It's going to be interesting to see what the line up is for game 1 tomorrow night. I figure there are a few major questions:
1) Does Graham play both D Ouellet and Dale therefore benching Schrock or does Schrock play in favor of one of those two? I thought Dale looked good last weekend and played more physical than Schrock. Personally, I would go with Ouellet, Dale, and maybe even Nutkevich before Schrock. Nutkevich can give you the same defensive responsibilities, he's more versitile, a better passer, and can win faceoffs.
2) Does Graham play Sefton or Maione on defense? I hope he goes with Sefton because we need a bigger more physical player on the blue line. Plus I would believe that the defensive pairings will be Southorn/Pepin, Hartman/Lacasse, and Coyle/?. Maione likes to jump into the play and Coyle is very offensive as well so that could be a bad pairing. I would go with Sefton to help offset that last pairing. He seems to be a little more defensive minded than Maione.
I would go with:
Meisner
Southorn/Pepin, Hartman/Lacasse, Coyle/Sefton
Fleming/Marino/Auger, Clarke/Sydlowski/Embach, D Ouellet/Carter/C Ouellet, and Dale as the 10th forward
Alan
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 11:31am
JC, I agree with you. It is going to be interesting.
As far as the defense is concerned, I am wondering if Coyle has been cleared to play. They only have seven defensemen on the roster so it may make the point mute.
The offense is a whole other story, though.
If Dean Ouellet is cleared to play (and thats the news), then your third line could be awesome.
My take: Marino, Auger, and Fleming.
Embach, Clarke, Szydlowski.
C. Ouellet, Carter, D. Ouellet.
Dale.
Sitting Nutkevitch, Schrock, Miller.
In a season where the Komets have struggled to find consistency, I can't imagine why you would not start anyone who can score. That opening line up is going to reveal a lot about Gary Graham and the Komet philosophy.
I would submit that the third line could even carry the team, as I feel for one of the few times all year, the Komets have three talented lines for the opposition to worry about. (To be honest with you, I could have just as easily switched Dale and C. Ouellet). The hesitation to try to come up with the line up, and having to think it through a little, is a nice problem to have.
Of course this all can get jumbled up if someone listed is hurt and can't play.
Muel
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 2:20pm
I like both of your lineups, but, I just cannot see our Fort Wayne coach leaving our Fort Wayne Captain setting in the playoffs. At least not in the first game or so, but, I guess we will see how much guts Gary has and how much he really cares about putting our "best foot" forward on the ice. I have a $5 bill that says Schrock plays.
orange_koolaid
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 3:45pm
If Schrock is the Captain this team needs, a leader can lead at anytime, anywhere, any way. He doesn't have to play to be effective. As of now, if I were him, id sit myself and leas from the bench. Believe me that's not easy, I love playing. All the game tape Gary stockpiles could be analyzed by him during the game. Here's to the best foot forward, Go Komets!
Hoss
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 5:25pm
Meul, I would agree with you if we were opening at home, but on the road it really doesn't matter if the 10-20 fans that come for the hometown boy are upset or not.
I love Schrock as a person for all that he does off the ice. I am sure he is a joy to have in the locker room and the guys love him, but we need goals to win! I have more faith in Meisner winning 6-4 rather than 2-0.
Hoss
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 5:27pm
Sorry Muel....not Meul!
Hoss
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 5:28pm
Nevermind.............
Alan
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 6:32pm
Hoss is a great guy. He is a great komet fan.
He just had a hiccup is all!
Whosuz
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 8:19pm
Alan & JC..agree.....& while I am a Schrock fan..agree he should sit till he comes home..if no Coyle then Maione/Section.
Definitely Meisner!
chuckitt
Wed, 04/16/2014 - 9:32pm
i agree with alan with his forward choices but i would find a way to bench hartman and lacasse and would go with maionne and the new kid.
Comments
It's going to be interesting to see what the line up is for game 1 tomorrow night. I figure there are a few major questions:
1) Does Graham play both D Ouellet and Dale therefore benching Schrock or does Schrock play in favor of one of those two? I thought Dale looked good last weekend and played more physical than Schrock. Personally, I would go with Ouellet, Dale, and maybe even Nutkevich before Schrock. Nutkevich can give you the same defensive responsibilities, he's more versitile, a better passer, and can win faceoffs.
2) Does Graham play Sefton or Maione on defense? I hope he goes with Sefton because we need a bigger more physical player on the blue line. Plus I would believe that the defensive pairings will be Southorn/Pepin, Hartman/Lacasse, and Coyle/?. Maione likes to jump into the play and Coyle is very offensive as well so that could be a bad pairing. I would go with Sefton to help offset that last pairing. He seems to be a little more defensive minded than Maione.
I would go with:
Meisner
Southorn/Pepin, Hartman/Lacasse, Coyle/Sefton
Fleming/Marino/Auger, Clarke/Sydlowski/Embach, D Ouellet/Carter/C Ouellet, and Dale as the 10th forward
JC, I agree with you. It is going to be interesting.
As far as the defense is concerned, I am wondering if Coyle has been cleared to play. They only have seven defensemen on the roster so it may make the point mute.
The offense is a whole other story, though.
If Dean Ouellet is cleared to play (and thats the news), then your third line could be awesome.
My take: Marino, Auger, and Fleming.
Embach, Clarke, Szydlowski.
C. Ouellet, Carter, D. Ouellet.
Dale.
Sitting Nutkevitch, Schrock, Miller.
In a season where the Komets have struggled to find consistency, I can't imagine why you would not start anyone who can score. That opening line up is going to reveal a lot about Gary Graham and the Komet philosophy.
I would submit that the third line could even carry the team, as I feel for one of the few times all year, the Komets have three talented lines for the opposition to worry about. (To be honest with you, I could have just as easily switched Dale and C. Ouellet). The hesitation to try to come up with the line up, and having to think it through a little, is a nice problem to have.
Of course this all can get jumbled up if someone listed is hurt and can't play.
I like both of your lineups, but, I just cannot see our Fort Wayne coach leaving our Fort Wayne Captain setting in the playoffs. At least not in the first game or so, but, I guess we will see how much guts Gary has and how much he really cares about putting our "best foot" forward on the ice. I have a $5 bill that says Schrock plays.
If Schrock is the Captain this team needs, a leader can lead at anytime, anywhere, any way. He doesn't have to play to be effective. As of now, if I were him, id sit myself and leas from the bench. Believe me that's not easy, I love playing. All the game tape Gary stockpiles could be analyzed by him during the game. Here's to the best foot forward, Go Komets!
Meul, I would agree with you if we were opening at home, but on the road it really doesn't matter if the 10-20 fans that come for the hometown boy are upset or not.
I love Schrock as a person for all that he does off the ice. I am sure he is a joy to have in the locker room and the guys love him, but we need goals to win! I have more faith in Meisner winning 6-4 rather than 2-0.
Sorry Muel....not Meul!
Nevermind.............
Hoss is a great guy. He is a great komet fan.
He just had a hiccup is all!
Alan & JC..agree.....& while I am a Schrock fan..agree he should sit till he comes home..if no Coyle then Maione/Section.
Definitely Meisner!
i agree with alan with his forward choices but i would find a way to bench hartman and lacasse and would go with maionne and the new kid.