadership there.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Dyck can suck a... well, you get the idea.

Fact is, the officials called less than half of the late and cheap hits Lethbridge threw yesterday. They literally could have had a player sent to the box on virtually every stoppage in play. Well, if you are going to play like that, you simply are not going to get the benefit of the doubt. If you got a problem with the calls you took, Dyck, look in the freaking mirror and decide if that is the type of game you think is going to make you successful. If it is, suck it up. If it isn't, then change your strategy.

Now, that being said, the missed call on Schultz was an egregious error by the officials. But it also came on the heels of a missed check from behind by Lethbridge and a missed too many men infraction. Obviously the officials chose to let everything go in the third, and frankly, the Hurricanes got the benefit of that. That is not to excuse that mistake at all, because that should have called.

But I have to laugh at the crybaby routine from Lethbridge. Grow up Dyck.

He won't be back to coach the Canes next year. Even if they can comeback and win this series. It sounds like his contract was renewed for this year only because the team made it to the WHL finals last year.

[Flickered Flame]

Kris Foucault has scored and its 1-0 Hitmen, the Hitmen are working on their 4th pp already in the game.

[Resolute 14]

Dyck's crying sure didn't help much with the referees, did it?

Kinda sad that we get Savage tonight after Herman on Sunday though.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Dyck's crying sure didn't help much with the referees, did it?

Kinda sad that we get Savage tonight after Herman on Sunday though.

My guess is that they are saving Kirk for game 4 to really ruin the series!

[Resolute 14]

That would be the way it goes, eh?

They'll probably bring Rehman back from the pros for a game 5, if necessary.

[Resolute 14]

Metsola is attempting his best Jung impression, but Seabrook scores anyway, 2-0.

[Resolute 14]

Karpov then buries one. 3-0.

Lethbridge's hopes are fading fast.

[Flickered Flame]

The Hitmen are not giving the Canes anything.

[Flickered Flame]

Michael Stone makes it 4-0

[Resolute 14]

4-0, and Shots are something like 25-10.

Two PPGs so far tonight as well.

[Flickered Flame]

End of the second, 4-0 Hitmen. Shots 27-10.

[Flickered Flame]

Mitch Versteeg scores a ppg for the Canes. 4-1 in the 3rd.