Game One, Game Day

Based on last nights opening day results, we now know what not to do against Portland.
That would be to stay out of the box.

Last night, in Portland, the Winterhawks went 5 for 8 on the powerplay.

The Thunderbirds Foundation has guaranteed the 50-50 to be at least $2000.  That is a nice sum of money to be winning.  In 21 years of watching this team, I have NEVER won anything, so I don't bother buying tickets for it at all.  But with amounts like that, I might have to start again.


Hope to see a lot of you tonight.

Jon and Tyler Chat about Predictions

Tyler Hunnex: Well Jon, we’re just a few days away from one of our favorite days of the year, Opening Night. This year the Tbirds get to start the campaign with our hated rivals the Portland Cheats Sucks Winterhawks.  Before we get into expectations and predictions for the season, tell me what you expect out of opening night. As I’m writing this, Shea Theodore is still with the Anaheim Ducks and while he might be sent back in time for the opener, is appears as though he might remain with the Ducks for the weekend. It also appears that the team may be without 20 year old Mitch Elliot who was sent by the Vancouver Canucks to Utica to attend their AHL training camp.  After two straight losses to the Everett Silvertips to close out the preseason, what are you expecting to see on Saturday night?

Jon Whiting: It is actually my second favorite day of the year (first being first day of training camp).  After the way this team played last weekend, I am very worried about Saturday night.  Hickman will be out with a suspension, and Hauf will be back.  Assuming Forsberg is still out, and Thoedore's plane cant land in time, Seattle will still be missing those two.  Last Saturday night, I really wanted to see how the team responded after being dominated Friday night.  Instead of seeing character, fight, determination, I saw a team that played even worse.  Portland will still be missing some of their top guys (As of right now, Bjorkstrand, Leier, Leipsic, and Pouliot), but it wouldn’t surprise me if a couple of these guys get returned today or tomorrow.  So what I hope I see and expect to see are probably two different things.  I really hope Seattle learned from last weekend and comes out with energy, determination and passion. I hope it doesn't let Portland get under their skin, gets strong goaltending and skates to a big win in front of a huge crowd.  That’s what I hope happens.  Until this team can show me it has that fire in it, I expect Portland to want to show Seattle they are still the top team, to cause Seattle to take some undisciplined penalties, score a couple power play goals, then watch Seattle come unglued and maybe a couple really good fights.  So the biggest question I see going into Sunday night is first in line for Seattle to skate out for warm-ups (always the starting goaltender).  Any guesses?

TH: Devon Fordyce.  The goaltending situation seems to be incredible fluid right now but I don’t think you would have bothered to keep Fordyce if you weren't going to give him the first opportunity to be the starting goaltender. I think both Justin Myles and Danny Mumaugh have played well lately but I don’t think either of them has played well enough to earn the top spot.  Myles is certainly one to watch though. Management has always been very high on him and we really haven’t had a chance to see him play very much due to his injuries. At 6’2” he has a very big frame and he moves pretty well in net. The defense is a much bigger concern in my mind. Getting Jared Hauf back helps but without Theodore I have a feeling that you’ll see the time struggle to move the puck out of their own end as we saw in the games that he missed.  (EDIT: Jon and I started this earlier in the week and Coach K has since announced on the Ian Furness show that Justin Myles would be the starter and Danny Mumaugh would back up. I guess I whiffed on this one. I easily could have just taken this out or changed it but this was my true response at the time.)

JW: I completely agree with the struggling to move the puck out of the zone.  This has been an issue for the last few years.  I think they are expecting Foulk to set up and start rushes somewhat like Theodore does.  Not having this certainly puts emphasis on the forwards winning battles, back checking, and being able to skate the puck out when needed.  The first couple preseason games they did this very well.  The last couple of games, not so well.  When they can move the puck out well and find a forward that is moving, that is when this set of forwards will really be able to show their strength.  So back to the goaltending, if they are going with Fordyce, in the 7 preseason games, he played a huge total of 97 minutes, over a game and a half.  His last action came when he played the first half of the September 7th game against Portland.  If I continue to do the math correctly, that means he will not have seen game action for 14 days before Saturday night.  Any concern from you that they are kind of just throwing him out there with no real tune-up?

TH: Not really. He’s been practicing with the team all along and has seen plenty of shots, that doesn't concern me too much. Of course… since we started this, Coach K has stated that Myles will be the starter and Mumaugh will back him up. So the question has turned from concern over Fordyce to what Myles will do with this opportunity.  I was polled yesterday for the U.S. Division by Portland writer Scott Sepich and my order went: 1. Portland 2. Spokane 3. Seattle 4. Everett 5. Tri-City. Placing Seattle ahead of Everett is probably more based on hope than true analysis but I think the two teams are close enough that things could really break either way. How are you ranking the division? And… what do you say the chances are that someone beats Portland for the division, 10%? 20%?

