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Tailing the Komets

Here's the lines

Chaulk, Lardner and Podshendyalov

Thomas, Der

Posted in: Komets

Comments

Mike in Toronto
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:28pm

Ok. I will try to keep my elbows down.

RunningKomet
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 9:54am

Apparently it was me, Mike. Eh, add it to my folder of deleted posts. I thought it was mild, but well, good win for the Ks in any event.

Alan
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 10:06am

On 80% of the power plays the Komets actually had a guy in front of the net tonight. Thomas and Shrock went right to the slot on their power plays. Great to see that happen. The other times the K's went back to their old style. Just mentioning it because I had been pretty "vocal" lately about the power play in general.

I don't want to pick on Warner, I really don't, but his errant pass at center ice resulted in a quick B-S goal. There wasn't anyone around him and I just can't figure why he just didn't bring the puck up the ice himself. He wasn't being pressured and it turned the game around. You just can't have defensemen who make such bad decisions with the puck and expect to win. I hold my breath when he has the puck as he is getting quite a "history" of this sort of thing.

If DeAngelis was healthy I don't think Warner or Mironovic would see much playing time. If the K's would pick up a good amateur defenseman I think Warner would sit.

The transition game for this squad is very weak. Only Ratchuk and DeAngelis have the skills necessary to bring the puck up out of their own zone. Molle will make mostly good outlet passes, too. This part of the Komets game is very weak and has been since the start of the season. It needs to be addressed before next season and may be a big answer to why this team struggles at times.

I hope this hasn't caused a "lemony snicket". ( I love that phrase)!

Mike in Toronto
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 10:50am

Hopefully the weekend won't be "unfortunate" Alan. LOL.

Mr Snufflupugus
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 10:51am

I'll trade elbows with Mike anytime. As long as he doesn't go Chara on me ;)

Mr Snufflupugus
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 10:58am

On the subject of the stat Mike the numbers have been pretty ugly for the last 10 games or so. Age being what it is I hope it isn't a sign that my concern about the longer season/extended travel being a problem for our vets is coming to pass.
In the case of Colin, his season/travel this year has been well beyond the norm. I don't care if you are 20, 30 or 40 playing 60+ games on 2 continents over the course of a short period of time can cause you to hit a wall. This is not being critical of the player. This is an observation of the situation.

Hoss
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 11:08am

Of course, how many mins was Chaulk playing in half of the games he played this season? Plus having the two week+ break in the middle of the season might also cut down on wear and tear...but why let facts get in the way of a good argument?

Mike in Toronto
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 11:23am

No argument here guys. I understand where you are coming from. I had made the point in a previous post about combinations of players on the ice. I maintain this is part of the team's problem. Certain combos lead to trouble.

As far as Colin is concerned, when you see him dogging it, let me know. He is in great shape. Having said that even back to backs in the NHL are tough on the youngest of guys.

And Snuff, I would need a ladder to put the "Chara" on you. I meant "blog elbow" not hockey elbows partner.

Much more fun when they win, eh?

Mr Snufflupugus
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 11:33am

Mike...I can't say this about many players but I have never seen Chaulk dog a shift in any game I have seen. I doubt he would know how to play any way but 100%.
However as we all know, sometimes the mind goes 100% and the body goes at a pace somewhat slower. The last 8-10 games or so the vets on this team have shown signs of slowing down. the +/- stats, lack of consistent scoring, defensive lapses, sometime shaky goaltending are the facts (for you Hoss lol) I am using to back this thinking up.
These were concerns I brought up before the season started when guys like PC and Guy were brought back (notice this predates Chaulk returning)
Could this be the team coasting a bit because they made a hard charge out of the basement and into the playoffs? Possibly. Let's just hope all of them young and older can flip the on switch come playoff time and keep it there for four rounds that will include more travel than most of these guys are used to.

Mr Snufflupugus
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 11:44am

It's hard to be one of the lone voices who dares to question certain aspects about one of the most loved players in Komets history. Fortunately I have solid body armor and a deflector shield that would make Captain Kirk proud.
I should make my life easy and join the Brandon Warner Bash Wagon who is the opposite of Chaulk. One can do no wrong and shoulders no blame while the other does no right and is blamed for all. It isn't that black and white in either players case but for the defenders or in some cases critics of both if you dare step on the opposite side of the fence....

Mike in Toronto
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:08pm

Well said, Snuff. I don't think you have ever heard me say Colin is perfect. If he was he would be in a penthouse in New York.
I agree with your statement, the brain not being up to the 100% your body gives.
As a rebuttal, most of the older guys have little tricks that have got them through the rough patches. Cheat a little here and there. Know when to take a chance, know when to shorten a shift.
There is no doubt that the last 10 games have been tough. But that has been right through the team I believe. The younger guys have struggled too.
Some of the yoyo syndrome (not all of it) you have seen is because the vets have been through it before. And they can work out of it.
Younger guys get frustrated and have a difficult time tuning out the negative. They become vets by understanding how to right the ship.
This may not be the best team Fort Wayne has iced in 4 or 5 years. Let's see what unfolds. There could be surprises both ways as we have seen already this year.

