Kitchener Rangers 2018 Offseason Thread

[rangersblues]

Was thinking the exact same thing! That was hard to watch. Both teams just in full retreat mode. Nothing really on the line here so why not go full out and try to score.

That OT spoke volumes about the sad state of hockey. It's become way too contrived. It's all about systems. Extremely boring.

 

[EvenSteven]

On the surface, this was a close game tonight. If you look at the score and shots on goal, things were pretty even down the middle.

However, watching the game on television, it didn't seem that way to me much of the time. I thought that Sarnia carried the play in the first half of the first and for most of the third period.

I found that the Rangers had a lot less puck possession than Sarnia did. Looking at the on-line game sheet, it's easy to see why. We were terrible on face-offs!! Sarnia schooled us pretty good on the dot. In total, we only had 24 face-off wins up against 43 for Sarnia. That means that we were chasing the puck the majority of the night. That means on the power play, we had to go back and start in our end after every draw. That eats away valuable PP time in the offensive zone. Easy to see why we went 0-2 on the PP. And looking back, I believe Sarnia won every draw in the OT.

Both goalies played great but I thought Culina had to make the tougher saves. If we are going to beat this team in the playoffs, we're going to have to get a whole lot better on face-offs. We're going to have a hard time winning if we can't start on special teams with the puck. Or even strength for that matter.

I thought we were very good staying disciplined. That'll be big in the post season. But what was Burchell up to with the 10 minute misconducts? Idiot. In each case, all that was warranted was double minors if that. It was almost like Burchell went looking to calm storms that weren't there. Was there some verbal back and forth? Sure. But nothing that warranted turfing anyone for 10 minutes.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Rangers seemed to be on cruise both in Guelph and in Sarnia. Just the same, a matchup with Sarnia and the Rangers would be a heck of a series! But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Looks like the Spits in the first round and with DiPietro in net anything's possible....although, Culina will likely be extra charged for his former team.

The Sarnia announcers talked about how they had a great referee duo for the game last night. LOL BURCHELL.....are you kidding?? Here's hoping he stays far away in the playoffs. He's a game changer for either team. 5 minute misconducts?? For some mild roughing? There should be referee suspensions for stuff like this.

So, play the team on Friday against Guelph?.....or rest some players?? Guelph too.....if they're going up against Sarnia. They're going to need all the speed and D they've got.

And goodbye to shootouts......play til you win in the playoffs. GO RANGERS!

 

[Tim Wallach]

Even, the face-offs continue to be a huge sore spot for this team. It seems we lose almost every single key draw. Most face-off wins must come in the neutral zone because it does seem we're chasing the puck the first 15 seconds of every shift.

It's remarkable to me that after all this time we haven't had a trace of improvement in that area. It's so critical. Anyone who doesn't think it's that big a deal needs to go watch our last playoff loss to London. The entire series was won by Dvorak's face-off domination.

 

[bobber]

I am wondering if we will see a different team come play offs. At the moment as mentioned in a few posts there are several flaws in the Rangers game that haven't been corrected. Face offs is one. Also one issue discussed before every game at the Aud is the Rangers poor starts. The always seem to be quickly backed into their defensive zone and struggle usually giving up a goal on the first shot on net.
The play offs are a different animal. Teams are not playing for two points anymore. They are each trying to eliminate their opponent and every shift counts. Rangers really have to improve their coverage man on man especially around our goaltender. Merkley scored one on the Rangers in Guelph standing alone with another Storm player coming in behind him. These types of errors will loom large unless we see a different effort come play offs.

 

[ohloutsider]

That OT spoke volumes about the sad state of hockey. It's become way too contrived. It's all about systems. Extremely boring.

Coaches manage to "coach" the fun out of hockey - worse 3 on3 I have ever seen.

 

[Tim Wallach]

I am wondering if we will see a different team come play offs. At the moment as mentioned in a few posts there are several flaws in the Rangers game that haven't been corrected. Face offs is one. Also one issue discussed before every game at the Aud is the Rangers poor starts. The always seem to be quickly backed into their defensive zone and struggle usually giving up a goal on the first shot on net.
The play offs are a different animal. Teams are not playing for two points anymore. They are each trying to eliminate their opponent and every shift counts. Rangers really have to improve their coverage man on man especially around our goaltender. Merkley scored one on the Rangers in Guelph standing alone with another Storm player coming in behind him. These types of errors will loom large unless we see a different effort come play offs.

