MAS wrote:Game is over
Pogge blew the shot in OT, final score 3-2. But it also looked like a deflection, the defense blew it too, the pair that was on the ice was Carlo and McCabe
What I noticed over the game (and something I've thought about in the past few years) is that on the power play or when momentum is on our side, our shot selection is pretty bad. It's like in basketball, if you take too many mid-range jump shots and 3 pointers then the likely hood is your going to miss more than you'll hit.
The shots the Leafs take are usually out in the perimeter or a random swing when the shooter isn't even looking where he's shooting (Tucker is very good at that). First of all for the latter, the likely hood of it being on net is slim to none. For the first one, it's just that when a guy like McCabe has the shot, he takes too long to take the shot. It gives the goalie enough time to get set. It's like picking cherries to the goalie. If he shoots as the pass is coming across to him it would be even more tough.
The difference between the Leafs and the Ducks is really the inability to go into the slot at will. You'll notice when your watching the playoffs that the big bodies of the Ducks will go inside the PK or the defending teams defensive box, and are able to take the abuse they give. We try to do that, but we tend to get hurt while doing it, which leads to our injuries.
But for tonight, it's only pre-season, this isn't the team you'll see on Oct. 3rd. So I'm not too worried.
You're right about how the powerplay was(last year)... but I'm telling you. I watched Blake, Sundin and Antro out there in the blue and white game...they were fabulous. They have chemistry already. I think we have a line that could have three thirty goal scorers to rival Ottawa's big three.
I seriously doubt we'll have the same problems this year, because we'll just have too many weapons. We'll be able to create so many mismatches down low with the size of Sundin and Antro, and watching Blake will open up the points. Good luck for the opposing penalty kill. And, oh yeah, Blake is great defensively, too, so look out for those end to end rushes after he breaks up a two on one to go the other way. The Wellwood Poni Tucker combo needs work. I'd put Tlusty out there...he's the better finisher.
It doesn't seem like Maurice is sweating the first four games. He is simply using them as an evaluating tool, and then he'll take who he likes to implement his system. He mentioned on Leafs TV that he is separating the first four games from the last four (the last four being clearly the time to practice with what amounts to the ALMOST "A" team). I don't think the Leafs tried to practice "anything" today that the coach had planned.
To be honest, it didn't seem like they were trying except for the first and last few minutes of the first and the third period/overtime (after Mo probably tore a strip off them for leaving Pogge out to dry).
Maurice said he was going to roll the lines, and he was basically sending out everyone and their mother on the PK and PP with absolutely no pattern; just to see what they could do.He had Ondrus playing with Tlusty, and Jeremy Williams seemed like he was being double shifted.
Gamache is ok, just small, and not particularly adept defensively. I've seen him dish out hits, so I don;t think he's a pansy. And from what I saw of the blue and white game (and heard on the radio today) Pogge made some nice tape to tape passes and clearouts..but I'll watch for that after I..."acquire" the game later.
One thing annoyed me though. I just listened to the game, so I'm not one hundred per cent certain, but from what I heard Wellwood pissed me off. I can't count howmany times he let himself get taken out of the play or tried to get too cute with his passes. He also needs to shoot more, he has a decent shot, even if it's not powerful (at least get a backhand off!!). Teams are just going to let him skate himself into no man's land and then crunch him like a grape. He'll be better, I know, but those kind of habits need to be broken soon.
I also wasn't impressed with Jeremy Williams, he struggles with the speed of the game. He blew a tire all by himself like 4 times in the game. He also has problems finishing and takes too long to shoot. Bell seemed like a passenger most of the game, although he did throw a few healf-hearted hits. He needs to ratchet up the enthusiasm, even if he isn't gonna play.
I like Tlusty and the Finnish kid, they were good. I think they could make the team...but I think only Tlusty makes it, based on his shooting skill. I'd rather Gamache than Belak, too. Bell sits as the extra forward who replaces Kilger if he gets hot.
(It's me GoRaps btw! 