OK so here we go with the recap, only half-ass recaps for AHL contract/no NHL future guys.
Bigras: Very good game from him. He isn't like Zadorov who defends with his body, he defends with tremendous stick-work and positioning. It's ROR-esque. He stick lifts people and strips them of the puck and gets it to a forward so well. He did that seriously like 9 times tonight. Also solid with the puck. Had a nice rush and make good passes and decisions in all zones. Was caught out of position on a stretch pass, like a lot of the defenders were. But all in all, great defensive game with solid offensive instincts. Separating the man from the puck without taking himself out of play is a strength he possesses.
Geertsen: Up and down game for him. Had some really nice plays, and some head scratchers. Got beat by some stretch passes and made some really dumb passes. Left his guy open a few times in the D zone where they generated chances. But, he also displayed patience with the puck when pressured and put a bomb of a shot on net. He also has a good stick like Bigras and breaks up passes and tips shots out of play. Not a very good game from him, but wasn't terrible.
Zadorov: About a B game from him. Had a rush at the end of the first where he skated through a couple people and just missed. Loves to shoot and rip one timers. Broke up a 2 on 1 really nicely. Good offensive and defensive game from him I thought. Although he did leave his guy and he got open a couple times tonight. Seriously every defender got beat a stretch pass at one point. If they can reel him in a little bit, he wouldn't have like any problems with his game. When he goes full on loose cannon is when he sketches me out. It's almost like he plays too relaxed and sometimes it works beautifully, sometimes he gets stripped of the puck in front of the net. His skating though. Wow. Moves so well for being so big.
Bourke: Man this kid needs a call-up. Plays such an effective bottom 6 style. Backchecks like his life is depending on it and has such an active stick. Not afraid to block shots as he did tonight. Finishes his checks and lets his body take a beating for a little guy. Made a really nice pass to someone cutting back door. His WHL domination has translated a little bit as his offense is definitely there. Played with Cheek for the most part.
Siemens: Pretty solid game overall. Same thing as the last Dmen. Left his spot and his guy open a couple times, but very good physical game. Starting to show more patience with the puck and tried leading the rush out of the zone. Worked a couple times. Guy takes no s*** from anyone and I love it. Walked out of the game with an ice pack tied to his right hand I believe. Blocking shots like a mad man out there. Him and Noreau work so well together and was the most consistent pair.
Schumacher: Might have been their best forward tonight. Forechecked like a hound and was parked in front of the net. Very effective down low and cycle game. Nice hand eye coordination as evidenced by his goal. Played with Smith and Rendulic all night and didn't look out of place.
Cliche: He seriously is a decent AHL player as much crap as he gets in an Avs uni. Plays hard, blocks shots, backchecks, takes hits. Played with Agozzino and Hishon tonight.
Noreau: The way he gets open in the offensive zone is incredible. As soon as he moves the puck he gets open and wants it back. Very confident when he has the puck on his stick, as he should be. Very skilled offensively. Not too shabby on D though, but does get occasionally manhandled. I can hear him yelling from the stands and communicating with the players. Really hope he comes back, doubtful though. Such a wizard on the PP with his passing and vision.
Agozzino: Pretty good game for him also. Got some PK time and had chances on it. Such a quick skater and pretty elusive. Didn't dominate like i thought he would, but still a good game. Wish he would be given a legit shot with legit linemates at the NHL level. You're telling McLeod is doing better in the top 6 than he would Roy?
Meurs: Played maybe 5 minutes but was noticeable with his physicality.
Smith: As Robert de Niro once said to Ben Stiller, I'm everywhere Focker. This absolutely applies to him. Skates his ass off on offense and defense and was generating chances and stopping chances with his backchecking. Has such nice hands and vision and constantly put passes on the tape for people to get a good shot off. Tries very hard on D, but like Hishon and Noreau, get outmuscled because of their size.
Hishon: Boxscore will show he had 4 shots, but he didn't do much else. Had a couple good chances with those shots though. Has some nice patience with the puck and doesn't panic, a definite calmness to his play. Would like for him to be more active in the D zone though.
Cheek: Dude does not care what happens to his body. Blocks shots, throws hits, takes hits. Very good bottom 6 AHLer. Very active in the D zone and has good defensive skills. Sometimes tries to do too much with the puck, although he does have a good shot. Got a good amount of PK time.
Henley: Played with Labrie a lot. Not too bad in the faceoff circle, but would have liked a couple more wins from him. I do see a potential 4C in him with his work ethic and defensive mindset. Did not play much but saw second unit PK time.
Clark: As much as he gets ripped on, I thought he was pretty decent tonight. Absolutely wrecked Dowell along the boards and he followed him around until he fought him. Made a couple nice little passes to a forward streaking out of the zone. Did have a couple lapses with the puck though. Handling the puck is not his cup of tea.
Labrie: Played forward tonight. Actually looked better at forward lol. Hit everything in sight with no regard to his health. Played about 7 minutes maybe.
Bordeleau: People might not believe this, but he had a really good game. But wow is he soooo slowwww. Didn't try to be a hero like I thought he would with the puck. Makes good plays along the wall to hit the center coming out of the zone. Plays a simple game and throws the puck on net.
Rendulic: Really good game from him. His penalty was so weak. Hope his offense and confidence translates to the NHL someday. Such slick hands and vision. Thought he was going to get demolished a couple times but has great vision. His skating is so quick too, nice long strides and quick feet. Carries the puck like its nothing. Can enter the zone very effectively.
Pickard: Seemed like he was fighting the puck early, but confidence grew as the game went on. His stance is so weird to me, its like he's not taking up a lot of space and relies on reflexes. Would probably want that first goal back as Morin kind of fanned on the shot. Nothing he could have done on the 2nd and 3rd though. Bickell was in the way and screened him perfectly on the 2nd.
To be honest I got super tired as the recap went on and got lazy. Ask me any questions about players/the game in general and I'll answer tomorrow morning before family time.
