2009-2010 Season Preview:
Last year, The Hockey News had us penciled in as the #9 team, despite our obvious potential goaltending woes, which certainly caught up with us quickly…2nd straight year we were “disappointing” in that respect. Anyway, this year, our goaltending should be AT LEAST as good as last year (since we still have our starter from last year and a potentially better goalie), more offensive firepower (Morris replacing Witt), still have our key players (Samsanov, Kopitar, Briere, Iginla), and I feel better depth than in the past. Only downside is losing PPG second liners Friesen and G. Murray, but they have competent replacements. As a result, this year we’re predicted to be the #10 team, dare I say their most realistic prediction yet (past two years predicted #7 and #9, we finished #16 and #15).
The top three teams are predicted to be the Montreal Metros (no surprise here), Philadelphia Rebels (really?), and the Toronto Knights (tries to act shocked). That’s right, Philly, one of the worst finishers the past few years is now ranked #2, though admittedly they do look like a pretty solid team this year. Two-time straight Stanley Cup winner, Atlanta Resurgens, are rated just behind us at 11th best team overall, last years champions from LA are just behind them. Bottom dwellers this year are the Buffalo Blizzard (seriously, just try and act surprised), Kansas City Mohawks (…), Alaska Bears (again, try and act surprised), and Boston Militia (guess their top 5 picks haven’t been paying off?).
Yet again this year, Iginla is our only player to rank amongst what THN believes to be the “best” players…and he ranks as the #1 Right Winger. I’m quite surprised that despite putting up a point-per-game in his only two seasons thus far, at age 22, that Kopitar did not make the list of top centers. Mike Richards got 17, 31, and 66 points in his past three seasons (min 74 games), yet he’s rated the 9th best forward?
Here’s the final lineup before we open up our season against Alaska:
S. Samsanov //A. Kopitar // J. Iginla (C)
P. Nedved // D. Briere (A) // T. Hunter
B. Prust // V. Leino // R. Torres
C. Dingman // L. Falardeau // T. Stevenson
E. Brewer // D. Morris (A)
J. Schultz // Z. Michalek
D. Murray // S. O’Brien
Starting Goalie: R. Esche
Backup: B. Boucher
My Top Prospects:
1. LD Michael Del Zotto (OHL)
2. C John Hughes (AHL)
3. G Jimmy Howard (AHL)
4. RW/LW Dale Hunt (WHL)
5. LW/RW James Van Riemsdyk (AHL)
6. C/LW Slavomir Jabrocky (WHL)
7. LD Lars Eliasson (Swe-2)
8. C Aleksej Repkin (AHL)
9. LW James Neal (AHL—did not graduate last year)
10. RD/LD Ryan Wilson (AHL)
11. LD Nathan Martine (AHL)
12. C Chris Francis (WHL)
NOTE: N. Martine and J. Vigilante dropped off the list
At some point during the season I hope to give the following guys callus to see how they perform (5 games):
Defense: Ryan Wilson
Left Wing: James Neal, John Vigilante
Center: Aleksej Repkin, Ryan Oulahen
Right Wing: Rane Carnegie
Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
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coasterholic14
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
October 2009 Review:
Game 3 saw us beat Twin City 5-2 to improve to 3-0-0, and it marked newcomer Trent Hunter’s 400th NHL game. He currently has 3 points in 3 games. Next game, Kopitar notched 4 assists in our 5-3 victory over Edmonton, surpassing 100 career assists.
Starting to notice already how much better this year’s draft looks than any of the past three years…with this past season being the weakest. I mean, there’s actually a first round of worthy players, rather than a top 10, and my scouts are already showing interest in guys ranked throughout the draft, not just the first round.
After our 10th game of the season, in which we beat Chicago 3-1, Morris reached his milestone 800th NHL game. I have to say, this season is going quite well so far…we’re not scoring tons of goals (probably about the average), but our defense and goaltending have really been stopping other teams offenses from scoring.
First game against Portland comes just before the end of the month…Portland scored first just 11 min in. We tied it up with a goal from Kopitar 4 min later, but let Portland take the lead back with just 10 seconds left in the period…and that would be it, we drop the first game 2-1.
We weren’t as hot closing out the month, but we ended up finishing 9-4-1 for 19 points, topping the division (Portland second with 18), 2nd in the conference, 3rd in the league. Only Atlanta and Winnipeg (where’d they come from) are ahead of us right now. Columbus (…again), Boston (…again), and New Jersey (oh, a newcomer) are at the bottom of the league. Nobody on the team is quite at a point-per-game, but Esche (11GP 8-2-0 1.73GAA .935 SV%) has been outstanding so far, definitely exceeding expectations.
Spokane’s been off to a lukewarm start, going 5-4-1, tied for second in their division, 10th in the league. Neal has been great for them, Prust has been pretty cold for me (ice cold even compared to last year), so I’m swapping them for now to see if Neal is ready this year. Oklahoma City leads the AHL at 7-2-0, Cleveland is a joke at 1-6-1.
Game 3 saw us beat Twin City 5-2 to improve to 3-0-0, and it marked newcomer Trent Hunter’s 400th NHL game. He currently has 3 points in 3 games. Next game, Kopitar notched 4 assists in our 5-3 victory over Edmonton, surpassing 100 career assists.
Starting to notice already how much better this year’s draft looks than any of the past three years…with this past season being the weakest. I mean, there’s actually a first round of worthy players, rather than a top 10, and my scouts are already showing interest in guys ranked throughout the draft, not just the first round.
After our 10th game of the season, in which we beat Chicago 3-1, Morris reached his milestone 800th NHL game. I have to say, this season is going quite well so far…we’re not scoring tons of goals (probably about the average), but our defense and goaltending have really been stopping other teams offenses from scoring.
First game against Portland comes just before the end of the month…Portland scored first just 11 min in. We tied it up with a goal from Kopitar 4 min later, but let Portland take the lead back with just 10 seconds left in the period…and that would be it, we drop the first game 2-1.
We weren’t as hot closing out the month, but we ended up finishing 9-4-1 for 19 points, topping the division (Portland second with 18), 2nd in the conference, 3rd in the league. Only Atlanta and Winnipeg (where’d they come from) are ahead of us right now. Columbus (…again), Boston (…again), and New Jersey (oh, a newcomer) are at the bottom of the league. Nobody on the team is quite at a point-per-game, but Esche (11GP 8-2-0 1.73GAA .935 SV%) has been outstanding so far, definitely exceeding expectations.
Spokane’s been off to a lukewarm start, going 5-4-1, tied for second in their division, 10th in the league. Neal has been great for them, Prust has been pretty cold for me (ice cold even compared to last year), so I’m swapping them for now to see if Neal is ready this year. Oklahoma City leads the AHL at 7-2-0, Cleveland is a joke at 1-6-1.
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coasterholic14
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- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
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Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
November 2009 Review:
Halfway through the month there’s not much to report on, we’re doing well but not amazing. We had a 4-3 victory followed by a 7-2 victory, the only games in which we’ve scored more than 3 goals since our 4-1 victory over Toronto on October 16th…almost a month on the dot. Morris hit NHL point #400 during those games.
Time for our second game of the year against Portland, and Portland gets on the board first again, with a single-handed effort from Radek Dvorak. Just two minutes later, rookie(ish) James Neal tied it up at 1-1, but first overall pick from 2007 Sam Gagner gave Portland the lead again just 43 seconds later. We fought back hard and valiantly though, and notched two, including a shorty in the final minute, to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. The second period was much tighter defensively, but Forsberg managed a powerplay marker to tie the game 3-3 going into the 3rd period. There, just over halfway through the game, Portland got on the board again to take a 4-3 lead. Thankfully, Hunter wasn’t going to let us go down for long, and tied it up just 17 seconds later, and eventually sent the game into OT, where KopiSTAR pulled it off for us! Series tied now 1-1.
Carnegie continues to be great in Spokane, and his 4G 3A in two games got him awarded the AHL Player of the Week. Shortly after, Schultz hits his 100th career NHL game!
We end November with a red hot 10-3-1 record on the month, 19-7-2 for 40 points overall. We sit just 1 point ahead of Portland for the division and conference lead, and sit 7 points ahead of everyone else. As good as we are, our GF is around the lower third of the league, but our GA is by far the best in the league. For the first time in the past four seasons, we are ending a month on top of the entire league. Behind us are Toronto and Atlanta by divisional leads (37 and 36 points), and Portland sits 7th with 39 points. The “toilet teams” this year are currently Buffalo, Kansas City, Alaska, New Jersey, Boston, and Arizona…some names which are becoming synonymous with “lottery picks.”
Spokane improved to 11-7-2, tied for 3rd in their division, 4 points behind the top two teams, and 13th overall (2 points either way would be +/- 5 positions). While the top line of Kazionov – Hughes – Carnegie is dominating with over a point-per-game, nobody else has more than 9 points in the team’s 21 games thus far. Quebec is this year’s AHL dominator at 18-3-1, Cleveland is just embarrassing at 3-17-1.
Halfway through the month there’s not much to report on, we’re doing well but not amazing. We had a 4-3 victory followed by a 7-2 victory, the only games in which we’ve scored more than 3 goals since our 4-1 victory over Toronto on October 16th…almost a month on the dot. Morris hit NHL point #400 during those games.
Time for our second game of the year against Portland, and Portland gets on the board first again, with a single-handed effort from Radek Dvorak. Just two minutes later, rookie(ish) James Neal tied it up at 1-1, but first overall pick from 2007 Sam Gagner gave Portland the lead again just 43 seconds later. We fought back hard and valiantly though, and notched two, including a shorty in the final minute, to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. The second period was much tighter defensively, but Forsberg managed a powerplay marker to tie the game 3-3 going into the 3rd period. There, just over halfway through the game, Portland got on the board again to take a 4-3 lead. Thankfully, Hunter wasn’t going to let us go down for long, and tied it up just 17 seconds later, and eventually sent the game into OT, where KopiSTAR pulled it off for us! Series tied now 1-1.
Carnegie continues to be great in Spokane, and his 4G 3A in two games got him awarded the AHL Player of the Week. Shortly after, Schultz hits his 100th career NHL game!
We end November with a red hot 10-3-1 record on the month, 19-7-2 for 40 points overall. We sit just 1 point ahead of Portland for the division and conference lead, and sit 7 points ahead of everyone else. As good as we are, our GF is around the lower third of the league, but our GA is by far the best in the league. For the first time in the past four seasons, we are ending a month on top of the entire league. Behind us are Toronto and Atlanta by divisional leads (37 and 36 points), and Portland sits 7th with 39 points. The “toilet teams” this year are currently Buffalo, Kansas City, Alaska, New Jersey, Boston, and Arizona…some names which are becoming synonymous with “lottery picks.”
Spokane improved to 11-7-2, tied for 3rd in their division, 4 points behind the top two teams, and 13th overall (2 points either way would be +/- 5 positions). While the top line of Kazionov – Hughes – Carnegie is dominating with over a point-per-game, nobody else has more than 9 points in the team’s 21 games thus far. Quebec is this year’s AHL dominator at 18-3-1, Cleveland is just embarrassing at 3-17-1.
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coasterholic14
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- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
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Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
November 2009 Review:
Halfway through the month there’s not much to report on, we’re doing well but not amazing. We had a 4-3 victory followed by a 7-2 victory, the only games in which we’ve scored more than 3 goals since our 4-1 victory over Toronto on October 16th…almost a month on the dot. Morris hit NHL point #400 during those games.
Time for our second game of the year against Portland, and Portland gets on the board first again, with a single-handed effort from Radek Dvorak. Just two minutes later, rookie(ish) James Neal tied it up at 1-1, but first overall pick from 2007 Sam Gagner gave Portland the lead again just 43 seconds later. We fought back hard and valiantly though, and notched two, including a shorty in the final minute, to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. The second period was much tighter defensively, but Forsberg managed a powerplay marker to tie the game 3-3 going into the 3rd period. There, just over halfway through the game, Portland got on the board again to take a 4-3 lead. Thankfully, Hunter wasn’t going to let us go down for long, and tied it up just 17 seconds later, and eventually sent the game into OT, where KopiSTAR pulled it off for us! Series tied now 1-1.
Carnegie continues to be great in Spokane, and his 4G 3A in two games got him awarded the AHL Player of the Week. Shortly after, Schultz hits his 100th career NHL game!
We end November with a red hot 10-3-1 record on the month, 19-7-2 for 40 points overall. We sit just 1 point ahead of Portland for the division and conference lead, and sit 7 points ahead of everyone else. As good as we are, our GF is around the lower third of the league, but our GA is by far the best in the league. For the first time in the past four seasons, we are ending a month on top of the entire league. Behind us are Toronto and Atlanta by divisional leads (37 and 36 points), and Portland sits 7th with 39 points. The “toilet teams” this year are currently Buffalo, Kansas City, Alaska, New Jersey, Boston, and Arizona…some names which are becoming synonymous with “lottery picks.”
Spokane improved to 11-7-2, tied for 3rd in their division, 4 points behind the top two teams, and 13th overall (2 points either way would be +/- 5 positions). While the top line of Kazionov – Hughes – Carnegie is dominating with over a point-per-game, nobody else has more than 9 points in the team’s 21 games thus far. Quebec is this year’s AHL dominator at 18-3-1, Cleveland is just embarrassing at 3-17-1.
Halfway through the month there’s not much to report on, we’re doing well but not amazing. We had a 4-3 victory followed by a 7-2 victory, the only games in which we’ve scored more than 3 goals since our 4-1 victory over Toronto on October 16th…almost a month on the dot. Morris hit NHL point #400 during those games.
Time for our second game of the year against Portland, and Portland gets on the board first again, with a single-handed effort from Radek Dvorak. Just two minutes later, rookie(ish) James Neal tied it up at 1-1, but first overall pick from 2007 Sam Gagner gave Portland the lead again just 43 seconds later. We fought back hard and valiantly though, and notched two, including a shorty in the final minute, to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. The second period was much tighter defensively, but Forsberg managed a powerplay marker to tie the game 3-3 going into the 3rd period. There, just over halfway through the game, Portland got on the board again to take a 4-3 lead. Thankfully, Hunter wasn’t going to let us go down for long, and tied it up just 17 seconds later, and eventually sent the game into OT, where KopiSTAR pulled it off for us! Series tied now 1-1.
Carnegie continues to be great in Spokane, and his 4G 3A in two games got him awarded the AHL Player of the Week. Shortly after, Schultz hits his 100th career NHL game!
We end November with a red hot 10-3-1 record on the month, 19-7-2 for 40 points overall. We sit just 1 point ahead of Portland for the division and conference lead, and sit 7 points ahead of everyone else. As good as we are, our GF is around the lower third of the league, but our GA is by far the best in the league. For the first time in the past four seasons, we are ending a month on top of the entire league. Behind us are Toronto and Atlanta by divisional leads (37 and 36 points), and Portland sits 7th with 39 points. The “toilet teams” this year are currently Buffalo, Kansas City, Alaska, New Jersey, Boston, and Arizona…some names which are becoming synonymous with “lottery picks.”
Spokane improved to 11-7-2, tied for 3rd in their division, 4 points behind the top two teams, and 13th overall (2 points either way would be +/- 5 positions). While the top line of Kazionov – Hughes – Carnegie is dominating with over a point-per-game, nobody else has more than 9 points in the team’s 21 games thus far. Quebec is this year’s AHL dominator at 18-3-1, Cleveland is just embarrassing at 3-17-1.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
November 2009 Review:
Halfway through the month there’s not much to report on, we’re doing well but not amazing. We had a 4-3 victory followed by a 7-2 victory, the only games in which we’ve scored more than 3 goals since our 4-1 victory over Toronto on October 16th…almost a month on the dot. Morris hit NHL point #400 during those games.
Time for our second game of the year against Portland, and Portland gets on the board first again, with a single-handed effort from Radek Dvorak. Just two minutes later, rookie(ish) James Neal tied it up at 1-1, but first overall pick from 2007 Sam Gagner gave Portland the lead again just 43 seconds later. We fought back hard and valiantly though, and notched two, including a shorty in the final minute, to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. The second period was much tighter defensively, but Forsberg managed a powerplay marker to tie the game 3-3 going into the 3rd period. There, just over halfway through the game, Portland got on the board again to take a 4-3 lead. Thankfully, Hunter wasn’t going to let us go down for long, and tied it up just 17 seconds later, and eventually sent the game into OT, where KopiSTAR pulled it off for us! Series tied now 1-1.
Carnegie continues to be great in Spokane, and his 4G 3A in two games got him awarded the AHL Player of the Week. Shortly after, Schultz hits his 100th career NHL game!
We end November with a red hot 10-3-1 record on the month, 19-7-2 for 40 points overall. We sit just 1 point ahead of Portland for the division and conference lead, and sit 7 points ahead of everyone else. As good as we are, our GF is around the lower third of the league, but our GA is by far the best in the league. For the first time in the past four seasons, we are ending a month on top of the entire league. Behind us are Toronto and Atlanta by divisional leads (37 and 36 points), and Portland sits 7th with 39 points. The “toilet teams” this year are currently Buffalo, Kansas City, Alaska, New Jersey, Boston, and Arizona…some names which are becoming synonymous with “lottery picks.”
Spokane improved to 11-7-2, tied for 3rd in their division, 4 points behind the top two teams, and 13th overall (2 points either way would be +/- 5 positions). While the top line of Kazionov – Hughes – Carnegie is dominating with over a point-per-game, nobody else has more than 9 points in the team’s 21 games thus far. Quebec is this year’s AHL dominator at 18-3-1, Cleveland is just embarrassing at 3-17-1.
Halfway through the month there’s not much to report on, we’re doing well but not amazing. We had a 4-3 victory followed by a 7-2 victory, the only games in which we’ve scored more than 3 goals since our 4-1 victory over Toronto on October 16th…almost a month on the dot. Morris hit NHL point #400 during those games.
Time for our second game of the year against Portland, and Portland gets on the board first again, with a single-handed effort from Radek Dvorak. Just two minutes later, rookie(ish) James Neal tied it up at 1-1, but first overall pick from 2007 Sam Gagner gave Portland the lead again just 43 seconds later. We fought back hard and valiantly though, and notched two, including a shorty in the final minute, to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. The second period was much tighter defensively, but Forsberg managed a powerplay marker to tie the game 3-3 going into the 3rd period. There, just over halfway through the game, Portland got on the board again to take a 4-3 lead. Thankfully, Hunter wasn’t going to let us go down for long, and tied it up just 17 seconds later, and eventually sent the game into OT, where KopiSTAR pulled it off for us! Series tied now 1-1.
Carnegie continues to be great in Spokane, and his 4G 3A in two games got him awarded the AHL Player of the Week. Shortly after, Schultz hits his 100th career NHL game!
We end November with a red hot 10-3-1 record on the month, 19-7-2 for 40 points overall. We sit just 1 point ahead of Portland for the division and conference lead, and sit 7 points ahead of everyone else. As good as we are, our GF is around the lower third of the league, but our GA is by far the best in the league. For the first time in the past four seasons, we are ending a month on top of the entire league. Behind us are Toronto and Atlanta by divisional leads (37 and 36 points), and Portland sits 7th with 39 points. The “toilet teams” this year are currently Buffalo, Kansas City, Alaska, New Jersey, Boston, and Arizona…some names which are becoming synonymous with “lottery picks.”
Spokane improved to 11-7-2, tied for 3rd in their division, 4 points behind the top two teams, and 13th overall (2 points either way would be +/- 5 positions). While the top line of Kazionov – Hughes – Carnegie is dominating with over a point-per-game, nobody else has more than 9 points in the team’s 21 games thus far. Quebec is this year’s AHL dominator at 18-3-1, Cleveland is just embarrassing at 3-17-1.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
December 2009 Review:
Welcome to January…Leino will be out for 3 weeks with a rotator cuff strain. Kid (he’s 26…maybe not a “kid” anymore…) is still struggling this year with just 7 points in 28 games, not nearly what I expected out of a player who got 200 points in two AHL seasons…even on the third line. Repkin will probably get the first callup even if Hughes is doing better in Spokane right now, Repkin’s got some seniority there.
Kazionov, Mikkelson, and Morris each hit game #100 in the AHL…it’s a 3-2 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.
The NHL had a record setting game in Montreal to start the month, when the Twin City Timberwolves beat the Metros by a score of 10-9…the highest scoring regular season game. Neither team ever got more than a 2 goal lead, and 3 goals were score in the final minute of the game. The longest period of play without a goal was just over 7 minutes, and it happened in front of a crowd of 20,760. Both teams were essentially 1 for 3 on shots, but only got 1 PPG each (on a total of 10 chances).
