MLD2011 Sir Montagu Allan Rnd 1: Thunder Bay Twins (4) vs Warroad Lakers (5)

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Thunder Bay Twins

Coach: Dave Tippett
Asst: Floyd Smith

Jack McDonald - Ivan Boldirev - Mikael Renberg
Steve Payne - Dave Gagner (A) - Mark Napier
Dan Maloney (C) - Patrik Sundstrom - Scott Young
Scott Hartnell - Brendan Morrison - Colin Patterson
Tim Hunter, Jim McFadden

Al Hamilton (A) - Marcus Ragnarsson
Dave Hutchison - Randy Manery
Mark Streit - Ted Graham
Pierre Bouchard

Pelle Lindbergh
Roman Cechmanek

PP1: Jack McDonald - Ivan Boldirev - Mark Napier - Mark Streit - Al Hamilton
PP2: Steve Payne - Dave Gagner - Mikael Renberg - Randy Manery - Scott Young
PK1: Patrik Sundstrom - Colin Patterson - Marcus Ragnarsson - Ted Graham
PK2: Brendan Morrison - Scott Young - Dave Hutchison - Randy Manery

VS

Warroad Lakers

GM: DaveG
Coach: Bill Dineen
Captain: Scott Mellanby
Alternates: Patrice Bergeron, Steve Konowalchuk

Hibbert "Hib" Milks - Herb Carnegie - Carson Cooper
Alexander Skvortsov - Andrew Cassels - Scott Mellanby
Magnus Arvedson - Patrice Bergeron - Paul Holmgren
Steve Konowalchuk - Wes Walz - Wayne Presley

Joe Cooper - Dave Lewis
Sergei Starikov - Igor Stelnov
Janne Niinimaa - Alex Levinsky

Arturs Irbe
Giles Meloche

Extras:
D/F Frank "Coddy" Winters
C Carl Kendall
D Sean Hill
RW Justin Williams


PP 1:
Carson Cooper - Herb Carnegie - Scott Mellanby
Patrice Bergeron - Janne Niinimaa

PP 2:
Alexander Skvortsov - Andrew Cassels - Paul Holmgren
Joe Cooper - Sergei Starikov

PK 1:
Wes Walz - Wayne Presley
Joe Cooper - Dave Lewis

PK 2:
Magnus Arvedson - Patrice Bergeron
Sergei Starikov - Igor Stelnov

PK 3:
Steve Konowalchuk - Andrew Cassels
Joe Cooper - Alex Levisnsky
​

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[DaveG]

well this is an interesting matchup. I'd argue that this could be the two best bottom 6's in the draft going head to head.

Cooper might be the best offensive player in the draft here, but this is going to be a series where goals are hard to come by.

Either way Judge, good luck to you. Will be interesting to hear some of your arguments.

 

[jkrx]

The only thing I don't like about DaveGs team is Walz. Other than that this team looks strong at both ends but so do TheJudge team. This will be intresting.

 

[Dreakmur]

The only thing I don't like about DaveGs team is Walz. Other than that this team looks strong at both ends but so do TheJudge team. This will be intresting.

Really? I think Walz is Dave's best bottom 6er.... but that's because I'm not really a fan of the other guys

 

[TheJudge]

Best of luck Dave!

To be honest I didn't really want to meet your team in the first round

I'm moving tomorrow, and may not have internet for a few days. I'll get back on here as soon as I can and contribute.

 

[jkrx]

Really? I think Walz is Dave's best bottom 6er.... but that's because I'm not really a fan of the other guys

I simply thinks that this is player who benefitted alot from the whole clutch and grab era. What I do like about him is that he didn't vanish directly after the lock-out.

Out of his bottom-6, Konowalchuk, Holmgren and Arvedsson is definitly better. I would also give that nod to Bergeron. Presley however might be worse than Walz.

 

[Dreakmur]

I simply thinks that this is player who benefitted alot from the whole clutch and grab era. What I do like about him is that he didn't vanish directly after the lock-out.

Doesn't matter how he did his job. All that matters is the result.

Also, skaters like Walz don't rely on clucth-n-grab.

Out of his bottom-6, Konowalchuk, Holmgren and Arvedsson is definitly better. I would also give that nod to Bergeron. Presley however might be worse than Walz.[/QUOTE]

I might have Bergeron ahead, but definately none of the other guys.