JW:  The only way someone beats Portland for the title is if Portland's defense and goaltending let them down quite a bit.  And, really, I could see that happening about as much as someone offering to watch both my son's so I could have a vacation with my wife.  For me, you have the division the same I would say.  BUT, for 2nd through 5th, I really think you could find an eight sided dice, put each team on two sides, roll it for the order of finish, then do it another 999 times, come up with the most common order, and I would say ok.  If you told me Seattle would finish 2nd, I would be really happy, and agree with you.  If you told me Seattle struggles and finishes 5th, I would be really unhappy, but I would say I could see that happening.  Hoping to help that 2nd place finish, Seattle claimed 20 year old Erik Benoit off waivers.  Does this close the book on Elliot, or maybe Forsberg is hurt more then we think, or maybe Benoit is a fill in until they can figure out what to do?

TH: I don’t think it completely closes the door on Elliot but it does lead me to believe that they feel like he is going to sign a deal and stay with Utica. Obviously, you could have Elliot return and then make a decision between the 4 players you have left but it seems like he has made enough of an impression on the Canucks organization that they are inclined to keep him. Predictions are always difficult and nearly impossible but they are always fun, so let’s make a few.

Tbirds finish 3^rd in the U.S. Division, 5^th in the Western Conference and open on the road against Spokane.

Leading scorer: Lipsbergs – 35 goals

Barzal points: 68 (and also leads the team in points)

Goalie to play the most games: Justin Myles, 46 games

Number of NHL Games played by Shea Theodore: 0

Points by Theodore: 57

Playoff finish: Seattle beats Spokane in 6, loses to Kelowna in 7 in a rematch of the 2013 playoff series.

Your turn.

JW:  I will match your prediction format

Tbirds finish 3^rd in the U.S. Division, 5^th in the Western Conference and open on the road against 

Victoria (and an amazing road trip I may add).

Leading scorer: Delnov – 40 goals (Almost went completely out on a limb, and said Troock with 40)

Barzal points: 81 (and also leads the team in points)

Goalie to play the most games: Justin Myles, 38 games

Number of NHL Games played by Shea Theodore: 0

Points by Theodore: 72

Playoff finish: Seattle beats Victoria in 5, loses to Portland in 6, after pushing them very hard.

TH: I hope everyone is still excited about the season, even though we just told you exactly what will happen. It should be a good one.

Radio interview with Coach K - Starting goaltender revealed

Ian Furness from KJR-AM 950 in Seattle recorded a 13 minute interview with coach yesterday.
The podcast is up at this link

http://www.sportsradiokjr.com/pages/ianfurness_page.html?article=11665372

Talks about all parts of the game, forwards, defense, goaltending, Elliot, Barzal, Theodore.

Great listen.

Seattle Claims Erik Benoit

Announced on twitter just a moment ago:

The Saskatoon Blades' OA situation has been resolved. C Erik Benoit was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Thunderbirds. #WHL #spnews
— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) September 18, 2013

This will help Seattle immediately with Mitch Elliot still at AHL camp and also helps give the Tbirds some much needed help up the middle. This of course assumes that he actually can play up the middle. He's listed on the WHL website and Elite Prospects as a LW. We'll have to wait and see.

Benoit played half of his season in Kootenay last year and the last half in Saskatoon and made a trip to the Memorial Cup with the Blades.

In 64 total games he posted 12 goals and 24 assists with a + 3 rating.

In 4 games in the Memorial Cup he finished with 2 assists.

EDIT: He also played in the 2011 Memorial Cup with Kootenay and had a goal in 5 games. So they're getting a guy with a lot of big time experience.

This isn't a high impact move... but I like it... it's a good move to help an area that needed help.

Seattle player updates according to the WHL website

From the WHL website's "Weekly Report"
Dated September 17th.


Injury
#5 Jesse Forsberg, D, upper body, day-to-day

Suspension
#9 Justin Hickman, F, 3 games remaining

Hauf returned to Seattle

The Flyers released defenseman Jared Hauf to his junior team, the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds.

Note sure how I missed this one, since I guess it happened Sunday.
But good news for Seattle either way.

Elliot gets invited to Canucks AHL team camp

It was announced last night by the Vancouver Canucks that they had reduced their preseason roster.
One of those involved was Mitch Elliot.

Instead of releasing him back to Seattle, he has been invited to attend the Utica Comets training camp.
I'm told that the first part of the this training camp actually happens in Vancouver.
The first action for them in a game is this Sunday in Abbosford, CB, against the Heat.

http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=682962

TBirds on Shaw TV

The WHL broadcasts on Shaw television schedule was just released.
Seattle will appear on it only once.
It happens to be a week from Wednesday, September 25th, in Vancouver.
Not surprising since it is a Canada broadcast, and only originate games from Canada.

And, Seattle can't feel sad about only appearing once, since Everett, Tri City, and Spokane are also on their once.  Portland did get two games.

Now the funny thing comes in there press release about it

"On the following Wednesday, September 25, the WHL on SHAW will feature the Seattle Thunderbirds visiting the Vancouver Giants where the first overall WHL Bantam Draft Pick from 2012, Mathew Barzal, will make his WHL regular season debut as a member of the Thunderbirds."