Schultz suffered a bit of an injury in our 8-4 victory over Chicago, giving Ryan Wilson his first shot in the NHL. Samsanov was injured the very next night, out 2 weeks with a rotator cuff strain, Vigilante will get a couple game call-up and Kazionov will likely get a few as well.
Very next game, despite having 3 callups playing, we dominate the game 6-1 over Winnipeg, netting 4 powerplay goals! But the big story of the game, Danny Briere nets a natural hat trick in the second period! Of my three callus, Wilson played quite well, Vigilante and Repkin on the other hand were the only guys who struggled in the game.
Repkin (6GP 0G 1A 1PTS) had a decent start to his callup, with a couple nice hits and an assist, along with winning the majority of his faceoffs, but he struggled his last three games and just didn’t impress…he’ll go back down for now in favor of Oulahen for a few games (since this year is probably his last to prove himself).
Schultz comes back from his injury, so R. Wilson (6GP 0G 1A 1PTS) is sent back down to Spokane. He had a very respectable callup with 14 hits and 5 blocked shots in that time…definitely made an impression and setting himself up for a potential roster spot in the near future. The game after he went back down, he got 2 assists, surpassing the 100 assist mark.
December is another great month for us, going 8-3-3, sitting us atop the conference still at 27-10-5 overall for 59 points, 6 ahead of Portland, 8 ahead of the second best team. We continue to top the league, with three typical top-teams following behind me: Montreal (54), Atlanta (52), and LA (51)…yes, Portland would be 3rd in the league if it weren’t for being in my division. An ice-cold streak by Alaska has put them last in the league, but Arizona and New Jersey are not far ahead of them.
Spokane had some struggles at the end of the month but finished with a 20-11-2 overall record for 42 points, 6 behind thorn-in-their-side rival Dallas. Overall, they’ve moved up to 9th, 13 points behind the league-leading Quebec Huskies and Thunder Bay IceDogs, who each have 55 points. Cleveland now has an astounding(-ly bad) 7-28-1 record…ouch
Welcome to January…Leino will be out for 3 weeks with a rotator cuff strain. Kid (he’s 26…maybe not a “kid” anymore…) is still struggling this year with just 7 points in 28 games, not nearly what I expected out of a player who got 200 points in two AHL seasons…even on the third line. Repkin will probably get the first callup even if Hughes is doing better in Spokane right now, Repkin’s got some seniority there.
Kazionov, Mikkelson, and Morris each hit game #100 in the AHL…it’s a 3-2 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.
The NHL had a record setting game in Montreal to start the month, when the Twin City Timberwolves beat the Metros by a score of 10-9…the highest scoring regular season game. Neither team ever got more than a 2 goal lead, and 3 goals were score in the final minute of the game. The longest period of play without a goal was just over 7 minutes, and it happened in front of a crowd of 20,760. Both teams were essentially 1 for 3 on shots, but only got 1 PPG each (on a total of 10 chances).
Schultz suffered a bit of an injury in our 8-4 victory over Chicago, giving Ryan Wilson his first shot in the NHL. Samsanov was injured the very next night, out 2 weeks with a rotator cuff strain, Vigilante will get a couple game call-up and Kazionov will likely get a few as well.
Very next game, despite having 3 callups playing, we dominate the game 6-1 over Winnipeg, netting 4 powerplay goals! But the big story of the game, Danny Briere nets a natural hat trick in the second period! Of my three callus, Wilson played quite well, Vigilante and Repkin on the other hand were the only guys who struggled in the game.
Repkin (6GP 0G 1A 1PTS) had a decent start to his callup, with a couple nice hits and an assist, along with winning the majority of his faceoffs, but he struggled his last three games and just didn’t impress…he’ll go back down for now in favor of Oulahen for a few games (since this year is probably his last to prove himself).
Schultz comes back from his injury, so R. Wilson (6GP 0G 1A 1PTS) is sent back down to Spokane. He had a very respectable callup with 14 hits and 5 blocked shots in that time…definitely made an impression and setting himself up for a potential roster spot in the near future. The game after he went back down, he got 2 assists, surpassing the 100 assist mark.
December is another great month for us, going 8-3-3, sitting us atop the conference still at 27-10-5 overall for 59 points, 6 ahead of Portland, 8 ahead of the second best team. We continue to top the league, with three typical top-teams following behind me: Montreal (54), Atlanta (52), and LA (51)…yes, Portland would be 3rd in the league if it weren’t for being in my division. An ice-cold streak by Alaska has put them last in the league, but Arizona and New Jersey are not far ahead of them.
Spokane had some struggles at the end of the month but finished with a 20-11-2 overall record for 42 points, 6 behind thorn-in-their-side rival Dallas. Overall, they’ve moved up to 9th, 13 points behind the league-leading Quebec Huskies and Thunder Bay IceDogs, who each have 55 points. Cleveland now has an astounding(-ly bad) 7-28-1 record…ouch
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
January 2010 Review:
Kopitar started off the month with his 200th career NHL point. Following that is our third game against Portland. Stevenson starts things off with a nice early goal for us, and goals in the second from Hunter and then Kopitar just 31 minutes gave us a comfortable 3-0 lead at the midway mark. Portland finally got themselves on the board before the end of the period though with a powerplay marker of their own. Going into the third, Portland battled back hard, and we did well in holding them off until a desperate late period push. At 56:33 Sheppard got them within one, and with the goalie pulled and just 1:03 left to play, Dvorak tied the game up and forced OT…not good guys. Just 25 seconds in, it hadn’t sunk in yet that we gave up a 3-0 lead, and as a result, Portland got the GWG in OT to put us down in the series this year 2-1. The “best” team in the league gave up a 3-0 lead and lost 4-3…nice…
World Junior U20 Championships
This year, Group A consisted of Belarus (first time in a while), Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, and the USA, while Group B saw Canada, Finland, France (whaaaa?) Latvia, Sweden (Switzerland and Slovenia did not make it this year). Canada again dominated and swept their way to the semi-finals with 26 GF, only 4 GA; on the other side, everyone was blindsided by Belarus, who swept their way to the semi-finals...this after not even playing in the WJC U20 the past few years. Finland, Latvia, Russia (shockingly), and USA (disappointingly) fell to the Relegation league, where Finland and Russia won out, dropping USA and Latvia out to play their way back in next year. That’s right, FRANCE freaking wasn’t even in the Relegation playoffs, despite having nobody worthy of even mentioning on the team. And the USA, for the first time in forever, actually got relegated, not winning a single game during the relegation playoffs. Despite plenty of great USA players under 20, the team is made of mostly unknown scrubs and a handful of previously drafted guys.
In the Semi-Finals, Sweden upset the surprising Belarus (yes, given how good Belarus was and mediocre Sweden was, it was indeed an upset), Canada of course handed it to the French 8-0…I think France actually started waving white flags before the game started in hopes of getting off easy. Despite having a 3-2 lead heading into the third, Belarus came back with two and stole the Bronze 4-3. Interesting that the Bronze medal game was between two teams who haven’t even been in the playoffs in…forever? Gold medal game was between the favorites in Canada, and the surprising Swede’s…of course Canada pwned them 8-3…that makes 6 straight Gold medals now.
Through the tournament, we had four prospects make showings: M. Del Zotto (3G 3A), D. Hunt (3G 2A), J. Romo (4G 4A), and S. Jabrocky (2G 0A).
January Review
As we approach the end of the month, we’re still having an excellent season, and when we face Edmonton, we DESTROY them 7-1! The bad news…Brewer will be out for 3 weeks with a hip flexor strain (that seems to be the only injury my players get…I know some are old, but not that old lol). Oh well, better than his 3 month injury two seasons ago. I’ll probably give Wilson the majority of the callup time, but will probably give Flynn and Martine looks as well.
We’ve been in a lot of discussions with teams lately about some potential movements to be made here over the next few weeks before the trade deadline. The Thunderbirds are strong this year, and how sweet would it be to get the cup after entering the playoffs at #16 and #15 each of the past two years? Definitely going to look at plugging a few gaps with something, maybe not a major change, but something will likely change…
Before the month closed out, we got to face Portland once again, in Portland, in front of a nearly sold out crowd of 17,820. We got off to a poor start, giving up a goal just 2:31 in, and made things worse when a tie up cost us a man, and Portland got a late powerplay goal from it, taking a 2-0 lead into the first…reality check guys. The second we came out much stronger and battled hard, which soon paid off…at 30:36 of the second, Hunter got us back in the game and then, just 22 seconds later, tied up the game! From here, it was an end-to-end battle with lots of physical play, combining for over 65 shots in the game and a total of 50 hits (31 by us), but the game remained even through regulation. With under a minute left in OT, our man, Jarome Iginla, came through with the deciding goal, and we re-tied the series, now 2-2 (note: all four have been 1 goal games, 3 went to OT)
We went 11-2-1 in January…no, that is not a typo…we sit pretty at 38-12-5, it’s almost unbelievable. I thought our lineup was just as good last year (we had significantly better second line and even third line scoring), but I guess the keys of a real starting goalie (not that I expected Esche to pan out this well) and another top D-man in Morris (SO much better than Witt), are key pieces in that. We top the entire league by 8 points, over Montreal and Colorado (who just a few years ago were total crappers). Portland is actually 3rd by points, but behind us they’re stuck in 7th *MWAHAHA* The bottom teams are predictable: Columbus, Boston, Arizona, New Jersey, Buffalo, and Alaska (36 points).
Spokane’s not lighting it up this year like they have in years past, but they’re still at a respectable 26-16-3 for 55 points, 14 behind Dallas and 4 ahead of New Mexico for second in the West Division. Overall, they sit 10th in the league, which has Thunder Bay out front at 36-11-1 for 73 points, just 1 point ahead of Fargo…oh, and Cleveland got 2 wins this month, bringing them up to 19 total points in 47 games (11 behind the next lowest team, their brethren in Cincinnati).
Kopitar started off the month with his 200th career NHL point. Following that is our third game against Portland. Stevenson starts things off with a nice early goal for us, and goals in the second from Hunter and then Kopitar just 31 minutes gave us a comfortable 3-0 lead at the midway mark. Portland finally got themselves on the board before the end of the period though with a powerplay marker of their own. Going into the third, Portland battled back hard, and we did well in holding them off until a desperate late period push. At 56:33 Sheppard got them within one, and with the goalie pulled and just 1:03 left to play, Dvorak tied the game up and forced OT…not good guys. Just 25 seconds in, it hadn’t sunk in yet that we gave up a 3-0 lead, and as a result, Portland got the GWG in OT to put us down in the series this year 2-1. The “best” team in the league gave up a 3-0 lead and lost 4-3…nice…
World Junior U20 Championships
This year, Group A consisted of Belarus (first time in a while), Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, and the USA, while Group B saw Canada, Finland, France (whaaaa?) Latvia, Sweden (Switzerland and Slovenia did not make it this year). Canada again dominated and swept their way to the semi-finals with 26 GF, only 4 GA; on the other side, everyone was blindsided by Belarus, who swept their way to the semi-finals...this after not even playing in the WJC U20 the past few years. Finland, Latvia, Russia (shockingly), and USA (disappointingly) fell to the Relegation league, where Finland and Russia won out, dropping USA and Latvia out to play their way back in next year. That’s right, FRANCE freaking wasn’t even in the Relegation playoffs, despite having nobody worthy of even mentioning on the team. And the USA, for the first time in forever, actually got relegated, not winning a single game during the relegation playoffs. Despite plenty of great USA players under 20, the team is made of mostly unknown scrubs and a handful of previously drafted guys.
In the Semi-Finals, Sweden upset the surprising Belarus (yes, given how good Belarus was and mediocre Sweden was, it was indeed an upset), Canada of course handed it to the French 8-0…I think France actually started waving white flags before the game started in hopes of getting off easy. Despite having a 3-2 lead heading into the third, Belarus came back with two and stole the Bronze 4-3. Interesting that the Bronze medal game was between two teams who haven’t even been in the playoffs in…forever? Gold medal game was between the favorites in Canada, and the surprising Swede’s…of course Canada pwned them 8-3…that makes 6 straight Gold medals now.
Through the tournament, we had four prospects make showings: M. Del Zotto (3G 3A), D. Hunt (3G 2A), J. Romo (4G 4A), and S. Jabrocky (2G 0A).
January Review
As we approach the end of the month, we’re still having an excellent season, and when we face Edmonton, we DESTROY them 7-1! The bad news…Brewer will be out for 3 weeks with a hip flexor strain (that seems to be the only injury my players get…I know some are old, but not that old lol). Oh well, better than his 3 month injury two seasons ago. I’ll probably give Wilson the majority of the callup time, but will probably give Flynn and Martine looks as well.
We’ve been in a lot of discussions with teams lately about some potential movements to be made here over the next few weeks before the trade deadline. The Thunderbirds are strong this year, and how sweet would it be to get the cup after entering the playoffs at #16 and #15 each of the past two years? Definitely going to look at plugging a few gaps with something, maybe not a major change, but something will likely change…
Before the month closed out, we got to face Portland once again, in Portland, in front of a nearly sold out crowd of 17,820. We got off to a poor start, giving up a goal just 2:31 in, and made things worse when a tie up cost us a man, and Portland got a late powerplay goal from it, taking a 2-0 lead into the first…reality check guys. The second we came out much stronger and battled hard, which soon paid off…at 30:36 of the second, Hunter got us back in the game and then, just 22 seconds later, tied up the game! From here, it was an end-to-end battle with lots of physical play, combining for over 65 shots in the game and a total of 50 hits (31 by us), but the game remained even through regulation. With under a minute left in OT, our man, Jarome Iginla, came through with the deciding goal, and we re-tied the series, now 2-2 (note: all four have been 1 goal games, 3 went to OT)
We went 11-2-1 in January…no, that is not a typo…we sit pretty at 38-12-5, it’s almost unbelievable. I thought our lineup was just as good last year (we had significantly better second line and even third line scoring), but I guess the keys of a real starting goalie (not that I expected Esche to pan out this well) and another top D-man in Morris (SO much better than Witt), are key pieces in that. We top the entire league by 8 points, over Montreal and Colorado (who just a few years ago were total crappers). Portland is actually 3rd by points, but behind us they’re stuck in 7th *MWAHAHA* The bottom teams are predictable: Columbus, Boston, Arizona, New Jersey, Buffalo, and Alaska (36 points).
Spokane’s not lighting it up this year like they have in years past, but they’re still at a respectable 26-16-3 for 55 points, 14 behind Dallas and 4 ahead of New Mexico for second in the West Division. Overall, they sit 10th in the league, which has Thunder Bay out front at 36-11-1 for 73 points, just 1 point ahead of Fargo…oh, and Cleveland got 2 wins this month, bringing them up to 19 total points in 47 games (11 behind the next lowest team, their brethren in Cincinnati).
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
January 2010 Review:
Kopitar started off the month with his 200th career NHL point. Following that is our third game against Portland. Stevenson starts things off with a nice early goal for us, and goals in the second from Hunter and then Kopitar just 31 minutes gave us a comfortable 3-0 lead at the midway mark. Portland finally got themselves on the board before the end of the period though with a powerplay marker of their own. Going into the third, Portland battled back hard, and we did well in holding them off until a desperate late period push. At 56:33 Sheppard got them within one, and with the goalie pulled and just 1:03 left to play, Dvorak tied the game up and forced OT…not good guys. Just 25 seconds in, it hadn’t sunk in yet that we gave up a 3-0 lead, and as a result, Portland got the GWG in OT to put us down in the series this year 2-1. The “best” team in the league gave up a 3-0 lead and lost 4-3…nice…
World Junior U20 Championships
This year, Group A consisted of Belarus (first time in a while), Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, and the USA, while Group B saw Canada, Finland, France (whaaaa?) Latvia, Sweden (Switzerland and Slovenia did not make it this year). Canada again dominated and swept their way to the semi-finals with 26 GF, only 4 GA; on the other side, everyone was blindsided by Belarus, who swept their way to the semi-finals...this after not even playing in the WJC U20 the past few years. Finland, Latvia, Russia (shockingly), and USA (disappointingly) fell to the Relegation league, where Finland and Russia won out, dropping USA and Latvia out to play their way back in next year. That’s right, FRANCE freaking wasn’t even in the Relegation playoffs, despite having nobody worthy of even mentioning on the team. And the USA, for the first time in forever, actually got relegated, not winning a single game during the relegation playoffs. Despite plenty of great USA players under 20, the team is made of mostly unknown scrubs and a handful of previously drafted guys.
In the Semi-Finals, Sweden upset the surprising Belarus (yes, given how good Belarus was and mediocre Sweden was, it was indeed an upset), Canada of course handed it to the French 8-0…I think France actually started waving white flags before the game started in hopes of getting off easy. Despite having a 3-2 lead heading into the third, Belarus came back with two and stole the Bronze 4-3. Interesting that the Bronze medal game was between two teams who haven’t even been in the playoffs in…forever? Gold medal game was between the favorites in Canada, and the surprising Swede’s…of course Canada pwned them 8-3…that makes 6 straight Gold medals now.
Through the tournament, we had four prospects make showings: M. Del Zotto (3G 3A), D. Hunt (3G 2A), J. Romo (4G 4A), and S. Jabrocky (2G 0A).
As we approach the end of the month, we’re still having an excellent season, and when we face Edmonton, we DESTROY them 7-1! The bad news…Brewer will be out for 3 weeks with a hip flexor strain (that seems to be the only injury my players get…I know some are old, but not that old lol). Oh well, better than his 3 month injury two seasons ago. I’ll probably give Wilson the majority of the callup time, but will probably give Flynn and Martine looks as well.
We’ve been in a lot of discussions with teams lately about some potential movements to be made here over the next few weeks before the trade deadline. The Thunderbirds are strong this year, and how sweet would it be to get the cup after entering the playoffs at #16 and #15 each of the past two years? Definitely going to look at plugging a few gaps with something, maybe not a major change, but something will likely change…
Before the month closed out, we got to face Portland once again, in Portland, in front of a nearly sold out crowd of 17,820. We got off to a poor start, giving up a goal just 2:31 in, and made things worse when a tie up cost us a man, and Portland got a late powerplay goal from it, taking a 2-0 lead into the first…reality check guys. The second we came out much stronger and battled hard, which soon paid off…at 30:36 of the second, Hunter got us back in the game and then, just 22 seconds later, tied up the game! From here, it was an end-to-end battle with lots of physical play, combining for over 65 shots in the game and a total of 50 hits (31 by us), but the game remained even through regulation. With under a minute left in OT, our man, Jarome Iginla, came through with the deciding goal, and we re-tied the series, now 2-2 (note: all four have been 1 goal games, 3 went to OT)
We went 11-2-1 in January…no, that is not a typo…we sit pretty at 38-12-5, it’s almost unbelievable. I thought our lineup was just as good last year (we had significantly better second line and even third line scoring), but I guess the keys of a real starting goalie (not that I expected Esche to pan out this well) and another top D-man in Morris (SO much better than Witt), are key pieces in that. We top the entire league by 8 points, over Montreal and Colorado (who just a few years ago were total crappers). Portland is actually 3rd by points, but behind us they’re stuck in 7th *MWAHAHA* The bottom teams are predictable: Columbus, Boston, Arizona, New Jersey, Buffalo, and Alaska (36 points).
Spokane’s not lighting it up this year like they have in years past, but they’re still at a respectable 26-16-3 for 55 points, 14 behind Dallas and 4 ahead of New Mexico for second in the West Division. Overall, they sit 10th in the league, which has Thunder Bay out front at 36-11-1 for 73 points, just 1 point ahead of Fargo…oh, and Cleveland got 2 wins this month, bringing them up to 19 total points in 47 games (11 behind the next lowest team, their brethren in Cincinnati).
Kopitar started off the month with his 200th career NHL point. Following that is our third game against Portland. Stevenson starts things off with a nice early goal for us, and goals in the second from Hunter and then Kopitar just 31 minutes gave us a comfortable 3-0 lead at the midway mark. Portland finally got themselves on the board before the end of the period though with a powerplay marker of their own. Going into the third, Portland battled back hard, and we did well in holding them off until a desperate late period push. At 56:33 Sheppard got them within one, and with the goalie pulled and just 1:03 left to play, Dvorak tied the game up and forced OT…not good guys. Just 25 seconds in, it hadn’t sunk in yet that we gave up a 3-0 lead, and as a result, Portland got the GWG in OT to put us down in the series this year 2-1. The “best” team in the league gave up a 3-0 lead and lost 4-3…nice…
World Junior U20 Championships
This year, Group A consisted of Belarus (first time in a while), Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, and the USA, while Group B saw Canada, Finland, France (whaaaa?) Latvia, Sweden (Switzerland and Slovenia did not make it this year). Canada again dominated and swept their way to the semi-finals with 26 GF, only 4 GA; on the other side, everyone was blindsided by Belarus, who swept their way to the semi-finals...this after not even playing in the WJC U20 the past few years. Finland, Latvia, Russia (shockingly), and USA (disappointingly) fell to the Relegation league, where Finland and Russia won out, dropping USA and Latvia out to play their way back in next year. That’s right, FRANCE freaking wasn’t even in the Relegation playoffs, despite having nobody worthy of even mentioning on the team. And the USA, for the first time in forever, actually got relegated, not winning a single game during the relegation playoffs. Despite plenty of great USA players under 20, the team is made of mostly unknown scrubs and a handful of previously drafted guys.