Konowalchuk was barely more than a plug, and Holmgren was only a little more than a goon. Arvedson is similar to Walz.

 

[DaveG]

I simply thinks that this is player who benefitted alot from the whole clutch and grab era. What I do like about him is that he didn't vanish directly after the lock-out.

Out of his bottom-6, Konowalchuk, Holmgren and Arvedsson is definitly better. I would also give that nod to Bergeron. Presley however might be worse than Walz.

Walz, at least from what I recall, was similar to what Helm is now for Detroit stylistically. Very active skater and key penalty kill specialist for the Wild. I can't say I remember too much of him from before he came back from Switzerland, but he was a very solid defensive forward for Minnesota.

Presley was a huge part of a Buffalo PK that was highly ranked in the early 90s. Another specialist pick from me, although oddly enough both Walz and Presley have some of the best playoff runs from my forward corps.

Presley:
89 - 14GP, 7G, 5A, 12PTS
90 - 19GP, 9G, 6A, 15PTS
92 - 7GP, 3G, 3A, 6PTS

and Walz's 2003 run is pretty well known. 13 points in 18 games, but he was consistently going up against Forsberg and the West Coast Express as well before they ran into a brick wall in net for Anaheim by the name of Giguere.

Konowalchuk was barely more than a plug, and Holmgren was only a little more than a goon. Arvedson is similar to Walz.

Kono was a pretty big part of the Caps PP back in the 90s and was usually good for somewhere around 40 points in a season. Don't remember much of his later career but I was usually working on term papers at that point of his career.

 

[jkrx]

Doesn't matter how he did his job. All that matters is the result.

Also, skaters like Walz don't rely on clucth-n-grab.

Out of his bottom-6, Konowalchuk, Holmgren and Arvedsson is definitly better. I would also give that nod to Bergeron. Presley however might be worse than Walz.

I might have Bergeron ahead, but definately none of the other guys.

Konowalchuk was barely more than a plug, and Holmgren was only a little more than a goon. Arvedson is similar to Walz.[/QUOTE]

Alvedsson is similiar but better overall, Konowalchuk was only a plug in the later stages of his career when he joined Colorado, Holmgren was a goon but he could score and bring more physicality than Walz.

Now just to elaborate, I dont think Walz is bad, I just don't think he's that good.

 

[BraveCanadian]

I simply thinks that this is player who benefitted alot from the whole clutch and grab era. What I do like about him is that he didn't vanish directly after the lock-out.

Out of his bottom-6, Konowalchuk, Holmgren and Arvedsson is definitly better. I would also give that nod to Bergeron. Presley however might be worse than Walz.

I don't recall Walz being a big clutch and grabber - being his size in that era it wouldn't have been to his advantage too much.

Plus the guy could skate.

 

[seventieslord]

just wanted to poke my head in to say I agree that I never saw Walz as a clutch and grab guy. He had epic wheels.

 

[DaveG]

Alright, just about time I got around to posting my keys for victory as I try to do every series I'm in.

Warroad Lakers 3 keys to victory:

1) Opportunistic scoring: Cooper is quite possibly the best offensive player in this draft, not only being a goal scoring machine for Boston and Detroit, but later in his career he added some nice playmaking ability to his resume as well. Milks is notably the best player on some mediocre teams ala Rick Nash. So if they can develop some chemistry I have little doubt about this teams ability to put up some numbers. But since I expect this to be a low scoring series, what they'll need is for their depth to be able to chip in. Bergeron and Holmgren both notably have some strong offensive seasons to go along with their roles on the team, and top notch playoff runs to add even more value there. Walz and Presley are both warriors in the playoffs having some really nice playoff runs as illustrated earlier. And Mellanby provided some very clutch scoring during the Panthers run to the 96 finals, something that could be vital in this series.

2: Special Teams: Mellanby was a surprisingly good scorer on the PP (including surprising to myself) and will be relied upon to screen the goalie and put away the "garbage goals". Add in Carson Cooper's scoring ability and these two should be able to provide some offense on the man advantage. But the penalty kill will be where the difference has to be made. It's arguable that Warroad has the best set of PK defensemen in this draft, and the forwards aren't too bad either. Walz and Presley are both solid specialists that can provide some offense and some short handed threats (Walz has one 2nd place SHG finish, and Presley 2 2nd place finishes). Bergeron and Arvedson are notable two-way players with top 5 Selke finishes. And Cassels and Konowalchuk are reliable penalty killers that can come in and reliably kill the end of a PK. So for Warroad it's about preventing the other team from scoring on the man advantage.

