Coach Al Sims said Nick Boucher will start Saturday in Port Huron.
Seriously, the only way the Komets lose this series is if they beat themselves. They are deeper, faster and better defensively than the IceHawks. If the Komets play defense like they did tonight, the IceHawks do not have the offensive firepower to hurt them. The only way Port Huron can win is on special teams and the Komets have to stay out of the box. Port Huron's two goals were a power play and Colin Chaulk off on a four-on-four situation. Chaulk wasn't on the ice to take the faceoff because he went to the box with Nick Lindberg. Pretty fair trade for the IceHawks.
Seriously, Warner was plus-3, was on the ice for four goals, including Port Huron's power play goal. What game are some of you watching?
As for the officiating, how many times did stuff start two or three seconds after the whistle? What would you like him to do? His other option on the misconducts was to call a bunch of minors and then they'd have been playing three-on-three the rest of the period. That was the only thing he could have done. How many times did he call the captains over to tell them to shut up and play, and nobody paid any attention? He called everything on the puck and basically let them beat the crap out of each other off the puck, unless it was after the whistle.
Komets have to be smarter about that kind of thing, because that's the only chance Port Huron has with this lineup. The IceHawks played hard and they played smart tonight, but they just don't have the bodies.
Want to know what their gameplan is for Saturday? They'll go after Hodgy and O'Connor early
Comments
I thought every player on the Komets came to play including Warner...Great game by the Komets...
No question K's have to be smarter when it comes to penalties. I agree I thought Warner played a solid game and maybe one of his better games of the year. He took the body made some good decisions with the puck. Hodgy's goal was just plain "sick" as was OC's.
Hodgmans goal was a great example as to why he he came from the AHL to play for us during this time. He really is a great player, and he's young so he only has more room to grow. He took both, or even all three of his defenders all the way to the box and still found a way to put the puck between them all, top shelf back-hand... "sick"? yessir!
I agree about the stupid penalties being taken. They've got to think before they act. Too many 5 on 3's happening and PH is eventually going to capitalize on those opportunities. Did anybody else notice that they sure like to go after our little guys? Chewy was taking a beating out there last night, as was Chaulker; I thought they were going to take his head off in the first period! I get really frustrated with our big guys who seem to shy away from taking the body. The only one consistently hitting last night was Schrocky. They need to hit somebody! Other than that, it was a great game. My advice for next game is get to Larry early.That always seems to knock him off his game and he can't ever recover. Take it to 'em boys! Go K's!!!
Schrock, Leo, and OC were all hitting. Bert stepped it up for the playoffs.
Mac in the crease on the PP needs to happen more. Hansen just chopped all 6'5" of Syro down like a tree in the crease. Syro would be unstoppable if he'd use his size and put the hammer on a couple guys now and then. He reminds me too much of JC Ruid...
Al least Woods took people to the box with him.
I'm not Hodgman's biggest fan, but that goal was a thing of beauty.
Stanley remembered me. I've never seen a coach that is so easy to work from the crowd.
Blake, is it true that the rest of the K's weren't happy that Haun got the start for Game 1 (as that other blog says)?
IMO, thats a BS rumor....
I don't care who starts Game 1. And neither should the team or the goaltenders. If we're in a Game 7, I know who I want between the pipes.. but it's a little premature to worry about that.
Haun did a great job, Bouch will be solid when he starts no doubt. What a great "problem" to have.
Jungle Monkey, I knew I could count on you to get into Stan's head! Great job! Man, what a game to miss. I could not believe the sheet....I thought I was just really tired when I looked at it!
The other paper's twitter is also claiming there was a "colorful conversation" between a Franke & Boucher over the starting thing http://twitter.com/JGKomets. I've wondered about team chemistry for awhile this season. Hope you're right JR & that it's BS. I was just bringing over what the other beat writer was saying. I trust Blake & wanted his slant on things.
Oh yeah, DHough thats just my one line opinion.. By all means try and get some to weigh in... Boucher is a firey competitor and after his success the past two offseasons I could see him assuming he would get the playoff nod regardless of home or away; but Al has had a formula that has worked all year in regards to the goalies and he will stick with it until one of the stumbles, IMO. My guess is that anyone asking the K's would get the ultrconservative playoff version of the company line... Be interesting if this is dicussed....
I personally haven't heard any of that, but it doesn't surprise me, simply for this reason: They are all highly competitive people and they all want to win and play. To me, I'd have done exactly what Al Sims did in the first two games. Tim Haun is 20-3-1 at home this year so he plays Game 1. Nick Boucher is great on the road so he plays Game 2. I really don't think there's any locker room division over this. They've all been through it before in the season and in the playoffs.
I think this whole conversation is a look into next season if the IHL is alive and healthy. Haun looks to be the organizations future.
