|
Post by wade on Mar 31, 2013 11:53:27 GMT -5
Not really any surprises this spring...
I think the most unexpected outcome was in NLSHL where Cee Bees nipped the title away from Clarenville. Of course...that has no bearing on THIS Allan Cup.
This Allan Cup is a familar field...for me at least.
Not only have I seen every one of these teams at least once in the past few years...the Generals have already played 3 of the 5 teams coming to Red Deer this season.
Rosetown... will be a much different roster than what we saw in November. Much deeper, more energized, more confident...and most importantly...boosted up in net where (Im assuming) Kelly Guard will be taking hold as the "PROVISIONAL" (picked up from Shellbrook). The Gens & Wings tied 5-5 in the first week of November.
Fort St John..The Gens swept 4 exy's from the Flyers this year. I think FSJ can do some damage here. They'll also piss some opposition off with their abrasive style. Id love to see them & Kenora get into it. Two teams who would really "fit" each other...IMO...on the other hand...the Gens owe this team a grand slam size ass kick after how they pumped us in 2010.
Kenora...Speaking of Kenora...dont undersell the Thsitles. It means almost nothing that they didn't play a formal schedule. They've been gradually improving for 3 years now & its RARE for SR AAA teams to be able to sustain that kind of progress.
Clarenville...Got swept in the Herder last month & were slow to start the regular season in the NLSHL. The Caribous have a lot going for them but how will Churchill play?
Stony Plain...Could be vastly better than what most people will expect. These playoffs have not been nearly as damaging to their roster as last years marathon grind & this year theyre not depending on aged/slowish Zahara/Locke for offence. Plus...If the Eagles have all their defencemen in the line up for the entire week...it would be a season first and a huge surge for them.
|
|
|
Post by HFan on Mar 31, 2013 13:02:15 GMT -5
Thanks, for the insight Don . How Division Two plays out will be interesting. I'm also intrigued to see what Stony, and Ft St John will bring to the table.
|
|
|
Post by wade on Mar 31, 2013 13:05:30 GMT -5
Ive been chewing on different ways of handi-capping the tournament.
I think the best recourse is probably to pull up the round robin schedule..try to make some predictions for the first few days...and go from there.
|
|
|
Post by jingjang on Mar 31, 2013 14:47:28 GMT -5
I was hoping the Thunder would be there, but sending a skeleton to Rosetown didnt cut it....
i will be surprised if Bentley doesnt walk away with this thing this year....
I heard it is official Marv has booked the the 2016 tournament, hopefully steinbach's new arena will be done by then.
|
|
|
Post by wade on Mar 31, 2013 15:14:16 GMT -5
I was hoping the Thunder would be there, but sending a skeleton to Rosetown didnt cut it.... i will be surprised if Bentley doesnt walk away with this thing this year.... I heard it is official Marv has booked the the 2016 tournament, hopefully steinbach's new arena will be done by then. It isn't a fair expectation to put on ANY team to "walk through" this tournament. The Generals are a strong team. They've got a chance to win it. Like I just finished saying...take a look at the round robin schedule...Rosetown and Bentley are going head to head...that game could make or break the week for one or both of those teams. Even think back to the last time the tournament was in Manitoba...wasn't it YOU who had picked Steinbach to be the top dog that year?! And what happened to the North Stars? They got the surprise of a lifetime via a team from Alberta which bounced back from an early game deficit and handed your team a devestating loss! At this point...there really isn't a favourite for the Cup. We can't look any further into the crystal ball than just the first few days. And I think its silly to think your doing any better than GUESSING on who will win some of those games. Its going to be tight. If someone happens to get through round robin 2-0...then and only then...might we have an emerging favourite. But nobody "walks through". Not this time...and really...not any other times either. FSJ in 2010...you might argue ended up "walking through'''Ill grant you that much. But they weren't expected to do so 2 weeks ahead of opening day. Just sayin.
|
|
|
Post by jingjang on Mar 31, 2013 16:29:50 GMT -5
I may be wrong but I believe i took bentley in steinbach also.... Steinbach i thought would of been stronger than they were that year, thank goodness they werent any good. Point taken, it can be unreasonable to predict a "cakewalk" but this forum is all about speaking and making your predictions. i don't come on here to be dull or middle grounded. It's for passionate fans to speak their minds!
|
|
|
Post by jimc on Mar 31, 2013 16:32:50 GMT -5
I think the Gennies have to be faves...Host teams have a history of doing very well. They always get quality players coming out of the woodwork, they get to live at home, which for an entire week is huge, and always get the off day on Wed...let's not discount that fact.