Mr Snufflupugus
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 1:08pm

I agree on all counts.
It would not surprise me if they got swept out of the playoffs. It also would not surprise me if they didn't get hot and go on another deep run. I'd like to hear from the masses who they want in net this year once the post season begins.
Both have identical save percentages this year. Both have given up their share of soft goals.

If my math is correct (and I am bad at math!) if you translate total minutes divided by 60 minutes you have Boucher playing the equivalant of about 33 games. So taking the 939 shots he has faced he is averaging about 28.5 shots a game. Same numbers for Reiter come to 26 games and 25 shots a game. Don't know if that 3 shot difference means anything or not. Could the Komets play tighter in front of Reiter? I don't have an opinion on this, just throwing the info out there.

Hoss
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 2:35pm

Who plays? Just like years past, the hotter hand. If one guys goes on a run here, you keep riding him.

I do not think Chaulk is a god or that Warner has no place on this team. I think there is way too much grouping bloggers together on here. I do have players on the team that I am a bigger fan of than others, but can admit when a guy has a good game, like PC last night, or a bad one, Warner. Just like some players have an off night, and other players get hot. When someone keeps going to the well with the same point as "Bring in the AHL" or "God we are old and can't win anything" or even "Fire _____ and we would win it all" just gets old. The blog should be for discussing the games and what we see/think, not just our feeling on one or two aspects of the game/team.

Mr. Snufflupugus
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 3:20pm

Hoss a blog is different things to different people. I may (not to group so I am saying may) be different than most fans of this team in that I never get emotionally attached to a player. To me they are ever changing pieces of a puzzle. They are not my friends, I don't wait for them after the games or attend their appearances. I am a fan of the jersey and of the process that building a winning team takes. So when I discuss a player it is without any personal like or dislike of them as people and I don't get caught up in the emotional reactions to the comings and goings because I realize that while I may enjoy watching a certain player, when that player leaves I will enjoy watching a future player as well.
You are correct about the grouping of bloggers being a bit over the top. The whole positive vs negative thing is way overblown. Nobody will remain positive when the team stinks for an extended period of time and nobody (well except for NAIHLFan wherever he is) will remain negative when the team wins for an extended period of time. This season has been the strangest I can ever remember since I have followed this team. One game to the next who knows what to expect? Kind of exciting in a way but maddening at the same time.

Mr. Snufflupugus
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 3:22pm

Forgot your initial point...the goalies... . Right now, today who starts game one? Neither have had any kind of real extended success this year. First round is a short series. Game one means an awful lot more than it used to.

JR1
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 3:25pm

The blog should be for whatever your opinion is game to game... Unfortunately the same players we are always talking about are either still playing well or making the same mistakes 3/4+ of the way into the season...

JR1
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 3:29pm

I think they probably start with Boucher in the playoffs. This is still basically the same group of vets from last season that we heard wanted Boucher in net come playoffs instead of Haun who had a much better regular season, IMO... The confidence (in the playoffs) is obviously on Boucher's side with the current vets and its hard to blame them. Boucher is one of those players who always seems to find that different level come the post season...

Hoss
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 3:47pm

I agree JR1, Boucher would be a must start, unless he drops off the table in the last few games of the season, just based on his playoffs in the past.

Mr. Snufflupugus
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 5:40pm

That is where I would lean as well. I just have nightmares of Reiter wandering out of the net in a rink he is not familiar with and getting caught by one of those unlucky bounces which ends up in a wide open net at the worst of times.

JR1
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 6:33pm

I agree Snuff; but the same can be said of Boucher losing his temper after a couple defensive breakdowns that lead to goals... Both of our goalies have thier perceived weaknesses...

Hoss
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 6:40pm

I'm guessing anyone playing AA hockey has a weakness...

Tim Hoke
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 6:51pm

Right on Hoss.

Hit Somebody!!!
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 7:06pm

Pfffft......

Alan
Fri, 03/18/2011 - 10:09am

I think it's way too early to try to determine a starting goaltender for game 1 of the playoffs. Sure, I know Boucher would be the most popular choice based on the past, but I say let's get through the year, see who the Komets are going to face, and then make a decision based on success (or failure) against that team.

Whoever the first round opponent is, I'm more worried about the team's defensemen, not the goaltending. With DeAngelis out, we are weaker in two areas of defense, 1) DeAngelis is not playing, and 2) that means Warner or Mironovic will be.

Sorry if that offends anyone but I sincerely think it is true.

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