Last night the Bears put in 60 minutes of excellent, energetic hockey, and although they were playing against a less-than-stellar opponent (Hamilton), they pulled off a solid win. Particularly impressive was Chris Bourque's play, with 4 goals to his credit. With both Lepisto and Boumedienne back, the all-around play was crisper and the defense sharper. The Bears desperately need to play this way for the remaining games in the season, both to ensure the best possible placement in the playoffs and to get ready to perform well in the postseason. My one remaining concern is their play on the road - we shall see how they do on Friday.
The Capitals also put in a super performance last night that I wish I'd seen... Cristobal Huet delivered his second shutout since being traded. It truly seems as though the trade has fired him up and given him something to prove, and it's working out to the Caps' benefit. Olaf Kolzig also seems to have stepped up his play. We have tickets to the next two Caps games - Tuesday in particular is hugely critical, as it gives the Caps a chance to tie the Hurricanes for the divisional lead. Boston's next three games are all on the road, which hopefully will work in the Caps' favor. However, Boston is 4-2 this season against a slumping Buffalo - we can only hope that Buffalo takes up the spoiler gauntlet. Pittsburgh hopefully will defeat Philly twice - all this will be meaningless, however, if the Caps falter down the home stretch.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Flat Devils, and Bears Updates
Hubs and I traveled to Newark last night to see the Devils/Penguins. First, before I say anything else, the new Prudential Center is a beautiful facility and the Devils have every reason to be proud of their new home. That being said, however, they played with so little verve last night that it almost seemed at times as though they were sleepwalking.
You would think that a game like this, with important playoff implications and standing in the division at stake, would fire up a team. Not so the Devils - flat, flat, flat. The Penguins weren't actually much better as they had some sloppy play of their own, but at least they came out with some gumption. I was disappointed that Crosby chose not to play (since that was 95% of the reason I wanted to go to the game), but his decision makes perfect sense for him and for the Pens.
The one player on the ice with whom I was impressed was Marc-Andre Fleury, who made some super saves to preserve the shutout. I've been a stout Ty Conklin admirer since the Winter Classic, and I remain so, but Fleury's play makes a really strong case for his claim to the #1 goalie spot.
Now, for some notes closer to home:
* Kudos to the Caps for giving Jay Beagle a contract. His play this year has warranted the attention, and we have the feeling he won't be around Hershey long. Our loss, but Washington's gain, for sure.
* Sami Lepisto's return to the Bears is good news for us going into this last set of games prior to the playoffs. Now if we can just get Boumedienne healthy again, the dynamic defensive duo can help get us into the postseason.
* The losses of Barney and Clymer for the rest of the season are disappointing, to say the least. I can only hope that Giroux, Gordon, Bourque, and others step up offensively.
You would think that a game like this, with important playoff implications and standing in the division at stake, would fire up a team. Not so the Devils - flat, flat, flat. The Penguins weren't actually much better as they had some sloppy play of their own, but at least they came out with some gumption. I was disappointed that Crosby chose not to play (since that was 95% of the reason I wanted to go to the game), but his decision makes perfect sense for him and for the Pens.
The one player on the ice with whom I was impressed was Marc-Andre Fleury, who made some super saves to preserve the shutout. I've been a stout Ty Conklin admirer since the Winter Classic, and I remain so, but Fleury's play makes a really strong case for his claim to the #1 goalie spot.
Now, for some notes closer to home:
* Kudos to the Caps for giving Jay Beagle a contract. His play this year has warranted the attention, and we have the feeling he won't be around Hershey long. Our loss, but Washington's gain, for sure.
* Sami Lepisto's return to the Bears is good news for us going into this last set of games prior to the playoffs. Now if we can just get Boumedienne healthy again, the dynamic defensive duo can help get us into the postseason.
* The losses of Barney and Clymer for the rest of the season are disappointing, to say the least. I can only hope that Giroux, Gordon, Bourque, and others step up offensively.
Monday, March 24, 2008
How to Almost Lose a 7-1 Game
Montréal has done a superb job of trying to lose a game in which they were leading 7-1 at the beginning of the third period... after a fabulous 40 minutes of hockey in which some of the unusual suspects scored (e.g., Bouillon with his second, Kostopoulos with his sixth), the Habs came out in the third period absolutely flat both offensively and defensively. Whatever we can say positively about the offensive output, however happy we are that the Habs have clinched a playoff berth, the Habs need to take a close look at how they completely fell apart 20 minutes from the end, so we don't repeat this experience.
Bears Show Some Winning Spirit
On Sunday the Bears held off a 3rd-period comeback attempt by the Lowell Devils and earned another much-needed 2 points. In the course of earning a hat trick, Alexandre Giroux delivered an absolutely sick (in the most positive sense of the word) goal, working around several Lowell players to tip the puck into the net at 4:58 in the third period; I hope someone posts the video to YouTube, it was truly a thing of beauty. Chris Bourque had a beautiful goal 55 seconds before that, as well.
