|
Post by mlh01 on Apr 12, 2017 21:31:12 GMT -5
Well, we have quite a close tournament. Closer than pretty much everyone predicted. I have watched all six games. The thought was it would be a 4 team tournament. We were all wrong. The 2 New Brunswick teams are very good. And, in fact, Bouctouche was the better, faster team last night against Lacombe and deserved at least the tie, and more likely deserved the win.
Any team can win. I honestly can't remember a tournament in the last 30 years (both 4 team tourny and new format of 6 teams) where we can all say we have no idea who the best team is.
Here is my quick assessment of each team:
GRAND FALLS - likely the most complete team. Typical Newfoundland team. Good in all aspects of the game, but don't have any areas where they are great. May be the favourite of the 6 teams with the reason mentioned above. They don't really have any weaknesses.
LACOMBE - observation is they are the best coached team. They are big and structured, especially on special teams. Bouctouche couldn't do much on any of their power plays. But they are also the slowest team by far. They play the body, as they have good size, but lack speed. Coaching and structure make up for this. Likely should be 0-2. Lacombe/Bentley are always competitive and represent the West most years, but this team reminds me of the 2014 team in Dundas. Not as talented as previous Gens teams
BOUCTOUCHE - I would say they are the quickest of all teams. Very young. Many Canadian University grads. Lots of speed up front, especially Peter Boyd-wow he undressed a few Generals last night. Should have at least one point with Lacombe scoring with only 8 seconds left in overtime.
STONEY CREEK - probably the most talented team. Many ex-pros. Skating and defence are the pluses. Opposite, though, from the Lacombe Generals in that they are talented but lack coaching structure. Was very evident during their power plays and penalty killing. Talent alone cannot win at this level. Will need to see improvement in game planning. The 4 reinforcements that arrived today will certainly bolster their lineup.
SOUTH EAST PRAIRIE - big surprise to me. After watching the first game against Stoney Creek, I thought they may be the strongest team. But, as with Lacombe, they seem slower and a little older than in previous years when watching their game today. The speed of the 2 New Brunswick teams is evident when comparing with SEPT. Experience is still their biggest asset and may push them to the finals.
LAMEQUE - biggest surprise. Stoney Creek dominated them in a game that could have been 10-2.It was the only game of the tournament where there was no doubt who would win. Like I said it could have been 10-2 Stoney. So I thought all our predictions were correct. But their speed and youth showed up today in the upset win over SEPT. Maybe it wasn't an upset after all. A week ago I would have said Lacombe would beat this team blindfolded. After watching their speed today, tomorrow will be a good game.
My earlier prediction of Stoney Creek over SEPT still stands. If the chips fall like I think they will, this match up will happen.
All in all, likely the best tournament I've seen in at least the last 10 Allan Cups.
|
|
|
Post by Jing jang on Apr 12, 2017 22:28:50 GMT -5
Lots of parity and sounds entertaining. I see GFW in the final with their completeness and the day off. If sept didn't get the bye I would think they would be in trouble with their age but the bye might be what they need to pull through. No doubt gfw is the strongest of the 3 east teams. Seems like a different calibre western gens team than seen in the past with more grinders and muckers but they are capable. Stony promises good things which remain to be seen. Going to be a good battle to the finish ladies and gentlemen !
|
|
|
Post by jimc on Apr 13, 2017 11:04:35 GMT -5
Churchill in net could be the key for GFW
|
|
|
Post by Doug Mathieson on Apr 13, 2017 11:07:46 GMT -5
Churchill in net could be the key for GFW Churchill has been backing up so far, Gillis is in net Pointstreak was corrected with the mistake in Goalies
|
|
|
Post by Evan on Apr 13, 2017 12:35:43 GMT -5
Unless there is an injury, Gillis will play all games
|
|
|
Post by jimc on Apr 13, 2017 14:20:00 GMT -5
WoW...they are stacked in goal, then, as I was VERY impressed with Churchill here in 2014.
|
|
|
Post by cowbellgal on Apr 13, 2017 22:22:03 GMT -5
Well, mlh01, with Stoney now out, what's your prediction?
To be honest, I was hoping your prediction was right.
|
|
|
Post by mlh01 on Apr 13, 2017 22:45:47 GMT -5
I was very surprised Bouctouche won. Watched the whole game and there were times when Stoney had the puck in the JCs end for 45+ seconds.
