Tigers Clinch Central
Injuries
Hollett - 1 Week
Shaw - Hoping to return for last 2 Regular Season Games. Status Not confirmed
Edit: It was mentioned that he is hoping for a return in the first round of playoffs.
Possible First Round Match-Ups
Brandon - Very LIkely
Regina - Unlikely but possible
Hollett - 1 Week
Shaw - Hoping to return for last 2 Regular Season Games. Status Not confirmed
Edit: It was mentioned that he is hoping for a return in the first round of playoffs.
Possible First Round Match-Ups
Brandon - Very LIkely
Regina - Unlikely but possible
46 comments:
Bob Ridley was on the Pipeline Show this week, said Shaw is hopefully he can play the last 2 regular season games.
Sure looking forward to the cool uniforms tonight! Also will be nice to see a more complete line up, still missing some guys but happy to see our list of injured cut in half. And looks like Craven is 2 weeks from return - I like this physical play! Hope it comes together in time for playoffs!
And come on Rassell, hoping for 49 and even maybe 50 tonight!
Tigers looked like they had some extra oomf in their game against Red Deer.
Ostir looked very good out there.
I worry about Rassell not playing his game. I feel he's trying overly hard to score goals to reach 50 and not using his linemates to help get him there.
Jevne is on fire with 8 goals in his last 8 games. Showing a lot of confidence and new moves with the puck. Trying to make a good case for himself to be one of the overagers next season.
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I get quite nervous when Quenn and Nassen are on the ice together, but they were on the positive end of the plus/minus game last night.
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Lethbridge lost last night, so the Tigers gained a valuable 2 points.
Agree on Quen and Nassen. I believe the pairings would be best if they were
Queneville Rubins
Nassen Macpherson
Gally Clayton
I would agree that the captain is probably trying a bit to hard to get to the 50 goal mark but it's also human nature. Fifty goals is a major accomplishment in any league.
I liked the line of Ostir and the two under achieving 16 year olds (insert head shake) thought they had lots of speed and created chances because of it.
I agree. I'm not sure if ostir will stay on that line the rest of the year but he certainly does make that line better.
How about jevne. 2 months ago I was a little let down about him. As a 19 year old I expected a lot more but the last 10 games or so he has been great. He's found the scoring touch and he's a big reason why we keep winning. Good on him.
I'm thinking that if Mason Shaw gets the clearance to play that he will be slotted with Ostir and Williams. The other three lines have been pretty stable for some time now and don't see them changing anything.
I don't really like the Preziuso Chyzowski Jevne Line Combo. I feel they don't work well together and when they score it's individual goals, or goals that involve the defenceman, rather than than a line that shows chemistry together.
If Jevne has on off night that whole line stinks. When he plays well that line clicks. I don't like that. If someone has an off night the other two should pick it up. It wasn't until Jevne's resurgence when that line suddenly clicked. That line was scored on 3 times last night.
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I have noticed the Tigers are playing much better defensively in their own zone. May not look like it with 6 goals scored against last night, but their more adept to man vs man Defense instead of zone play. Forwards are watching and looking for trailing players I love that!
Unfortunately they spent a ton of energy in the 2nd period against Regina defending. Bullion has been playing extremely well lately and he's giving the Tigers chances to win.
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In terms of Line Combo's
They have a big question. Do they pair Rassell with Shaw or do they keep Rassell and Hamblin together?
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My Line of thinking....
Centreman
Shaw
Hamblin
Haden
White
Chyzowski, Rybinksi, Brown all have faceoff time, however those 4 mentioned above have the highest faceoff percentages over 50%. Faceoffs can be so key. Example Chyzowski lost a draw cleanly in his own end last night, and the puck ended up in the back of the Tigers net. I think Haden fits the 3rd line, and white the 4th line very well. I feel their play-styles are taylor made for those positions.
White has a high face-off percentage, but I find he often makes errant passes which is why I prefer haden on the 3rd line.
