Finally got the replay going and watched most of the game against St John's tonight
Workman like effort by the Comets. Backman had good game after some shaky performances lately. Awarded first star.
Others with good efforts
Kenins - his skating allows him to stand out at this level. Starting to generate some points and moving the puck well. Lot like Mike Keane. Very sturdy and tough to get off his feet. There is a player here and the Canucks should be looking to re-sign him. IMO is a lot more likely to be an NHLer than Vey. Might work well with Granlund but you wonder if Canuck management is too committed to Vey.
Prust - makes a lot of clever little plays and shows good leadership. Can see him talking it up and working with the younger players. Seems to be in the right position all the time. Skating, however, is no better than adequate even in the AHL.
Shields - very solid player. Very good pick up by the team. Real nice play on the Bancks goal. Playing effectively with Pedan and does a lot of covering up for Pedan. Knows his limitations and keeps things simple. Defense in general has been good.
Landry - another solid vet. Good mobility and is really helping out Subban in his own end. Important for Subban to have an experienced player to give him some confidence. Subban remains ok in his own end and that's again seems his area of concentration. Might not get the same amount of points but the focus now has to be playing well in own end and quick puck movement of the puck out of his zone. Definite improvement in Subban's defensive game.
Higgins - looked better off the rush and dangerous at times. On a line with Gaunce and Grenier and you could see the chemistry (mostly b/c of Grenier ) was not always there . Line started very well but play got a little fragmented as game went on.
Bancks - as always a good game. Don't think he has had a bad one. However, Hamilton was injured and you hope this won't hurt the play of Bancks as they work so well together.
Others
Friesen - has to be getting the most game time of any forward. On different lines, on the PP (maybe shouldn't be) and out in all critical situations. Maybe the Canucks are trying to make a decision on him. Made a good play on the opening goal leading to the tap in by Zalewski but still had lots of chances and couldn't convert.
Pedan - made too many turnovers to say he was good. Yet he is up to a +15 which shows he is mainly a positive. One thing he does do is get the puck out of his zone quickly with the rush or pass. Helps keep team keep on the front foot. However, does things so quickly that feeds the puck into trouble at times. Other teams seem to try to force Pedan hard to get him to make mistakes.
Gaunce - not as good as lately but he did make some good set ups. Seemed to lack the extra step he has shown in recent games which allowed to get out of traffic and make plays. Still, working hard to play a two way game and his positioning is improving. Confused play of Grenier is not helping here.
Zalewski - scored and was generally good up and down the ice. Mostly on the wing and seems less effective there than at center. Don't think his play has been as good over the last few games. Still more than passable efforts but not controlling play like he was. Injury to his mouth and wearing face shield to protect mouth might be a factor. Thought Kenins was noticeably better in this game.
PP was not good and this might be one area where they miss Shinkaruk's skill. The Comets lack the high end skill component and losing Shinkaruk can not help this situation. Might note that Shinkaruk was -2 in his first game with Stockton and missed his shootout attempt. Game was on Wednesday so likely little chance to prepare.
Workman like effort by the Comets. Backman had good game after some shaky performances lately. Awarded first star.
Others with good efforts
Kenins - his skating allows him to stand out at this level. Starting to generate some points and moving the puck well. Lot like Mike Keane. Very sturdy and tough to get off his feet. There is a player here and the Canucks should be looking to re-sign him. IMO is a lot more likely to be an NHLer than Vey. Might work well with Granlund but you wonder if Canuck management is too committed to Vey.
Prust - makes a lot of clever little plays and shows good leadership. Can see him talking it up and working with the younger players. Seems to be in the right position all the time. Skating, however, is no better than adequate even in the AHL.
Shields - very solid player. Very good pick up by the team. Real nice play on the Bancks goal. Playing effectively with Pedan and does a lot of covering up for Pedan. Knows his limitations and keeps things simple. Defense in general has been good.
Landry - another solid vet. Good mobility and is really helping out Subban in his own end. Important for Subban to have an experienced player to give him some confidence. Subban remains ok in his own end and that's again seems his area of concentration. Might not get the same amount of points but the focus now has to be playing well in own end and quick puck movement of the puck out of his zone. Definite improvement in Subban's defensive game.
Higgins - looked better off the rush and dangerous at times. On a line with Gaunce and Grenier and you could see the chemistry (mostly b/c of Grenier ) was not always there . Line started very well but play got a little fragmented as game went on.
Bancks - as always a good game. Don't think he has had a bad one. However, Hamilton was injured and you hope this won't hurt the play of Bancks as they work so well together.
Others
Friesen - has to be getting the most game time of any forward. On different lines, on the PP (maybe shouldn't be) and out in all critical situations. Maybe the Canucks are trying to make a decision on him. Made a good play on the opening goal leading to the tap in by Zalewski but still had lots of chances and couldn't convert.
Pedan - made too many turnovers to say he was good. Yet he is up to a +15 which shows he is mainly a positive. One thing he does do is get the puck out of his zone quickly with the rush or pass. Helps keep team keep on the front foot. However, does things so quickly that feeds the puck into trouble at times. Other teams seem to try to force Pedan hard to get him to make mistakes.
Gaunce - not as good as lately but he did make some good set ups. Seemed to lack the extra step he has shown in recent games which allowed to get out of traffic and make plays. Still, working hard to play a two way game and his positioning is improving. Confused play of Grenier is not helping here.
Zalewski - scored and was generally good up and down the ice. Mostly on the wing and seems less effective there than at center. Don't think his play has been as good over the last few games. Still more than passable efforts but not controlling play like he was. Injury to his mouth and wearing face shield to protect mouth might be a factor. Thought Kenins was noticeably better in this game.
PP was not good and this might be one area where they miss Shinkaruk's skill. The Comets lack the high end skill component and losing Shinkaruk can not help this situation. Might note that Shinkaruk was -2 in his first game with Stockton and missed his shootout attempt. Game was on Wednesday so likely little chance to prepare.