ATD2011 Jim Robson Finals: (1) Kimberley Dynamiters vs. (2) Philadephia Firebirds

BillyShoe1721

Terriers
Mar 29, 2007
17,252
6
Philadelphia, PA
Here are the reasons that Philadelphia should win this series:

-Better 1st line offensively, defensively, and physically.
-Better 3rd and 4th lines overall
-Far superior 2nd pairing
-Superior 3rd pairing
-Better Special Teams overall
-Better Coaching
-Better two-way play from forwards
-Matchup advantage. Even though Kimberley will get last change in 4/7 games, I'll refer to my earlier post about how Kimberley's team dynamics will severely hinder Denis Potvin's ability to influence the game. I'll boil it down into a couple points:

1. Kimberley has weak defensive play from their forwards, especially in their top 6. Kimberley also has two weaker 2nd and 3rd pairings.
2. Potvin-Morrow is the only defensive pairing Kimberley could put out if they hope to be able to defend Duff-Beliveau-Kurri with any level of success.
3. Merrick-Kesler-Stewart is the only line Kimberley could put out that would be able to somewhat contain the Duff-Beliveau-Kurri line defensively.

So, Kimberley is left with 3 options in terms of matchups.

1. Put Denis Potvin and Ken Morrow on the Beliveau line whenever possible, taking away the best part of Potvin's game, his offensive ability.
2. Put the Merrick-Kesler-Stewart line(by far Kimberley's least talented line) out against the Duff-Beliveau-Kurri line to help with defensive matchups, reducing the amount of time that their top 9 will be playing, reducing their possible offensive output.
3. Don't play any matchups, and allow Duff-Beliveau-Kurri to run rampant against Baker-Munro, Ozolinsh-Arbour, and Kimberley's first 3 lines(none of which is good defensively), and concede a huge matchup advantage.

As you see, Kimberley is outmatched here because of the way it is built. It's own construction will be its downfall, and that is why Philadelphia will win. We have 3 lines that are good defensively that will be able to play against any of Kimberley's lines. The only matchup we will avoid is our 2nd line and 2nd defensive pairing playing together, and that should be pretty easy to avoid.
 

Velociraptor

Registered User
May 12, 2007
10,953
19
Big Smoke
The Kimberley Dynamiters who had 3 first round picks was the Jim Robson division winner, but would they take the title over the second-seeded Philadelphia Firebirds?

Game 1:
Teams swap early goals, Beliveau and Kurri both score in the first, while Hawerchuk and Apps tally in the second. A late goal by Denis Potvin sticks and the Dynamiters win Game One 3-2. Hasek spectacular. KIM 1-0

Game 2:
Firebirds again dominate early, and also demonstrate strong defense. Frank McGee is the star of the game with two goals, Keith Tkachuk replies for the Dynamiters, but they couldn't squander much else past an unstoppable Jiri Holocek. 2-1 final, TIED 1-1

Game 3:
Teams travel to the City of Brotherly Love, and the host team steals the show. An awesome defensive display by Rod Langway who is unflappable. Beliveau and Kurri both score timely goals, Hawerchuk replies late for the Dynamiters, but Brian Sutter's empty netter clinches a series lead for the Firebirds. 3-1 win for the Firebirds. PHI 2-1

Game 4:
Kimberley receives a wake-up call when star defenseman Denis Potvin goes down to a knee injury. But the team stays strong as Syl Apps and Dale Hawerchuk add big goals in the second. Potvin returns and scores a big goal from the point. Hasek is a brick wall and the Dynamiters equalize the series at two. 3-0 Dynamiters is the final. TIED 2-2

Game 5:
Back to Kimberley they go, Philadelphia gains ground after a few early power plays, Kurri scores twice. Hawerchuk continues his dominant play and scores in the third. Goaltenders play out of their minds. A late surge by the Dynamiters still isn't enough and the Firebirds return home with a 3-2 advantage, winning the game 2-1. PHI 3-2

Game 6:
The crowd is electric, and Jean Beliveau reminds the fans why he is the star player and scores a big goal in the first, and another in the second, Hasek is peppered with shots and only falters to two Beliveau bombs. Pit Lepine is all over Apps, and the first line is unable to do much. Denis Potvin scores his third in the series, but Jari Kurri benefits off of a late rush in the third and puts the Firebirds up by 2 with five minutes to go. That would be all she wrote as the Firebirds shut down the Dynamiters in the final frame, they win 3-1 and they go on to be the Jim Robson Division Champions! PHI 4-2

Philadelphia Firebirds defeat Kimberley Dynamiters in 6 games.

3 STARS:
1. Jean Beliveau, PHI
2. Dominik Hasek, KIM
3. Jari Kurri, PHI

HM's: Potvin, Hawerchuk, Langway
 
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