3 Minute Minor
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2009
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What do you think of Duggan's skating?
GB lead 1-0 against Korea at end of the first
Are you watching this one or still just the phone?
When I looked through the rosters at the beginning of championship Hedley looked like the strength of this team - big, plays in men's league, decent stats. But in reality, he is costing his team games. This team can score, can't defend, but in the division this tight with few timely saves they would still be in contention.
Overall, I would say division is already Lithuania's to lose at this point.
As underwhelming as Hedley has been, the defense has been just so poor.
The only one that is even semi-noticeable is Stead and most of the time it's for the wrong reason.
Probably a result of the junior leagues in GB I suppose. Most of them are use to being the best players on the ice and when they get here, they're a little overwhelmed. You would think their previous experience on travel teams would have them somewhat prepared for it though.
I don't really see how that could be an excuse though, nearly all of them play most of their games in an adult league, where they aren't the best players on the ice
I don't want to make excuses for them but how many actually play minutes in adult leagues?
Their fundamental skills are lacking anyway. They're so soft on the puck and can't handle it worth a damn. That's something Stead has, he's just not smart enough with it yet.
McGiffin was logging huge minutes for Slough, after their meltdown they played with 4 D for most of the season. Hobbis and Buglass get lots of minutes for their teams in NIHL south 1. And of course Stead played a big role for the Bracknell Hornets for a year and a half before stepping up to the Bees where he did actually get regular shifts in the 2 games I saw in the new year.
I don't know about the others, I haven't seen them
Maybe they're over confident because they play against men and figured playing kids would be easy then
Either way, I haven't seen U18 or U20 D-man since Stevie Lee that I thought had GB Senior team potential lol
A guy I've been very impressed with is Alex Forbes. I got to see him a few times with Ontario Hockey Academy this year so I'm not totally surprised but he's been really solid. He's not the most talented guy on the ice but he's one of the hardest working players, much like little Lee Bonner.
We already knew Lewis Hook was the GB captain but the assistants are Ollie Betteridge ('96) and Sam Duggan (98)
Also, Adam Jones is not on the final list. #Owen Griffiths will take his spot (plays forward though)
Despite playing for GB U20s in December Adam Jones was deemed ineligible for the tournament.
The reason for his ineligibility is unclear, as is whether the decision was made by the IIHF or Ice Hockey UK.