3: Clutch goaltending. There's no doubt that Thunder Bay possesses one of the best goalies in this entire draft in Pelle Lindbergh. What Warroad offers to counter is an excellent duo in their own right, especially when it comes to post-season play (and make no mistake, Lindbergh was very solid there as well). Between Irbe and Meloche Warroad has goalies that have led their teams to 2 surprise Stanley Cup Finals appearances, an upset over one of the most dominant regular season teams of all time that would go on to become a borderline dynasty, a surprising conference finals appearance, and one hell of an international resume with the Soviets and Latvia. I'm not necessarily saying this is an edge for Warroad, but it does at least give a picture that the goaltending duo is well capable of stepping up when it matters the most.

 

[TheJudge]

I'm all moved in to my new place. No internet yet, so I'm posting from work.

Good post Dave.

Here's my take on Thunder Bay's series prospects.

The twins possess depth and balance throughout our lineup. Instead of a traditional top 6 bottom 6, you are likely to see a top 9 bottom 3. Each of our lines is capable of playing solid two way hockey, and will facilitate scoring by committee. Our defensive pairings are similar. Rather than a top pairing eating most of the minutes, I have put together 3 pairings that should complement eachother. Our blue line will always be fresh and boasts capable puck movers, intimidating bruisers, and solid shut down capabilities.

A more in-depth look at our lines reveals a first line with one of the draft's top goal scorers: Jack McDonald, a consistent playmaking center in Boldirev, and a cornerman and defensive conscience (with capable offense) in Renberg. Our second line offers playoff beast Steve Payne, gritty offensive center Gagner, and a speedy goal scorer in Napier. Our third line is the strongest defensively, while maintaining the ability to score. Maloney provides the grit and toughness, while Sundstrom and Young provide solid fore and back checking. Our fourth line is a utility line, with grinding Hartnell, two-way Morrison, and one of the best defensive forwards in the draft: Patterson.

Our defensive pairings are all capable in their own right. Hamilton proved to be one of the best puck movers of the WHA and Ragnarsson logged significant minutes against opposing teams top offense. Manery is a solid puck mover in his own right, while Hutchison is a defensive bruiser. My second pairing played together in LA, and proved highly effective. Manery played a two-way game, while Hutchison was let loose to bruise and intimidate the opposing team. My third pairing is no weaker than my first or second. Streit is arguably one of the best offensive defensemen in the draft, while Graham received solid all-star finishes for his defensive play, despite lacking offensive numbers (although he was known for reliable passing). Look for my three pairings, and top 3 lines, to share minutes relatively equally (although used strategically).

My overall team toughness should not be overlooked, with some of the better fighters in the draft, and checkers scattered throughout the lineup. A good number of my players boast better playoff numbers than regular season, which bodes well for their ability to step up their play.

I feel that Dave Tippett is the perfect coach for this team build. He offers a cerebral defensive system that stifles and frustrates opposing teams. He has been given a roster that can play in the defensive zone, and make teams pay when given the opportunity.

With goaltending, Lindbergh's career was short but spectacular. He boasts a vezina trophy, 1st team all star, and solid regular season numbers. His playoff statistics are better yet than his regular season numbers. Philadelphia's brass did not feel he was a flash in the pan, signing a 6 year contract just before his untimely death.

I'll add more later!

 

[seventieslord]

Imagine what that might have meant for the careers of Bob Froese (1986 sv% leader and 2nd AST) and Ron Hextall (1987 Vezina, cup finalist, smythe winner) if Lindbergh hadn't died in the accident.

 

[seventieslord]

Tampa Bay triumphs in 6 games!

3 stars:

Pelle Lindbergh
Carson Cooper
Al Hamilton

 

[Velociraptor]

Tampa Bay triumphs in 6 games!

3 stars:

Pelle Lindbergh
Carson Cooper
Al Hamilton

Go Tampa Bay!

 

[DaveG]

I was going to say, we have relocation in this thing?

good series Judge. Two very very good defensive teams going head to head was bound to end in a close series. In the end I think your team was a bit better constructed and had fewer question marks and that was the difference. Good luck the rest of the way.

 

[TheJudge]

Thanks for the good series Dave.

I really like the make up of your team.