Regardless of regular season wins vs losses against kalamazoo, logic tells me that Roman Will should start in goal for the K's. Of the two, he's the "hottest", is playing his angles very well, and limiting his rebounds (better recently than during the rest of the season). His "confidence" has to be pretty high as of now. Pat Nagle is a great goaltender. We're lucky to have him. If the Komets would win the first two games, I'd be very tempted for him to start game 3 at Kazoo after such a horrific game last time. I think he'd be "pumped".
It has been mentioned that the "checking" line will determine the series, that if they finished with an even plus/minus, the series would be determined. Well that doesn't take a lot of brainpower. You neutralize the other team's top line, you've got a great chance to win. Thing is the other team is trying to do the exact same thing (to you)...
..and that's where the big difference lies with this series. Kalamazoo is pretty set with their lines. I'm not as confident about the Komets' situation. After the Szyd-Faille-Embach line the other two lines are a work in progress. Who is our second line? Probably includes Crowder-Pistilli-Muers or Perlini. Point being is that it hasn't played together to jell. Whatever combination of the second or third line you come up with will have some of the same problem.
To me, that's unsettling. Crowder and Pistilli are full of talent and experience. How quick they blend in terms of chemistry amongst themselves (maybe) or others will determine a lot of questions.
Playoff hockey. Time to backcheck, forecheck, and attack the net.
The Komets have more speed. Kalamazoo has the confidence.
teresa215
Thu, 04/16/2015 - 11:38am
Thanks for the great articles, Blake. I especially enjoyed the article about one of my all-time favorite players, Colin Chaulk. I'm glad it could finally be said. Chaulker will make an excellent coach and I can't wait to see his #91 hanging from the rafters at the Memorial Coliseum.
It's going to be a great series between Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo - longtime rivals, both on and off the ice. I hope a lot of Komets fans will make the trip to Kzoo to cheer on our boys. I have to admit that I'm a little nervous, considering we haven't played the greatest against them lately, but hopefully the boys can leave that all in the past and start the season all over again with a renewed energy and desire to win.
I hope to see a large crowd on Friday night. Go K's!!!
whole_n_one
Thu, 04/16/2015 - 1:27pm
A few thoughts on the upcoming series:
We have to be physical. Kzoo isn't an overly big or physical team themselves but they seem to always play us that way. Our D-men have to hit their forwards and keep the front of the net clear. If they come into our building and push us around.....series over.
We have to get traffic in front of Martin and make him uncomfortable. I think this one is a no brainer. The back half of the season we didn't do that and we all saw what happened. If we don't crash the net........series over.
We need to come out fast. We have had a tendancy to have "uninspired" starts to our games. You can be certain that Kzoo will be fired up from the opening draw. Our coaches and team leaders have to make sure that we match their intensity.
I believe that we have the upper hand in speed and talent. I believe that our goaltending is just as good and we have more depth in net. We just can't let them come into our building and dictate the game.
Go K's!
KevinH
Wed, 04/22/2015 - 6:38am
Very candid thoughts from Chaulk ... the big picture is much clearer
Comments
Regardless of regular season wins vs losses against kalamazoo, logic tells me that Roman Will should start in goal for the K's. Of the two, he's the "hottest", is playing his angles very well, and limiting his rebounds (better recently than during the rest of the season). His "confidence" has to be pretty high as of now. Pat Nagle is a great goaltender. We're lucky to have him. If the Komets would win the first two games, I'd be very tempted for him to start game 3 at Kazoo after such a horrific game last time. I think he'd be "pumped".
It has been mentioned that the "checking" line will determine the series, that if they finished with an even plus/minus, the series would be determined. Well that doesn't take a lot of brainpower. You neutralize the other team's top line, you've got a great chance to win. Thing is the other team is trying to do the exact same thing (to you)...
..and that's where the big difference lies with this series. Kalamazoo is pretty set with their lines. I'm not as confident about the Komets' situation. After the Szyd-Faille-Embach line the other two lines are a work in progress. Who is our second line? Probably includes Crowder-Pistilli-Muers or Perlini. Point being is that it hasn't played together to jell. Whatever combination of the second or third line you come up with will have some of the same problem.
To me, that's unsettling. Crowder and Pistilli are full of talent and experience. How quick they blend in terms of chemistry amongst themselves (maybe) or others will determine a lot of questions.
Playoff hockey. Time to backcheck, forecheck, and attack the net.
The Komets have more speed. Kalamazoo has the confidence.
Thanks for the great articles, Blake. I especially enjoyed the article about one of my all-time favorite players, Colin Chaulk. I'm glad it could finally be said. Chaulker will make an excellent coach and I can't wait to see his #91 hanging from the rafters at the Memorial Coliseum.
It's going to be a great series between Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo - longtime rivals, both on and off the ice. I hope a lot of Komets fans will make the trip to Kzoo to cheer on our boys. I have to admit that I'm a little nervous, considering we haven't played the greatest against them lately, but hopefully the boys can leave that all in the past and start the season all over again with a renewed energy and desire to win.
I hope to see a large crowd on Friday night. Go K's!!!
A few thoughts on the upcoming series:
We have to be physical. Kzoo isn't an overly big or physical team themselves but they seem to always play us that way. Our D-men have to hit their forwards and keep the front of the net clear. If they come into our building and push us around.....series over.
We have to get traffic in front of Martin and make him uncomfortable. I think this one is a no brainer. The back half of the season we didn't do that and we all saw what happened. If we don't crash the net........series over.
We need to come out fast. We have had a tendancy to have "uninspired" starts to our games. You can be certain that Kzoo will be fired up from the opening draw. Our coaches and team leaders have to make sure that we match their intensity.
I believe that we have the upper hand in speed and talent. I believe that our goaltending is just as good and we have more depth in net. We just can't let them come into our building and dictate the game.
Go K's!
Very candid thoughts from Chaulk ... the big picture is much clearer