Home fans/barn is a nice boost, as well.
|
|
|
Post by wade on Mar 31, 2013 18:22:24 GMT -5
Rosetown was in the finals last year, they've vastly improved their defensive depth and they've got the best "bonus player" in the tournament with Kelly Guard added to the mix.
Nothing like picking up the opposing player who nearly beat you in Provincial Playoffs!
|
|
|
Post by WadeGensStickBoy on Apr 1, 2013 13:41:55 GMT -5
Look at the "Don Cherry of Senior Hockey" trying to sell everyone on how the "Army" isn't going to win this year's version of the AC. That's cute! 35 year old stick boy.... The Red Wings picking up Guard looks exactly like the "Army" needing the services of a certain goaltender in 2009 to win their only title. Short memory Wade?
Just curious what the fallout will be from the AC tourney on the Gens organization when good soldiers like Haarstad tell Bentley to "get bent" once all the big boys leave next year. Here's hoping for some poetic justice this weekend that would see Brian Sutter win another championship. I love how Wade and the rest of the "army" have been quick to throw the Jack Adams award winner under the bus this year while at the same time failing to remember that he led them to an AC title in 2009. Comical!
|
|
|
Post by wade on Apr 1, 2013 14:16:47 GMT -5
Oh. Wonderfrickal.
Another one of Sutter's minions wanting to remind everyone the forefather of the frozen canvas once won a Jack Adams Trophy.
Probably the same ass-hat as other accounts...just changed the name but not the game.
I never made any complaints about Guard getting added to Rosetown. I pointed it out.
One of these is not like the other, colonel, or whatever your calling yourself this week.
As for poetic justice...Sutter said the Gens wouldnt even make the playoffs ater he got ran out of town...and not only did THE ARMY make the playoffs...they kicked his ass...HARD...six different ways from Sunday.
And then they won another Alberta AAA banner...something they could NOT do with him on the bench last year!
Sutter did a great job in 2009. So did all the players & management. Sutter recognizes one of the three here. You can make your own guess on which one.
Finally...Can you show me where I said the Gens aren't going to win the Allan Cup this year?
If your account isnt already deleted,that is.
|
|
|
Post by WadeGensStickBoy on Apr 1, 2013 15:09:07 GMT -5
Nope still here Joey.... err.... I mean Wade. All I am saying is it's cute that you are trying to pump up other clubs while downplaying the Gens chances. I just find it hilarious that you choose to consistently throw Brian under the bus now that he's gone, what were your comments like back in 2009? I would like you to call him a "pepper pot" to his face rather then your current spineless methods. Hockey is a business and nobody wants to win more then the Sutter's and his comments following his release showed that. If you ever get fired from your shitty job @ the mine (which i'm sure you will) maybe you will understand it a little better. I fully understand the comments that were made by Brian when he left Bentley. However I think everyone without the Bentley "Rose-Colored Goggles" that you sport can see the way that he was let go was far from professional! Just like the way they have chose to sit down "heart and soul" Generals like Haarstad in favor of guys that didn't even suit up for a regular season affair and could give 2 shits about Sr. Hockey. Just like Bentley refused to sign a release for said player but will have no problems having him watch every AC game.
|
|
jargo
New Member
Posts: 12
|
Post by jargo on Apr 1, 2013 15:18:43 GMT -5
I think it is fair to say the host generals are the early favorites. The opening night game between what could be the two powerhouses of this years tournament will be a dandy and not one I'm gonna miss....of course just speculating, but it does look as though the one pool with bentley, rosetown and kenora could be considerably stronger than the other...? What a great week of hockey this is gonna be, bentley will do a great job hosting.
|
|
|
Post by wade on Apr 1, 2013 16:53:54 GMT -5
100% correct, Jargo.
|
|
|
Post by wade on Apr 2, 2013 10:50:42 GMT -5
On this forum, we tend to focus so much on teams, schedules and other "stuff".
Id like to stir up some discussion on PLAYERS coming to the Allan Cup.
Who do YOU think is the best player on your team?
How do you expect your MVP to do in Red Deer?
What about your other big guns?
Kenora has a guy I'll be watching close: Sean McAslan.
Stony too...Justin Cox.
And of course...Rosetown has several...JJ Hunter, Kelly Guard, Shawn Germain, Brennan Turner, Casey Lee and Jared Jagow.
Last year we had no idea Devon Leblanc would be such a force. Resumes don't always tell the whole story.
|
|
bds
Junior Member
Posts: 47
|
Post by bds on Apr 2, 2013 16:49:02 GMT -5
If C'ville brings the defence they have signed for this tourney it should be very interesting with Churchill. 6 top D men here but I'm already hearing Tampa Bay draft pick Doug O'Brien won't be making the travel. Other than that Andrew Sweetland will be strong if he isn't to lazy to play.
|
|