In the Semi-Finals, Sweden upset the surprising Belarus (yes, given how good Belarus was and mediocre Sweden was, it was indeed an upset), Canada of course handed it to the French 8-0…I think France actually started waving white flags before the game started in hopes of getting off easy. Despite having a 3-2 lead heading into the third, Belarus came back with two and stole the Bronze 4-3. Interesting that the Bronze medal game was between two teams who haven’t even been in the playoffs in…forever? Gold medal game was between the favorites in Canada, and the surprising Swede’s…of course Canada pwned them 8-3…that makes 6 straight Gold medals now.
Through the tournament, we had four prospects make showings: M. Del Zotto (3G 3A), D. Hunt (3G 2A), J. Romo (4G 4A), and S. Jabrocky (2G 0A).
As we approach the end of the month, we’re still having an excellent season, and when we face Edmonton, we DESTROY them 7-1! The bad news…Brewer will be out for 3 weeks with a hip flexor strain (that seems to be the only injury my players get…I know some are old, but not that old lol). Oh well, better than his 3 month injury two seasons ago. I’ll probably give Wilson the majority of the callup time, but will probably give Flynn and Martine looks as well.
We’ve been in a lot of discussions with teams lately about some potential movements to be made here over the next few weeks before the trade deadline. The Thunderbirds are strong this year, and how sweet would it be to get the cup after entering the playoffs at #16 and #15 each of the past two years? Definitely going to look at plugging a few gaps with something, maybe not a major change, but something will likely change…
Before the month closed out, we got to face Portland once again, in Portland, in front of a nearly sold out crowd of 17,820. We got off to a poor start, giving up a goal just 2:31 in, and made things worse when a tie up cost us a man, and Portland got a late powerplay goal from it, taking a 2-0 lead into the first…reality check guys. The second we came out much stronger and battled hard, which soon paid off…at 30:36 of the second, Hunter got us back in the game and then, just 22 seconds later, tied up the game! From here, it was an end-to-end battle with lots of physical play, combining for over 65 shots in the game and a total of 50 hits (31 by us), but the game remained even through regulation. With under a minute left in OT, our man, Jarome Iginla, came through with the deciding goal, and we re-tied the series, now 2-2 (note: all four have been 1 goal games, 3 went to OT)
We went 11-2-1 in January…no, that is not a typo…we sit pretty at 38-12-5, it’s almost unbelievable. I thought our lineup was just as good last year (we had significantly better second line and even third line scoring), but I guess the keys of a real starting goalie (not that I expected Esche to pan out this well) and another top D-man in Morris (SO much better than Witt), are key pieces in that. We top the entire league by 8 points, over Montreal and Colorado (who just a few years ago were total crappers). Portland is actually 3rd by points, but behind us they’re stuck in 7th *MWAHAHA* The bottom teams are predictable: Columbus, Boston, Arizona, New Jersey, Buffalo, and Alaska (36 points).
Spokane’s not lighting it up this year like they have in years past, but they’re still at a respectable 26-16-3 for 55 points, 14 behind Dallas and 4 ahead of New Mexico for second in the West Division. Overall, they sit 10th in the league, which has Thunder Bay out front at 36-11-1 for 73 points, just 1 point ahead of Fargo…oh, and Cleveland got 2 wins this month, bringing them up to 19 total points in 47 games (11 behind the next lowest team, their brethren in Cincinnati).
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
February 2010 Review:
We start off the month with a playoff run trade…and my first trade since November 2008, when I made two separate trades to bring in Brian Boucher and Jimmy Howard to fix last year’s goaltending woes.
To Emerald City Thunderbirds
- C Paul Gaustad
To Toronto Knights:
- C Ville Leino
- EMC 2010 5th Round Pick
Despite having an abysmal start to his season, Leino was beginning to pick things up, getting 3G 2A in his last 8 games played before the trade. Still, I guess I was expecting a bit more from a guy with over 200 points in just 2 AHL seasons, but more than anything, he just didn’t seem to fit on my third line. Neal and Torres give the third line grit and energy, but Leino is a playmaker/scorer, and I just didn’t have anywhere else to put him. I also give up a 5th round pick, but in return I get Paul Gaustad, a hard-hitting and imposing centerman with nearly 60 games of playoff experience (mostly with Toronto…who look freakin loaded on Defense this year, but not willing to budge on any of them).
During the first week of February, Michael Del Zotto (47GP 11G 54A 65PTS) got 2G and 7A in 3 games, earning him the honor of OHL Player of the Week! In other prospect news, Slavomir Jabrocky (52GP 22G 24A 46PTS) saw his 8-game goal streak (of 8 goals) come to an end…but his point streak has now surpassed 10 games
Olympics/World Cup
The month ended after just a couple of games to make way for this year’s Olympics. We had a number of our players selected to represent their countries at the World Cup this year.
USA: Robert Esche
Canada: Jarome Iginla, Derek Morris
Russia: Sergei Samsanov
Just a few days into the event, we made our second playoff-run trade…
To Emerald City Thunderbirds
- LW/RW Ales Kotalik
To Buffalo Blizzard:
- LW Sergei Samsanov
Look, Sammy’s been great the past few years on (mostly) first line LW…but I always felt his game was a bit one-dimensional. For an extra $700K ($4.5 million for each of the next 2+ seasons), Kotalik brings a much more physical game to my top line, and while Sammy’s been a point-per-game guy for me over the past 3.5 seasons, Kotalik was also a point-per-game guy…with Buffalo (you know, one of the worst teams the past few years). So perhaps he can do even better for me?
Through the Preliminary rounds, Czech Republic and Canada won each of their respective divisions, with USA, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Russia, and Slovakia also moving on. Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, and Austria didn’t make the cut. In the Quarter Finals, Canada destroyed the Swiss 9-1, Czech beat their Slovakian brethren 7-1, Sweden won 4-2 over Finland, and Russia squeaked past the USA with a 6-5 victory in a shootout. The Semi-Finals saw easy victories for Russia and Canada for a Gold Medal battle, while the Swedes would face the Czechs in the Bronze Medal game. Despite being the round robin winners earlier in the tournament, Sweden would overcome Czech 6-4 for the Bronze, and Canada walked to an easy 5-1 victory over Russia for the Gold.
We go 2-2-2 in our 6 games for February…everything has pretty much stayed the same, except that San Jose has now taken over second in the Western Conference. Spokane also had a very mediocre (bad for them) month at 4-4-2.
We start off the month with a playoff run trade…and my first trade since November 2008, when I made two separate trades to bring in Brian Boucher and Jimmy Howard to fix last year’s goaltending woes.
To Emerald City Thunderbirds
- C Paul Gaustad
To Toronto Knights:
- C Ville Leino
- EMC 2010 5th Round Pick
Despite having an abysmal start to his season, Leino was beginning to pick things up, getting 3G 2A in his last 8 games played before the trade. Still, I guess I was expecting a bit more from a guy with over 200 points in just 2 AHL seasons, but more than anything, he just didn’t seem to fit on my third line. Neal and Torres give the third line grit and energy, but Leino is a playmaker/scorer, and I just didn’t have anywhere else to put him. I also give up a 5th round pick, but in return I get Paul Gaustad, a hard-hitting and imposing centerman with nearly 60 games of playoff experience (mostly with Toronto…who look freakin loaded on Defense this year, but not willing to budge on any of them).
During the first week of February, Michael Del Zotto (47GP 11G 54A 65PTS) got 2G and 7A in 3 games, earning him the honor of OHL Player of the Week! In other prospect news, Slavomir Jabrocky (52GP 22G 24A 46PTS) saw his 8-game goal streak (of 8 goals) come to an end…but his point streak has now surpassed 10 games
Olympics/World Cup
The month ended after just a couple of games to make way for this year’s Olympics. We had a number of our players selected to represent their countries at the World Cup this year.
USA: Robert Esche
Canada: Jarome Iginla, Derek Morris
Russia: Sergei Samsanov
Just a few days into the event, we made our second playoff-run trade…
To Emerald City Thunderbirds
- LW/RW Ales Kotalik
To Buffalo Blizzard:
- LW Sergei Samsanov
Look, Sammy’s been great the past few years on (mostly) first line LW…but I always felt his game was a bit one-dimensional. For an extra $700K ($4.5 million for each of the next 2+ seasons), Kotalik brings a much more physical game to my top line, and while Sammy’s been a point-per-game guy for me over the past 3.5 seasons, Kotalik was also a point-per-game guy…with Buffalo (you know, one of the worst teams the past few years). So perhaps he can do even better for me?
Through the Preliminary rounds, Czech Republic and Canada won each of their respective divisions, with USA, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Russia, and Slovakia also moving on. Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, and Austria didn’t make the cut. In the Quarter Finals, Canada destroyed the Swiss 9-1, Czech beat their Slovakian brethren 7-1, Sweden won 4-2 over Finland, and Russia squeaked past the USA with a 6-5 victory in a shootout. The Semi-Finals saw easy victories for Russia and Canada for a Gold Medal battle, while the Swedes would face the Czechs in the Bronze Medal game. Despite being the round robin winners earlier in the tournament, Sweden would overcome Czech 6-4 for the Bronze, and Canada walked to an easy 5-1 victory over Russia for the Gold.
We go 2-2-2 in our 6 games for February…everything has pretty much stayed the same, except that San Jose has now taken over second in the Western Conference. Spokane also had a very mediocre (bad for them) month at 4-4-2.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
March 2010 Review:
Just my freakin luck here…Hughes (57GP 19G 37A 56PTS) separated his shoulder in the first game of the month and will be out for 4 months…there go his rookie of the year chances. Seems like I’ve had a number of prospects or really young players go down with a long injury (Francis and O’Brien being the others off the top of my head)…I seem to only suffer a few injuries each year, but it always seems like they’re long injuries (i.e. O’Brien, Brewer, Legace, etc.)
On a better note, for the second month in a row, Del Zotto earned Player of the Month honors for the first week, this time with 3G – 4A in 2 games.
I resigned Jimmy Howard for another year ($900K). Though he’s only seen 23 starts this year (I’m seriously starting to question Spokane’s coaching based on their goaltending decisions the past few years—like Gajewski > Howard, etc), but he’s 13-6-1 with 2.24 GAA and a .912 SV% in those starts…and with no other goalies, might as well keep him in the system a bit longer while I can.
At the same time, Dale Hunt won WHL Player of the Week for the second week of March, with 5 goals and 5 assists (10 pts) in 4 games! Nice going! His attributes haven’t increased much the past two seasons, but his play has steadily improved. Briere also got his 600th NHL point on the same day the award was announced. Boucher played NHL game 300, Iginla got point 900.
Despite Kopitar being out for a few games due to injury, our next game against Portland on the road proved an easy one. Briere, Iginla, and Torres got the goals to give us a 3-0 victory! Unfortunately, Gaustad was bowled over by Stumpel in the game and suffered a hip flexor strain (seriously, is that the only injury my guys can have? I’ve lost count how many my players have suffered)…he’ll be out 3 weeks.
Looks like that trade for Kotalik during the Olympic break is paying off, and we went 11-3-1 in March, for 110 points overall, topping the league by 7 points over second place Montreal. Kotalik had 21 points (7G – 14A) during those 15 games, and his production has helped boost Iginla and Kopitar lately. Losers include no current surprises: Boston, Arizona, Alaska, Buffalo, and New Jersey (now in last). Buffalo now has 336 goals against, a new NHL record.
Spokane is now 41-24-7 with 89 points, 7 behind Dallas, 2 ahead of Billings in the West Division, 8th overall. Fargo has surpassed Thunder Bay again this year (by 1 point right now), and Cleveland has seen significant improvement…they had just 19 points at the end of January, 2 months later they now have 48, but they’re still last (or tied for last with Madison Icehawks), and the Cincinnati Baldes are just a point ahead of them.
Just my freakin luck here…Hughes (57GP 19G 37A 56PTS) separated his shoulder in the first game of the month and will be out for 4 months…there go his rookie of the year chances. Seems like I’ve had a number of prospects or really young players go down with a long injury (Francis and O’Brien being the others off the top of my head)…I seem to only suffer a few injuries each year, but it always seems like they’re long injuries (i.e. O’Brien, Brewer, Legace, etc.)
On a better note, for the second month in a row, Del Zotto earned Player of the Month honors for the first week, this time with 3G – 4A in 2 games.
I resigned Jimmy Howard for another year ($900K). Though he’s only seen 23 starts this year (I’m seriously starting to question Spokane’s coaching based on their goaltending decisions the past few years—like Gajewski > Howard, etc), but he’s 13-6-1 with 2.24 GAA and a .912 SV% in those starts…and with no other goalies, might as well keep him in the system a bit longer while I can.
At the same time, Dale Hunt won WHL Player of the Week for the second week of March, with 5 goals and 5 assists (10 pts) in 4 games! Nice going! His attributes haven’t increased much the past two seasons, but his play has steadily improved. Briere also got his 600th NHL point on the same day the award was announced. Boucher played NHL game 300, Iginla got point 900.
Despite Kopitar being out for a few games due to injury, our next game against Portland on the road proved an easy one. Briere, Iginla, and Torres got the goals to give us a 3-0 victory! Unfortunately, Gaustad was bowled over by Stumpel in the game and suffered a hip flexor strain (seriously, is that the only injury my guys can have? I’ve lost count how many my players have suffered)…he’ll be out 3 weeks.
Looks like that trade for Kotalik during the Olympic break is paying off, and we went 11-3-1 in March, for 110 points overall, topping the league by 7 points over second place Montreal. Kotalik had 21 points (7G – 14A) during those 15 games, and his production has helped boost Iginla and Kopitar lately. Losers include no current surprises: Boston, Arizona, Alaska, Buffalo, and New Jersey (now in last). Buffalo now has 336 goals against, a new NHL record.
Spokane is now 41-24-7 with 89 points, 7 behind Dallas, 2 ahead of Billings in the West Division, 8th overall. Fargo has surpassed Thunder Bay again this year (by 1 point right now), and Cleveland has seen significant improvement…they had just 19 points at the end of January, 2 months later they now have 48, but they’re still last (or tied for last with Madison Icehawks), and the Cincinnati Baldes are just a point ahead of them.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
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Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
April 2010 Review:
We weren’t quite as good finishing off the year, but we ended up 54-20-8 for 116 points overall, giving us the President’s Trophy…quite an improvement over the past few seasons where we just squeaked into the playoffs. Montreal was a dominant force once again this year, finishing second with 112 points (53-23-6), followed by New York, Colorado, Carolina, and Chicago (your division leaders). Detroit played poorly towards the end of the year, dropping the Motor City to 26th, while New Jersey played slightly better and rose to 27th. Boston, Alaska, and Buffalo (who struggled without Kotalik) took the last 3 positions.
Kotalik (21GP 10G 19A 29PTS) played great for us to finish the year, and I’m excited he has a few more years left on his contract…having him all next year could make our top line killer! Iginla again finished as our leading scorer, with 47 goals and 88 points, followed by Kopitar, who got 29G – 49A for 78 points in 76 games. Everyone pretty much finished as or better than expected this year, and I wasn’t disappointed with anyone’s play overall. Esche finished 43-17-3 with 2.42GAA and a .916 SV%, and Morris (82GP 13G 33A 46PTS +20 86 PIM) was probably my best signing this past offseason.
Our fan support continued to be strong this year, and we finished smack dab in the middle of the league, at 16,711…Montreal and the Motor City of course lead, along with the other usuals…Alaska and Atlanta, well, not so much. We had the 8th best GF average, 9th in shooting, league’s lowest GAA, tied for the league lead with 7 shutouts, 6th lowest shots against, 2nd best SV%, middle of the road PP, and top team on the PK. Quite a nice season!
We weren’t quite as good finishing off the year, but we ended up 54-20-8 for 116 points overall, giving us the President’s Trophy…quite an improvement over the past few seasons where we just squeaked into the playoffs. Montreal was a dominant force once again this year, finishing second with 112 points (53-23-6), followed by New York, Colorado, Carolina, and Chicago (your division leaders). Detroit played poorly towards the end of the year, dropping the Motor City to 26th, while New Jersey played slightly better and rose to 27th. Boston, Alaska, and Buffalo (who struggled without Kotalik) took the last 3 positions.
Kotalik (21GP 10G 19A 29PTS) played great for us to finish the year, and I’m excited he has a few more years left on his contract…having him all next year could make our top line killer! Iginla again finished as our leading scorer, with 47 goals and 88 points, followed by Kopitar, who got 29G – 49A for 78 points in 76 games. Everyone pretty much finished as or better than expected this year, and I wasn’t disappointed with anyone’s play overall. Esche finished 43-17-3 with 2.42GAA and a .916 SV%, and Morris (82GP 13G 33A 46PTS +20 86 PIM) was probably my best signing this past offseason.
Our fan support continued to be strong this year, and we finished smack dab in the middle of the league, at 16,711…Montreal and the Motor City of course lead, along with the other usuals…Alaska and Atlanta, well, not so much. We had the 8th best GF average, 9th in shooting, league’s lowest GAA, tied for the league lead with 7 shutouts, 6th lowest shots against, 2nd best SV%, middle of the road PP, and top team on the PK. Quite a nice season!
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
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- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
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Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
Playoffs: Round 1 (vs. Portland Meadowlarks)
Finishing at the top of the league, we get the #8 seed this year, which is our biggest rival, the Portland Meadowlarks. We beat them 3-2 in the series this year, and outscored them 15-12, so despite being #1 vs. #8, it could be a close round one.
Game 1 sees Portland getting on the board first with a PP goal, but Kotalik doesn’t let that last for very long and gets a powerplay marker of his own. In the second, Stevenson gives us a 2-1 lead, and with 2 goals in a minute in a half early in the third, we get a 4-1 lead compliments of Kopitar and Dingman. Portland gets the last goal of the game, but we win 4-2.
In game two, Portland again takes an early lead, but we don’t let them hold it. Just over a minute and a half left, rookie James Neal ties it up, but Dvorak gets one with under a minute to give Portland a 2-1 lead. In the second, Kotalik and Stevenson get their own goals, and we take game 2 by a score of 3-2…now up 2-0 in the series.
Heading to Portland, we get off to a very quick start, and Morris blasts one in from the blue line just 15 seconds into the game. Forsberg ties it up a minute and a half later, then we exchange goals during the remainder of the period and end the first period tied 2-2. In the third, Dvorak gets an early one to take the lead for Portland, Iginla and Hunter give us the lead back, and we hold them off 4-3, just one win away from a round one victory!
On the verge of elimination, Portland has a sellout crowd to play for, but after one period of play, they’re down 1-0. Just a few minutes into the second period, it only takes one minute for Portland to tie it and then take the lead. Ten minutes later, we respond with two of our own just 37 seconds apart to regain the lead. In the third, Portland is beyond desperate, and Pronger blasts one past us halfway through the third to tie it and force OT. Their desperation pays off, and Portland gets the GWG early in the OT to stave off elimination.
Game 5 is back in Emerald City, and we came out thinking we’d easily win, especially after Dingman made it 1-0 just 2:08 in. Stupidly, the team coasts around thinking its over, and it least do a 4-1 loss, Portland now in the series down just 3-2.
Back to Portland again, we again get on the board first early in the game, but give up 3 goals in the first, putting us in a 3-1 hole. Kopitar’s goal early in the third is answered right back, and Portland ties the series at 3 with their 4-2 victory.
Game 7 will decide it, at home, in front of a sold out crowd…and it’s a game of desperation on both sides. Can Portland make a miraculous 4 game comeback, or can we finally wrap it up like we should have over one of the past three games? Well, Portland got the first just over a minute in, hoping to crush our spirits, and it seemed to work for a while. Iginla outworked Portland’s lackluster powerplay though, and surprised them with a shorthanded goal to tie it up. Before the first ended though, Dvorak would make it 2-1 for Portland. The second went scoreless, but Kotalik proved he was worth the trade when he tied the game at 2 early in the third. The game would hold through regulation and head into OT…at which point, Danny Briere got a PPG 7 minutes in to win the series!
