First Period
I thought the Tigers played really well in the first period despite getting outshot 14-4. They were hitting and they were being aggressive. The only thing not going for them was the zebra's. A different ref and it could have been the Tigers with the powerplay advantage in the first period.
The only bad thing in the first period was when the Tigers got caught with bad positioning on their Penalty Kill for the first Kelowna Powerplay Goal, as well as their inability to get zone time on their powerplay.
I thought after the first period the Tigers stopped hitting on their forecheck, and Kelowna upped their game another notch, and started spending more time in the Tigers zone.They eventually broke away in the third period
I think Trevor Cox needs to pick up his play. He looks like he is a bit intimidated on the ice at times, and watches away from the play. A guy like Blake Penner outplayed him badly tonight.
TigerTurf's Players of the Night
I thought Dylan Bredo, Ty Stanton, Jacob Doty, Blake Penner, Kyle Becker, all had really good games for the Tigers.
Fights
Jake Doty had a highlight reel marathon fight against Colton Heffley of the rockets. Both players did some damage.
Curtis Valk showed signs of being frustrated against Kelowna as he got mugged by Madison Bowey and threw down his gloves. Bowey threw a few extra shots after valk was on the ice. Bowey had 5 inches and 30 pounds on Valk.
Thoughts on Kelowna
I loved kelowna's Penalty Kill. They were aggressive, forced the Tigers to the outside, and gave them all sorts of trouble stacking up at the blueline and making it impossible for the Tigers to carry the puck in.
I also liked Kelowna's play in their own end. A guy like Curtis Valk who likes to get fancy was nailed multiple times. Hunter Shinkaruk was also targeted early and besides the first couple of shifts, Kelowna's team Defense was able to neutralize him. Kelowna had very strong efforts in the second and third period.
Doty Vs Heffley
21 comments:
Totally frustrated with the coaching right now. After many of these losses they say how the older guys need to show up and play better, yet no one is held accountable. If they are floating then bench them and play the rookies. Aren't we supposed to be rebuilding? At least the young guys make an honest effort every time they are on the ice, maybe with more ice time they will start scoring. With the way things are going we will be no better next year.
Usually your recaps are pretty good but tonight I think you and I were watching completly different games. I thought for about the 4th time this year the Tigers were totally dominated physically from the drop of the puck, the defence couldn't handle the Kelowna forecheck and our defensive zone coverage was very poor. Thought the score flattered us to be honest and if not for Lanigan having a pretty good game the score would have been much worse.
Brutal turn over by Bosyon in our zone that led to the goal that was te goal that broke our backs. Doty deserved a star! Was a yahoo calling the game with Bob tonight. Where do we keep getting these idiots??
I thought we were in it until Boston handed them the puck infront of our net. Tough one, real tough. Loved when we got tough! Hope they bring that anger to next game! Go tigers go!
Nice game by Doty!
Is Doty hurt? He was gripping his hand?
Poor fan turnout, bandwagon jumpers.
Yea that was uncharacteristic of Leier to do that. Minus that he played well
Let it be noted that I don't like the Tigers penalty kill. I think They play the wrong forwards and 7/10 the goals scored are because the forwards at the top of the box are not in good position.
They keep making the same mistake over and over and over, and almost once a game the opposition is scoring from it...its a huge flaw that they push on themselves by forcing the forward down the halfwall, and leaving a huge gap in the middle of the ice.
The Tigers were finishing their checks in the first period...they stopped hitting in the second which is partly why Kelowna found their legs and started taking the game over.
I missed that goal, I wasn't sure what happened...taking him off the stars of the game then.
Catfan I do partially agree with you but for a different reason.
I am frustrated watching the coaches say the players got to move better away from the puck, when they don't enforce their players to finish their checks. The two are often related. If the coaches do harp on the players to finish their checks my apologies.
WE WANT WILLY!!!
I have to agree with longtime fan as well. I also saw a different game. I watched Leier twice do that same pass and the second time he got burnt on it. Ryckman also was terrible. I would prefer to see the Tigers develop Staples than have this 20 year old floating all night. Too many vets floating. If thats the case lets dump the lot of them and let the rookies play. They have the fire and passion on this team at the moment. There is no fun watching the team play if the coaches are just cycling the vets. Maybe Clouston has outworn his effectiveness in coaching.
Might i also say that it will be a couple years at least before we are anywhere near competitive, if this is the case i suggest we trade Hunter at the deadline to a contender for at least a couple first round draft picks and prospects and in the long term we will be stronger!
I agree with TigerTurf look at Doty they have turned the leagues toughest enforcer into someone who doesn't hit anymore. His fight was something the tigers need more of.
These guys gotta hit more. Back in the day when the Tigers had memorial cup teams a solid bodycheck was causing turnovers and the other team to hear footsteps.
I agree with playing the rookies, Penner looked great last night and when Broadhead plays we can always anticipate a hit or some grit. Tigers need to dump Ryckman and Busenius aka Mr.Minus. Stanton and Staples have outplayed both of them so far this season.
I heard that Lewington has a concussion.
I think we could have a similar record if we got rid of guys like bredo,pierce,ryckman and get some younger players. Both Edm and Kamlopps have 20yr old spots and we could get some picks and or prospects back
Anon at 5:01 PM. you should look up some stats on the WHL site. First those who thought Theriau should have stayed need to see that in 13 games he is a plus/minus -12 and has 4 pnts (2 goals 2 ass). He is/was a liability. Look at the stats of all the rest of the D'man you quickly want to ship out and Ryckman is the only one who is +1 - doesn't get any PP time so his points will be far lower than the rest of the Dman who play PP. If you looks at all the rest Lewington and Businius are the only ones who have a minus rating but have a high point standing cause they get lots of assists on the PP. On a 5 on 5 situation they have not made a big contribution.
The team is rebuilding this year. You are not going to get anywhere overnight. All teams have their drought years, Kamloops, Kelowna, Lethbridge, Calgary and the list goes on. Med Hat fans are just not patient fans, but should be appreciative of the effort the team is putting forth given what they have.
Also, Shinkaruk can't do it all and you have no clue what the boys are being told in the dressing room as to who to play -- to play offensively or defensively.
Contd ..
In Kelowna game the PP was 0 for 5. Doesnt matter how defensive you play if you dont have anyone putting points on the scoreboard up front. Most players are over taxed doing PP and PK and regular shifts. Lets get our PP clicking, start taking less penalties, and distribute ice time between PP and PK and maybe the rest will fall into place.
Does anyone think that a coaching change is needed, and I don't mean Clouston or Kruger? Is Joey really an assistant coach? I think we have the ability to gain more experience in his position. He does not seem to add much on the bench. If we added an assistant coach with experience and knowledge. Someone who can add their opinion on PP and PK. I think Joey on the bench makes us a weaker team. Willie had Kruger and Clouston, why have we kept a kid with no experience?
Anon at 7:15
I agree this team is young and I am a patient fan, we are rebuilding. I wasn't a fan of Theriau but he didnt give up the puck as much as Ryckman. Busenius is a terrible example to the kids, he gets top minutes on PP and struggles in his own end. We need added scoring, Cox has been a disappointment and if Hemsky(Hart) can stay healthy...
Happy Holidays TigerTurf! I enjoy reading your blog you do an awesome job!
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