Depends on who wins between Chicago and San Antonio
I hope we get Oklahoma. No better time to take them out then now, with winning 11 of the last 12 games now. Better to get them when we are playing are best than perhaps make it past Toronto but get beat up, just to get handed by OKC.
Does Irving not start for the Heat? Is he hurt? Perhaps I don't pay as much attention to the Heat as I should but I did must admit I was suprised at that.
Does Irving not start for the Heat? Is he hurt? Perhaps I don't pay as much attention to the Heat as I should but I did must admit I was suprised at that.
He was up and down from the Flames, then his wife gave birth.
Meanwhile Taylor has been playing great so Ward is riding the hot hand.
As mentioned, the Heat have won 11 of 12 and 10 straight......I think Irving only started in one or two of those games......hard to make a change at this point.
Does Irving not start for the Heat? Is he hurt? Perhaps I don't pay as much attention to the Heat as I should but I did must admit I was suprised at that.
I came to ask the same thing...how come Irving isn't starting? You would think playing in the playoffs would be good for his development, after all isn't that the point.
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I came to ask the same thing...how come Irving isn't starting? You would think playing in the playoffs would be good for his development, after all isn't that the point.
The organization's standpoint is that winning is best for everyone's development. Therefore, they ride the hot goalie for awhile.
A friend of mine was at the game tonight. He thought the Admirals outplayed the Heat for the most part but they (Admirals) took too many penalties. He said he was hoping to see more minutes from Reinhardt. Any one else at the game with an opinion? I don't think Ward is really comfortable putting out the young guys....Even in regular season games I think he prefers experience over developing young guys. Also think he prefers college guys to CHL players.
HEAT VS. TORONTO [2-2-0]
10/26: lost 5-0 [Irving L 2 goals on 7 shots, Ortio 3 goals on 24 shots]
2/4: lost 5-2 [Taylor L; Horak and Wilson score]
4/13: won 3-0 [Taylor W; Jessiman, Rheault and Wilson score]
4/15: won 5-4 (OT) [Irving W; Reinhart (2), Eddy and Tuzzolino (2) score]
Goalies: Irving [1-1-0], Taylor [1-1-0]
HEAT VS. OKLAHOMA CITY [2-5-1]
11/3: lost 3-2 [Irving L; Byron and Kolanos score]
11/5: lost (in OT) 4-3 [Ortio OTL; Walter and Nemisz (2) score]
11/18: lost 4-1 [Irving L; Rheault scored]
11/19: win 4-2 [Irving W; Nemisz, Wilson, Desbiens and Rheault score]
1/14: win 2-1 [Taylor W; Dowling and Rheault score]
1/15: lost 3-1 [Taylor L; Kolanos scored]
2/9: lost 4-0 [Karlsson L]
2/11: lost 2-1 [Karlsson L; Walter scored]
Goalies: Irving [1-2-0], Ortio [0-0-1], Taylor [1-1-0], Karlsson [0-2-0]
A friend of mine was at the game tonight. He thought the Admirals outplayed the Heat for the most part but they (Admirals) took too many penalties. He said he was hoping to see more minutes from Reinhardt. Any one else at the game with an opinion? I don't think Ward is really comfortable putting out the young guys....Even in regular season games I think he prefers experience over developing young guys. Also think he prefers college guys to CHL players.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to go to the game tonight, but it sounded like Reinhart started getting more minutes once the Heat went up 2-0, but had limited ice time when the score was 0-0 and 2-2.
To be honest, it's not that Ward has a preference of playing vets over young guys. It's just that Reinhart doesn't have a complete understanding of the systems yet. In fact, Ward was gushing about Reinhart in his post-game interview calling him "very smart" and "brilliant".
Anyways, VERY happy that they're moving on. Both Toronto and OKC are going to be tough opponents, but like Ward said: they're a different team this time around.
EDIT - Also, for those who missed it, Ken King during the 2nd intermission said there will be players that are on the Heat now who will be playing for the Flames next year. While it may seem obvious, it just sort of confirms that Nemisz, Irving, Horak, Reinhart, Kolanos, Wilson, etc. have a shot at making the team permanently.
Last edited by Pierre "Monster" McGuire; 04-26-2012 at 01:10 AM.
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I liked the little shot that King took at the Canucks, saying that he expects the crowds in the second round to be bigger because it's one place in BC where there's still hockey being played.
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I liked the little shot that King took at the Canucks, saying that he expects the crowds in the second round to be bigger because it's one place in BC where there's still hockey being played.
Haha I laughed at that as well.
I also liked what he said about him liking that the Abbotsford is a) only an hour flight from Calgary, and b) in Canada. He said he liked that the Heat were in Canada because it helps American and European players get acclimated to Canadian culture easier. Just makes sense.
Also, with Ken King in attendance and Sylvester getting the huge game winning goal, I can't see how they don't sign that kid to a deal in the offseason. Nice to hear that it was Ward who suggested the Flames give him a shot. He hasn't disappointed in his rookie season, that's for sure.
I actually think that is not too bad for a Wednesday night. That is pretty much on par for a weekend game in the regular season and a definite increase from most weekday games.
With most Canucks fans still in disbelief and mourning, it may take a couple days to move on. If the Heat can get a weekend game or two during round two, I would expect attendance to increase.
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If the Heat play Toronto in the next round is there any chance CBC picks up any games? I know CBC in the past did a few AHL games but I don't recall if they cover the playoffs.
Ward didn't spare the superlatives in evaluating the "extremely intelligent" rookie.
"He's as bright a guy as we have in that locker room without the puck," the Heat bench boss said of Reinhart. "He's in another world. He's a very smart guy, very calculated about the ice he takes.
"The organization's got a very good player going forward."
I'm hoping that the Heat will be playing Sunday May 6th, I'm driving through to Vancouver that day and if the Heat are playing, I'm definitely stopping and watching the game.
I actually think that is not too bad for a Wednesday night. That is pretty much on par for a weekend game in the regular season and a definite increase from most weekday games.
With most Canucks fans still in disbelief and mourning, it may take a couple days to move on. If the Heat can get a weekend game or two during round two, I would expect attendance to increase.
Yeah, that's about 400-600 people more than they usually get on weekday games, so it's not too bad. Obviously, we'd all like to see more, which I think we will in round 2.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robbob
If the Heat play Toronto in the next round is there any chance CBC picks up any games? I know CBC in the past did a few AHL games but I don't recall if they cover the playoffs.
Not likely. CBC is still very much involved in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so I don't think they're willing to cover small market games. From what I understand, last season when the CBC agreed with the AHL to cover some games it didn't get enough viewership, so they decided not to renew their agreement.
interesting, Troy Ward scouted and recruited Dustin Sylvester
also, may be gamesmanship or not tipping his hand, but Ward suggests that Irving might play next round, depending on the opponent
I was surprised as well to hear Ward recruited Sylvester. I assumed it was all the time spent scouting the Ice that made them decide on Sylvester, but apparently not. I'm interested to know what how Ward came to know of Sylvester.
I also really like what Ward said about Reinhart. If Ward says Reinhart is "brilliant" then he's brilliant. That's some HUGE praise having only played two pro games. I'm pretty confident Reinhart will be on the Flames next season. Maybe not to start the season, but I could see him going the path of Brodie.
Looking at the records Freeway posted of each goalies' record against Toronto and OKC, it looks like Ward can't go wrong choosing either guy. Both have very similar records against each team.