Finishing at the top of the league, we get the #8 seed this year, which is our biggest rival, the Portland Meadowlarks. We beat them 3-2 in the series this year, and outscored them 15-12, so despite being #1 vs. #8, it could be a close round one.
Game 1 sees Portland getting on the board first with a PP goal, but Kotalik doesn’t let that last for very long and gets a powerplay marker of his own. In the second, Stevenson gives us a 2-1 lead, and with 2 goals in a minute in a half early in the third, we get a 4-1 lead compliments of Kopitar and Dingman. Portland gets the last goal of the game, but we win 4-2.
In game two, Portland again takes an early lead, but we don’t let them hold it. Just over a minute and a half left, rookie James Neal ties it up, but Dvorak gets one with under a minute to give Portland a 2-1 lead. In the second, Kotalik and Stevenson get their own goals, and we take game 2 by a score of 3-2…now up 2-0 in the series.
Heading to Portland, we get off to a very quick start, and Morris blasts one in from the blue line just 15 seconds into the game. Forsberg ties it up a minute and a half later, then we exchange goals during the remainder of the period and end the first period tied 2-2. In the third, Dvorak gets an early one to take the lead for Portland, Iginla and Hunter give us the lead back, and we hold them off 4-3, just one win away from a round one victory!
On the verge of elimination, Portland has a sellout crowd to play for, but after one period of play, they’re down 1-0. Just a few minutes into the second period, it only takes one minute for Portland to tie it and then take the lead. Ten minutes later, we respond with two of our own just 37 seconds apart to regain the lead. In the third, Portland is beyond desperate, and Pronger blasts one past us halfway through the third to tie it and force OT. Their desperation pays off, and Portland gets the GWG early in the OT to stave off elimination.
Game 5 is back in Emerald City, and we came out thinking we’d easily win, especially after Dingman made it 1-0 just 2:08 in. Stupidly, the team coasts around thinking its over, and it least do a 4-1 loss, Portland now in the series down just 3-2.
Back to Portland again, we again get on the board first early in the game, but give up 3 goals in the first, putting us in a 3-1 hole. Kopitar’s goal early in the third is answered right back, and Portland ties the series at 3 with their 4-2 victory.
Game 7 will decide it, at home, in front of a sold out crowd…and it’s a game of desperation on both sides. Can Portland make a miraculous 4 game comeback, or can we finally wrap it up like we should have over one of the past three games? Well, Portland got the first just over a minute in, hoping to crush our spirits, and it seemed to work for a while. Iginla outworked Portland’s lackluster powerplay though, and surprised them with a shorthanded goal to tie it up. Before the first ended though, Dvorak would make it 2-1 for Portland. The second went scoreless, but Kotalik proved he was worth the trade when he tied the game at 2 early in the third. The game would hold through regulation and head into OT…at which point, Danny Briere got a PPG 7 minutes in to win the series!
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
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- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
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Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
Playoffs: Round 2 (vs. San Jose Wildfire)
Round 2 sees us up against the San Jose Wilfire a team we split a four game series against, but squeaked out an 11-10 scoring edge…could be another tight battle.
We started off game 1 quite slow, either tired from our near loss in the series against Portland, or just underestimated San Jose…Sundin got one in each the first and second periods for a 2-0 lead. Kopitar’s third period goal was matched by Higgins, and we dropped game one 3-1. Neal was injured, Kazionov will probably get a callup within a few games.
Game two started off significantly better, with Briere, Kopitar, and Iginla each getting goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. After a scoreless second, Kotalik and Neal added goals of their own before getting 45 minutes through the game. Langkow got one for San Jose in the middle of the third, but that’s 4 short of what they needed to tie the game, and we beat them 6-1.
Heading to San Jose for game 3, Kopitar and Kotalik get goals at 4:42 and 5:52 of the first, but the Wildfire cut that in half just 42 seconds later. Kotalik would give us another before the period ended, and we would take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. Gaustad, Briere, and Nedved added additional goals during the game, and we destroyed them 6-1 in game 3. Kopitar, Kotalik, and Briere each got 3 points in the game.
San Jose didn’t like losing at home in front of a sellout crowd…and they took it out on Morris. Stastny came in pretty much right off the initial faceoff and bowled a nasty cheap shot on Morris, giving him a dangerous low clip which left him on the ice. Kotalik took offence to the cheap shot and stood up to Stastny…Kotalik got called for slashing, Morris left the ice injured, and Stastny got off without even a look from the ref. We found out after the game that Morris suffered from (BIG SHOCK) a hip flexor strain and would be out for (BIGGER SHOCK) 3 weeks. Stastny, who should have been ejected, instead got a powerplay goal, when he should have been in the box instead of us, giving San Jose an early 1-0 lead. Needless to say, our team was livid at what had just transpired in the first 1:15 of the game, and the frustration lead to another penalty…and another goal…and another penalty…and another goal. Within 9 minutes, San Jose was 3 for 3 on the powerplay, with the ref getting at least a few assists, and Esche was pulled. Hollweg added to the misery a few minutes later, and we end the first down 4-0. Entering the second, the team was pretty down, and went further down when Higgins got his second of the game for a 5-0 lead, but Nedved and Iginla weren’t letting us go down without a fight and made it 5-2…but the period ended 6-2. In the third, we fought back with an angry desperation, determined to at least do some damage (to equal 6 goals on 21 shots)…we played our checking lines more, and Dingman and Stevenson got us back to within 2 goals, but we lost 6-4…not before we pummeled them with 48 hits though, so maybe they’ll think twice next time before throwing some cheap shots (though it paid off for them in this game).
After the game, the coach wanted to share some select words about the reffing, but I insisted he let me do it instead. I tore into them about the joke that stared and determined the outcome of the game, but was sure to keep my comments just about this game and not extend my comments beyond that, of course I was still fined, but gladly accepted it.
Heading back home for game 5, our strategy was to carry over from the end of game four, lay them out and make them pay, but DON’T stoop to their level with any cheap shots. We took 9 penalties in the game, but scored 2 goals and 48 hits. Iginla valiantly fought Hollweg after being jumped from behind just 4 minutes into the game, but was not prepared for it and got the worst of it, but Hollweg got a 10 min misconduct for his actions. San Jose was on their heels the whole game, clearly intimidated by our display, of course the sellout home crowd loved it, and even more when we won 2-0.
Back in San Jose, we got two goals in the first period to take a 2-0 lead, but then the refs decided to once again take control of the game. In the second period, we were called for 7 penalties, San Jose for 1, and they potted 3 powerplay markers (the last with 8 seconds left in the period), and the second ended in a tie. Satisfied with the results, the refs backed off a bit, as did we to avoid anymore BS calls, and it remained a tight third period, and OT. What transpired here was beyond mine or anyone’s understanding, at 79:05, Kotalik got called for elbowing, which carried over to the second OT. We surpass the 81 minute mark ready for Kotalik to come back on the ice, but they didn’t let him go. Coach starts screaming at the ref his 2 minutes are up, but no go. Play is dead after Esche faces an onslaught of shots, no go…we’re on an extended PK past the time of the penalty? We try and put another player on the ice but the ref insists it’s too many men and sends back the “extra” player, and our 4 guys desperately block shots while confused with what’s going on. Then, at 85:06 of the second OT, Ohlund rips towards the net which deflects of our defenseman and in past Esche, and the goal is good for a 4-3 victory. Our coach is beyond livid..he actually has to be escorted off the ice by security. Kotalik is only listed with 2 PIM in the game despite serving over 6 minutes in the box. Needless to say I got slapped with another fine. Torres and Stevenson were also given one game suspensions along with the coach for telling the refs off after getting penalties during the game.
Home for game 7, we weren’t going to let anything stop us from overcoming the San Jose Wilfire, knowing that if what transpired in games 4 and 6 happened here, the refs wouldn’t make it out alive. Early goals from Hunter and Iginla gave us a 2-0 lead, which Cheechoo cut in half before the period ended. Kotalik got a goal on the powerplay in the second to give us a 3-1 lead, and in the final period, Higgins goal was matched by Kopitar’s late PPG for the 4-2 win in game 7!!!
Round 2 sees us up against the San Jose Wilfire a team we split a four game series against, but squeaked out an 11-10 scoring edge…could be another tight battle.
We started off game 1 quite slow, either tired from our near loss in the series against Portland, or just underestimated San Jose…Sundin got one in each the first and second periods for a 2-0 lead. Kopitar’s third period goal was matched by Higgins, and we dropped game one 3-1. Neal was injured, Kazionov will probably get a callup within a few games.
Game two started off significantly better, with Briere, Kopitar, and Iginla each getting goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. After a scoreless second, Kotalik and Neal added goals of their own before getting 45 minutes through the game. Langkow got one for San Jose in the middle of the third, but that’s 4 short of what they needed to tie the game, and we beat them 6-1.
Heading to San Jose for game 3, Kopitar and Kotalik get goals at 4:42 and 5:52 of the first, but the Wildfire cut that in half just 42 seconds later. Kotalik would give us another before the period ended, and we would take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. Gaustad, Briere, and Nedved added additional goals during the game, and we destroyed them 6-1 in game 3. Kopitar, Kotalik, and Briere each got 3 points in the game.
San Jose didn’t like losing at home in front of a sellout crowd…and they took it out on Morris. Stastny came in pretty much right off the initial faceoff and bowled a nasty cheap shot on Morris, giving him a dangerous low clip which left him on the ice. Kotalik took offence to the cheap shot and stood up to Stastny…Kotalik got called for slashing, Morris left the ice injured, and Stastny got off without even a look from the ref. We found out after the game that Morris suffered from (BIG SHOCK) a hip flexor strain and would be out for (BIGGER SHOCK) 3 weeks. Stastny, who should have been ejected, instead got a powerplay goal, when he should have been in the box instead of us, giving San Jose an early 1-0 lead. Needless to say, our team was livid at what had just transpired in the first 1:15 of the game, and the frustration lead to another penalty…and another goal…and another penalty…and another goal. Within 9 minutes, San Jose was 3 for 3 on the powerplay, with the ref getting at least a few assists, and Esche was pulled. Hollweg added to the misery a few minutes later, and we end the first down 4-0. Entering the second, the team was pretty down, and went further down when Higgins got his second of the game for a 5-0 lead, but Nedved and Iginla weren’t letting us go down without a fight and made it 5-2…but the period ended 6-2. In the third, we fought back with an angry desperation, determined to at least do some damage (to equal 6 goals on 21 shots)…we played our checking lines more, and Dingman and Stevenson got us back to within 2 goals, but we lost 6-4…not before we pummeled them with 48 hits though, so maybe they’ll think twice next time before throwing some cheap shots (though it paid off for them in this game).
After the game, the coach wanted to share some select words about the reffing, but I insisted he let me do it instead. I tore into them about the joke that stared and determined the outcome of the game, but was sure to keep my comments just about this game and not extend my comments beyond that, of course I was still fined, but gladly accepted it.
Heading back home for game 5, our strategy was to carry over from the end of game four, lay them out and make them pay, but DON’T stoop to their level with any cheap shots. We took 9 penalties in the game, but scored 2 goals and 48 hits. Iginla valiantly fought Hollweg after being jumped from behind just 4 minutes into the game, but was not prepared for it and got the worst of it, but Hollweg got a 10 min misconduct for his actions. San Jose was on their heels the whole game, clearly intimidated by our display, of course the sellout home crowd loved it, and even more when we won 2-0.
Back in San Jose, we got two goals in the first period to take a 2-0 lead, but then the refs decided to once again take control of the game. In the second period, we were called for 7 penalties, San Jose for 1, and they potted 3 powerplay markers (the last with 8 seconds left in the period), and the second ended in a tie. Satisfied with the results, the refs backed off a bit, as did we to avoid anymore BS calls, and it remained a tight third period, and OT. What transpired here was beyond mine or anyone’s understanding, at 79:05, Kotalik got called for elbowing, which carried over to the second OT. We surpass the 81 minute mark ready for Kotalik to come back on the ice, but they didn’t let him go. Coach starts screaming at the ref his 2 minutes are up, but no go. Play is dead after Esche faces an onslaught of shots, no go…we’re on an extended PK past the time of the penalty? We try and put another player on the ice but the ref insists it’s too many men and sends back the “extra” player, and our 4 guys desperately block shots while confused with what’s going on. Then, at 85:06 of the second OT, Ohlund rips towards the net which deflects of our defenseman and in past Esche, and the goal is good for a 4-3 victory. Our coach is beyond livid..he actually has to be escorted off the ice by security. Kotalik is only listed with 2 PIM in the game despite serving over 6 minutes in the box. Needless to say I got slapped with another fine. Torres and Stevenson were also given one game suspensions along with the coach for telling the refs off after getting penalties during the game.
Home for game 7, we weren’t going to let anything stop us from overcoming the San Jose Wilfire, knowing that if what transpired in games 4 and 6 happened here, the refs wouldn’t make it out alive. Early goals from Hunter and Iginla gave us a 2-0 lead, which Cheechoo cut in half before the period ended. Kotalik got a goal on the powerplay in the second to give us a 3-1 lead, and in the final period, Higgins goal was matched by Kopitar’s late PPG for the 4-2 win in game 7!!!
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
Playoffs: Round 3 Conference Final (vs. Colorado Mountaineers)
If our two seven game series weren’t hard enough so far, now we face the Colorado Mountaineers, who have risen from the ashes to be a top team this year. In our 4 games, we got outscored 13-9, going 2-2 against them (both victories being SO wins). Neal and Morris are still out, Kazionov and Wilson are playing in their places.
We start off the series at home, and the battle is certainly tight to start off, with both teams notching powerplay markers in the first. Colorado gets the next two goals, one in the second, and one with just over 4 minutes left in the game, and we’re down 3-1. A bad penalty right after the goal puts us on the PP, and Iginla makes good on it to get us back within a goal. Time ticks down, we pull Esche, and we battle to tie it…and with just 4 seconds left, Briere knocks in a rebound from an Iginla shot, forcing OT! Early in extra time, a slick move by Michalek forces Thorton to get a hold on him to slow him down, resulting in a penalty. With the penalty winding down, Michalek took a blast from the point, Hunter deflected the shot, puck hit the post and bounced away, Kopitar got it and snapped it in, game 1 is ours with a 4-3 decision.
Michalek got game 2 off to a very quick start with a goal just 26 seconds into the game, answered later in the period by Eriksson and Thorton for Colorado, ending with us down 2-1. Kotalik and Brewer scored in the second to regain the lead, and Hunter sealed the deal with a PP goal with just 10 seconds left in the game.
In Colorado, Kopitar got the only goal of the first period for a 1-0 lead, but two goals in two minutes by Colorado would tie it up in the second. Briere tied the game up for us this time, with a late PP goal in the second. The third period saw us take the lead back, only to lose it once again to Joe Thornton, who tied the game and held it for OT. Once in OT, Kotalik got the game winner to give us a 3-0 series lead.
Game four started out fast and furious…for us. Iginla (2), Briere, and Kopitar scored in the first 13 minutes for a comfortable 4-0 lead, and Mark Parrish’s late goal only got them within 3. The second saw us score first, followed by two from Colorado, then a clincher from enforcer Chris Dingman. That 6-3 lead would carry through the scoreless third to give us the series sweep! On to the Stanley Cup Finals!!
Kazionov and Wilson were sent back down to help Spokane out with their playoffs, and Neal and Morris should be back soon. Kazionov (5GP 0G 1A 1PTS -2 2 PIM) had a solid outing with us in the series, his 9 hits were more impressive than his single assist, solid play for a 3rd/4th line kind of guy. Ryan Wilson (5GP 0G 1A -1 2PIM) also played pretty well, 7 hits, 4 blocked shots, he’s definitely making a case for a roster spot next year.
If our two seven game series weren’t hard enough so far, now we face the Colorado Mountaineers, who have risen from the ashes to be a top team this year. In our 4 games, we got outscored 13-9, going 2-2 against them (both victories being SO wins). Neal and Morris are still out, Kazionov and Wilson are playing in their places.
We start off the series at home, and the battle is certainly tight to start off, with both teams notching powerplay markers in the first. Colorado gets the next two goals, one in the second, and one with just over 4 minutes left in the game, and we’re down 3-1. A bad penalty right after the goal puts us on the PP, and Iginla makes good on it to get us back within a goal. Time ticks down, we pull Esche, and we battle to tie it…and with just 4 seconds left, Briere knocks in a rebound from an Iginla shot, forcing OT! Early in extra time, a slick move by Michalek forces Thorton to get a hold on him to slow him down, resulting in a penalty. With the penalty winding down, Michalek took a blast from the point, Hunter deflected the shot, puck hit the post and bounced away, Kopitar got it and snapped it in, game 1 is ours with a 4-3 decision.
Michalek got game 2 off to a very quick start with a goal just 26 seconds into the game, answered later in the period by Eriksson and Thorton for Colorado, ending with us down 2-1. Kotalik and Brewer scored in the second to regain the lead, and Hunter sealed the deal with a PP goal with just 10 seconds left in the game.
In Colorado, Kopitar got the only goal of the first period for a 1-0 lead, but two goals in two minutes by Colorado would tie it up in the second. Briere tied the game up for us this time, with a late PP goal in the second. The third period saw us take the lead back, only to lose it once again to Joe Thornton, who tied the game and held it for OT. Once in OT, Kotalik got the game winner to give us a 3-0 series lead.
Game four started out fast and furious…for us. Iginla (2), Briere, and Kopitar scored in the first 13 minutes for a comfortable 4-0 lead, and Mark Parrish’s late goal only got them within 3. The second saw us score first, followed by two from Colorado, then a clincher from enforcer Chris Dingman. That 6-3 lead would carry through the scoreless third to give us the series sweep! On to the Stanley Cup Finals!!
Kazionov and Wilson were sent back down to help Spokane out with their playoffs, and Neal and Morris should be back soon. Kazionov (5GP 0G 1A 1PTS -2 2 PIM) had a solid outing with us in the series, his 9 hits were more impressive than his single assist, solid play for a 3rd/4th line kind of guy. Ryan Wilson (5GP 0G 1A -1 2PIM) also played pretty well, 7 hits, 4 blocked shots, he’s definitely making a case for a roster spot next year.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
Playoffs: Stanley Cup Finals (vs. Montreal Metros)
We actually made it to the Cup Finals this year, first time in my four years as GM, and we pull the Montreal Metros, a team who’s been devastatingly good the past four years and always seems to challenge for the cup. We had two games against them this year, losing the first in October 4-2, winning the second in January 5-2.
Game 1 saw us completely unprepared after our sweep of Colorado, with Montreal getting 5 unanswered goals, with Kovalev getting 4 points in that 50 minute stretch. In the final minute, Kopitar broke the shutout with a hard-fought powerplay goal, but we drop the first game 5-1 at home in front of a sellout…ouch guys.
Second game we are much better, and while Meszaros gets the first goal for Montreal, Torres and Nedved get the next two of the period for a 2-1 lead. Sharp got an early one in the second to tie it, but Schultz goal early in the third decided it, series now tied 1-1 with the 3-2 victory!
In Montreal, we embarrass them in front of 21,273 home fans, with goals from Kopitar (2), Briere, O’Brien, Nedved, and Iginla, and we walk away with an easy 6-1 victory.
Montreal is much more determined this time around and Kovalchuk gives them the lead just 2 min in…but before the first intermission, Shultz ties the game. After a scoreless second, Nylander gives Montreal their second lead of the game, and hold us off as best they can. Just around the time we’re ready to pull our goalie for the extra man, Nedved ties it up on the powerplay, and the goal forces OT. Despite getting several powerplays in OT, we just can’t put it away…and on comes the second OT. This time, Nedved is ready to go home and go to bed (he’s getting old after all), and puts in the GWG just a minute and a half in, giving us a 3-1 series lead…one game away from the Cup!! We had 59 hits in the game…boy are we a physically punishing team. Morris is back BTW!
It’s all guns blazing for Montreal when we return back home, netting 3 in the first and another in the second to take a 4-0 lead…but they got cocky and thought they had it in the bag. Freshly returned, Morris started off with an early goal, followed by a goal from our veteran friend Nedved, and a late period goal from Hunter, bringing us within one goal. We just didn’t have time to tie it up, and it was too little too late, lose the game 4-3, still up in the series 3-2…returning to Montreal.