I have thought about that bobber and in some ways, that is a big wild card that Kitchener holds against other teams. It's a bit of a back-handed compliment, but they are a team that has not ever consistently had its A game all year. Sloppy efforts, slow starts, poor periods, coverage issues, etc. But they are also a team that is clearly elite on paper and can bring it at any given time.

Of all the teams in the West, I think they are the one most capable of being a MUCH better team in the playoffs. They have playoff type players and a bunch of guys who can significantly up their effort level when needed. Many of the other teams have played close to their potential.

 

[bobber]

I have thought about that bobber and in some ways, that is a big wild card that Kitchener holds against other teams. It's a bit of a back-handed compliment, but they are a team that has not ever consistently had its A game all year. Sloppy efforts, slow starts, poor periods, coverage issues, etc. But they are also a team that is clearly elite on paper and can bring it at any given time.

Of all the teams in the West, I think they are the one most capable of being a MUCH better team in the playoffs. They have playoff type players and a bunch of guys who can significantly up their effort level when needed. Many of the other teams have played close to their potential.

We bought play off tickets a couple of years ago and it was the most exciting hockey we saw all year. Fans really get passionate and into the games. Tim I think you are correct about this squad. They are capable of a lot more. We have seen glimpses of this in some games against the top squads and if healthy I think they can compete if every player buys in.

 

[EvenSteven]

Even, the face-offs continue to be a huge sore spot for this team. It seems we lose almost every single key draw. Most face-off wins must come in the neutral zone because it does seem we're chasing the puck the first 15 seconds of every shift.

It's remarkable to me that after all this time we haven't had a trace of improvement in that area. It's so critical. Anyone who doesn't think it's that big a deal needs to go watch our last playoff loss to London. The entire series was won by Dvorak's face-off domination.

We'll be able to get away with being poor on the draw vs lesser teams so I'm not worried about the first round. But when we go up against Sarnia in round two, and if successful, the Soo in round three, it's going to really hurt giving up puck possession time due to bad face off win percentages

You're right about that playoff loss versus London. We can also go back a few years to when we played London in round three where Austin Watson killed us in the face-off circle. Our best face-off guy Andrew Crescenzi was playing hurt and couldn't take draws. That was one of the things that really hurt us in that series.

I'm wondering/hoping we are not in the same boat with Logan Brown this year. He has still not taken face-offs even though he's back in the lineup. I hope this doesn't come back to bite us going forward.

I haven't had as a chance to go back and check our face off percentages vs the top teams but I'm hoping last night was an exception - not the norm.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Even, I haven't checked the percentages either, but I know as a team Kitchener is near the bottom, so it stands to reason they'd be even worse against the better teams with more veteran centres.

I also don't entirely trust the numbers. Too many teams/players end up within sniffing distance of 50%. The eye test says otherwise. And Morgan Frost dominated us in here not long ago.

 

[EvenSteven]

Vs Sarnia this year, in total we are 0-16 while they are 3/15 on the PP.

On face off wins, we have 114 while Sarnia has won 144.

Vs the Soo, in total we are 3/12 on the PP while they are 3/14. (Two of our goals came on the extended 2 man advantage in the last game).

On face off wins, we have 110 while they have 130.

Not including the two 5-3 PP goals last game, we are 1/26 collectively vs both teams. Not good.

On face offs , we are 224 to 274 collectively vs both teams. Also not good.


Looking at our team's face off percentages, our top face-off guy at 57.5% is Mike Petizian. Connor Bunnaman is right behind the 57.1. I know it's a small sample size for Petizian but considering we have lots of size already in the lineup, wouldn't it make sense to have Petizian in the lineup instead of Yantsis? Yantsis doesn't take face-offs.

How would a fourth line look with Petizian playing with our imports? Hugg is 49.6%. That's OK I guess but should he get tossed out of the face-off circle (we know how these linemen are in this league), we have Yantsis and Liska who have taken a grans total of 18 face offs between them this season with only 4 wins.