What struck me about this game was that, while Hershey weakened somewhat in the third, allowing Lowell to score two relatively easy goals, they kept working at it and preserved the win. This isn't a quality that I've seen consistently throughout the season, but it's certainly showing up at a good time. I continue to think that the presence of Andrew Gordon is making a difference; we'll see how he impacts the two road games this week (Norfolk and Bridgeport). I also hope Boumedienne returns soon; his is a strong defensive presence that we desperately need if we have any hope of getting to the playoffs and making a strong run.
What struck me about this game was that, while Hershey weakened somewhat in the third, allowing Lowell to score two relatively easy goals, they kept working at it and preserved the win. This isn't a quality that I've seen consistently throughout the season, but it's certainly showing up at a good time. I continue to think that the presence of Andrew Gordon is making a difference; we'll see how he impacts the two road games this week (Norfolk and Bridgeport). I also hope Boumedienne returns soon; his is a strong defensive presence that we desperately need if we have any hope of getting to the playoffs and making a strong run.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Finally, a win!
It was pure pleasure to see the Bears actually win a game last night, defeating the Philadelphia Phantoms in a solid effort. In particular, it was delightful to see the Bears put together three periods of consistent, well-played hockey in one game, and it showed in the result. The passing was better, the effort was better, everything was much improved over a week ago.
Even though I wasn't that impressed with the Reading Royals when we saw them in early March, I have to say that I thought Shawn Collymore played quite well, including his assist on a goal for his first point with Hershey. I hope Hershey continues to take a close look at him. The return of Andrew Gordon also provided some much-needed offensive punch.
After last night, Hershey finds itself tied for fourth in the division but with two games in hand on Binghamton. We need to maintain last night's intensity for the remainder of the season if we hope to have a decent shot at the playoffs.
Even though I wasn't that impressed with the Reading Royals when we saw them in early March, I have to say that I thought Shawn Collymore played quite well, including his assist on a goal for his first point with Hershey. I hope Hershey continues to take a close look at him. The return of Andrew Gordon also provided some much-needed offensive punch.
After last night, Hershey finds itself tied for fourth in the division but with two games in hand on Binghamton. We need to maintain last night's intensity for the remainder of the season if we hope to have a decent shot at the playoffs.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Some Bears thoughts
After 3 weeks of eagerly anticipating the Hershey Bears' return home, it was a deep disappointment indeed to see the Bears go down twice to the Manitoba Moose over the weekend. With the Bears' road victory over the Phantoms on Friday night, I had expected that the Bears would come out swinging Saturday - and they did, but not in any kind of productive way. Clearly there were some leftover frustrations from the Bears' visit to Winnipeg, as the number of spats and fighting penalties was fairly high.
The team's play did improve markedly from Saturday night (lost 5-0) to Sunday (lost 3-1), perhaps in part due to the presence of Dean Arsene yesterday. However, the loss of Josef Boumedienne to injury and Sami Lepisto to the Caps is really palpable, as the team seems to lack spark and leadership at the D position right now.
Some other observations:
* Robitaille's fight with Manitoba's Brown at the beginning of Sunday's game was a great strategic move. I'm normally not a fight person, but taking out a player who scored 2 goals for the Moose on Saturday could only help the Bears.
* The passing was abysmal on Saturday, perhaps due to the fact that so many players are out due to injury and have been replaced by call-ups and trades. This was somewhat improved yesterday but still needs work.
* Overall the Bears seem to lack assertiveness when it comes to going after the puck. There were too many times in both games when a player seemed to watch the puck going by and only belatedly move to secure it.
With only 13 games left in the regular season, every game is critical now. Let's Go Bears!
The team's play did improve markedly from Saturday night (lost 5-0) to Sunday (lost 3-1), perhaps in part due to the presence of Dean Arsene yesterday. However, the loss of Josef Boumedienne to injury and Sami Lepisto to the Caps is really palpable, as the team seems to lack spark and leadership at the D position right now.
Some other observations:
* Robitaille's fight with Manitoba's Brown at the beginning of Sunday's game was a great strategic move. I'm normally not a fight person, but taking out a player who scored 2 goals for the Moose on Saturday could only help the Bears.
* The passing was abysmal on Saturday, perhaps due to the fact that so many players are out due to injury and have been replaced by call-ups and trades. This was somewhat improved yesterday but still needs work.
* Overall the Bears seem to lack assertiveness when it comes to going after the puck. There were too many times in both games when a player seemed to watch the puck going by and only belatedly move to secure it.