In Montreal, the fans were very…”passionate” (read: annoying)…but we shut them up really quick with a goal from Kotalik just 17 seconds in, and we took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission with help of Gaustad. Hunter got one and Iginla 2 in the second to make the game 5-0, and Nedved got his goal early in the third to make it 6-0, the final score. That means that the EMERALD CITY THUNDERBIRDS HAVE WON THEIR FIRST CUP!!!!!!!!!! Time to retire! Just kidding…I have at least 100 more cups to win of course…
We actually made it to the Cup Finals this year, first time in my four years as GM, and we pull the Montreal Metros, a team who’s been devastatingly good the past four years and always seems to challenge for the cup. We had two games against them this year, losing the first in October 4-2, winning the second in January 5-2.
Game 1 saw us completely unprepared after our sweep of Colorado, with Montreal getting 5 unanswered goals, with Kovalev getting 4 points in that 50 minute stretch. In the final minute, Kopitar broke the shutout with a hard-fought powerplay goal, but we drop the first game 5-1 at home in front of a sellout…ouch guys.
Second game we are much better, and while Meszaros gets the first goal for Montreal, Torres and Nedved get the next two of the period for a 2-1 lead. Sharp got an early one in the second to tie it, but Schultz goal early in the third decided it, series now tied 1-1 with the 3-2 victory!
In Montreal, we embarrass them in front of 21,273 home fans, with goals from Kopitar (2), Briere, O’Brien, Nedved, and Iginla, and we walk away with an easy 6-1 victory.
Montreal is much more determined this time around and Kovalchuk gives them the lead just 2 min in…but before the first intermission, Shultz ties the game. After a scoreless second, Nylander gives Montreal their second lead of the game, and hold us off as best they can. Just around the time we’re ready to pull our goalie for the extra man, Nedved ties it up on the powerplay, and the goal forces OT. Despite getting several powerplays in OT, we just can’t put it away…and on comes the second OT. This time, Nedved is ready to go home and go to bed (he’s getting old after all), and puts in the GWG just a minute and a half in, giving us a 3-1 series lead…one game away from the Cup!! We had 59 hits in the game…boy are we a physically punishing team. Morris is back BTW!
It’s all guns blazing for Montreal when we return back home, netting 3 in the first and another in the second to take a 4-0 lead…but they got cocky and thought they had it in the bag. Freshly returned, Morris started off with an early goal, followed by a goal from our veteran friend Nedved, and a late period goal from Hunter, bringing us within one goal. We just didn’t have time to tie it up, and it was too little too late, lose the game 4-3, still up in the series 3-2…returning to Montreal.
In Montreal, the fans were very…”passionate” (read: annoying)…but we shut them up really quick with a goal from Kotalik just 17 seconds in, and we took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission with help of Gaustad. Hunter got one and Iginla 2 in the second to make the game 5-0, and Nedved got his goal early in the third to make it 6-0, the final score. That means that the EMERALD CITY THUNDERBIRDS HAVE WON THEIR FIRST CUP!!!!!!!!!! Time to retire! Just kidding…I have at least 100 more cups to win of course…
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
End of 2009-2010 Season
AHL Playoffs:
Spokane wound up finishing 45-28-7 for 97 points, second in their division and finishing 9th overall. Fargo took the league once again this year at 60-16-4 just five points ahead of (again) Thunder Bay (119 pts), and 9 ahead of 3rd place (again) Michigan.
In the first round Spokane was pitted against the Billings Bulls, who they should have taken easily. The teams swapped wins through the first six, and Spokane won the final game 2-1 , with Kazionov getting the GWG with just 51 seconds left in the game. Thunder Bay easily took their series against Calgary 4-1, Fargo and New Mexico each won their series against Omaha and Dallas 4-2.
In the East, Michigan swept Nashville and Florida swept Carolina, Syracuse destroyed Hamilton in their 4-1 series victory, and Quebec only faced minimal struggles against Harrisburg.
In the Conference Semi-Final, Spokane faced the New Mexico Rattlers, and easily took them out 4-1. Thunder Bay and Fargo, the two best teams in the league again this year, faced each other next, but this time, Fargo wasn’t going to let themselves be upset like last year and they surprisingly destroyed Thunder Bay, sweeping them 4-0 and outscoring them 12-2. On the other side, Michigan swept Florida. The other series saw Quebec and Syracuse battling once again this year, and after each winning and losing a home game, both teams then won their other home games to tie the series 3-3. Game 7 in Quebec saw them get absolutely embarrassed 8-1.
The Western Conference Finals saw Spokane shut down the hot Fargo offense, but they did the same to Spokane. In the end, Spokane just couldn’t quite hold out, and lost the series 4-1 (total goals for the series, Fargo 8 – Spokane 6…gotta be a record for lowest scoring series ever). The battle between Syracuse and Michigan was much closer. Michigan won 3-2 in OT, Syracuse won 3-2, Michigan won 3-1, Syracuse won 4-3 in OT, Michigan won 4-3 in OT, and then Michigan took the cup with another 3-2 OT victory.
The Calder Cup Finals would be a hard fought, very close series. Fargo, Michigan, Michigan, Fargo, Michigan, Fargo, alternate wins to send it to game 7. In the final game, Fargo got the early 1-0 lead, but in the second, Michigan got 2 to take a 2-1 lead. Halfway through the third, Fargo tied it up, and the game was sent to OT. Approaching the halfway point of OT, Fargo took a bad penalty, and it cost them the Cup. Michigan defenseman Jeff Rogers blasted it in from the blueline on the PP play for the Calder Cup.
NHL Playoffs:
The Eastern Conference saw the Montreal Metros (1) knock out the Washington Patriots (8) in a long and close 7 game series, which saw the teams alternating wins the whole way. The New York Nationals (2) were completely upset by the Norfolk Ironclads (7) in 6 games, and the Carolina Equalizers (3) were also upset in 6 games by Jacksonville Rivermen (6). Then, the fully loaded Toronto Knights (4) were easily beaten and upset by the Texas Bandits (5) in just 5 games…that’s right, 3 total upsets in the East.
In the West, our Emerald City Thunderbirds (1) of course managed to knock out our rival Portland Meadowlarks (8) in 7 games. Chicago Express (3) swept the Indiana Hoosiers (6) in a decisive fashion. In the series between Colorado Mountaineers (2) and Vancouver Whitecaps (7), Vancouver took a 3-1 lead in the series, but Colorado (obviously) outscored them 13-5 over the next three games to win in 7. Then, San Jose (4) beat the Los Angeles Gridlock (5) in 7, after giving up a 3-1 series lead and allowing LA to tie it up. So no upsets in the West.
In the Semi-Finals in the East, Montreal came back from a 3-1 deficit to win it in game 7. Jacksonville’s battle against Texas was higher scoring, but much easier, and they moved on in 6 games. On the Western end of things, we overcame the terrible officiating for the game 7 victory, and Colorado overcame Chicago in OT of a thrilling game 7, after the two swapped victories throughout the series.
In the Eastern Conference finals, Montreal had no trouble against the boys from Florida, and moved on after just 5 games. We of course swept Colorado, and the rest is history. We won the Stanly Cup! (and the President’s Trophy!)
World Championships:
This year, the World Championships are being held in Germany. From Group E, Canada, Russia, Sweden, and USA qualified for playoffs while Czech Republic, Finland, Slovakia , and Switzerland made it through from Group F (all the same teams as last year). Belarus, Ukraine, Slovenia, and Austria would not make it through, and their WC ended. Kazakhstan and Norway would survive the Relegation Group, Latvia and Italy would not.
The Semi-Finals were almost a joke, as Canada and Slovakia walked over their opponents, Finland (6-0) and Czech Republic (7-1). USA lost in the previous round to the Czech’s 3-1. The Bronze Medal game was, as a result, a low scoring game, but Finland would take home the Bronze. Canada, once again, could not be solved, and they beat Slovakia 4-2 for the Gold.
Renewed contracts:
- Rane Carnegie (1yr @ $625K) – He now has 127 goals and 346 points in his 297 AHL games…though his output was lower this year, he’s great for my AHL squad, and could probably serve a depth role in the NHL should I need him. Unless he sticks in the NHL this year though, it will be his last for sure.
- Ray Flynn (1yr @ $500K) – Took a step back this year, but still solid defensive defenseman who earned another year.
- Denis Kazionov (2yrs @ $500K) – Showed solid improvement here in his second year, with 44 goals and 83 points in 77 games, along with over 340 hits in 2 seasons. He got 3 points in his 3 game NHL callup and 3 hits, definitely worthy of a contract extension with possible NHL depth potential.
- Aleksej Repkin (1yr @ $500K) – Only 1 point in his 11 game NHL callup, but had some improvement here in his second year, good AHL depth at the least.
- Bobby Bolt (1yr @ $500K) – Great checker…not much of a chance in the NHL, but solid AHL checking depth.
- Doug Murray (1yr @ $700K) – Turned into a solid #6 d-man to counteract other teams checkers.
- Chris Dingman (2yrs @ $525K) – Defensively responsible checker/enforcer.
- Ryan Oulahen (1yr @ $625K) – Like Carnegie, great AHL depth, possibility of serving in an NHL depth role should the need arise
- James Neal (2yrs @ $520K) – Struggled in the playoffs, but had a solid rookie year with 22 points on third line with sometimes streaky linemates.
- Jerome Iginla (3yrs @ $5.55 million) – I wasn’t sure about resigning Iginla for $7+ million, as he was only barely getting over a point-per-game, but when he asked for $5.55 million per year for 3 years, I couldn’t pass up the contract (especially with the way he, Kotalik, and Kopitar Klic…clicked)
- Ryan Wilson (2yrs @ $520K) – Got his lowest point total this year, but only played 54 games due to an NHL callup and injury. His 2 points and 26 hits in his 14 game callup were solid, and he really looked like he wanted a roster spot (he will likely get Michalek’s this year).
- Phil Oreskovich (1yr @ $525K) – Solid AHL depth, good hitter
- Brendan Mikkelson (1yr @ $525K) – Solid AHL depth, good hitter
- Lee Falardeau (1yr @ $675K) – Good cheap checking line player, defensively reliable
- Brandon Prust (1yr @ $550K) – Nice AHL enforcer.
- Jeff Schultz (3yrs @ $1.52 million) – As good as Schultz was last year, he was even better this year, with 31 points and 179 hits along with 79 blocked shots
- Paul Gaustad (2yrs @ $1.02 million) - $1 million for a hard hitting, hard working, team oriented veteran who could competently play on the 2nd-4th lines…what’s not to like about this deal?
Signed the following prospects:
- Michael Del Zotto – LD (CAN, 20) – $875K (3 years)
This Season: OHL—Oshawa Generals (61GP, 18G 68A 86PTS, +45, 78 PIM)
GM Report: Continues to show at least some improvement every year, he’s an offensive defenseman who can eat up monster ice time as well. Still given 1-2 d-man potential.
- Dale Hunt – RW/LW (CAN, 20) – $875K (3 years)
This Season: WHL—Prince George Cougars (65GP, 41G 62A 103PTS, +29, 66 PIM)
GM Report: With 274 points in 225 WHL games with Prince George, he’s got the hands to be a great playmaker. Not sure I quite agree with his first line potential, given that his improvement the past few years hasn’t been that massive, but he’s definitely got solid NHL potential still.
- Braydon Regier – LW (CAN, 19) – $500K (3 years)
This Season: WHL—Lethbridge Hurricanes (72GP, 10G 21A 31pTS, +19, 32 PIM)
GM Report: While this year was a slight step up from his draft year, its 2 steps back from his performance last year (33 goals and 65 points). He’s not really shown a lot of improvement in the attributes of his game either, so he looks like he may never make it out of the AHL.
- Grant Scott – RD/LD (USA, 20) – $500K (3 years)
This Season: UCCE—Lake Superior (50GP, 6G 14A 20PTS, -2, 86 PIM)
GM Report: Despite my hopes, it still doesn’t look like Scott’s learned to use his big size (6’5”) to hit anybody, and he’s still quite soft that way. My hopes of him being a shut-down defenseman may be dying, but the potential and slight improvement is still there.
- Ondrej Weiss – C/LW (CZE, 23) – $500K (3 years)
This Season: Cze-1—Znojmo (50GP, 4G 9A 13PTS, -13, 109 PIM)
GM Report: While he dominated juniors, he’s struggled with the men of the big leagues in Czech. Still, he looks like he could be a solid depth kind of player in the future depending on how his game translates to North American play.
This year, we actually won afew awards! Kotalik won the Conn Smythe, Kopitar was the second runner-up, and Head Coach Ron Chartier was awarded the Jack Adams Trophy. Esche, for his play, was awarded with the William M. Jennings Award, was runner up for the Vezina and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award, and was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team.
End of year trophies:
Art Ross – Ilya Kovalchuk (MON) (second time winning, Montreal players have won the past 4 years)
Bill Masterton – Ilya Kovalchuk (MON)
Calder Memorial – Roman Polak (WNP)
Conn Smythe – Ales Kotalik (EMC)
Frank J. Selke – Wayne Primeau (TWN)
Jack Adams – Ron Chartier (EMC)
James Norris Memorial – Sergei Gonchar (TOR)
Hart Memorial – Ilya Kovalchuk (MON) (2 years in a row)
King Clancy Memorial – Joe Sakic (EDM) (3 years in a row)
Lady Byng Memorial – Simon Gagne (CHI)
Lester B. Pearson – Patrick Marleau (TOR)
Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard – Ilya Kovalchuk (MON) (4 years in a row—60+ goals per year—68 this year)
Vezina – Henrik Lundqvist (SJW)
William M. Jennings – Robert Esche (EMC)
NHL Plus-Minus Award – Peter Forsberg (POR)
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award – Henrick Lundqivst (SJW)
AHL Playoffs:
Spokane wound up finishing 45-28-7 for 97 points, second in their division and finishing 9th overall. Fargo took the league once again this year at 60-16-4 just five points ahead of (again) Thunder Bay (119 pts), and 9 ahead of 3rd place (again) Michigan.
In the first round Spokane was pitted against the Billings Bulls, who they should have taken easily. The teams swapped wins through the first six, and Spokane won the final game 2-1 , with Kazionov getting the GWG with just 51 seconds left in the game. Thunder Bay easily took their series against Calgary 4-1, Fargo and New Mexico each won their series against Omaha and Dallas 4-2.
In the East, Michigan swept Nashville and Florida swept Carolina, Syracuse destroyed Hamilton in their 4-1 series victory, and Quebec only faced minimal struggles against Harrisburg.
In the Conference Semi-Final, Spokane faced the New Mexico Rattlers, and easily took them out 4-1. Thunder Bay and Fargo, the two best teams in the league again this year, faced each other next, but this time, Fargo wasn’t going to let themselves be upset like last year and they surprisingly destroyed Thunder Bay, sweeping them 4-0 and outscoring them 12-2. On the other side, Michigan swept Florida. The other series saw Quebec and Syracuse battling once again this year, and after each winning and losing a home game, both teams then won their other home games to tie the series 3-3. Game 7 in Quebec saw them get absolutely embarrassed 8-1.
The Western Conference Finals saw Spokane shut down the hot Fargo offense, but they did the same to Spokane. In the end, Spokane just couldn’t quite hold out, and lost the series 4-1 (total goals for the series, Fargo 8 – Spokane 6…gotta be a record for lowest scoring series ever). The battle between Syracuse and Michigan was much closer. Michigan won 3-2 in OT, Syracuse won 3-2, Michigan won 3-1, Syracuse won 4-3 in OT, Michigan won 4-3 in OT, and then Michigan took the cup with another 3-2 OT victory.
The Calder Cup Finals would be a hard fought, very close series. Fargo, Michigan, Michigan, Fargo, Michigan, Fargo, alternate wins to send it to game 7. In the final game, Fargo got the early 1-0 lead, but in the second, Michigan got 2 to take a 2-1 lead. Halfway through the third, Fargo tied it up, and the game was sent to OT. Approaching the halfway point of OT, Fargo took a bad penalty, and it cost them the Cup. Michigan defenseman Jeff Rogers blasted it in from the blueline on the PP play for the Calder Cup.
NHL Playoffs:
The Eastern Conference saw the Montreal Metros (1) knock out the Washington Patriots (8) in a long and close 7 game series, which saw the teams alternating wins the whole way. The New York Nationals (2) were completely upset by the Norfolk Ironclads (7) in 6 games, and the Carolina Equalizers (3) were also upset in 6 games by Jacksonville Rivermen (6). Then, the fully loaded Toronto Knights (4) were easily beaten and upset by the Texas Bandits (5) in just 5 games…that’s right, 3 total upsets in the East.
In the West, our Emerald City Thunderbirds (1) of course managed to knock out our rival Portland Meadowlarks (8) in 7 games. Chicago Express (3) swept the Indiana Hoosiers (6) in a decisive fashion. In the series between Colorado Mountaineers (2) and Vancouver Whitecaps (7), Vancouver took a 3-1 lead in the series, but Colorado (obviously) outscored them 13-5 over the next three games to win in 7. Then, San Jose (4) beat the Los Angeles Gridlock (5) in 7, after giving up a 3-1 series lead and allowing LA to tie it up. So no upsets in the West.
In the Semi-Finals in the East, Montreal came back from a 3-1 deficit to win it in game 7. Jacksonville’s battle against Texas was higher scoring, but much easier, and they moved on in 6 games. On the Western end of things, we overcame the terrible officiating for the game 7 victory, and Colorado overcame Chicago in OT of a thrilling game 7, after the two swapped victories throughout the series.
In the Eastern Conference finals, Montreal had no trouble against the boys from Florida, and moved on after just 5 games. We of course swept Colorado, and the rest is history. We won the Stanly Cup! (and the President’s Trophy!)
World Championships:
This year, the World Championships are being held in Germany. From Group E, Canada, Russia, Sweden, and USA qualified for playoffs while Czech Republic, Finland, Slovakia , and Switzerland made it through from Group F (all the same teams as last year). Belarus, Ukraine, Slovenia, and Austria would not make it through, and their WC ended. Kazakhstan and Norway would survive the Relegation Group, Latvia and Italy would not.
The Semi-Finals were almost a joke, as Canada and Slovakia walked over their opponents, Finland (6-0) and Czech Republic (7-1). USA lost in the previous round to the Czech’s 3-1. The Bronze Medal game was, as a result, a low scoring game, but Finland would take home the Bronze. Canada, once again, could not be solved, and they beat Slovakia 4-2 for the Gold.
Renewed contracts:
- Rane Carnegie (1yr @ $625K) – He now has 127 goals and 346 points in his 297 AHL games…though his output was lower this year, he’s great for my AHL squad, and could probably serve a depth role in the NHL should I need him. Unless he sticks in the NHL this year though, it will be his last for sure.
- Ray Flynn (1yr @ $500K) – Took a step back this year, but still solid defensive defenseman who earned another year.
- Denis Kazionov (2yrs @ $500K) – Showed solid improvement here in his second year, with 44 goals and 83 points in 77 games, along with over 340 hits in 2 seasons. He got 3 points in his 3 game NHL callup and 3 hits, definitely worthy of a contract extension with possible NHL depth potential.
- Aleksej Repkin (1yr @ $500K) – Only 1 point in his 11 game NHL callup, but had some improvement here in his second year, good AHL depth at the least.
- Bobby Bolt (1yr @ $500K) – Great checker…not much of a chance in the NHL, but solid AHL checking depth.
- Doug Murray (1yr @ $700K) – Turned into a solid #6 d-man to counteract other teams checkers.
- Chris Dingman (2yrs @ $525K) – Defensively responsible checker/enforcer.
- Ryan Oulahen (1yr @ $625K) – Like Carnegie, great AHL depth, possibility of serving in an NHL depth role should the need arise
- James Neal (2yrs @ $520K) – Struggled in the playoffs, but had a solid rookie year with 22 points on third line with sometimes streaky linemates.
- Jerome Iginla (3yrs @ $5.55 million) – I wasn’t sure about resigning Iginla for $7+ million, as he was only barely getting over a point-per-game, but when he asked for $5.55 million per year for 3 years, I couldn’t pass up the contract (especially with the way he, Kotalik, and Kopitar Klic…clicked)
- Ryan Wilson (2yrs @ $520K) – Got his lowest point total this year, but only played 54 games due to an NHL callup and injury. His 2 points and 26 hits in his 14 game callup were solid, and he really looked like he wanted a roster spot (he will likely get Michalek’s this year).
- Phil Oreskovich (1yr @ $525K) – Solid AHL depth, good hitter
- Brendan Mikkelson (1yr @ $525K) – Solid AHL depth, good hitter
- Lee Falardeau (1yr @ $675K) – Good cheap checking line player, defensively reliable
- Brandon Prust (1yr @ $550K) – Nice AHL enforcer.
