Re: Northeastern Huskies 2015 Off-Season Thread: Unrequited Love
Pre season gm.. did anyone go? How did we look?.. I mean, sure we looked fine, we put up a touchdown & field goal but. was the opponent that bad? Any thoughts.. Also, besides Roy how did the other 2 tenders look? Appreciate any observations. Thx
They were pretty bad. Even the players acknowledge that. Lost 9-1 to PC the previous night with SOGs being similarly disproportionate. My observations:
The lines have been constant through all of September. We know about Line 1 with KRoy, but I really liked lines 2 and 4. Thought ZAR/Gaud/Kurker worked really well, and I thought the Griffin/Collier/Cotton line was the best line we rolled the whole game. Tons of energy, put up points, worked well in the corners.
No goalie was challenged, and the two goals I don't pin on Ruck. Goal 1, the puck was passed to an uncovered part of the slot and blasted in. Unsaveable. Goal 2 went off a skate or stick on a cross crease pass. Didn't even see it go in until I saw SFU celebrating. I did think it was notable that Theut was listed as the #2 goalie, not Ruck as was widely assumed being the new hot shot coming in. The net is Derick's to lose.
PK did its job, killing off multiple penalties including two 5-on-3 situations. Even generated a shorthanded SOG or two.
Mentality- too long we've seen JM teams get up and take the foot off the gas. This did not happen yesterday. Only up 4-0 after 2, the team came out in period 3 and unloaded on SFU. That killer instinct has been clamored for for years. Hopefully it continues.
Individuals who impressed me:
Eric Williams: Heavy shot, skated with confidence, physical presence
Jon Barry: Physical defenseman that we have wanted for years (Since Manson). Excited about him and Williams
Adam Gaudette: Played a solid 200 foot game and sniped a nice wrister
Lincoln Griffin: Shifty hands, high energy, played really well in the corners for a smaller player. Makes me thing his transition might not be as rough as expected.
Jason Cotton: Vaunted wrister showed itself multiple times. Picked the far side top corner on one rush, and then beat the goalie short side on another rush. Two very impressive shots.
Sam Kurker: Crisp passing, physical player on the boards. I still expect big things from him this year. Made a bet last night over/under 18 points. I say over. Could see 25 from Kurks.
