OPPF2020 Semi-Final - Montreal Wanderers vs. San Jose Rubber Puckies

[vadim sharifijanov]

I used to call him Kevin "whoops" Hatcher.

But apparently, he was a high-minute defenseman in all-situations who played a lot on good PKs.

Kevin Hatcher is kind of the prototypical "all-the tools, no toolbox" dman, like a more consistent Al Iafrate.

Or to put it another way, he's a lesser Rob Blake - A big strong guy who made some really dumb decisions (spectacularly dumb in the case of K Hatcher) at even strength looking to make a big play or big hit, but who was quite effective defensively when he kept it simple.

At even strength, I'm not sure who should be considered better defensively between K Hatcher and Gonchar. Gonchar was quite a bit better offensively and overall though.

I wouldn't have a problem with K Hatcher played 2nd unit PK where he can use his big body and keep things simple, though. While I wouldn't want Gonchar near the PK.

i kind of feel like hatcher was more like a cross between jovanovski and dana murzyn, but with a world class wrist shot. like murzyn, if you give him the right partner (in hatcher's case, calle johansson) and limit his defensive work solely to standing in front of the net and grabbing guys or cross checking them in the back, you'll probably be okay. any more than that... put on your seatbelt.

on the offensive end, very comparable to what we used to call "oopsy jovo." high risk/high reward turnover machine.

but then the young gonchar was literally a powerplay specialist and sometimes played fourth line forward right?

 

[BenchBrawl]

Montreal Wanderers win in 7 games.

Well deserved win, BB.

I thought your team was just as good as mine, and since we are all just a little biased towards our own team, that means yours was probably just a little better.

Freaking Jean Beliveau, though. This is the 3rd or 4th time I've lost to a Beliveau team.

Honored to advance to the finals.

Thanks, TDMM. Your team was tough to crack because it was flawless. Both teams could have won easily.

Always a pleasure to debate with you.