- Jeff Schultz (3yrs @ $1.52 million) – As good as Schultz was last year, he was even better this year, with 31 points and 179 hits along with 79 blocked shots
- Paul Gaustad (2yrs @ $1.02 million) - $1 million for a hard hitting, hard working, team oriented veteran who could competently play on the 2nd-4th lines…what’s not to like about this deal?
Signed the following prospects:
- Michael Del Zotto – LD (CAN, 20) – $875K (3 years)
This Season: OHL—Oshawa Generals (61GP, 18G 68A 86PTS, +45, 78 PIM)
GM Report: Continues to show at least some improvement every year, he’s an offensive defenseman who can eat up monster ice time as well. Still given 1-2 d-man potential.
- Dale Hunt – RW/LW (CAN, 20) – $875K (3 years)
This Season: WHL—Prince George Cougars (65GP, 41G 62A 103PTS, +29, 66 PIM)
GM Report: With 274 points in 225 WHL games with Prince George, he’s got the hands to be a great playmaker. Not sure I quite agree with his first line potential, given that his improvement the past few years hasn’t been that massive, but he’s definitely got solid NHL potential still.
- Braydon Regier – LW (CAN, 19) – $500K (3 years)
This Season: WHL—Lethbridge Hurricanes (72GP, 10G 21A 31pTS, +19, 32 PIM)
GM Report: While this year was a slight step up from his draft year, its 2 steps back from his performance last year (33 goals and 65 points). He’s not really shown a lot of improvement in the attributes of his game either, so he looks like he may never make it out of the AHL.
- Grant Scott – RD/LD (USA, 20) – $500K (3 years)
This Season: UCCE—Lake Superior (50GP, 6G 14A 20PTS, -2, 86 PIM)
GM Report: Despite my hopes, it still doesn’t look like Scott’s learned to use his big size (6’5”) to hit anybody, and he’s still quite soft that way. My hopes of him being a shut-down defenseman may be dying, but the potential and slight improvement is still there.
- Ondrej Weiss – C/LW (CZE, 23) – $500K (3 years)
This Season: Cze-1—Znojmo (50GP, 4G 9A 13PTS, -13, 109 PIM)
GM Report: While he dominated juniors, he’s struggled with the men of the big leagues in Czech. Still, he looks like he could be a solid depth kind of player in the future depending on how his game translates to North American play.
This year, we actually won afew awards! Kotalik won the Conn Smythe, Kopitar was the second runner-up, and Head Coach Ron Chartier was awarded the Jack Adams Trophy. Esche, for his play, was awarded with the William M. Jennings Award, was runner up for the Vezina and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award, and was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team.
End of year trophies:
Art Ross – Ilya Kovalchuk (MON) (second time winning, Montreal players have won the past 4 years)
Bill Masterton – Ilya Kovalchuk (MON)
Calder Memorial – Roman Polak (WNP)
Conn Smythe – Ales Kotalik (EMC)
Frank J. Selke – Wayne Primeau (TWN)
Jack Adams – Ron Chartier (EMC)
James Norris Memorial – Sergei Gonchar (TOR)
Hart Memorial – Ilya Kovalchuk (MON) (2 years in a row)
King Clancy Memorial – Joe Sakic (EDM) (3 years in a row)
Lady Byng Memorial – Simon Gagne (CHI)
Lester B. Pearson – Patrick Marleau (TOR)
Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard – Ilya Kovalchuk (MON) (4 years in a row—60+ goals per year—68 this year)
Vezina – Henrik Lundqvist (SJW)
William M. Jennings – Robert Esche (EMC)
NHL Plus-Minus Award – Peter Forsberg (POR)
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award – Henrick Lundqivst (SJW)
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
2010 NHL Entry Draft
Unlike the past few years, there’s actually some depth to this draft…especially in the first two rounds. Of course, having won the cup, I get pick #30, meaning most of the top-end talent is gone, but there’s still more depth this year in the draft as a whole than the past 3 years, so that’s a nice change.
Top Five Draft Picks 2010:
1 – New Jersey – C/LW Doug Cyr (QMJHL)
2 – Buffalo – RD Denis Joyal (QMJHL)
3 – Alaska – RW/C Cal Bissonnette (OHL)
4 – Boston – G Brendon Ayotte (OHL)
5 – Motor City – LD Colan Snow (OHL)
2010 NHL Entry Draft Picks:
1st Round (30th Overall): G Samuli Rautio
Birthdate: 3/22/92 Height: 6'0" Weight: 167 lbs Nationality: FIN
Current Team: Ylivieska (Fin-3)
Last Season: 29GP, 18-10-1, 1.58GAA, .950 SV%)
Projected Role: There were only two really good goalies (and maybe 1-2 crapshoot goalies) available in this draft…and Ayotte went 4th overall, so I was thrilled when Rautio was still available despite being ranked 28th. He’s dominated Finnish Juniors and Fin-3, if he can keep that up, he could be the answer to the goaltending issues I’ve been faced with every off-season.
2nd Round (60th Overall): LW/C Franklin Marcoux
Birthdate: 6/10/92 Height: 5'11” Weight: 165 lbs Nationality: CAN
Current Team: Victoriaville Tigers (QMJHL)
Last Season: 70GP, 30G-40A (70PTS), +13, 97 PIM
Projected Role: Marcoux has a well-rounded game, but his anticipation and hockey sense leave something to be desired. Still, if he can fix those two issues, he’s got all the tools to potentially be a second line winger in the future. Fast, determined, hard-working, team-oriented, two-way player.
3rd Round (90th Overall): LW/C Ilnaz Mikhno
Birthdate: 1/24/92 Height: 6'0" Weight: 165 lbs Nationality: RUS
Current Team: Torpedo K Jrs (Rus-Jr)
Last Season: 40GP, 8G-10A (18PTS), +11, 162 PIM
Projected Role: Admittedly, 18 points in Russian Juniors isn’t exactly something to brag about, but my scouts give him second line potential and highly recommended I take him. He’s a good playmaker, solid speed, and a hard worker, I’m willing to roll it on him if my scouts speak so highly of him.
4th Round (120th Overall): LD/RD Jake Schneider
Birthdate: 7/17/92 Height: 6'0" Weight: 178 lbs Nationality: USA
Current Team: Quinnipiac (USCE)
Last Season: 46GP, 14G-39A (53PTS), +28, 86 PIM
Projected Role: Here’s an offensive defenseman with competency to play on either side. He’s fast, has a nice shot, passes and handles the puck well, battles for the puck, has good vision, and isn’t a defensive liability. My scouts give him #7 potential, but I’m willing to take a chance he may turn out even better. He’s also the takeaway king of the USCE.
6th Round (167th Overall): C/RW Ladislav Kames
Birthdate: 2/13/92 Height: 6'4" Weight: 185 lbs Nationality: CZE
Current Team: Hame (Cze-1)
Last Season: 50GP, 3G-9A (12PTS), +1, 30 PIM
Projected Role: Well, Kames certainly didn’t dominate in the Czech Elite League like he did in juniors the year before (30PTS in 37GP), but he did solid playing as a boy amongst men. Scouts give him anywhere from third line to no real potential, likely as a result of his low determination, but he’s fast and agile, good at faceoffs, has nice hands, and isn’t afraid to dig in deep to get the puck. Power Forward.
6th Round (180th Overall): RW/LW Jamie Smith
Birthdate: 8/8/92 Height: 6'2" Weight: 158 lbs Nationality: USA
Current Team: Central Texas Marshals (NAHL)
Last Season: 60GP, 27G-43A (70PTS), +34, 38 PIM
Projected Role: While his 70 points this year were a step back from his 89 the year before, I really need some RW depth, and he could provide it. It’s an outside shot, and he’ll be a project player (especially given how light he is for his size), but if he can bring his skills up to the level of his physical abilities, he could pan out nicely.
7th Round (210th Overall): LD/RD Guy Ellis
Birthdate: 9/1/92 Height: 6'0" Weight: 207 lbs Nationality: USA
Current Team: Springfield Junior Blues (NAHL)
Last Season: 60GP, 10G-35A (45PTS), -3, 108 PIM
Projected Role: Slight step back this year from his 55 points the season before, and his anticipation is lower than I would like, but he’s big, bulky, and hits hard…could potentially serve as a depth defensive guy.
Unlike the past few years, there’s actually some depth to this draft…especially in the first two rounds. Of course, having won the cup, I get pick #30, meaning most of the top-end talent is gone, but there’s still more depth this year in the draft as a whole than the past 3 years, so that’s a nice change.
Top Five Draft Picks 2010:
1 – New Jersey – C/LW Doug Cyr (QMJHL)
2 – Buffalo – RD Denis Joyal (QMJHL)
3 – Alaska – RW/C Cal Bissonnette (OHL)
4 – Boston – G Brendon Ayotte (OHL)
5 – Motor City – LD Colan Snow (OHL)
2010 NHL Entry Draft Picks:
1st Round (30th Overall): G Samuli Rautio
Birthdate: 3/22/92 Height: 6'0" Weight: 167 lbs Nationality: FIN
Current Team: Ylivieska (Fin-3)
Last Season: 29GP, 18-10-1, 1.58GAA, .950 SV%)
Projected Role: There were only two really good goalies (and maybe 1-2 crapshoot goalies) available in this draft…and Ayotte went 4th overall, so I was thrilled when Rautio was still available despite being ranked 28th. He’s dominated Finnish Juniors and Fin-3, if he can keep that up, he could be the answer to the goaltending issues I’ve been faced with every off-season.
2nd Round (60th Overall): LW/C Franklin Marcoux
Birthdate: 6/10/92 Height: 5'11” Weight: 165 lbs Nationality: CAN
Current Team: Victoriaville Tigers (QMJHL)
Last Season: 70GP, 30G-40A (70PTS), +13, 97 PIM
Projected Role: Marcoux has a well-rounded game, but his anticipation and hockey sense leave something to be desired. Still, if he can fix those two issues, he’s got all the tools to potentially be a second line winger in the future. Fast, determined, hard-working, team-oriented, two-way player.
3rd Round (90th Overall): LW/C Ilnaz Mikhno
Birthdate: 1/24/92 Height: 6'0" Weight: 165 lbs Nationality: RUS
Current Team: Torpedo K Jrs (Rus-Jr)
Last Season: 40GP, 8G-10A (18PTS), +11, 162 PIM
Projected Role: Admittedly, 18 points in Russian Juniors isn’t exactly something to brag about, but my scouts give him second line potential and highly recommended I take him. He’s a good playmaker, solid speed, and a hard worker, I’m willing to roll it on him if my scouts speak so highly of him.
4th Round (120th Overall): LD/RD Jake Schneider
Birthdate: 7/17/92 Height: 6'0" Weight: 178 lbs Nationality: USA
Current Team: Quinnipiac (USCE)
Last Season: 46GP, 14G-39A (53PTS), +28, 86 PIM
Projected Role: Here’s an offensive defenseman with competency to play on either side. He’s fast, has a nice shot, passes and handles the puck well, battles for the puck, has good vision, and isn’t a defensive liability. My scouts give him #7 potential, but I’m willing to take a chance he may turn out even better. He’s also the takeaway king of the USCE.
6th Round (167th Overall): C/RW Ladislav Kames
Birthdate: 2/13/92 Height: 6'4" Weight: 185 lbs Nationality: CZE
Current Team: Hame (Cze-1)
Last Season: 50GP, 3G-9A (12PTS), +1, 30 PIM
Projected Role: Well, Kames certainly didn’t dominate in the Czech Elite League like he did in juniors the year before (30PTS in 37GP), but he did solid playing as a boy amongst men. Scouts give him anywhere from third line to no real potential, likely as a result of his low determination, but he’s fast and agile, good at faceoffs, has nice hands, and isn’t afraid to dig in deep to get the puck. Power Forward.
6th Round (180th Overall): RW/LW Jamie Smith
Birthdate: 8/8/92 Height: 6'2" Weight: 158 lbs Nationality: USA
Current Team: Central Texas Marshals (NAHL)
Last Season: 60GP, 27G-43A (70PTS), +34, 38 PIM
Projected Role: While his 70 points this year were a step back from his 89 the year before, I really need some RW depth, and he could provide it. It’s an outside shot, and he’ll be a project player (especially given how light he is for his size), but if he can bring his skills up to the level of his physical abilities, he could pan out nicely.
7th Round (210th Overall): LD/RD Guy Ellis
Birthdate: 9/1/92 Height: 6'0" Weight: 207 lbs Nationality: USA
Current Team: Springfield Junior Blues (NAHL)
Last Season: 60GP, 10G-35A (45PTS), -3, 108 PIM
Projected Role: Slight step back this year from his 55 points the season before, and his anticipation is lower than I would like, but he’s big, bulky, and hits hard…could potentially serve as a depth defensive guy.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
Offseason (2010):
The following players were released or couldn’t reach an extension agreement:
- Daniel Briere (great player, just can’t justify $5 million to put him on the second line behind Kopitar)
- Kyle Gajewski (career ECHLer, no improvement the past few years)
- Craig Morris (no real improvement)
- Peter Nedved (would keep him, but his age is catching him, and out-skating him)
- Elgin Reid (not as good in the AHL as in juniors)
- Turner Stevenson (excellent year last year, but at 38, can’t expect the enforcer to last a whole year)
- Tomas Svoboda (undrafted experiment failed)
- Raffi Torres (couldn’t reach an agreement, will pursue in offseason to bring him back)
- John Vigilante (4 solid AHL seasons, made no impact during callups, time to make room for someone else)
- Zbynek Michalek (surprise to many, but he just wasn’t my kind of d-man, even getting 30 points a season)
So, that list down, it looks like I will need a 2nd line winger to replace Nedved, second line center to replace Briere, and 3rd & 4th line RW to replace Torres (or get him back) and Stevenson. Wilson will start off with the #6 d-man spot unless someone outplays him in preseason/training camp.
- Raffi Torres – LW/RW (CAN, 28) - $710K (1 year)
Last Season: NHL—Emerald City Thunderbirds (79GP 14G 17A 31PTS +3 137PIM)
GM Report: Not only was I able to resign him, but he was asking for $300K less than he was at the end of the season…and 31 points and over a hundred hits for a 3rd liner…SOLD!
- Samuli Rautio – G (FIN, 18) - $685K (2 years)
Last Season: See Draft Notes
GM Report: Normally I don’t sign guys at 18 unless they’re really, really good, I prefer they develop in Juniors (wherever they may be). But just having Howard in net and with no even decent young goalies to go with him, I figured I’d bring Rautio over and get him started early, either AHL or ECHL (depending on how many starts he’s given behind Howard).
- Radek Suchanek – C (CZE, 30) - $3,540,000 (4 years)
Last Season: NHL—Washington Patriots (77GP 17G 23A 40PTS +10 59PIM)
GM Report: Last year he got 40 points, before that 58, before that 89…so he can be a point-per-game guy on the top line or a solid scorer on the second line, that’s nice versatility. I don’t usually long term deal with free agents, instead reserving that space for youngsters as I bring them up, but I don’t think Hughes will be ready for at least another year (injury set him back), and even then he’ll probably play 3rd line for a year or two.
- Darren McCarty – RW (CAN, 38) - $505K (1 year)
Last Season: NHL—New Jersey Bulldogs (78GP 8G 9A 17PTS +0 201PIM)
GM Report: Brought him in to be my fourth line enforcer to replace Stevenson. He looked great when I signed him, even at 38, but at the end of the offseason, he’s speed and skating have declined drastically. Starting to look like a poor signing now, but it could give Carnegie the opportunity he needs to earn a spot on the roster.
- Peter Schaefer – LW (CAN, 33) - $1,700,000 (2 years)
Last Season: NHL—Twin City Timberwolves (82GP 28G 33A 61PTS +7 48PIM)
GM Report: Great speedy winger who puts up plenty of points…hoping he really meshes with Suchanek and Hunter who look to be solid compliments to his style.
The following players were released or couldn’t reach an extension agreement:
- Daniel Briere (great player, just can’t justify $5 million to put him on the second line behind Kopitar)
- Kyle Gajewski (career ECHLer, no improvement the past few years)
- Craig Morris (no real improvement)
- Peter Nedved (would keep him, but his age is catching him, and out-skating him)
- Elgin Reid (not as good in the AHL as in juniors)
- Turner Stevenson (excellent year last year, but at 38, can’t expect the enforcer to last a whole year)
- Tomas Svoboda (undrafted experiment failed)
- Raffi Torres (couldn’t reach an agreement, will pursue in offseason to bring him back)
- John Vigilante (4 solid AHL seasons, made no impact during callups, time to make room for someone else)
- Zbynek Michalek (surprise to many, but he just wasn’t my kind of d-man, even getting 30 points a season)
So, that list down, it looks like I will need a 2nd line winger to replace Nedved, second line center to replace Briere, and 3rd & 4th line RW to replace Torres (or get him back) and Stevenson. Wilson will start off with the #6 d-man spot unless someone outplays him in preseason/training camp.
- Raffi Torres – LW/RW (CAN, 28) - $710K (1 year)
Last Season: NHL—Emerald City Thunderbirds (79GP 14G 17A 31PTS +3 137PIM)
GM Report: Not only was I able to resign him, but he was asking for $300K less than he was at the end of the season…and 31 points and over a hundred hits for a 3rd liner…SOLD!
- Samuli Rautio – G (FIN, 18) - $685K (2 years)
Last Season: See Draft Notes
GM Report: Normally I don’t sign guys at 18 unless they’re really, really good, I prefer they develop in Juniors (wherever they may be). But just having Howard in net and with no even decent young goalies to go with him, I figured I’d bring Rautio over and get him started early, either AHL or ECHL (depending on how many starts he’s given behind Howard).
- Radek Suchanek – C (CZE, 30) - $3,540,000 (4 years)
Last Season: NHL—Washington Patriots (77GP 17G 23A 40PTS +10 59PIM)
GM Report: Last year he got 40 points, before that 58, before that 89…so he can be a point-per-game guy on the top line or a solid scorer on the second line, that’s nice versatility. I don’t usually long term deal with free agents, instead reserving that space for youngsters as I bring them up, but I don’t think Hughes will be ready for at least another year (injury set him back), and even then he’ll probably play 3rd line for a year or two.
- Darren McCarty – RW (CAN, 38) - $505K (1 year)
Last Season: NHL—New Jersey Bulldogs (78GP 8G 9A 17PTS +0 201PIM)
GM Report: Brought him in to be my fourth line enforcer to replace Stevenson. He looked great when I signed him, even at 38, but at the end of the offseason, he’s speed and skating have declined drastically. Starting to look like a poor signing now, but it could give Carnegie the opportunity he needs to earn a spot on the roster.
- Peter Schaefer – LW (CAN, 33) - $1,700,000 (2 years)
Last Season: NHL—Twin City Timberwolves (82GP 28G 33A 61PTS +7 48PIM)
GM Report: Great speedy winger who puts up plenty of points…hoping he really meshes with Suchanek and Hunter who look to be solid compliments to his style.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
Preseason
Preseason was pretty solid this year, we went 4-0-2 in our six strictly preseason games. We had big wins against Columbus (8-2) and New Jersey (5-2), the rest were average games with 4-5 combined goals. Top two lines look pretty strong this year, even if my second line is mostly new…Torres has been awful though, as has McCarty (Carnegie, get ready, can’t imagine it will be long before you make your way up in his place).
Pacific Cup
I finally got around to setting up with a few other GMs that pre-season Cup I wanted to do. Originally I was going for a Pacific Northwest Cup of us, Portland, Vancouver, and Alaska or Edmonton, however, when approached in early September, both Canadian teams insisted they were “unavailable” to play at that time…despite not having any games scheduled yet for their preseason (and they never played any on those dates). So, instead it became the Pacific Cup between us, Portland, San Jose, and Alaska. No doubt next year I will try and approach Vancouver/Edmonton a bit earlier so they can’t have any excuses (you know…other than being a bunch of pansies).
Night one saw us starting off against Portland, and San Jose facing Alaska. First period saw us getting two goals, one from newcomer Peter Schaefer, the other from Hunter (assist to newcomers Suchanek and Schaefer), for a nice 2-0 lead. In the second, at the games halfway point, Portland got their first from James Sheppard to pull within one…then within 2 minutes of the third, they tied the game up. Approaching halfway through the final period, Schaefer yet again scored, followed by Morris and Neal, for a 5-2 win. San Jose burned Alaska 4-0.
