Devils Vs Stars - League - 12th Dec 21
- Thread starter James
- Start date
I find it very interesting that a new account pops up and then criticises people with differing opinions for a lack of hockey knowledge. I'd suggest that a review off people's previous posts (it might take a while) might dispel that notion. There are people here with decades of hockey knowledge be that as fans, players, and in some cases capacities within the club.
Whilst the debates on here are often heated, they're (usually) fairly civil. Please, if you don't agree, attack the opinion - not the person.
Whilst the debates on here are often heated, they're (usually) fairly civil. Please, if you don't agree, attack the opinion - not the person.
Its difficult to try and take any positives after another home loss but in an effort not to be negative plastic low life blah blah blah I will.
For 30 minutes the Devils played hard and physical. Its the first time I have seen regular checking and I enjoyed the game until that point. People criticise Lammon but he threw more checks than anyone. Register is an absolute asset. The number of times he comes out of the corner with the puck is astonishing and easily makes up for the odd mistake that he makes. The new guy McNulty did not put a foot wrong. He looks a pretty solid defensive defensemen.
Now the negative. This team seems to cycle between defensive games where they score on the break and usually win and offensive games where they massively outshoot opponents but can't score. The checking stopped after 30 minutes. If you watch before Dundees second goal the Stars forwards get nothing more than a gentle little push from O Connor on the boards. The third period was almost non contact and thats when Dundee took control for the first time.
Now the lines. Interesting that the top scorer in the league has not scored for the 2 games since the first line changed. I wonder why?
At the beginning of the season Cox and Sandford looked like they would tear the league apart but after various changes to their third line mate they lost their threat. I still can't understand why Waller is not with them. He is doing his best on the third line and created opportunities but Duggan and Davies are not snipers, Sandford and Cox are.
Dupont (sorry I have to mention him) is now 3 goals in 19 games. I think he is playing better but its still nowhere near the level he needs to be.
But when a team goes from looking really good at the start of the season to mediocre mid season and other teams have found how to beat us it comes down to coaching. Yes one or two personnel changes may help but I can't accept a team that showed so much promise early season are all bad.
For 30 minutes the Devils played hard and physical. Its the first time I have seen regular checking and I enjoyed the game until that point. People criticise Lammon but he threw more checks than anyone. Register is an absolute asset. The number of times he comes out of the corner with the puck is astonishing and easily makes up for the odd mistake that he makes. The new guy McNulty did not put a foot wrong. He looks a pretty solid defensive defensemen.
Now the negative. This team seems to cycle between defensive games where they score on the break and usually win and offensive games where they massively outshoot opponents but can't score. The checking stopped after 30 minutes. If you watch before Dundees second goal the Stars forwards get nothing more than a gentle little push from O Connor on the boards. The third period was almost non contact and thats when Dundee took control for the first time.
Now the lines. Interesting that the top scorer in the league has not scored for the 2 games since the first line changed. I wonder why?
At the beginning of the season Cox and Sandford looked like they would tear the league apart but after various changes to their third line mate they lost their threat. I still can't understand why Waller is not with them. He is doing his best on the third line and created opportunities but Duggan and Davies are not snipers, Sandford and Cox are.
Dupont (sorry I have to mention him) is now 3 goals in 19 games. I think he is playing better but its still nowhere near the level he needs to be.
But when a team goes from looking really good at the start of the season to mediocre mid season and other teams have found how to beat us it comes down to coaching. Yes one or two personnel changes may help but I can't accept a team that showed so much promise early season are all bad.
Well said.
I think overall recruitment (in terms of the actual players) has been more positive than negative. In terms of individual players (Carruth, Kuzon, Register, McNally, Crandall, Cox, Sanford, Reid and Waller) I feel that we have recruited pretty well (completely get your comments regarding overall recruitment and those players fitting together) There are others who are mediocre and others who aren't pulling their weight. I always thought Skalde would struggle a bit coming into this year and finding his feet.
Like you said RE two or three player changes - if we could go back and replace those struggling players with ones from the previous squad. Adjust the strategy/tactics within the game and also played with a bit more energy and drive - I think we would be looking at a very good team.
I think overall recruitment (in terms of the actual players) has been more positive than negative. In terms of individual players (Carruth, Kuzon, Register, McNally, Crandall, Cox, Sanford, Reid and Waller) I feel that we have recruited pretty well (completely get your comments regarding overall recruitment and those players fitting together) There are others who are mediocre and others who aren't pulling their weight. I always thought Skalde would struggle a bit coming into this year and finding his feet.
Like you said RE two or three player changes - if we could go back and replace those struggling players with ones from the previous squad. Adjust the strategy/tactics within the game and also played with a bit more energy and drive - I think we would be looking at a very good team.
Yep, I agree with hindsight and being able to replace a couple.
I don't think it's too late to make changes. Yes we look after players, but there are replacements out there. Tommaso Traversa jumped into his first games as a Steeler at the weekend. 2 goals and an assist against the Blaze yesterday.
Yes the ownership like to look after players, and it's a proud record that we hold for not gassing players... But at some point we have to save our season, and making a couple of changes would also show that you will be looked after in Cardiff.... If you give 100% back.