Just a thought.

 

[nelli27]

Vs Sarnia this year, in total we are 0-16 while they are 3/15 on the PP.

On face off wins, we have 114 while Sarnia has won 144.

Vs the Soo, in total we are 3/12 on the PP while they are 3/14. (Two of our goals came on the extended 2 man advantage in the last game).

On face off wins, we have 110 while they have 130.

Not including the two 5-3 PP goals last game, we are 1/26 collectively vs both teams. Not good.

On face offs , we are 224 to 274 collectively vs both teams. Also not good.


Looking at our team's face off percentages, our top face-off guy at 57.5% is Mike Petizian. Connor Bunnaman is right behind the 57.1. I know it's a small sample size for Petizian but considering we have lots of size already in the lineup, wouldn't it make sense to have Petizian in the lineup instead of Yantsis? Yantsis doesn't take face-offs.

How would a fourth line look with Petizian playing with our imports? Hugg is 49.6%. That's OK I guess but should he get tossed out of the face-off circle (we know how these linemen are in this league), we have Yantsis and Liska who have taken a grans total of 18 face offs between them this season with only 4 wins.

Just a thought.

Coaches' Poll (Western Conference) ranks Bunnaman #3 in Western Conference "faceoffs".
C. Hall = 3rd best defensive d-man.
Mascherin also makes the list for his shot.
(see OHL website)

 

[EvenSteven]

Thanks for the heads up Nelli.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Coaches' Poll (Western Conference) ranks Bunnaman #3 in Western Conference "faceoffs".
C. Hall = 3rd best defensive d-man.
Mascherin also makes the list for his shot.
(see OHL website)

Someone posted our F/O stats by player earlier in the year and Bunnaman had easily the highest % but takes fewer as a winger. Wasn't he used at centre more last year? Just not sure why we aren't at least having him take the draws more often (as a centre, or by taking them and switching back to wing after face off).

 

[Rangers True Blue]

No one can take a night off for the Rangers game to work. We've seen what they can do when they are firing on all cylinders and that's going to be needed every night in the playoffs. They have the depth especially when you look at that 4th line which I too would like to see Petizian at center. The kid is fast, can shoot and take faceoffs, and is not afraid to hit.

From their top lines, I'd like to see more shooting and less passing. How many times have we seen a play taking shape that has promise only to be broken up by that one extra pass? Also, we have seen them get out in front of these top goalies but it's not consistent. The same goes for following their team mate to the net. When a goalie is giving up rebounds, it only makes sense to do this. And passing/shooting needs to be quicker during the PPs. You can't give time for the opposing D to settle in (and shouldn't). All IMO I know.

Of all the teams in OHL, the Soo has proven it's a machine. Everything they do is at a scorching fast pace and when you match that with their confidence and accuracy, it's no wonder they are on top. They're not only used to winning, they expect it. If they ever get a tough series where losses come their way, it will be interesting to see how they handle that.

Nuff said......it's up to the Rangers now.

 

[Tim Wallach]

I too would like to see Petizian at center. The kid is fast, can shoot and take faceoffs, and is not afraid to hit.

And the kid is a winner. You can't under-estimate the value of that. He's a kid he tried to throw his team on his back last year at the OHL Cup and just did it through pure determination to be the best.

 

[bobber]

No one can take a night off for the Rangers game to work. We've seen what they can do when they are firing on all cylinders and that's going to be needed every night in the playoffs. They have the depth especially when you look at that 4th line which I too would like to see Petizian at center. The kid is fast, can shoot and take faceoffs, and is not afraid to hit.

From their top lines, I'd like to see more shooting and less passing. How many times have we seen a play taking shape that has promise only to be broken up by that one extra pass? Also, we have seen them get out in front of these top goalies but it's not consistent. The same goes for following their team mate to the net. When a goalie is giving up rebounds, it only makes sense to do this. And passing/shooting needs to be quicker during the PPs. You can't give time for the opposing D to settle in (and shouldn't). All IMO I know.

Of all the teams in OHL, the Soo has proven it's a machine. Everything they do is at a scorching fast pace and when you match that with their confidence and accuracy, it's no wonder they are on top. They're not only used to winning, they expect it. If they ever get a tough series where losses come their way, it will be interesting to see how they handle that.