Second night saw us playing against Alaska. This time Iginla got us on the board first, just two minutes in, on the powerplay, but no further goals would be scored in the first. Just 58 seconds into the second, Alaska would tie the game from a one-timer goal by Ryan Dube. Kotalik would give us the lead again just 2 minutes later, and O’Brien would widen the game just 3 minutes after that. Third overall pick from this past year Cal Bissonnette would score near the end to close the game to 3-2. In the third though, an early goal by Hunter was sealed with a later goal from Schaefer, for our second 5-2 victory. Portland beat San Jose 5-2, making them and San Jose 1-1, Alaska 0-2, me 2-0…meaning a game 3 victory would seal it for me regardless of the rest of the games.
Final night would see us face San Jose Wildfire, a team we nearly got screwed against in the Conference Semi-Finals this past season. Well, we got goals from Iginla, Suchanek, McCarty, Hunter (2), and Wilson to give us a 6-0 lead after 30:30 of the game…four came on powerplays. We just relaxed the rest of the game and coasted…Langkow got 2 in 1:47 in the third, but it was an easy 6-2 victory and we clinch the first ever Pacific Cup.
With Alaska beating Portland 4-3, that meant it was a three-way tie for second (and last), with all three other teams going 1-2. Portland would get the tiebreaker at 10GF - 11GA, San Jose second at 8GF – 11GA, and Alaska last with 6GF – 12GA. I would say it was exciting, but only about 3,000 people came to each of the games (vs. 11-12K at each of our preseason games)…did people not know about the tournament?
So we go 7-0-2 overall through the course of the entire preseason.
Preseason was pretty solid this year, we went 4-0-2 in our six strictly preseason games. We had big wins against Columbus (8-2) and New Jersey (5-2), the rest were average games with 4-5 combined goals. Top two lines look pretty strong this year, even if my second line is mostly new…Torres has been awful though, as has McCarty (Carnegie, get ready, can’t imagine it will be long before you make your way up in his place).
Pacific Cup
I finally got around to setting up with a few other GMs that pre-season Cup I wanted to do. Originally I was going for a Pacific Northwest Cup of us, Portland, Vancouver, and Alaska or Edmonton, however, when approached in early September, both Canadian teams insisted they were “unavailable” to play at that time…despite not having any games scheduled yet for their preseason (and they never played any on those dates). So, instead it became the Pacific Cup between us, Portland, San Jose, and Alaska. No doubt next year I will try and approach Vancouver/Edmonton a bit earlier so they can’t have any excuses (you know…other than being a bunch of pansies).
Night one saw us starting off against Portland, and San Jose facing Alaska. First period saw us getting two goals, one from newcomer Peter Schaefer, the other from Hunter (assist to newcomers Suchanek and Schaefer), for a nice 2-0 lead. In the second, at the games halfway point, Portland got their first from James Sheppard to pull within one…then within 2 minutes of the third, they tied the game up. Approaching halfway through the final period, Schaefer yet again scored, followed by Morris and Neal, for a 5-2 win. San Jose burned Alaska 4-0.
Second night saw us playing against Alaska. This time Iginla got us on the board first, just two minutes in, on the powerplay, but no further goals would be scored in the first. Just 58 seconds into the second, Alaska would tie the game from a one-timer goal by Ryan Dube. Kotalik would give us the lead again just 2 minutes later, and O’Brien would widen the game just 3 minutes after that. Third overall pick from this past year Cal Bissonnette would score near the end to close the game to 3-2. In the third though, an early goal by Hunter was sealed with a later goal from Schaefer, for our second 5-2 victory. Portland beat San Jose 5-2, making them and San Jose 1-1, Alaska 0-2, me 2-0…meaning a game 3 victory would seal it for me regardless of the rest of the games.
Final night would see us face San Jose Wildfire, a team we nearly got screwed against in the Conference Semi-Finals this past season. Well, we got goals from Iginla, Suchanek, McCarty, Hunter (2), and Wilson to give us a 6-0 lead after 30:30 of the game…four came on powerplays. We just relaxed the rest of the game and coasted…Langkow got 2 in 1:47 in the third, but it was an easy 6-2 victory and we clinch the first ever Pacific Cup.
With Alaska beating Portland 4-3, that meant it was a three-way tie for second (and last), with all three other teams going 1-2. Portland would get the tiebreaker at 10GF - 11GA, San Jose second at 8GF – 11GA, and Alaska last with 6GF – 12GA. I would say it was exciting, but only about 3,000 people came to each of the games (vs. 11-12K at each of our preseason games)…did people not know about the tournament?
So we go 7-0-2 overall through the course of the entire preseason.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
2010-2011 Season Preview:
Apparently, despite winning the Stanley Cup last year and having mostly the same team with only a few relatively lateral changes, we’re ranked 20th. Considering we haven’t finished lower than that under my reign, shouldn’t be too hard to exceed those expectations pending something catastrophic *knocks on wood*
The top three teams are predicted to be the Montreal Metros (always a top team), Toronto Knights (again…loaded up), and the Chicago Express (solid contender each year and one of the most popular teams). Buffalo has actually improved to an 18th overall ranking, despite their recent records…guess they think Mike Modano is the answer to all their problems. Bottom dwellers this year are to be the Milwaukee Mavericks (usually a solid team), Alaska Bears (…again), and Boston Milita (when your “key new face” is Ben Clymer…).
Eric Brewer is rated as the 6th best defenseman in the league, though I might argue Morris was better last year, and Iginla is still rated as the league’s best Right Winger. Surprisingly Kopitar doesn’t even make the list.
Lineup for the 2010-2011 Emerald City Thunderbirds (season starts off with H/A against Alaska)
A. Kotalik // A. Kopitar // J. Iginla (C)
P. Schaefer // R. Suchanek // T. Hunter
J. Neal // P. Gaustad (A) // R. Torres
C. Dingman // L. Falardeau // D. McCarty
E. Brewer // D. Morris (A)
J. Schultz // S. O’Brien
D. Murray // R. Wilson
Starting Goalie: R. Esche
Backup: B. Boucher
My Top Prospects:
1. C John Hughes (AHL)
2. LD Michael Del Zotto (AHL)
2. RW/LW Dale Hunt (AHL)
4. LW/C Franklin Marcoux (QMJHL)
5. LD/RD Jake Schneider (USCE)
6. C/LW Slavomir Jabrocky (WHL)
7. C/RW Ladislav Kames (Cze-1)
8. RW/LW Jamie Smith (UCCE)
9. LW/RW James Van Riemsdyk (AHL)
10. LD/RD Ray Flynn (AHL)
11. LD Nathan Martine (AHL)
12. RD/LD Ryan Wilson (AHL)
At some point during the season I hope to give the following guys callus to see how they perform (5 games):
Defense: Ray Flynn, Nathan Martine
Left Wing: James Van Riemsdyk, Denis Kazionov
Center: John Hughes, Ryan Oulahen
Right Wing: Rane Carnegie
Goalie: Jimmy Howard
Apparently, despite winning the Stanley Cup last year and having mostly the same team with only a few relatively lateral changes, we’re ranked 20th. Considering we haven’t finished lower than that under my reign, shouldn’t be too hard to exceed those expectations pending something catastrophic *knocks on wood*
The top three teams are predicted to be the Montreal Metros (always a top team), Toronto Knights (again…loaded up), and the Chicago Express (solid contender each year and one of the most popular teams). Buffalo has actually improved to an 18th overall ranking, despite their recent records…guess they think Mike Modano is the answer to all their problems. Bottom dwellers this year are to be the Milwaukee Mavericks (usually a solid team), Alaska Bears (…again), and Boston Milita (when your “key new face” is Ben Clymer…).
Eric Brewer is rated as the 6th best defenseman in the league, though I might argue Morris was better last year, and Iginla is still rated as the league’s best Right Winger. Surprisingly Kopitar doesn’t even make the list.
Lineup for the 2010-2011 Emerald City Thunderbirds (season starts off with H/A against Alaska)
A. Kotalik // A. Kopitar // J. Iginla (C)
P. Schaefer // R. Suchanek // T. Hunter
J. Neal // P. Gaustad (A) // R. Torres
C. Dingman // L. Falardeau // D. McCarty
E. Brewer // D. Morris (A)
J. Schultz // S. O’Brien
D. Murray // R. Wilson
Starting Goalie: R. Esche
Backup: B. Boucher
My Top Prospects:
1. C John Hughes (AHL)
2. LD Michael Del Zotto (AHL)
2. RW/LW Dale Hunt (AHL)
4. LW/C Franklin Marcoux (QMJHL)
5. LD/RD Jake Schneider (USCE)
6. C/LW Slavomir Jabrocky (WHL)
7. C/RW Ladislav Kames (Cze-1)
8. RW/LW Jamie Smith (UCCE)
9. LW/RW James Van Riemsdyk (AHL)
10. LD/RD Ray Flynn (AHL)
11. LD Nathan Martine (AHL)
12. RD/LD Ryan Wilson (AHL)
At some point during the season I hope to give the following guys callus to see how they perform (5 games):
Defense: Ray Flynn, Nathan Martine
Left Wing: James Van Riemsdyk, Denis Kazionov
Center: John Hughes, Ryan Oulahen
Right Wing: Rane Carnegie
Goalie: Jimmy Howard
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
October 2010 Review
Only took a few games and I noticed John Tripp was placed on waivers…how could I resist? Great enforcer who wins most of his fights, hits hard, and is younger (33) than McCarty (and at a cost of only $600K). McCarty can enjoy keeping the bench warm for a while more than likely.
We got off to a fast start this month and it just carried through the majority of the month. The team is starting off as solid this year as last year, and other than Neal hitting his 100th NHL game, it was business as usual for the team.
We ended the month 8-2-1 for 17 points, top of our Conference and tied for 2nd in the league (but we lost the tie-breaker). Iginla (8G 9A 17PTS), Kopitar (6G 9A 15PTS), Kotalik (4G 9A 13PTS), and Schaefer (3G 8A 11PTS) each have over a point-per-game, Hunter and Suchanek each have 10 points in 11 games. Falardeau and Torres have been playing poorly so far this year. Atlanta is currently at the top of the league once again, at 12-2-0 for 24 points. Surprisingly, Columbus is the team we are tied for 2nd with, San Jose and Chicago are right behind us. In the basement are New Jersey (typical), New York (quite a drop from the past few season), Boston (act surprised), Buffalo (noooo….really?), and Portland (1-9-1 *bursts out laughing*).
Spokane finished with an ASTOUNDING 4-1-0 record for October…that’s right, they played 5 games between October 7 and the end of the month. Their 8 points are tied for last in the division, but they have 4-6 games in hand and Las Vegas is only 4 points ahead at the top. Overall, they’re 19th, Syracuse leads the league (along with Michigan and Calgary) with 14 points (but Syracuse is 7-0-0). By the end of November they should catch up though, the league thought it would be fun to give them 5 games in 6 nights, 7 in 9 and 11 in 16…and 14 in 21...that’s they’re month starting November 9th. Even worse, Howard will be out 2 weeks with a broken hand, leaving sole goaltending responsibilities on rookie Samuli Rautio.
Only took a few games and I noticed John Tripp was placed on waivers…how could I resist? Great enforcer who wins most of his fights, hits hard, and is younger (33) than McCarty (and at a cost of only $600K). McCarty can enjoy keeping the bench warm for a while more than likely.
We got off to a fast start this month and it just carried through the majority of the month. The team is starting off as solid this year as last year, and other than Neal hitting his 100th NHL game, it was business as usual for the team.
We ended the month 8-2-1 for 17 points, top of our Conference and tied for 2nd in the league (but we lost the tie-breaker). Iginla (8G 9A 17PTS), Kopitar (6G 9A 15PTS), Kotalik (4G 9A 13PTS), and Schaefer (3G 8A 11PTS) each have over a point-per-game, Hunter and Suchanek each have 10 points in 11 games. Falardeau and Torres have been playing poorly so far this year. Atlanta is currently at the top of the league once again, at 12-2-0 for 24 points. Surprisingly, Columbus is the team we are tied for 2nd with, San Jose and Chicago are right behind us. In the basement are New Jersey (typical), New York (quite a drop from the past few season), Boston (act surprised), Buffalo (noooo….really?), and Portland (1-9-1 *bursts out laughing*).
Spokane finished with an ASTOUNDING 4-1-0 record for October…that’s right, they played 5 games between October 7 and the end of the month. Their 8 points are tied for last in the division, but they have 4-6 games in hand and Las Vegas is only 4 points ahead at the top. Overall, they’re 19th, Syracuse leads the league (along with Michigan and Calgary) with 14 points (but Syracuse is 7-0-0). By the end of November they should catch up though, the league thought it would be fun to give them 5 games in 6 nights, 7 in 9 and 11 in 16…and 14 in 21...that’s they’re month starting November 9th. Even worse, Howard will be out 2 weeks with a broken hand, leaving sole goaltending responsibilities on rookie Samuli Rautio.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
November 2010 Review
In our 2-1 loss to start out the month, Esche played his 300th NHL game, Torres his 500th. After we beat Buffalo 6-3 a few days later, Kotalik hits goal #200, Tripp gets his 500th penalty minute (shortly after hitting his 200th game).
It’s been a relatively steady month, not a significant amount to report on…a few short term injuries, some solid wins and close losses, no real big milestones or major/groundbreaking games. We did have a bit of a thriller against San Jose though…
Playing at home in front of 15,787 people, two teams were set to do war. Torres got us on the board first, but San Jose got one from enforcer Andrew Peters just a couple of minutes later. Derek Morris followed up a few minutes later on the PP to regain the lead, but 3 minutes later, San Jose tied it once again. In the second, only Mats Sundin would net a goal, near the end of the period, to give San Jose their first lead of the game. Goals from Iginla and Falardeau though in the first 3:37 of the third gave the Thunderbirds the lead once again! Then, at 54:45 and 56:04, Cheechoo would blast in two straight to give San Jose a late lead. Sophmore James Neal would respond in the final two minutes, with help from Kopitar and Iginla on the PP and tie it up. Eventually, the game would go to a shootout…Kopitar then Sundin both missed…Iginla scored, Briere missed…then Hunter locked it up, final 6-5. Esche was admittedly pretty awful, 5 GA on 23 shots (just 18 saves), Lundqvist had 42 saves for San Jose, 3 for 10 on the PP helped us though.
At the end of the month, Jarome Iginla was named the NHL Best Offensive Player of the Week with his 2G 4A in 2 games.
It’s a great month for us, 11-2-0, 19-4-1 overall, 39 points, top of the league! We’re actually tied with Atlanta in points but have 3 games in hand. Montreal is right on our heels with 38 points, followed by Chicago and San Jose. The bottom 6 is a mixture of surprises and some easily predicted teams. Boston (25), Alaska (27), Kansas City (28), and Buffalo (30) are no real surprises, but New York (26) and Detroit/Motor City (29) definitely are. Iginla (24GP 15G 19A 34) is 7th in league scoring, Kopitar (24GP 10G 20A 30PTS) is 14th.
Spokane is 16-4-1 for 33 points, top of their division by 7 points over Vegas and New Mexico, 3rd in the league. Syracuse and Michigan remain ahead of them, Syracuse with 38 points. Erie has only 8 points at the bottom of the league, but Cincinnati and Madison are very close, also with only 4 wins each. Samuli Rautio (9GP 6-2-0 2.05GAA .911 SV%) served well in Howard’s absence earlier in the month…but for some reason isn’t getting much playing time despite Howard’s .900 SV% and 2.46GAA (though he is 9-2-1). Hughes (21GP 16G 14A 30PTS) and Kazionov (21GP 8G 18A 26PTS) lead the team with over a point per game. The team is getting much more depth scoring it seems this year from the second line, but there are a number of guys also underperforming. Of course, the team seems to have been having some injury issues as of late.
In our 2-1 loss to start out the month, Esche played his 300th NHL game, Torres his 500th. After we beat Buffalo 6-3 a few days later, Kotalik hits goal #200, Tripp gets his 500th penalty minute (shortly after hitting his 200th game).
It’s been a relatively steady month, not a significant amount to report on…a few short term injuries, some solid wins and close losses, no real big milestones or major/groundbreaking games. We did have a bit of a thriller against San Jose though…
Playing at home in front of 15,787 people, two teams were set to do war. Torres got us on the board first, but San Jose got one from enforcer Andrew Peters just a couple of minutes later. Derek Morris followed up a few minutes later on the PP to regain the lead, but 3 minutes later, San Jose tied it once again. In the second, only Mats Sundin would net a goal, near the end of the period, to give San Jose their first lead of the game. Goals from Iginla and Falardeau though in the first 3:37 of the third gave the Thunderbirds the lead once again! Then, at 54:45 and 56:04, Cheechoo would blast in two straight to give San Jose a late lead. Sophmore James Neal would respond in the final two minutes, with help from Kopitar and Iginla on the PP and tie it up. Eventually, the game would go to a shootout…Kopitar then Sundin both missed…Iginla scored, Briere missed…then Hunter locked it up, final 6-5. Esche was admittedly pretty awful, 5 GA on 23 shots (just 18 saves), Lundqvist had 42 saves for San Jose, 3 for 10 on the PP helped us though.
At the end of the month, Jarome Iginla was named the NHL Best Offensive Player of the Week with his 2G 4A in 2 games.
It’s a great month for us, 11-2-0, 19-4-1 overall, 39 points, top of the league! We’re actually tied with Atlanta in points but have 3 games in hand. Montreal is right on our heels with 38 points, followed by Chicago and San Jose. The bottom 6 is a mixture of surprises and some easily predicted teams. Boston (25), Alaska (27), Kansas City (28), and Buffalo (30) are no real surprises, but New York (26) and Detroit/Motor City (29) definitely are. Iginla (24GP 15G 19A 34) is 7th in league scoring, Kopitar (24GP 10G 20A 30PTS) is 14th.
Spokane is 16-4-1 for 33 points, top of their division by 7 points over Vegas and New Mexico, 3rd in the league. Syracuse and Michigan remain ahead of them, Syracuse with 38 points. Erie has only 8 points at the bottom of the league, but Cincinnati and Madison are very close, also with only 4 wins each. Samuli Rautio (9GP 6-2-0 2.05GAA .911 SV%) served well in Howard’s absence earlier in the month…but for some reason isn’t getting much playing time despite Howard’s .900 SV% and 2.46GAA (though he is 9-2-1). Hughes (21GP 16G 14A 30PTS) and Kazionov (21GP 8G 18A 26PTS) lead the team with over a point per game. The team is getting much more depth scoring it seems this year from the second line, but there are a number of guys also underperforming. Of course, the team seems to have been having some injury issues as of late.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
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- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
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Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
December 2010 Review
Kopitar started off the month with 2 goals and an assist in our 4-3 victory over Milwaukee Mavericks…which brings him to 100 career NHL goals in just his 3rd season! For his part, Robert Esche earned NHL Best Defensive Player of the Week during the week overlapping Nov/Dec, going 3-0-0, with 1 shutout and a .944 SV%.
Morris hits his 900th NHL game when we beat Indiana 3-1…Boucher also played his first game in like 3 weeks and performed very well. Next game, Gaustad hits game 400, Falardeau 200.
Nice way to mark the midpoint of the month, Anze Kopitar (30GP 14G 26A 40PTS +15 14 PIM) will be out for two weeks with…you guessed it…a hip flexor strain. Aleksej Repkin is getting the callup, since it’s his last season to prove himself.
First game of the season against Portland starts off with a nice goal by Paul Gaustad, now bumped up to the second line. Unfortunately, Portland would get goals from Ryan Stone, Eric Fehr, Matthew Lombardi, and Daniel Sedin by minute 32 for a 4-1 lead. Brewer cut the deficit to 2 in the third, but that’s as close as we’d get…this against the team ranked 14th in the conference and facing their terrible backup goalie *facepalm*
Next game ended up being a 4-3 SO loss to Edmonton, but one thing’s for sure, it wasn’t Robert Esche’s fault…or my defenses fault. Esche stood on his head and stopped 56 of 59 shots, that’s the highest I’ve seen in a regular season game. My team also held Edmonton to 1 for 12 on the PP, and blocked 42 shots…Edmonton was just blazing through this game so to come away with a 4-3 SO loss is pretty good IMO. Hunter got his 300th point in the game.
Aleksej Repkin (5GP 0G 0A 5HT 2SB) was sent back down after his unimpressive callup. John Hughes (31GP 21G 25A 46PTS) got 3 points in Spokane’s 9-2 stomping of Oklahoma City, putting him past the 100 AHL point mark. It also marked Kazionov’s 100th AHL assist.