And except for Tyler Donati, none of the reinforcements played. Captain Nic Bibic and others were expected. Anyone know why they didn't play. Did they not make it out east?
But no excuses. Bouctouche is a very solid team. And are full marks for the win.
I hazard to guess that 99% of all our predictions have been wrong about this Allan Cup. There is no one in Canada who honestly could have predicted both New Brunswick teams would go to overtime today.
But on that note - Grand Falls and Southeast win semis. The Cataracts win to take the Allan Cup back to Newfoundland, where the fans truly care about Senior hockey more than anywhere else in our country.
Great tournament so far is an understatement.
|
|
|
Post by Stick on Apr 13, 2017 23:19:58 GMT -5
Were you in Steinbach last year? If you were you wouldn't say that Nfld is the only place that cares about SR hockey
|
|
|
Post by Jing jang on Apr 13, 2017 23:26:40 GMT -5
Stick.... were you in Steinbach last year ? Have you ever been to any other allan cups in Bentley or Dundas ? Doesn't sound like your source comes from someone with a lot of national senior hockey knowledge ...
|
|
|
Post by mlh01 on Apr 14, 2017 8:18:33 GMT -5
Were you in Steinbach last year? If you were you wouldn't say that Nfld is the only place that cares about SR hockey Hey Stick Yes I am sure Steinbach is a place that likes Senior hockey as well. I was meaning that in Newfoundland they now have 3 leagues. Even their lowest level startup league was drawing big crowds. The Clarenville and Grand Falls teams are disappointed with crowds less than 1000 fans, whereas in other parts of the country teams would kill for that support. So no offence but if every province had as much interest in Senior hockey as Nfld, then Senior hockey would be at a much higher level nationally. For disclosure, I support the Dundas team in Ontario so I have no bias towards Nfld. I'm just envious of how passionate Newfoundlanders are about Senior hockey.
|
|
|
Post by Evan on Apr 14, 2017 13:42:29 GMT -5
Imo you were bang on with your assessment of Stony Creek. Hands down most talented team here, on paper. But seriously lacked proper coaching. Alot of individual "stars" that know what to do and don't need a coach. Cam Fergus is not a 3rd line player, besides a powerplay he got very little ice time.
|
|
|
Post by wade on Apr 14, 2017 20:49:24 GMT -5
The 2017 Army ain't slow.
I'm not in New Brunswick watching the tournament...but...I've seen enough SR AAA teams to know this Gens' squad is NOT slow by SR AAA standards.
|
|
|
Post by dexterbaggs on Apr 15, 2017 6:21:23 GMT -5
Imo you were bang on with your assessment of Stony Creek. Hands down most talented team here, on paper. But seriously lacked proper coaching. Alot of individual "stars" that know what to do and don't need a coach. Cam Fergus is not a 3rd line player, besides a powerplay he got very little ice time. Cam didn't put up the same numbers in the ont. league this year as he did in our league the last few years . I know that he didn't play all the games but perhaps he was having an off year or an injury .
|
|
|
Post by Allan Cup vet on Apr 15, 2017 8:40:23 GMT -5
The 2017 Army ain't slow. I'm not in New Brunswick watching the tournament...but...I've seen enough SR AAA teams to know this Gens' squad is NOT slow by SR AAA standards. Wade I am positive I have been to many more Allan Cups than you. I remember the 2 team competitions. I have watched Bentley over the years. You don't need to defend speed. Your team gets it done year in and year out but I agree it certainly is not with speed. I am not at the Cup this year but would have loved to. I have watched most of each game. My observation is Lacombe has been the slower team in every one of their games. Did you not see the speed of the 2 teams from New Brunswick? But neither team is in the final. There is more to hockey. The guy who said the Lacombe coaching is the best is bang on, again just in my observation. The West Generals always seem like an experienced, bearded, playoff ready team. No flashy end to end type players. A bunch of tough western boys who know what it takes to win. Would any of them win the skating skills competition- that is a hard no. Likely no General in the top 20 skaters in this tourney. But who cares. Once again the Western Generals are in the Allan Cup finals. The mlb01 classification is very accurate and it may win you another Cup
|
|