Variation 1
Rassell Shaw Lockner
Chyzowski Hamblin Jevne/Ostir
Brown Haden Jevne/Ostir
Preziuso White Williams/Rybinksi
PP1 Shaw Rassell Chyzowski Ostir Quenneville
PP2 Hamblin Jevne Brown Lockner Nassen
PK1 Rassell Lockner Macpherson Rubins
PK2 Shaw Jevne Gally Clayton
1. overpowered Top Line. Shaw is a playmaker, Rassal is a shooter, Lockner has a good defensive mindset. Nervous about the Shaw and rassell chemistry, but could be explosive as rassal is a shooter and shaw is a playmaker. If that variation doesn't work out switch to Var 2.
2nd and 3rd Lines - More of 2 2nd lines. I think I prefer the chemistry of Ostir on the "3rd" line, and Jevne on line 2 but could rotate those 2 if a spark is needed.
4th line - Should overpower any opposing teams 4th lines. Preziuso can gain confidence with his speed picking on rookies, white ensures faceoff wins and Williams/Rybinski unfortunately fight for the last 3rd spot.
Variation 2
Rassell Hamblin Lockner
Chyzowski Shaw Ostir
Brown Haden Jevne
Preziuso White Williams/Rybinksi
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Again Jevne/Ostir could switch up, but many variations with this line structure.
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Longtimefan comments about what the Tigers have been using the last little while. I think the Tigers will be more likely to use this, or a variation of this.
Rassell Hamblin Lockner
(Williams/Rybinksi/Brown) Shaw Ostir
Preziuso Chyzowski Jevne
Haden White (Williams/Rybinski/Brown)
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What line combos would you guys like to see if shaw returns?
I would like to see you coaching on the Tigers staff!! You always seem to have better ideas than the actual coaches!!!! Also I really hope we don't see Regina in the first round, we just don't play well against them.
Thanks for the compliment!! Made my day.
I Imagine they have a weekly laughing session on here :) For example, on my comments above, they could easily say well we haven't played those line combos all year, why start at the end of the season?...and it would be a valid point.
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Regina is definitely a lot better than at mid-season. I agree having them as a first round opponent would be very tough. The Tigers showed that a team with chemistry and speed can overwhelm them though.
Regina's response was by playing physical and it created multiple turnovers in the Tigers zone
Elijah Brown will likely return to the lineup tomorrow Jordan Hollett is in Ottawa visiting Senators medical staff and will return Saturday.
Good to hear! Bullion is playing so well lately that it will be some good competition in net.
5 points in his last 5 games for Josh Wiliams. Where are the haters at now. Lol
Dont know what anyone else thought or if someone saw it from a different angle, the play where Rassell got hurt looked pretty intentional and dirty. I do not like seeing that in a game. I hope he is ok! Anyone hear anything about his condition? He played a good game. Glad to see him get 50!
Chyz got 20 goals, I feel like he has flown under the radar for me. That is a strong year for him!
Also, Lethbridge lost......so does that mean we need one point to clinch the title
3 Points is the magic number, but it will be difficult for Lethbridge to catch the Tigers now. They need to run the table.
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On the Rassell Hit... I didn't think the hit was dirty. It was a hockey play and the guy was trying to sweep in for body positioning. Rassell was gassed and reaching.
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Yes, Williams scored his 10th goal. That ties him for top 3 in the league for 16yr olds goals.
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Tigers have a big dilemma for the 6th defenceman...Craven, Clayton, Longo. 3 guys for one spot. I hope they can clinch early and give their vets a rest.
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In terms of the refs I felt the Tigers got very lucky with calls. It seemed to be one-sided in favor of the Tigers and If I was an Edmonton fan that game would have had me throwing things as special teams was the difference in the game.
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I didn't like this game from the Tigers standpoint. They had a good first period, but stepped off the gas. Those types of games promote bad habbits. At least they should be well rested for tomorrow. Frazer mentioned on the radio they have been flat for a few games so we will see if they change things up in Red Deer.
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Quenneville had 4 points, but from a defensive standpoint he needs to be much better. That was a very poor defensive game from him.
Agreed I'm a big Quennevile fan but tonight he got burned a few times. Definitely not his best game despite getting 4 assists. In my opinion Queneville, Nassen and Gally should never be on the ice together at the same time.