Nuff said......it's up to the Rangers now.

True Blue you are right about the Rangers not shooting. They had open lanes in the Sarnia game and never took the shot. I would say they could have at least another 10 shots a game if they would just decide to put more pucks on net. The Sarnia tender is good but not great and they might of converted one or two shots into goals when they had clear shooting lanes and passed off. With the number of times they miss the entire net they need to increase the shot total in most games. Sorry I went past the "nuff said".

 

[Coaches Coroner]

And the kid is a winner. You can't under-estimate the value of that. He's a kid he tried to throw his team on his back last year at the OHL Cup and just did it through pure determination to be the best.

He was unreal at the OHL cup, a lot of teams passed him early on due to size. Pretty shrewd pick in the 5th round.

 

[EvenSteven]

Someone posted our F/O stats by player earlier in the year and Bunnaman had easily the highest % but takes fewer as a winger. Wasn't he used at centre more last year? Just not sure why we aren't at least having him take the draws more often (as a centre, or by taking them and switching back to wing after face off).

With Bunnaman playing on the line with Garreffa, Garreffa has been the center. He's the first option to take face offs but if he gets tossed out, then Bunnaman comes in. Garreffa has a decent FO% at 52.4% up against Bunnaman's 57.1%. But often Bunnaman takes the draws on the power play when that unit starts.

I think the key should be getting at least one decent face off man on every line. Here are the %'s of our frequent face off men:

Petizian- 57.5%
Bunnaman- 57.1%
Garreffa- 52.4%
Sherwood- 51.2%
Hugg - 49.6%
Brown - 47.3%
Meireles- 47.1%
Damiani- 46.1%
Guest – 46%

 

[MediaCritic]

Bunnaman took the key face-offs late in the game Wednesday vs Sarnia. I trust him. And Petizian is indeed a very nice pick who will be a huge asset for this team in the years ahead. Right now, though, I really like that “fourth line” of Hugg, Yantsis, and Liska. It’s just not quite yet Petizian’s time with this veteran team. But he’s going to have his team for sure.

The numbers and stats for the OHL are a funny thing. I’m not sure how much I trust them, either, and I also wonder how much our perception matches reality. When we lose big draws I’m sure it feels worse but the overall numbers above (again, taken with a grain of salt) don’t imply dominance to me. I think the true face-off specialists (ie Dvorak) are increasingly rare.

 

[GeoBlue]

True Blue you are right about the Rangers not shooting. They had open lanes in the Sarnia game and never took the shot. I would say they could have at least another 10 shots a game if they would just decide to put more pucks on net. The Sarnia tender is good but not great and they might of converted one or two shots into goals when they had clear shooting lanes and passed off. With the number of times they miss the entire net they need to increase the shot total in most games. Sorry I went past the "nuff said".

I'm hoping Mascherin got a message when he got voted the best shot in the league. So tired of him passing off when he should be shooting. Maybe now he knows what an awesome shot he has.

 

[GeoBlue]

Josh Brown‏Verified account @BrownRecord 27m27 minutes ago
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With Adam Mascherin scratched, Joseph Garreffa will be the sole Ranger to play all 68 games this season.

 

[EvenSteven]

Josh Brown‏Verified account @BrownRecord 27m27 minutes ago
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With Adam Mascherin scratched, Joseph Garreffa will be the sole Ranger to play all 68 games this season.

McKee said today the big horses are getting rest. Mascherin out. Stanley out. Bunnaman to play sparingly.

The Hugg, Liska, Yantsis line to get a ton of ice.

 

[bobber]

Personally I am glad that the regular season is finally over. Just too many frustrating games before and after the deadline. Hopefully now that games mean something you can be eliminated by not playing 60 minutes of hard hockey.

 

[RangerNation]

Personally I am glad that the regular season is finally over. Just too many frustrating games before and after the deadline. Hopefully now that games mean something you can be eliminated by not playing 60 minutes of hard hockey.

Finally the real hockey begins. With all the over analyzing, whining and arguing over this team, the Rangers go into the playoffs with the 2nd seed and some players with mem cup experience. Not a lot of teams can say that. This team needs the fans behind them, hopefully they show up.