I don't think it's too late to make changes. Yes we look after players, but there are replacements out there. Tommaso Traversa jumped into his first games as a Steeler at the weekend. 2 goals and an assist against the Blaze yesterday.
Yes the ownership like to look after players, and it's a proud record that we hold for not gassing players... But at some point we have to save our season, and making a couple of changes would also show that you will be looked after in Cardiff.... If you give 100% back.
Changes are needed but unless they've got several players as good as Joey Martin or Tyson Strachan (I'm talking like 4 or 5 players) lined up about to fly in I'd say our league challenge is pretty much done. I don't believe the Devils have the budget, nor are those kind of players available to bring in. Plus the roster rules probably prevent that many new sign ins. It's hard to see us overturning a 2 goal deficit on Wednesday so a challenge cup exit is looking likely. That leaves us with the playoffs. That'll be decided by the steelers and Giants in all likelihood.
I have to give credit to Dundee they do have some very good players in their roster. As much as people are calling Haas a goon, I thought he was very good last night. Played hockey the way I'd want to see guys like Batch and Louis play. He intimidated, hit and did an all round solid job. Others like Coombs and Lawrence also look very solid players who were in our faces constantly.
I find it quite sad that I hear many people looking forward to our home games because we have players like Haas on the visiting team......What does that tell you!
Pacha is a very good coach with a small budget and manages to bring the best out in his players.
We look like we have no confidence and ZERO leadership on both the bench and the ice.....sadly we have a BIG problem!
I find it quite sad that I hear many people looking forward to our home games because we have players like Haas on the visiting team......What does that tell you!
Pacha is a very good coach with a small budget and manages to bring the best out in his players.
We look like we have no confidence and ZERO leadership on both the bench and the ice.....sadly we have a BIG problem!
If we get to the end of the season and still feel like we aren't going anywhere then fair enough. The league is probably gone, Wednesday night in the Cup could be interesting, always have a chance in the playoffs, but there is still plenty of time to see improvement.
Coming 3rd in this league at the end of it and coming close in a cup, whether that's playoffs or CC, would be a great achievement with new team and coach imo.
Coming 3rd in this league at the end of it and coming close in a cup, whether that's playoffs or CC, would be a great achievement with new team and coach imo.
Thought i'd sleep on the result before offering any valid opinion, as yesterdays opinion wouldn't have been very coherent after a Dundee home loss.
It's clear to me our issues come straight down the middle, having Dupont and Lammon as our 2 import centers just doesn't drive any offence at all.
When Dixon is back - this issue won't go away. I love Dixon, but he is not what we need driving the offence on the first unit - he's far more useful elsewhere, as he has proven in the last 2 years.
Signing a first line center midway through the season i would argue is an impossible task.
Whilst the club have mentioned previously "some teams change players for the sake of it, even when a replacement isn't an improvement".
If we get knocked out of the cup on Wednesday I suspect someone nameless will be sent packing even without a replacement as purely a salary shedding exercise - the loss in revenue will force the owners hand for sure. (This is just my opinion)
We have 9 regulation goals in the last 5 games we've played, which is not good for where we need to be.
For reference - Belfast have 22, Sheffield 19, Nottingham 16.
Goal scoring is not our biggest issue though for my money - driving meaningful offence in general is the issue.
It's clear to me our issues come straight down the middle, having Dupont and Lammon as our 2 import centers just doesn't drive any offence at all.
When Dixon is back - this issue won't go away. I love Dixon, but he is not what we need driving the offence on the first unit - he's far more useful elsewhere, as he has proven in the last 2 years.
Signing a first line center midway through the season i would argue is an impossible task.
Whilst the club have mentioned previously "some teams change players for the sake of it, even when a replacement isn't an improvement".
If we get knocked out of the cup on Wednesday I suspect someone nameless will be sent packing even without a replacement as purely a salary shedding exercise - the loss in revenue will force the owners hand for sure. (This is just my opinion)
We have 9 regulation goals in the last 5 games we've played, which is not good for where we need to be.
For reference - Belfast have 22, Sheffield 19, Nottingham 16.
Goal scoring is not our biggest issue though for my money - driving meaningful offence in general is the issue.
We need more character. Hotham had it in abundance, Lordo had it, Faryna, Martin, Hendo, Marsh......These guys got pissed when we went a goal down. They tried whatever they could to change a game. Sadly I do not see any of this. McNally is the only character we seem to have. I do see the fire in the bellies of Register, Cox, Crandall and Sanford more than I see it in others at times but this fire needs to spread throughout the whole team and not just a handful of players now and again as that won't cut it.
Last night I would have loved to have seen Batch skate up to Haas to have a word after he put 2 of our players (nearly) over the bench with hits. If Faryna had been out there you can damn right guarantee he would have been in his face straight away. In fairness Louis probably would have done it but someone like Batch needs to fill those skates when Louis isn't there but.....sadly still waiting
Last night I would have loved to have seen Batch skate up to Haas to have a word after he put 2 of our players (nearly) over the bench with hits. If Faryna had been out there you can damn right guarantee he would have been in his face straight away. In fairness Louis probably would have done it but someone like Batch needs to fill those skates when Louis isn't there but.....sadly still waiting