Don Mills Flyers vs Mississauga Senators, October 23rd 2017
A couple notes on the game before I dig into some player evaluations: It wasn't reflected on the game sheet, but this was very chippy game. It's a good thing it ended when it did, because tensions were starting to boil over. Don Mills has always been a physical team, but the coach needs to reel it in when it goes over board-Didn't feel that happened, and in my opinion, the play reflected the attitude of the bench.
#84 Mazomenos Don Mills: The diminuitive, gritty center was all over the ice in this one, making his presence felt. Be it breaking up multiple Sens breakouts with an active stick and good anticipation, working hard in the corners to retrieve pucks or extend possession, or forechecking hard and pressuring the Sens D into hurried decisions. Admirable effort level, gives 100% every shift. His hard work was rewarded with a garbage goal and extended ice time, as the game went along. He showed off his usual skill set of quick feet and tight handles with the puck, but also his prowess in the face off circle. He won 80-90 % of his draws. Great showing.
#21 Portokalis Don Mills: Not the typical dominant, offensive performance i've come to expect, but his compete and intelligence always allows him to have an effect on the play. In this one, it was his neutral zone play and forechecking that stood out. He created several turn overs with his reach and enthusiastic style. On the forecheck, he's a menacing presence because of his size and how quickly he closes. Like #84, he disrupted several Sens break outs and created turn overs in the Sens zone. Still managed a couple nice rushes, including one where he found a good amount of open ice on a 2 on 1, showed off his speed and lateral agility to beat his man and deliver a pass for a goal.
#27 Gucciardi Don Mills: A real joy to watch, and he elevated his game beyond my expectations. Using the old adage that a great movie needs three good scenes, here's Gucciardi in three terrific plays: Sens player has a jump on Don Mills D racing towards a puck in the Don Mills end, Gucciardi goes all out to close the gap, separates player from puck, and then rushes the puck back up the ice, leading to an offensive opportunity. Two: While skating the puck around his own net, and under tight coverage by Sens player waiting on other side the net, used his superior edges and balance to cut between the awaiting Sen and the net, driving the puck up through the middle and breaking it out of his zone. Countless times i've seen that "seal" by a forward result in a forced shot up the boards or the Dman being seperated from the puck trying to rush it outside and along the boards. And three: While skating the puck back towards his own zone, pursued closely, made a tight 180 degree turn to shake his man and rushed the puck back up the gut of the ice, deking multiple Sens players and also leading to an offensive opportunity. Was his usual dynamic offensive presence, frequently acting as a fourth forward. In the defensive zone, he showed good gap control on one on ones and a strong stick to create turn overs. Had his head on a swivel while defending in his own end. Was frequently the first player to loose pucks, and his speed and effort allowed him to recover nicely after pinching and rushing the puck. Great showing.
#44 Mikuljan Don Mills: Best defensive player on Don Mills last night. He was a big part of why the Sens couldn't control possession into the offensive zone. His mobility and confidence allowed him to keep a very tight gap in the neutral zone and into his own zone, frequently separating player from puck. His smooth stride also relieved pressure from his own end, frequently skating the puck out of trouble. Though, he threw the puck away a couple of times when he was under direct pressure. His skating allows him separation that he sometimes doesn't realize he has. Needs to slow it down and assess more thoroughly in possession.
#92 Strachan Don Mills: Better showing tonight. More willingly involved than in past viewings. Had a nice rush on the outside where he showed off a heavy wrist shot. Physical tools and skill set still leave you wanting more.
#22 Profaca Senators: Very good defensive game tonight and didn't over complicate things in possession. Was likely the sole reason that Portokalis didn't end up with more points. Stepped up into the neutral zone and took away space and time from Portokalis' rushing attempts, separating him both physically and with his stick. Stayed square to his man, not allowing room for shiftiness. Had a couple smart pinches, and made several tape to tape passes breaking it out of his own end. He has a habit of making an ill advised cross ice pass or two...Usually ending up in a turn over. Last night, however, his passing lanes were unobstructed. Sensing the pressure Don Mills put forth in the neutral zone, and modifying his strategy. He was used in all situations and was vocal and composed, even deep into the game when both teams were was losing their cool. Good showing.
#44 Haynes Senators: It was a simple, and mostly effective game from Haynes last night. He used his smarts, mobility and heads up playing style to relieve pressure in his own end, and be disruptive in passing lanes on the penalty kill. Like his partner Profaca, he was used in all situations. Though, he he had a more modest impact, opting to pass the puck off to his partner instead of breaking it out himself. Like usual, displayed his good awareness for picking his spots to jump up into the play. Limits of his skill did appear under the relentless pressure from Don Mills.
#97 Cohen Senators: Gutsy effort out there, even though he had trouble getting much going. Because of the Don Mills neutral zone pressure, Cohen was forced to start plays deep in his own end, and because of his slight stature and lack of explosive or shifty skating stride, he was neutralized more often than not. He was seldom able to play to his strengths(IQ and awareness in the offensive zone), save for one instance where he effectively made himself "lost" in coverage, sneaking in for a tipped shot. Was the recipient of half a dozen bone crushing hits from Don Mills, which is what I was eluding to in the intro.
