|
Post by wade on Feb 17, 2016 12:23:44 GMT -5
The ACH's flagship franchise could find itself floating face down in shallow waters at the end of this night. I expected some polar shifting between new & old teams in the ACH this year. With the ambitous way the league lept into a much bigger operational radius it seemed likley two steps forward for someone might force a fall backwards for someone else. To be honest...change is good...and if the regular season is any kind of accurate indicator...(and it absolutley should be)...were about to see a changing of the guard in Southern Ontario.
Ive no idea who will have what hands on deck tonight for the "Play-In" game betweeb Hamilton & Dundas...but...this is a KEY GAME, folks!
Dundas has been accused of being dead ever since Clarenville. Wounded and worn...they're bleeding out. I think...its very dangerous to expend energy tracking a prey. Every predator in the forest has the scent. Its up to the hunter to finish the job...and should Hamilton fail...one has to wonder where ......IF...the Real McCoys can really be brought down at all by ACH teams.
Ive seen Dunbdas vulnerble in many Allan Cups and Ive seen kill shots delivered. Can some Provincial Rival prove to be as lethal?
|
|
|
Post by Sniper81 on Feb 17, 2016 15:40:23 GMT -5
If Dundas gets by Hamilton and Thorold which wouldn't be a huge upset IMO then no way do they beat Stoney Creek.
Mole can help them get the 4th playoff seed but even Stoney Creek scored at will vs him this year.
Wade - I think you'll see at AC possibly. I'm not saying Stoney Creek is the best team due to goaltending and the lack of a shutdown D-man (but Blanchard is a pretty good puck moving defenceman) but they can roll 4 lines of scorers, speed and size against anyone and they're an offensive juggernaut.
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Feb 17, 2016 15:50:39 GMT -5
I highly doubt Dundas goes down against Hamilton tonight especially with the game being in there own barn. The way Dundas and Mole played friday this game should be a win unless they get into penalty trouble then you never know. The true test will be against Thorold in 3 games in 3 days over the weekend. Whichever team faces Thorld we be in tight against a team that Just knocked off Whitby 6-3 this past weekend.
|
|
|
Post by munzie on Feb 17, 2016 18:28:27 GMT -5
Nice poetry to open the thread, but quite frankly I think Sniper & Andrew in this case offer closer to reality on some of their points. Maybe I just got off on the wrong track, trying to understand "much bigger operational radius"
In the limited time available and absent any psychological gamesmanship, some quick and honest personal thoughts that I have held long prior to and probably after tonight's sudden victory game against Hamilton, regardless of the result.
Any game when any team faces possible elimination is by definition a big game. In this case it's that and nothing more.
Dundas finished 4th out of 5 teams last season. They went on to win the playoffs through a combination of; the addition of a couple added players (very good by not superstars) who turned out to be just what the doctor ordered to make the entire roster work. From there it was simply a matter of playing to full potential and only prevailing over worthy opponents by a narrow margin. Dundas went on to win in the Renwick Cup over what was self described by Kenora as their 'B' team. Weather or not an 'A' team actually existed really doesn't matter at this point, but the 'B' team as presented was not as strong as their previous teams.
Dundas finished 5th out of 6 teams this season.
Both last year and this year Dundas earned their regular season positions. They were not out lucked or cheated out of some other position higher or lower.( just the facts, no dig intended).
Based on the head to head record, Dundas should be able to beat Hamilton tonight. Again just the facts.......I have however, felt all season that Hamilton was not far off having a better season record than the points column showed. They rarely if ever got steamrolled over by anybody as my team certainly did, on more than one occasion. Hamilton has also improved themselves recently with quality additions. So yes it will be an underachievement if Dundas does not prevail but they will have to play very well if they plan to move on.
I think Andrew makes a good case. Who ever plays Thorold better be on their toes. I've warned about this to anyone who would listen, and to some who didn't wish to listen, since early in the season. I think my team can beat them if they get the chance, but it sure as hell won't be easy for whoever get's to play them. I very much like their team and what they have shown thus far in this, their inaugural season. I think Sniper also makes a very good realistic case. Both Sniper & I have previously made the case for Stoney long before today. For Dundas to prevail over them if given the chance would be a very large achievement.
Naturally I will be hoping that they can do just that!!!!!! A true upset would be great, and that's just what it would be, no question.
Gotta run. The puck drops soon. Good luck to all teams.
|
|
|
Post by jimc on Feb 17, 2016 18:55:32 GMT -5
Dundas should never be on the situation they are in tonight...that is the issue here. A one-game elimination scenario ALWAYS favours the weaker team...The team with all the pressure can expect to be the victim of bad bounce, bad calls, and very tightly gripped sticks.
Say Dundas do win tonight, as they should...then they are looking at 3 games in 3 or 4 nights this weekend, just to get into a compressed best-of-7 semi-final...THEY ARE GOING TO BE TIRED AND BEAT UP, WITH NOWHERE TO HIDE.
I think Dundas can and will win tonight, and this weekend, but the odds of them then winning one, let alone 2 tough best-of-evens on NO rest are stacked monumentally against them.
|
|
|
Post by wade on Feb 17, 2016 19:49:39 GMT -5
I really enjoy having a hockey talk with Donny anytime I can at the AC tournament & it's easy to see how much he means to ACH...so...I'm absolutely not taunting or poking fun at Dundas Real McCoys...but...I kinda hope to see a fresh face emerge from the ACH heading to Steinbach.
For fans who attend all or most tournaments...the last couple years have been great in some ways but stale in other ways.
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Feb 17, 2016 20:28:43 GMT -5
Hamilton Is leading Dundas 3-2 after 1
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Feb 17, 2016 21:06:37 GMT -5
5-3 Dundas with 2 late period goals.
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Feb 17, 2016 23:13:47 GMT -5
Dundas moves on to play Thorold in a 3 game weekend series after defeating Hamilton 7-4 tonight
|
|
|
Post by Don Robertson on Feb 17, 2016 23:59:56 GMT -5
Dundas moves on to play Thorold in a 3 game weekend series after defeating Hamilton 7-4 tonight Dundas host game 1 Friday ( against my better judgement ) as the Thorold Arena is busy this weekend. Game 2 and 3 in Thorold respectively will be Monday and Wedensday. Thorold should well be the favorite they are a great expansion club, we'll run and well coached. Cheers Don Robertson
|
|
|
Post by jimc on Feb 19, 2016 12:08:22 GMT -5
why is the BFD/WHI series also starting tonight?
|
|
|
Post by Aaron on Feb 19, 2016 12:52:35 GMT -5
Because it's obvious thing to do & fans can go & watch.
|
|
|
Post by Andrew on Feb 19, 2016 13:31:42 GMT -5
why is the BFD/WHI series also starting tonight? My guess is so the teams aren't sitting waiting for the 4th vs 5th series to be finished. looks like with all Friday Saturday games the series is strung out a little longer to accomadate the travel distance. I expect the Stoney Creek Series will be a little more compressed with a week night game or two due to less travel because they will face thorold or dundas.
|
|
|
Post by jimc on Feb 19, 2016 14:10:08 GMT -5
it is hardly the obvious intelligent thing to do.
you'll have one SF winner hanging around waiting, while the others are beat up and tired form a very compressed shcedule
|
|
|
Post by Aaron on Feb 19, 2016 15:14:41 GMT -5
Apart from other obvious reasons what would be your intelligent projection on the probable series length of 2 vs 3 & 1 vs 4 ?
|
|