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Post by whlref on Mar 25, 2011 11:04:30 GMT -5
Figured that I would get things rolling. Fort St. John vs Bentley for the chance to represent at the Allen Cup this season. Rumor has it that the games will be played in Red Deer at the Arena March 30, 2011 to April 3, 2011 in the best of 5. Predictions??? Bentley would be my guess but she could be a heated series. There has been some bad blood developed between these two clubs in the past few years. I know that Bentley was not happy about losing the Final last year, but good on the Flyers for putting up the squad and representing as host. Bentley has not really been challenged to much through there playoff and provincial run and have looked pretty solid. However Fort St. John's savage cup victory was not as well contested as i am sure that they would have hoped considering they had not really played a bunch in the past month or two. And those games that they played seemed to be a bit more of a non competitive shinny style game than what is really needed to get ready for a series such as this. But in saying that, this is a series and anything can happen. So hopefully the Flyers and Generals put on an entertaining and well fought (no pun intended) series for those that are able to take some of these games in. Good luck to both Clubs, and may the best team win!! Let the bantering begin
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flyer
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Post by flyer on Mar 25, 2011 14:50:53 GMT -5
Not sure if these are better then the teams they had last year but I'm sure they are the best 2 teams to compete in a Mac Cup in along time!
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Post by naitch on Mar 25, 2011 20:28:01 GMT -5
Wade-what's your prediction?
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Post by wade on Mar 26, 2011 23:57:05 GMT -5
The Bentley Generals have never lost a Mac Cup Series and I don't see that streak being stopped this spring.
On the other hand...of the 4 Mac Cups' the Gens have won...they've only been able to sweep once (2004 in Trail BC).
I think there is a chance the Generals can sweep it this time around but it doesn`t much matter if it takes 3 games or all 5 games...all we really need to do is win it in the end.
The difference is defence. The Generals `D` features a long list of players with AHL time and Brandon Smith with NHL GP`s.
I expect FSJ will employ a kamikazee game plan to attempt to thin our depth down to their level.
I think this will result in FSJ spending plenty of time in the penalty box and thats where the Gens will shine.
Bentley pounded out 17 PPG`s in 8 games during Alberta Provincials Playoffs and its not just a couple of guys doing the damage. They can come in waves and they don`t need to rely on garbage goals to get it done. They can mix it up and move the puck at a level which reflects the AHL experience which peppers our roster.
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flyer
Junior Member
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Post by flyer on Mar 27, 2011 10:16:06 GMT -5
There is doubt Bentley has a very good team but I think both the Flyers team from last year and this years squad where built for a 5game/ 5night series....FSJ in 4 or 5 games!
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frank
New Member
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Post by frank on Mar 27, 2011 11:13:25 GMT -5
I will say Bentley in 4. They have more games played this year to be ready for a series as the Flyers only had a few tune up games if you can call them that. Should be a good hard fought series.
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flyer
Junior Member
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Post by flyer on Mar 27, 2011 12:20:20 GMT -5
It will interesting to see how many games Bensmiller plays for Bentley in this series as Dewberry begin play inthe Alberta AA/A provincals in Provost Friday April 1st or does Bentley feel like they have enough depth to play without him?
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Post by wade on Mar 27, 2011 12:50:12 GMT -5
I doubt Bensmiller is in Red Deer for any of this series.
Poor scheduling on the part of Provost and Hockey Alberta to run 'AA' Provincials the same weekend of the Mac Cup.
The Generals were aware of the potential for this problem back in November when they were working on an affiliation team.
They considered finding a different team, that didn't have a realistic chance at qualifying for 'AA' Provincials...but...still had some players who could help them.
There was no such team. The trouble with using teams out of the Battle River League is...even though there are some good players out there...the leagues' scheduling can be unpredictable and always hectic.
The North Central League had one team with some talent...but Stonyburgh signed that team and ultimatley...that team didn't deliver at the moment when Stonyburgh needed them most.
The North Peace League is always tricky to evaluate. You see players putting up massive stats...but...as we have found in the past...some of these top scorers aren't nice fits as affiliates because they're accustomed to being top dawgs at the 'AA' level and when they come up to the 'AAA' level they don't have the ability to execute in less of a role.
All of this...along with the fact we did still get mileage out of Dewberry...(just not for the Mac Cup)...has me thinking we still made the right call here.
Any-Hoo...to answer the question on the Gens depth...I wouldn't say we are fearless here next week. It would be crazy to think ANY team is impervious to injuries. If we start to see guys getting hurt...it will be a problem.
We've seen the Generals win games with short benches. Deep into League playoffs the guys were still running with a roster of 13,14 or 15 guys on many nights.
I just don't want to see that happen again this season. Its too much to ask of a team playing consecutive games against a high end 'AAA' opponent. A recipe for disaster, really.
But the bottom line is...A smart team can (and should) be able to avoid injuries...provided that each player is mentally ready at the start of the game and then stay engaged for the duration of the night.
The Flyers have always made a point to come after our guys with reckless and dangerous play. Sometimes...it works out well for them.
Case in point...The round robin match last spring.
In that example...our guys were NOT mentally prepared, the refs did NOT call a couple of questionable hits...and we got out-hustled/out-wanted.
It was a hard lesson and although I have said (many times) that the past stays in the past...there are still some things we won't forget and its those things that make us better this time around.
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Post by upnorth on Mar 27, 2011 19:30:25 GMT -5
Had a chance to watch FSJ this year they have lost some key players from their roster, Bentley has added good players. Bentley in four.
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Post by jgreeder on Mar 30, 2011 11:01:17 GMT -5
Flyers in four, can't wait to see the army in tears!!
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Post by wade on Mar 31, 2011 7:12:20 GMT -5
Flyers in four, can't wait to see the army in tears!! The only thing your about to see of 'The Army... is the bottom of their boots.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2011 14:59:11 GMT -5
ya when they are carry the generals out
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Post by hipper on Mar 31, 2011 18:18:11 GMT -5
Lets go Flyers!!!
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Post by wade on Mar 31, 2011 22:59:40 GMT -5
Gens take game 1: 4-0.
The Flyers flew off the handle as time wound down. Loney swung his stick at some fans as he was departing the rink. I'm not sure if any of the officials saw it. I would say he will be suspended for the duration of the season/series.
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Post by padjjeff on Apr 1, 2011 0:13:21 GMT -5
I was right near that swinging incident near the end. Not cool. Especially with kids close by.
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