So, I guess that means Barzal will be a scratch on Saturday at home in the Show.

My views of last nights game

One word, DISAPPOINTING.

First off let me preference this by saying I had both my boys (ages 6 and 10) with me.  Anyone who knows me can tell you where my attention was at.  So really, I only could pay attention to the game out of one eye.

But, I thought Seattle got totally outworked, out hustled, and out played.

The first 10 minutes of the game was all Everett.  Then something happened, and Seattle took over.  This is the type of team we can see.  They controlled play, great passes, great shots, and it showed with two goals. Barzal's goal was a direct example of this.Hickman drives wide, moving his feet and holding off the defender. Barzal goes very hard to the net with a defender draped all over him, and gets the feed and a nice redirection (snap shot).

Unfortunately for Seattle, the second period was like the first 10 minutes of the game.  All Everett.  Seattle decided to stop skating, stop hitting, and stop fighting (except for Folk, who actually did fight).  Far too many times the puck goes into the corner, and the defender gets there, losses the one on one battle.  There was twice I could remember where Seattle's entire line was stuck on the ice for probably 90 seconds or more, because Everett just plain controlled play.  Seattle was outshot 18-5 in the period.  UGLY.

Third period was actually even for the first while, then Seattle decided that it was time to actually try.  But, a little too late after digging a big hole in the second.  I know, I know, the score was 5-4.  But too bad.  Can't show up for the last 10 minutes of the game and expect to win.  Also, if Everett could hit a wide open net on a couple plays, it could easily have been 7-3 (but, I guess Seattle missed a couple also, so maybe 7-5 <g>).

I know people are going to think I am crazy for this, but I actually do feel Mumaugh played a very good game.  Not a great game, but a good one.  Of the 5 goals, I think there was really only one he should have had, and you could tell based on his reaction of skating over into the corner that he knew that.  The other goals were Everett out working Seattle players, getting in very close for a great shot, or gathering a rebound. There was a couple saves that were scramble amazing ones that showed how good he can be. I talked to a couple people that completely disagreed with me on his performance.

Now, as Tyler pointed out after the game to me while I was texting him the results.  Seattle did put forth the effort to mount a come back.  They did not just fold up after the second.  And I will give them credit for that.  That is a sign of character.  Too me, the real sign of character will be how they come out tonight.  Show Everett that was a fluke, and that the Showare is Seattle's barn, play hard, hit hard, etc, and we will see character.

A couple notes:

• Nice fight between Folk and Aasman.  Both wanted to go after Aasman took a couple slashes.  Decision Folk at center ice
• Long second period intermission, and also a break in the second for the linemen.  Second intermission was long because a substitute linesmen had to be brought into the game.  I have been told that the regular one got hurt somehow, kind of bad also.  It must have happened at a time when I was making sure I didn't hurt one of my kids for how they were behaving, because I saw nothing.
• A couple really nice single handed goals both both teams.  Lipsberg's shot was a rocket, and I think it was Zipp for Everett with theirs that I was impressed with
• Someone should let Jerret Smith know his jock strap is on the ice about the left faceoff dot in Seattle's zone they defend once.  A lucky bounce caught him in a very bad position.  A 2-1 forming, and he couldn't decide if he should step up and take the player like he was going to when it was a 1-1, or play the defense position and stop the 2-1.  I thought he made the right choice of trying to take the player with the puck coming right at him.  But, the player sidestepped the check, walked around him, and scored.
• However, I thought Smith played a very good game.  He is listed as a -1 on the scoresheet, but a couple of those were not his fault at all, with one coming on a bad line change where he was skating hard to get back into the play.
• Wolf also impressed me a lot last night.  Making the smart play, and also was one of the defenders that was winning battle most of the night.
• Poor Dustin Penner for Everett (oh wait, correction, Linden Penner).  He gets called for an offsetting roughing call at 6:53 of the second period.  Serves that, comes out of the box, and Everett gets called for too many men 10 seconds later.  Constantine has him serve that penalty.  So sit for 2, out for 10 seconds, back in for 2.
• You will not see or hear me say this often, but Constantine does have Everett playing a very good style of hockey.  They are the most hardworking team I have seen so far in the preseason.  That should not come as a surprise to anyone knowing the type of coach he is.
• Seattle was missing Forsberg (injury), Sheen (injury), Hauf (NHL camp I think, since I have not seen anything on him being returned), Theodore (NHL camp), and Elliot (NHL camp)
• The Everett fans were in mid-season form with the cowbells, the "And they still suck", and my personal favorite "fight" during the national anthem.  Anyone know who that disrespectful fan is that started yelling "Watched" at the next of the next line (hint, hint, hint, its me).

Thats all I got for right now.  Hope to see you all out there tonight.  I SHOULD be without kids, so I can be more social.

Comments

I've turned comments back on fully. All of you keyboard tough guys can start commenting again. I am however going to moderate them for the time being.... so try to behave yourselves.