Ryan Oulhanen got a 3 game callup, and after a horrid first game, played solid his next two getting an assist in each…but Kopitar’s return ended his callup quickly. Torres has been playing quite poorly overall this season…definitely not on pace with how he played last season, which was quite good for a third liner. I’m going to scratch him a few games, move Tripp up to his place on the third line, and put McCarty, who’s sat in the bleachers for 35 games, in on the fourth line.
Despite missing 8 games, Kopitar was named NHL Offensive Player of the Month, with 4 goals and 6 assists in his 6 games played.
December ends with us going 10-3-1, now sitting atop the league at 29-7-2 with 60 points. Montreal and Atlanta remain impossible to shake, with 59 points each. Indiana has dropped to the bottom four, where they are tied with Motor City, just 3 points ahead of Boston and Buffalo.
Spokane had a great month, with a few big victories (9-2, 7-2, 6-2) and are 26-6-3 for 55 points overall, 10 points ahead of second-place New Mexico in the West Division. Overall, Spokane is second just one point behind Syracuse. John Hughes (35GP 23G 29A 52PTS) is tied for second in points in the league, just 1 behind Richmond’s Clark MacArthur, Kazionov (35GP 15G 31A 46PTS) is 8th.
Kopitar started off the month with 2 goals and an assist in our 4-3 victory over Milwaukee Mavericks…which brings him to 100 career NHL goals in just his 3rd season! For his part, Robert Esche earned NHL Best Defensive Player of the Week during the week overlapping Nov/Dec, going 3-0-0, with 1 shutout and a .944 SV%.
Morris hits his 900th NHL game when we beat Indiana 3-1…Boucher also played his first game in like 3 weeks and performed very well. Next game, Gaustad hits game 400, Falardeau 200.
Nice way to mark the midpoint of the month, Anze Kopitar (30GP 14G 26A 40PTS +15 14 PIM) will be out for two weeks with…you guessed it…a hip flexor strain. Aleksej Repkin is getting the callup, since it’s his last season to prove himself.
First game of the season against Portland starts off with a nice goal by Paul Gaustad, now bumped up to the second line. Unfortunately, Portland would get goals from Ryan Stone, Eric Fehr, Matthew Lombardi, and Daniel Sedin by minute 32 for a 4-1 lead. Brewer cut the deficit to 2 in the third, but that’s as close as we’d get…this against the team ranked 14th in the conference and facing their terrible backup goalie *facepalm*
Next game ended up being a 4-3 SO loss to Edmonton, but one thing’s for sure, it wasn’t Robert Esche’s fault…or my defenses fault. Esche stood on his head and stopped 56 of 59 shots, that’s the highest I’ve seen in a regular season game. My team also held Edmonton to 1 for 12 on the PP, and blocked 42 shots…Edmonton was just blazing through this game so to come away with a 4-3 SO loss is pretty good IMO. Hunter got his 300th point in the game.
Aleksej Repkin (5GP 0G 0A 5HT 2SB) was sent back down after his unimpressive callup. John Hughes (31GP 21G 25A 46PTS) got 3 points in Spokane’s 9-2 stomping of Oklahoma City, putting him past the 100 AHL point mark. It also marked Kazionov’s 100th AHL assist.
Ryan Oulhanen got a 3 game callup, and after a horrid first game, played solid his next two getting an assist in each…but Kopitar’s return ended his callup quickly. Torres has been playing quite poorly overall this season…definitely not on pace with how he played last season, which was quite good for a third liner. I’m going to scratch him a few games, move Tripp up to his place on the third line, and put McCarty, who’s sat in the bleachers for 35 games, in on the fourth line.
Despite missing 8 games, Kopitar was named NHL Offensive Player of the Month, with 4 goals and 6 assists in his 6 games played.
December ends with us going 10-3-1, now sitting atop the league at 29-7-2 with 60 points. Montreal and Atlanta remain impossible to shake, with 59 points each. Indiana has dropped to the bottom four, where they are tied with Motor City, just 3 points ahead of Boston and Buffalo.
Spokane had a great month, with a few big victories (9-2, 7-2, 6-2) and are 26-6-3 for 55 points overall, 10 points ahead of second-place New Mexico in the West Division. Overall, Spokane is second just one point behind Syracuse. John Hughes (35GP 23G 29A 52PTS) is tied for second in points in the league, just 1 behind Richmond’s Clark MacArthur, Kazionov (35GP 15G 31A 46PTS) is 8th.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
January 2011 Review
Welcome to January, O’Brien suffered an injury in practice…of course it was a hip flexor strain…thankfully he’ll only be out about 10 days. Ray Flynn is getting the callup for a short stint, he’s earned a shot.
Prospect Franklin Marcoux was named QMJHL Offensive Player of the Week for the first week of January after racking up an impressive 6 goals and 3 assists in 3 games…four of those goals came Victoriaville’s 5-0 trouncing of Drummondville, the last three coming as a Natural Hat Trick. He now has 28G and 30A on the season, just 2G 10A shy of what he got last year, and after only 41 games.
I think Atlanta knows voodoo, they just got Colorado to straight up exchange Dan Boyle for Thomas Martens, a 19 year old defensive prospect who is lucky if he has NHL potential ever in the future…nice going Colorado.
Johnathan Tripp was given a contract extension of one-year at $650K…solid, cheap, hard-hitting enforcer
World Junior U20 Championships
This year, Group A consisted of Belarus, Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden, and the Switzerland, while Group B saw Austria, Canada, Finland, France (whaaaa? Again?) and Slovakia…that’s right, the USA didn’t even make it in this year. There are good players out there too, they’re just not picking them apparently. As expected, Canada swept their way to the semi-finals, but didn’t dominate this year like they usually do with only 12GF 4GA; on the other side, Russia took top honors in a very tight race with the Czechs and Sweden (but Belarus and Switzerland were only 3 points behind). Belarus, Switzerland, Slovakia, and France fell to the Relegation league, where Belarus and Slovakia would win to keep their spots for next year. Maybe I’ll apply to be USA U20 GM next year since whoever they have right now sucks.
In the Semi-Finals, Finland squeaked past Russia with 3 unanswered goals to take the game 3-2, Canada of course Canada shutout Sweden 3-0. After that, Sweden walked all over Russia en route to a 5-0 routing of them for Bronze. Likewise, Canada stomped Finland 5-1 for their 7th straight Gold Medal.
We only had two players make appearances this year, Slavomir Jabrocky (6GP 2G 2A) and Ilnaz Mikhno (6GP 0G 2A).
I don’t know what happened in our game against the lowly-rated Kansas City Mohawks, but after taking a 4-0 lead into the first half of the game, and 4-1 after two periods, we decided to let KC score 4 between 49:39 and 59:22 to tie the game. Thankfully, Suchanek came through and got the GWG with just 9 seconds left to crush their spirits…back to backup duties Boucher.
Game two against Portland, Esche in net tonight. Ray Flynn, during his last game of a 5-game callup got the first goal of the game and his first career NHL goal. Schaefer and Suchanek added their own goals in our easy 3-1 victory over the Meadowlarks. We’re tied 1-1 now, with 6 games left in our series. Flynn is going to replace Murray for a few games now that O’Brien is back. He has 3 points, 7 hits, and 4 blocked shots in 5 games.
Kazionov hits AHL point #200, just 3 games before his 200th AHL game! Dingman hits his 1500 career PIM.
In Portland for the third game of the series, this time they take the lead with a goal from Henrik Sedin in the first. In the last 10 minutes of the second, goals from Schaefer and Tripp put us ahead, but two goals in a one minute span in the 3rd from Fehr and Liles let Portland top us in this one.
Flynn had a decent 10 game callup, though his play declined slightly at times. Still, 3 points, 15 hits, 10 blocked shots…he’ll get himself another look for sure. Hunter also got injured, strained his groin, meaning Rane Carnegie will get his chance to prove himself. I hope he makes an impression up in Emerald City, 138 goals, 374 points in 322 career AHL games over 5+ seasons, after going undrafted, it’d be great to see him make the big club!
Esche got named NHL Defensive Player of the Month at 5-1-0 with 1.50 GAA and a .953 SV% and 1 shutout. He would have played a lot more but I was playing some crappier teams during the month and wanted to get Boucher some decent starts. Jimmy Howard finally picked up his play a bit (in terms of SV% not just wins), winning all 8 games he played in and getting 4 shutouts! He’s now 24-4-4 overall…his partner Rautio is 13-3-0.
The Emerald City Thunderbirds went 9-4-1 in January, good for 79 points (38-11-3) and topping the league. Well, actually we’re tied with Atlanta, but we have a game in hand. Chicago and Montreal are behind us with 73 points apiece. Bottom five are Kansas City, Motor City, Boston, Indiana, and perennial crapper team, Buffalo. Are alarms not sounding yet in Buffalo? They have finished 14th, 12th, 12th, 15th, and now 15th in the Eastern Conference over the past 5 seasons…something has gotta change. All of their ’07 and ’08 picks are total busts, from ’09 though Matt Duchene looks quite promising for them when he finishes college, as does Ryan Hicks from the 2nd round of the ’10 draft, but it looks like they rushed Denis Joryal (their 1st rounder from ’10) as he’s struggling quite a lot with Buffalo this year. All their other picks look like what you flush down the toilet.
Spokane burned the AHL in January and are now 38-7-4 for 80 points, 27 ahead of the second place team in the West Division, the California Quake. They have also now surpassed Syracuse by 4 points, are 8 ahead of Thunder Bay, and 19 points ahead of everyone else.
Welcome to January, O’Brien suffered an injury in practice…of course it was a hip flexor strain…thankfully he’ll only be out about 10 days. Ray Flynn is getting the callup for a short stint, he’s earned a shot.
Prospect Franklin Marcoux was named QMJHL Offensive Player of the Week for the first week of January after racking up an impressive 6 goals and 3 assists in 3 games…four of those goals came Victoriaville’s 5-0 trouncing of Drummondville, the last three coming as a Natural Hat Trick. He now has 28G and 30A on the season, just 2G 10A shy of what he got last year, and after only 41 games.
I think Atlanta knows voodoo, they just got Colorado to straight up exchange Dan Boyle for Thomas Martens, a 19 year old defensive prospect who is lucky if he has NHL potential ever in the future…nice going Colorado.
Johnathan Tripp was given a contract extension of one-year at $650K…solid, cheap, hard-hitting enforcer
World Junior U20 Championships
This year, Group A consisted of Belarus, Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden, and the Switzerland, while Group B saw Austria, Canada, Finland, France (whaaaa? Again?) and Slovakia…that’s right, the USA didn’t even make it in this year. There are good players out there too, they’re just not picking them apparently. As expected, Canada swept their way to the semi-finals, but didn’t dominate this year like they usually do with only 12GF 4GA; on the other side, Russia took top honors in a very tight race with the Czechs and Sweden (but Belarus and Switzerland were only 3 points behind). Belarus, Switzerland, Slovakia, and France fell to the Relegation league, where Belarus and Slovakia would win to keep their spots for next year. Maybe I’ll apply to be USA U20 GM next year since whoever they have right now sucks.
In the Semi-Finals, Finland squeaked past Russia with 3 unanswered goals to take the game 3-2, Canada of course Canada shutout Sweden 3-0. After that, Sweden walked all over Russia en route to a 5-0 routing of them for Bronze. Likewise, Canada stomped Finland 5-1 for their 7th straight Gold Medal.
We only had two players make appearances this year, Slavomir Jabrocky (6GP 2G 2A) and Ilnaz Mikhno (6GP 0G 2A).
I don’t know what happened in our game against the lowly-rated Kansas City Mohawks, but after taking a 4-0 lead into the first half of the game, and 4-1 after two periods, we decided to let KC score 4 between 49:39 and 59:22 to tie the game. Thankfully, Suchanek came through and got the GWG with just 9 seconds left to crush their spirits…back to backup duties Boucher.
Game two against Portland, Esche in net tonight. Ray Flynn, during his last game of a 5-game callup got the first goal of the game and his first career NHL goal. Schaefer and Suchanek added their own goals in our easy 3-1 victory over the Meadowlarks. We’re tied 1-1 now, with 6 games left in our series. Flynn is going to replace Murray for a few games now that O’Brien is back. He has 3 points, 7 hits, and 4 blocked shots in 5 games.
Kazionov hits AHL point #200, just 3 games before his 200th AHL game! Dingman hits his 1500 career PIM.
In Portland for the third game of the series, this time they take the lead with a goal from Henrik Sedin in the first. In the last 10 minutes of the second, goals from Schaefer and Tripp put us ahead, but two goals in a one minute span in the 3rd from Fehr and Liles let Portland top us in this one.
Flynn had a decent 10 game callup, though his play declined slightly at times. Still, 3 points, 15 hits, 10 blocked shots…he’ll get himself another look for sure. Hunter also got injured, strained his groin, meaning Rane Carnegie will get his chance to prove himself. I hope he makes an impression up in Emerald City, 138 goals, 374 points in 322 career AHL games over 5+ seasons, after going undrafted, it’d be great to see him make the big club!
Esche got named NHL Defensive Player of the Month at 5-1-0 with 1.50 GAA and a .953 SV% and 1 shutout. He would have played a lot more but I was playing some crappier teams during the month and wanted to get Boucher some decent starts. Jimmy Howard finally picked up his play a bit (in terms of SV% not just wins), winning all 8 games he played in and getting 4 shutouts! He’s now 24-4-4 overall…his partner Rautio is 13-3-0.
The Emerald City Thunderbirds went 9-4-1 in January, good for 79 points (38-11-3) and topping the league. Well, actually we’re tied with Atlanta, but we have a game in hand. Chicago and Montreal are behind us with 73 points apiece. Bottom five are Kansas City, Motor City, Boston, Indiana, and perennial crapper team, Buffalo. Are alarms not sounding yet in Buffalo? They have finished 14th, 12th, 12th, 15th, and now 15th in the Eastern Conference over the past 5 seasons…something has gotta change. All of their ’07 and ’08 picks are total busts, from ’09 though Matt Duchene looks quite promising for them when he finishes college, as does Ryan Hicks from the 2nd round of the ’10 draft, but it looks like they rushed Denis Joryal (their 1st rounder from ’10) as he’s struggling quite a lot with Buffalo this year. All their other picks look like what you flush down the toilet.
Spokane burned the AHL in January and are now 38-7-4 for 80 points, 27 ahead of the second place team in the West Division, the California Quake. They have also now surpassed Syracuse by 4 points, are 8 ahead of Thunder Bay, and 19 points ahead of everyone else.
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coasterholic14
- Top Prospect
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- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:38 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Re: Thunder in the West (Fantasy NHL)
February 2011 Review
In the AHL All-Star game Kazionov and Howard would be representing Spokane on PlanetUSA, Hughes on Canada. Hughes and Kazionov had uneventful games in PlanetUSA’s 8-2 trouncing, Howard stopped all 14 shots he faced.
Schaefer got a nasty cut on his foot during the first game of the month (a close 1-0 victory) and will be out for 2 weeks…Kazionov (51GP 21G 41A 62PTS) will be the lucky recipient of a callup.
Jarome Iginla had an assist in the West All-Stars 7-4 victory over the East. Simone Gagne got MVP honors with 1G 2A.
Esche suffered a groin strain in our 4-3 loss to the Norfolk Ironclads that will put him out for about 10 days…Howard will get the callup and will get at least one start while he’s here (cleared waivers before the season started so I can bring him up and down freely now).
Kazionov (6GP 2G 5A 7PTS) had a very respectable showing playing 3rd line and getting some top line PP time…including a 4 point effort (1G 3A) in his 4th game, he also got 8 hits and 2 SB…he definitely made a case for himself. Not sure what the deal is with the top line and the rest of my team though, as we’re 4-5-1 in the last 10 at the moment, we’ve been losing a lot of one-goal games lately.
Next day, Tripp goes down for a month with a fractured ankle…looks like Rane Carnegie will get another chance here, and a much longer one this time. In other news, we silently cruised through the trade deadline, despite the numerous “rumors” of players leaving. Despite our recent slide, I really like where we’re at atop the league, our top lines have been mostly fantastic, our depth has been solid, our defense excellent, and our goaltending top-notch…don’t think I could really do much to improve the team this year, so I’d rather leave them alone.
Howard got two starts during his callup and put up two solid performances, 2.52GAA and a .914 SV%. Unfortunately he also got 2 losses for his efforts, though that’s more to the team not scoring than anything he did.
Game 4 against Portland, Kotalik (2), Kopitar, and Falardeau scored in our 4-0 shutout of them to even series once again at two apiece. The game marks Esche’s 25th career shutout (8th this season, 14th with our team)…Kotalik’s two goals break him past the 500 mark…Iginla’s assist brings him to 500 in his career…and Suchanek plays his 500th game...quite a milestone game eh? Suchanek will be out a few days with an injury from the game though…Hughes will get a brief second line callup. Esche was also named NHL Defensive Player of the week getting 2 shutouts in his 2 games.
Esche earned NHL Defensive Player of the Month with 3 shutouts and 6 wins in his 7 games!
The Thunderbirds dropped off a bit this month, 6-5-1, but we’re still atop the league at 44-16-4 for 92 points…one point ahead of Atlanta, 2 ahead of Chicago, 3 ahead of Montreal. Thought he bottom dwellers are predictable at this point, I guess I still need to mention them…Motor City (51), Buffalo (50), Boston (49).
Spokane continues to tear it up, now 46-9-5 with 97 points…that’s 31 ahead of second place Billings in the West Division. They are topping the league, just 1 point over Thunder Bay and 4 points ahead of Syracuse (who are the only team with a playoff spot clinched), and then 16 points over everyone else. Erie is dead last with 15 wins and 34 points, just 1 point behind Madison (14 wins).
In the AHL All-Star game Kazionov and Howard would be representing Spokane on PlanetUSA, Hughes on Canada. Hughes and Kazionov had uneventful games in PlanetUSA’s 8-2 trouncing, Howard stopped all 14 shots he faced.
Schaefer got a nasty cut on his foot during the first game of the month (a close 1-0 victory) and will be out for 2 weeks…Kazionov (51GP 21G 41A 62PTS) will be the lucky recipient of a callup.
Jarome Iginla had an assist in the West All-Stars 7-4 victory over the East. Simone Gagne got MVP honors with 1G 2A.
Esche suffered a groin strain in our 4-3 loss to the Norfolk Ironclads that will put him out for about 10 days…Howard will get the callup and will get at least one start while he’s here (cleared waivers before the season started so I can bring him up and down freely now).
Kazionov (6GP 2G 5A 7PTS) had a very respectable showing playing 3rd line and getting some top line PP time…including a 4 point effort (1G 3A) in his 4th game, he also got 8 hits and 2 SB…he definitely made a case for himself. Not sure what the deal is with the top line and the rest of my team though, as we’re 4-5-1 in the last 10 at the moment, we’ve been losing a lot of one-goal games lately.
Next day, Tripp goes down for a month with a fractured ankle…looks like Rane Carnegie will get another chance here, and a much longer one this time. In other news, we silently cruised through the trade deadline, despite the numerous “rumors” of players leaving. Despite our recent slide, I really like where we’re at atop the league, our top lines have been mostly fantastic, our depth has been solid, our defense excellent, and our goaltending top-notch…don’t think I could really do much to improve the team this year, so I’d rather leave them alone.
Howard got two starts during his callup and put up two solid performances, 2.52GAA and a .914 SV%. Unfortunately he also got 2 losses for his efforts, though that’s more to the team not scoring than anything he did.
Game 4 against Portland, Kotalik (2), Kopitar, and Falardeau scored in our 4-0 shutout of them to even series once again at two apiece. The game marks Esche’s 25th career shutout (8th this season, 14th with our team)…Kotalik’s two goals break him past the 500 mark…Iginla’s assist brings him to 500 in his career…and Suchanek plays his 500th game...quite a milestone game eh? Suchanek will be out a few days with an injury from the game though…Hughes will get a brief second line callup. Esche was also named NHL Defensive Player of the week getting 2 shutouts in his 2 games.
Esche earned NHL Defensive Player of the Month with 3 shutouts and 6 wins in his 7 games!
The Thunderbirds dropped off a bit this month, 6-5-1, but we’re still atop the league at 44-16-4 for 92 points…one point ahead of Atlanta, 2 ahead of Chicago, 3 ahead of Montreal. Thought he bottom dwellers are predictable at this point, I guess I still need to mention them…Motor City (51), Buffalo (50), Boston (49).
Spokane continues to tear it up, now 46-9-5 with 97 points…that’s 31 ahead of second place Billings in the West Division. They are topping the league, just 1 point over Thunder Bay and 4 points ahead of Syracuse (who are the only team with a playoff spot clinched), and then 16 points over everyone else. Erie is dead last with 15 wins and 34 points, just 1 point behind Madison (14 wins).