I was at the game last night and these are my observations.
Team Red
Goal – Ellis
His team did not play well in front of him, but he let in soft ones as well. If Sutter’s selection was based on this performance, there would be no way he would be on the team.
Defense
Barker-Letang
Best pair on team red. Barker looked solid out there and Letang looked good as well.
Funk-Schultz
Worst tandem on either team. Funk had multiple give aways and Schultz is really slow out there. Both looked awful.
Parent-Vlasic
Didn’t really notice much about this pair, but with 8 goals against, that doesn’t say much.
Forwards
Latendresse-Boyd-Comeau
Latendresse drove to the net a few times, but he wasn’t getting good chances and didn’t play as physical as a guy his size should. Bourdon rode him out a few times and didn’t give him much. Boyd and Comeau looked alright, but didn’t do anything spectacular on the evening.
Brassard-Pouliot-Blunden
This was the worst line of either team. Pouliot was the only stand out on this trio and it wasn’t because of anything positive. I was expecting to see something special from him since he was a 4th overall pick this year. He does have good hands and is a great passer, but he was floating out there all night long. I can’t see Sutter wanting that type of effort on his team. The worst part of his game was that he was hooking guys every shift. Both Stephenson and Bourdon wanted a piece of him. There were shifts where all he did was water ski on guys' ribs with his hooks. Bourdon got really steamed at him in the third because of this and both those guys were yapping back and forth in the penalty box. You could tell that Bourdon wanted to fight him, but Pouliot backed away from him. Pouliot went out for the last shift of the game and Bourdon leaped over the boards when he saw him going out there, but again Pouliot kept his distance.
Chucko-Esposito-Downie
Chucko looked really slow out there. He shouldn’t be on the team. I know Bob McKenzie said that Esposito won’t make the team, but he was by far the most creative player on a very poor Team Red. He lacked a strong finish, but created several chances out there. Its just too bad that he was playing with Chucko, who couldn’t keep up, and Downie, who was too busy trying to be an agitator. Downie was noticeable out there. He could be a valuable agitator for Team Canada, but he will have to pick his spots better. He had a few penalties away from the play that weren’t necessary. I missed 2 goals while watching him repeatedly go after Marc Staal outside the blueline away from the play. Staal looked like he got hurt on one of those exchanges. Downie got a goaltender interference penalty and complained to the ref. It was funny because the ref right away said, “You jumped on him, you idiotâ€.
Team White
Goalie – Price
His rebound control on the first goal looked bad, but he was pretty cold at that time, facing only 5 shots, and Downie was right on him. The rest of the game he was solid and he absorbed and held the rest of the long shots. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as the starter this year.
Defense
Bourdon-Russell
Bourdon was awesome out there. He was involved in every aspect of the game. He picked up numerous assists, made great outlet passes, delivered some hits, played well positionally and is a great skater. As a Canucks fan, I really wish he was on the team this year instead of McCarty or Baumgartner. I hadn’t seen much of him before this, but it is clear to see why so many people hype him. There was one play that he jumped up as the third guy on the rush, drove deep to the net and moments later was back in position on defense … he really is a fantastic skater. Russell played well with him.
Pokulok-Staal
I had never seen Pokuluk before and didn’t know what to expect. He surprised me, as he was easily the second best defenseman out there last night. My brother actually thought he was more impressive than Bourdon. He made great passes, showed lots of poise and was physical. The patience he showed in setting up Toews on the powerplay and the pass he made was one of the better plays of the game. Staal was the stay at home defenseman on this pairing and though I didn’t notice anything outstanding in his play, I didn’t see him do anything wrong out there. He had a few battles with Downie and seemed to get the worst of it.
Rogers-Stephenson
Both of these guys played physical out there, but Stephenson stood out in that department for me. I could see him as the seventh defenseman on the team.
Forwards
Chipchura-Cogliano-Bertram
This line played well together. Cogliano and Bertram both have great wheels, but Cogliano is a little faster and very shifty. He will be one of our best forwards this year.
O’Marra-Toews-Bolland
This was the best line on the night for either team. All three played great and passed well. Toews is special player. He is creative, knows how the play is going to unfold and finds the right spots on the ice to go to.
Pyatt-Little-Setoguchi
They played well and all three of the lines on Team White could be kept intact on Team Canada.
Summary
Based on last night’s game, I would expect the line up to be made out of the following players.
Goalie
Price/Pogge
Defense
Bourdon-Letang
Barker-Russell
Pokulok-Staal
Stephenson
Forwards
Latendresse-Toews-Bolland
O’Marra-Cogliano-Bertram
Comeau-Little-Setoguchi
Chipchura-Boyd-Downie
Esposito or Pyatt as the 13th forward
Offensive Defensmen at that!