With only 13 games left in the regular season, every game is critical now. Let's Go Bears!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
We learned something over the weekend... there's hockey, and then there's ECHL hockey. Since our Hershey Bears are on a nine-game road trip, we decided to traipse over to Reading to check out the Reading Royals, the Los Angeles Kings' ECHL affiliate, for two games.
Saturday night's game took place against the Johnstown Chiefs (made famous in Slapshot). This is clearly a heated rivalry, which is usually a good thing - except in this case, the players were so busy hitting and checking that they forgot that the point of hockey is to play the puck. Sunday's game against the Dayton Bombers actually strongly resembled hockey and was much easier to watch. It was an adventure, but we decided that we vastly prefer AHL and NHL hockey.
Speaking of the Hershey Bears (and let it be stated for the record that my original suggestion for the weekend was a quick trip up to Toronto to see them play the Marlies), what the heck has happened? A great start to their road trip last week with a defeat of the Moose, then three consecutive losses (Moose, Bulldogs, Marlies). If the Bears truly want to make the playoffs, they desperately need a push through the remaining games on their road trip. I figure that they know this, but it nevertheless bears repeating.
Because of some cancellations in my schedule, I was able to catch nearly all of the Capitals' blowout of the Bruins. All I can say is, if the Caps put this much fire, energy, and consistency into every game, they have an excellent shot at the playoffs. I also hope that Huet's back spasms don't grow into something worse.
Saturday night's game took place against the Johnstown Chiefs (made famous in Slapshot). This is clearly a heated rivalry, which is usually a good thing - except in this case, the players were so busy hitting and checking that they forgot that the point of hockey is to play the puck. Sunday's game against the Dayton Bombers actually strongly resembled hockey and was much easier to watch. It was an adventure, but we decided that we vastly prefer AHL and NHL hockey.
Speaking of the Hershey Bears (and let it be stated for the record that my original suggestion for the weekend was a quick trip up to Toronto to see them play the Marlies), what the heck has happened? A great start to their road trip last week with a defeat of the Moose, then three consecutive losses (Moose, Bulldogs, Marlies). If the Bears truly want to make the playoffs, they desperately need a push through the remaining games on their road trip. I figure that they know this, but it nevertheless bears repeating.
Because of some cancellations in my schedule, I was able to catch nearly all of the Capitals' blowout of the Bruins. All I can say is, if the Caps put this much fire, energy, and consistency into every game, they have an excellent shot at the playoffs. I also hope that Huet's back spasms don't grow into something worse.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Trades and More Trades
I was tempted to post on Tuesday, after the first blush of thoughts regarding all the trades, but I decided to wait and process things for a bit...
Although I understand the reasoning behind Montréal trading Huet away (not wanting to lose out completely when he becomes a free agent this summer, Gainey deciding to go with the young guns between the pipes), I'm still not sure I'm entirely comfortable with no NHL playoff experience in goal, no matter how talented. However, in both games since the trade, Carey Price has looked sharp and definitely more mature than he did last November/December. Snaps to Cristobal Huet as well, as he shut out the Devils last night in his first start with the Caps. (If Huet had to be traded, at least he's gone to a team that I follow and can actually see in person on a more or less regular basis.) There was one glove save made by Huet that was absolutely a thing of beauty...
The trade that pleased me the most, though, was the trade of Joe Motzko away from the Hershey Bears. Despite his goal production, Motzko's habit of hogging the puck and trying to make all the plays himself has cost the Bears time and again, and frustrated those of us watching beyond belief. Hubs probably said it best; he commented earlier this week that Bob Woods had implicitly warned Motzko (and others) that their selfish play wouldn't be tolerated. Motzko didn't change, so off he goes. It's great to have Giroux back and I feel much better about our chances for postseason success.
Although I understand the reasoning behind Montréal trading Huet away (not wanting to lose out completely when he becomes a free agent this summer, Gainey deciding to go with the young guns between the pipes), I'm still not sure I'm entirely comfortable with no NHL playoff experience in goal, no matter how talented. However, in both games since the trade, Carey Price has looked sharp and definitely more mature than he did last November/December. Snaps to Cristobal Huet as well, as he shut out the Devils last night in his first start with the Caps. (If Huet had to be traded, at least he's gone to a team that I follow and can actually see in person on a more or less regular basis.) There was one glove save made by Huet that was absolutely a thing of beauty...
The trade that pleased me the most, though, was the trade of Joe Motzko away from the Hershey Bears. Despite his goal production, Motzko's habit of hogging the puck and trying to make all the plays himself has cost the Bears time and again, and frustrated those of us watching beyond belief. Hubs probably said it best; he commented earlier this week that Bob Woods had implicitly warned Motzko (and others) that their selfish play wouldn't be tolerated. Motzko didn't change, so off he goes. It's great to have Giroux back and I feel much better about our chances for postseason success.
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