MLD11: Mickey Ion Preliminary Round: Tidewater Sharks (4) vs. Laval Titan (5)
- Thread starter seventieslord
- Start date
VanIslander
A 19-year ATDer on HfBoards
I once again have assembled a below average team? At least you guys don't think it's the worst this time.
I put too much effort into this thing.
At least I drafted three all-star team members.
I put too much effort into this thing.
At least I drafted three all-star team members.
I didn't think so.
The division rankings were close; for example, VanIslander didn't vote either of the division winners in his top-3. It's anyone's game.
The division rankings were close; for example, VanIslander didn't vote either of the division winners in his top-3. It's anyone's game.
VanIslander
A 19-year ATDer on HfBoards
I thought these were two of the top three in their division, so I have a lot of good things to say about each squad. But in a series against each other, I see certain competitive advantages and disadvantages.
I.
Titan has the Soviet KBK line, which would usually give them a clear edge, but on the road they'll likely see a lot of the Sharks' stellar top pairing Goheen-Machac. If Tidewater had a more consistent starter this would be a wash. Slight advantage to Titan.
Titan has the Merrick championship checking third line, but it's a bit wasted against a Tidewater team that doesn't have all its eggs in one basket, in fact, the Sharks second line may lead the team and the back line can produce. To this point, the defensive-oriented top pairing of Laval has no big line to take out. Seriously, it's like Titan has a big strong shield to try and stop a swarm of bees, or in this case, Sharks. No advantage here.
Titan's clear advantage comes in clutch scoring and championship experience.
II.
Tidewater is lacking a top level offensive defenseman to quarterback the powerplay and will live or die with Goheen in this regard, a great rusher for sure. But this is not a disadvantage here as their opponent also lacks such a player. Special teams won't be a deciding factor in this series.
The Sharks have to be a wild card to win the division - or get bounded early. Two Conn Smythe goalies who can bring their 'A' game, but haven't always. A U.S. amateur and an injury-devastated blueliner among the top-3 defenseman is not a recipe for confidence. Four lines of scoring without much grit or nastiness, though responsible play may keep Schultz from dressing up for Laval but can Kjell provide enough mustard to offset Mellanby and a scrappy Titan blueline with Macoun, Galley, Marois all liking the rough stuff. At best, the higher seed could draw a lot of penalties by refusing to fight.
The Sharks have a balanced depth and peak excellent goaltending as competitive advantages in the series.
It could go either way. And it could be a sweep or require a deciding seventh game. A hard series to be sure about.
I.
Titan has the Soviet KBK line, which would usually give them a clear edge, but on the road they'll likely see a lot of the Sharks' stellar top pairing Goheen-Machac. If Tidewater had a more consistent starter this would be a wash. Slight advantage to Titan.
Titan has the Merrick championship checking third line, but it's a bit wasted against a Tidewater team that doesn't have all its eggs in one basket, in fact, the Sharks second line may lead the team and the back line can produce. To this point, the defensive-oriented top pairing of Laval has no big line to take out. Seriously, it's like Titan has a big strong shield to try and stop a swarm of bees, or in this case, Sharks. No advantage here.
Titan's clear advantage comes in clutch scoring and championship experience.
II.
Tidewater is lacking a top level offensive defenseman to quarterback the powerplay and will live or die with Goheen in this regard, a great rusher for sure. But this is not a disadvantage here as their opponent also lacks such a player. Special teams won't be a deciding factor in this series.
The Sharks have to be a wild card to win the division - or get bounded early. Two Conn Smythe goalies who can bring their 'A' game, but haven't always. A U.S. amateur and an injury-devastated blueliner among the top-3 defenseman is not a recipe for confidence. Four lines of scoring without much grit or nastiness, though responsible play may keep Schultz from dressing up for Laval but can Kjell provide enough mustard to offset Mellanby and a scrappy Titan blueline with Macoun, Galley, Marois all liking the rough stuff. At best, the higher seed could draw a lot of penalties by refusing to fight.
The Sharks have a balanced depth and peak excellent goaltending as competitive advantages in the series.
It could go either way. And it could be a sweep or require a deciding seventh game. A hard series to be sure about.
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The defence can score. Dolly Swift, who as far as I can tell played every skater position, led the 1890's in goal scoring according to Hockey Notes. Van Boxmeer is decent offensively as well (two seasons where he scored over 60 points).
I completely disagree my team is soft. They may not fight or play dirty, but they won't be intimidated.
Al MacAdam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_MacAdam
Red Hamill
http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12828
Barry Ashbee
http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=435619
Oldrich Machac
http://www.azhockey.com/Ma.htm
Dolly Swift
http://www.hockey-notes.com/1800_hockey_dollyswift.html
I don't have a quote, but based on Dave Trottier's PIMs (high of 94 in 48 games) he was likely gritty as well
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I think that the forward groups are very close in this series. Home ice will be key in the matchup game which is the main advantage I see my forward group having over Laval's.
Tidewater's goaltending is superior. Yes both netminders are inconsistent, but Giguere has put together two playoff runs, one of which is certainly among the greatest of all time. Sugar Henry strikes me as a very mediocre starter.
The defense is the biggest difference between these two clubs. Engblom is clearly the best defender on Laval while the other 5 regulars are similar in talent levels, most of them falling into the category of tough, character guys.
On Tidewater, Moose Goheen, while a US amateur was also a Hall of Fame player. Machac is the perfect match to Goheen's puck rushing game as he's a tremendous defensive defender at the MLD level who's tough and provides some offence. Barry Ashbee has a higher peak than any defender on Laval with a 2nd team all-star nod. Dolly Swift on the third pairing is one of the best depth scorers in this series and is paired well with the tough Kjell Samuelsson. While Swift was often a forward, he also played rover and defence and there is little to suggest he'll be a liability.
Tidewater's goaltending is superior. Yes both netminders are inconsistent, but Giguere has put together two playoff runs, one of which is certainly among the greatest of all time. Sugar Henry strikes me as a very mediocre starter.
The defense is the biggest difference between these two clubs. Engblom is clearly the best defender on Laval while the other 5 regulars are similar in talent levels, most of them falling into the category of tough, character guys.
On Tidewater, Moose Goheen, while a US amateur was also a Hall of Fame player. Machac is the perfect match to Goheen's puck rushing game as he's a tremendous defensive defender at the MLD level who's tough and provides some offence. Barry Ashbee has a higher peak than any defender on Laval with a 2nd team all-star nod. Dolly Swift on the third pairing is one of the best depth scorers in this series and is paired well with the tough Kjell Samuelsson. While Swift was often a forward, he also played rover and defence and there is little to suggest he'll be a liability.
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seventieslord
Student Of The Game
Tidewater Sharks defeat Laval titan in 7 games.
3 stars:
1. Valeri Kamensky
2. Jean-Sebastien Giguere
4. Oldrich Machac
3 stars:
1. Valeri Kamensky
2. Jean-Sebastien Giguere
4. Oldrich Machac
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