I'm sure the colorful conversation didn't take place.. Just like the one with Savage was swept under the rug.
How was it swept under the rug? Believe it or not JM, some stuff is none of your or my business. I know that's hard for you to believe, but by gosh, it's also true.
In other words, some stuff should stay in the locker room, the GM's office and behind closed doors.
So why on Earth is Crazy Cohny reporting it and talking so much about it? Nothing against Cohn personally, but why is he choosing to stir the pot on this one, after he buddied up with Larry Sterling and interviewed him on bashing Tim Haun and such.....now it seems that Cohn is setting the stage for more bashing of Haun in favor of Boucher???
What am I missing here?
Depending on how you look at things, in this era of information overload, things seldomly stay begind closed doors, in locker rooms, or in the press box... Too many ways to get information out there these days. Owners like the Frankes have to realize this and be able to deal with it or use it to thier advantage... Whether its our business or not, the info gets out there for us to deciminate, speculate, and form our opinions on....
There's where you happen to have it wrong about this situation. I'm not talking about the discussion out of respect for Brendan. If he chooses to talk about it, it's his business. If he doesn't, I'm certainly not going to. It's his story to tell, and his alone, if he chooses.
I've been in that situation before with players, coaches and owners over 20 years, and so has Justin, and neither of us reported about it out of respect for each other and the belief that we should not be the story. Everyone in the journalism business has been there, done that. It never gets easier with repeat performances, either.
No, they seldom do remain behind closed doors, but they deserve the chance to. Some things in life should remain private between individuals. I've known intimate details about players' lives over the years, and you have to make the decision every day whether to disclose them or not. And you know what? I sleep fine at night.
Before the internet age, journalists used to be looked up on as gatekeepers of information. I'm old-fashioned that way. And yes, I fully understand I just wrote that on a blog. Ironic, huh?
Good night.
I wasnt disagreeing with you Blake, just stating that in this age the information gets out there whether it should have stayed behind the scenes or not... Its something that players, front office staff, owners, and fans have to learn to deal with. Heck, nowadays with personal blogs, twitter, facebook, etc... these people are doing it to themselves on alot of occasions...
What Blake said!!
Ok just want to add something here. Over the years of us doing the tv broadcasting Randy and I have come to hear many things that happen off the ice and we NEVER bring them up because we understand that it is private and in no way effects what our job is!! As is sometimes the case fans want to know everything and some of this stuff has no bearing on what happens on the ice.....so we keep our mouths shut....capice????
I could honestly care less what these guys do in thier private lives and dont believe I have ever asked for that info. Believe it or not you guys arent the only ones who hear things that have happened in some of these guuys private lives and have never posted them for all to see... I can remember about 5-6 very damaging details about players off the top of my head; but will never post them nhere or anywhere. A TMZ fan, I am not.
Things that pertain to the game of hockey, its business, etc... are fair game as long as the information I gather continues to become available and my sources continue to remain reliable.
Jr I know we arent the only ones who hear things.....just trying to impress the point that it is Not our job to spill the beans or report on things that are said to us in a non official capacity. If we were to say on the air about something said to us in confidence or private if you will, it would be a breach of trust in my mind. Having read your post i see you feel the same?
I do agree... If things are said in confidence thats where they should stay in every facet of life.
Ok, Is it your or Randy's job to refer to bloggers in this town as idiots? Alot of the bloggers have been spot on with the information they have provided for fellow fans here in Ft Wayne on this blog only to be called idiots, fair weather fans, etc... Maybe the presentaton hasnt always been the best way; but most of the info has been solid. There has been alot of info I havent passed along because it would really tarnish certain images and really ruffle the feathers of a certain segment of K's fans. I just dont think that giving solid info or having a differing opinion when it comes to some players warrants the name calling that it has received.
"Ruffle the feathers"? "Tarnish the images"? Are you talking about Icy D Eagle? Please do dish the gossip about him! LOL....just kidding, JR....
:)
I think the tomato must of done it actually, where the heck has Tony been?
Wasn't he moving to Florida like 2 or 3 years ago?
Its my job, ya'll are idiots. That should get the posts flying, playoff blog hit bonuses are twice that of the regular season.
I'm an idiot for reading blogs, anyone, anywhere can post anything and not have to back it up with proof. Some hockey blogs are downright stupid and I just quit reading them all together, superfan does a good job at eliminating a lot of the crap.
Since I don't have to prove or backup my statement that ya'll are idiots how do we know who is and who isn't? Who is this ya'll person, that's just what I heard in the restroom at hooters, some guy had a chiefs hockey jersey on who said it, I asked him who OWN the chiefs, all he replied with was owns, owns......
That is post of the year right there in my opinion.....great job Burgee...you the man. How can anyone argue with any of that stuff.