I would like something like this
Rubins Quennevile
Nassen Macpherson
Gally Craven
When does Shaw head to Minnesota to get checked out by the docs down there? He is still listed as indefinite, was hoping to see him get a game or two prior to playoffs. And it seems that he has been skating for a bit now. Would love to see a full line-up for playoffs.
Rassell said he's not too sure where his shoulder is at after the hit,but hopes to be ready for tonight's game after a good night's sleep
Protecting leads most certainly isn't the strong suit of this team and I believe most of it is due to the fact they always seem to be trying to add instead of doing the little things to keep what they have. Going to use Friday's home game as an example. Just after they had scored the two power play goals to take the lead there was a puck dumped into the Edmonton end and Hayden Ostir was first in and retrieved the puck, rather than keep it down low below the goal line he blindly threw it out into the slot past both Hamblin and Rassell and Edmonton intercepted it and went the other way 4on 2 where they got a great chance to score. Just one example of what I've seen dozens of times, the three forwards getting trapped or an ill advised pinch by a d man leading to an odd man rush. Tigers are always saying they want to play fast but I think it would be more logical to play smart as well.
I feel you're hitting on something that they've been doing a lot the past few months, trying to put pucks into open areas on the ice and sometimes falling victim to blind passes expecting a teammate to be there. Looks good when it works, looks bad when it doesn't.
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Also, you're right the team works more efficiently when all players are properly rotating back efficiently in the offensive zone.
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I want to touch on something here because they have made big adaptations to their game this season. I'll try to explain using David Quenneville as a reference and apply the concept to the Tigers offense.
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I don't know if there is an official hockey term for this, but there is an area I like to call "the danger zone" for a defenceman
The danger zone is roughly 5-6 inches before the end of a players poke-checking-reach, to a foot or two beyond his reach.
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That is the most dangerous area for the puck to be in on a defenceman. A skilled forward can stickhandle faster than a defenceman can poke-check. A Change in speed or direction of the forward means the defenceman has virtually no time to react. (Think of it like a chess match with unlimited moves)
Most forwards in the whl have pre-set moves that they utilize in this danger zone without really thinking or realizing it. The elite forwards of the game live in this danger zone and react to the defenceman. The elite defenceman track the forwards overall momentum and don't get tricked by stickhandling or head fakes.
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A guy like Quenneville doesn't have the footspeed, reach or agility to keep up with an elite forward. He is resigned to challenge anyone who skates into his danger zone because otherwise he will get beat to the outside. Sometimes we will see him rush up and reach too quickly, or reach and deaden his speed. It's nothing on him but his physical features limit his ability to defend against elite forwards.
It's why a lot of teams draft tall defenceman who can skate. (Bigger reach, just as quick)
The best thing Quenneville should practice is agility drills twisting and turning while skating backwards every practice.
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Applying this concept to offense.....With the Tigers
They are chipping the puck just outside an opponents "danger zone area" just as an incoming Tiger player approaches the area.
This allows for a lot of randomnesses to the Tigers attack and makes it very difficult to defend against. If we think about it.....
Instead of the defender reading where the pass is going and getting set, they are continually pressured into the danger zone with limited time to react with a Tiger right on their ass with the puck.
It's the equivalent of shooting on a goalie before he is set. Sometimes they get too cozy and chip the puck without looking. It can also be prone to odd-man rushes if forward rotations are not spot on.
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I still don't like their line combos. To me, Haden, chyzowski, Prezioso, Ostir, Brown are underperforming because of line chemistry and not their effort. I actually hope they contiue to use them though so when shaw comes back it will be difficult to pick out tendencies with completely different lines in playoffs.
Sorry, I went on a ramble there, but couldn't stop myself.
I don’t see this team winning a series vs Brandon or PA Without Shaw. Bullion has to be getting tired he’s been in every game since Hollet went down,pretty long stretch of games. why does Clouston struggle to give the rookies a couple games, Lane has shown he’s capable and I’m sure Garin would love to show himself aswell.
Hopefully they lock up the top spot tomorrow so he can rest veteran guys on the weekend
I would hope Bjorklund will get a start against Lethbridge if the clinch first place tomorrow.
Any word on Hollett? I am not a big Bullion fan, I find he gets out of position/over commits. But in saying that he has sure stepped up and carried the team. Just will be happy to have Hollett back!! Hope it is soon!
And anyone know if we are actually likely to see Shaw before playoffs?
Bullion has played decent but I agree he gets lost way to often. I heard a week or so ago that shaw might play the last two games of the year but I haven't heard anything since so that might not happen now.
Frazer mentioned they were hoping for Hollett to be ready when he came back from Ottawa last weekend. The game report they just put out for Calgary says he is still out week to week...
We heard they wanted shaw to come back for the last 2 regular season games. Also heard he needs to be cleared my Minnesota doctors and planned to visit them in March. Haven't heard anything about him the last week
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Would agree about the Bullion comments. He's been decent but wouldn't have to make a lot of those saves look great if he was
Better positionily.
100% agree. You never know what your going to get.
Rybinski is scratched ? Oh my I guess they actually started to count turnovers
Sounds like Shaw won't be back. They mentioned on the radio he is unlikely for the first or second round of playoffs.
That really sucks, I am a bit shocked. He literally has not played one game this year. Pretty tough on him. I was sure he would make playoffs. So he is likely heading home, too bad for him. I can not see the Wild pulling him up next year given that he is now 2 full years shy in his junior career.
Watching this Calgary game and the RD game, Shaw does not have to worry about playing, this team will be done in 4 if they dont find another gear. Slow and not much jump tonight. Too bad, they are capable of more.
Not expecting a long playoff run with this team because the first round opposition is going to be a real good eastern team and I'm ok with that. the future looks pretty good with this team, but to have any chance they need to fix the special teams. Both have been average to below average most of the year and it's what wins and loses playoff games.
How do we go from him possibly playing the last 2 games to not even coming back??
Catfan, we (the Tigers) don't have much of a say. Totally on the Minnesota Wild and their doctors if he plays or not. They must think he isn't ready, therefore he doesn't play.
How does the playoff brackets get decided? I dont understand anymore with the wild card layout.
Not like we played a bad game tonight but like usual we found a way to lose. Good teams find ways to win and we struggle to do that. Quenneville needs to get puy back in his spot on the powerplay where he can take one-timers. I don't care if every team knows he's there because he will still find ways to score. If they guard him to closely then it opens up space for the rest of the guys.
And to anon7:58 come on man rybinski is 16 cut him some slack. For being a 16 year old he has held his own quite well. On the other hand White is a 19 year old and he turns the puck over as much or more than him which is ridiculous.
The Playoff format is Divisional now.
Currently
East
Team A (MJ)
Team B (Swift)
Team C (Regina)
Team D (Brandon)
Team E (Prince Albert)
Team F (Saskatoon)
Central
Team 1 (Medicine Hat)
Team 2 (Lethbridge)
Team 3 (Red Deer)
Team 4 (Kootenay)
Team 5 (Calgary)
Team 6 (Edmonton)
Team A and Team 1 play the wildcards
Team B Plays Team C
Team 2 Plays Team 3
You throw all the other teams left into one big pool and the top 2 Teams get the wildcard spot.
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Maybe Shaw will be back....
http://chatnewstoday.ca/article/550392/clouston-hopeful-shaw-will-return-first-round-playoffs
Link to that is broken but he hopes to be back in the post season, but not in the first round
Link seems to work for me, first part of the article from MH news.
Mason Shaw is inching closer to returning to the Medicine Hat Tigers lineup in time for the playoffs.
During a media availability on Wednesday, Tigers head coach Shaun Clouston told CHAT News the elite-level forward feels he is ready to return to the ice after missing the entire regular season with a torn ACL.
“I think he’s excited, I think he believes he can go,” Clouston said. “We just have to wait for final approval from Minnesota (Wild), so he’ll go through some testing there and if and when they see fit, they’ll clear him.
“I know he believes he’s ready.”
- http://chatnewstoday.ca/article/550392/clouston-hopeful-shaw-will-return-first-round-playoffs
Are the Tigers trying to make his return a bit of a unknown, not to given the opposition too much notice? A bit of game playing? Dunno, just guessing as it all seems a little inconsistent.
Ryan McCracken tweeted that Shaw Hopes to be ready to go but won't be available for the start of Round 1.
Still no Hollett for tonight :( really hoping to get him back!
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