The Ghostriders will not be playing in Fernie this weekend, they go to Golden (broadcast on The Drive 99.1) on Friday and to Columbia Valley on Saturday. Their next home game is on Friday January 18th vs Golden.
Rider Notebook
January 8
Chris Solecki got the call in net against the tough Nelson Leafs and on the road in Spokane where he earned a 3-2 OT win, Chris has a 17-10-1 record…. The younger Pierce Dushenko (95) played in Grand Forks (W 7-4) and has an 8-3 record … Dylan Rota, a Trail affiliate player, was picked as the Ghostriders Player of the Month, he had 7 goals and 6 assists in 10 games, 3 of the goals were game winners…. More on the POM below...Braeden Monk quietly has a 6 game point streak going where he had 10 points and leads the team in scoring with 45 points….With 25 points in 31 games Matt Carr (also a Trail AP) is leading the Rider defense in scoring….Tyler Gonzales scored both game winning goals (Spokane and GF) and was the Riders Player of the Week… Dylan Robertson delivered the hit of the game vs Nelson and went three games in a row without a penalty… and had 5 points, who knew…The Riders will need the Robertson’s and Gonzales’ of the world to play the way they have lately if they want first place and a big P/O run…. Ditto to Captain Josh McKissock who had 7 points in his last 5 games… I hear comments about him that I don’t like by some fans, this guy gives everything he’s got and takes lots of abuse doing it…
Chris Solecki got the call in net against the tough Nelson Leafs and on the road in Spokane where he earned a 3-2 OT win, Chris has a 17-10-1 record…. The younger Pierce Dushenko (95) played in Grand Forks (W 7-4) and has an 8-3 record … Dylan Rota, a Trail affiliate player, was picked as the Ghostriders Player of the Month, he had 7 goals and 6 assists in 10 games, 3 of the goals were game winners…. More on the POM below...Braeden Monk quietly has a 6 game point streak going where he had 10 points and leads the team in scoring with 45 points….With 25 points in 31 games Matt Carr (also a Trail AP) is leading the Rider defense in scoring….Tyler Gonzales scored both game winning goals (Spokane and GF) and was the Riders Player of the Week… Dylan Robertson delivered the hit of the game vs Nelson and went three games in a row without a penalty… and had 5 points, who knew…The Riders will need the Robertson’s and Gonzales’ of the world to play the way they have lately if they want first place and a big P/O run…. Ditto to Captain Josh McKissock who had 7 points in his last 5 games… I hear comments about him that I don’t like by some fans, this guy gives everything he’s got and takes lots of abuse doing it…
And Finally
A full half of the KIJHL teams did not nominate one of their players for the December click here KIJHL Player of the Month Award and some of those teams get pissy when this is pointed out on twitter.The Nelson Leafs and Revelstoke Grizzlies say they don’t nominate because they believe in team play over individual play, but then Nelson nominated Colton Schell when he had a great month in November and knew he was a sure thing to win. So does that mean that all the"Team Play over Individual Play Teams" don’t want any of their players recognized or chosen for any of the KIJHL’s End of the Year Awards either…. Taking bets on that one. If I was the KIJHL President I’d fine the works of them for insulting a sponsor. And if I was the sponsor I’d spend my money somewhere else.
A full half of the KIJHL teams did not nominate one of their players for the December click here KIJHL Player of the Month Award and some of those teams get pissy when this is pointed out on twitter.The Nelson Leafs and Revelstoke Grizzlies say they don’t nominate because they believe in team play over individual play, but then Nelson nominated Colton Schell when he had a great month in November and knew he was a sure thing to win. So does that mean that all the"Team Play over Individual Play Teams" don’t want any of their players recognized or chosen for any of the KIJHL’s End of the Year Awards either…. Taking bets on that one. If I was the KIJHL President I’d fine the works of them for insulting a sponsor. And if I was the sponsor I’d spend my money somewhere else.
The team was shell shocked by Nelson. There have been blog comments that the Leafs dominated in all aspects of the game. I believe that Fernie was better at the special teams. As well they kept the league leading points player Colton Schell to an assist. What was true is that Nelson played a very responsible game. The Nelson forcheck was great playing physical, typical 2-1-2. They moved the puck through the neutral zone with typical passes to the weak side. They dumped that puck deep unless it was an odd man rush They out manned Fernie on every puck that was put deep. Forwards played a responsible game F1 finished their check F2 picked up the offensive puck F3 sat strong side high for a quick feed into the slot or check opposing winger on the hash marks. Nelson defense held the blue line because of the center man's support. In the defensive zone defense only had to check or pin the opposing forward while the center man provided down low support. Forwards stuck in the zone defensively until puck possession was gained. Fernie just didn't have the room for the puck handling style that has plagued our team. Hopefully Barry ha made it a priority as to the video replay on this game. How many pucks not cleared off the glass and out of zone. How many point shots back onto Solecki through traffic(he was great 6 goals on 56 shots). How many times our young defense screened their own goalie. How many times Fernie puck handled out of their zone through multiple opposing players.How many turn overs at the offensive blueline How many times did Fernie not finish their checks. This is where Nelson beat Fernie. Nelson played great defensive hockey and from that the offense flourished it was a nice team effort. Fernie was trying independently win the game. I didn't see any phantom assists go to to Schell nor did talk he appear to talk to the Referee about it unlike some have seen Mckissock do.The comments aren't about his level or quality of play it questions what is he playing for; a individual points total or a team win. Fernie has a lot of work to go deep in the play offs. Teams in this division are tight and other division have beat us handily. Barry needs to pull out the hardhat and get to work.
ReplyDeleteWell said
ReplyDeleteWe notice from the broadcast booth that the goals but mostly assists were not always right. The refs have their hands full callin the game. In the WHL they only say the goal scorer, other people put in the assists. We have encouraged the players to make sure they get it right so I am not sure there is any chiseling... but I sure like the rest of your analysis Keep em commin
ReplyDeleteChampion Teams have good habits. GMs try to commit to players that have abilities filling 20 roles on each team. Each Player has a position and responsibly. We hear terms like defensive specialist, offensive defenseman, maybe powerplay prodigy. Older players lead their typical younger inexperienced teammates (vets and rookies). The captain "C" has a more important role to play. He is require to take responsibility for the entire team. Good or Bad. He is require to be the spokesperson. Many teams simply put the "C" on their best player. Sometimes this works but envy teams that are fortunate to have true leaders that are accountable to their teammates both on and off the ice. These leaders make every player accountable to the team. A true leader sacrifices himself for the team. McKissock does that in many ways (physical play shot blocking) however through this blog he might need reminding of attributes to make him better(no selfish play and penalties) . Again this blog is more for the fans. However thinking of the fall out over the Tiger Woods statement we assume that players read blogs as well. I would love to comment on the Coaching and on ice Officials but will restrain myself to only one quote: Insanity is the result of doing something the same way every time yet expecting a different result.
DeleteWow thats probably the best explanation of a game that I have ever heard. Not sure if Pierre Maguire could outdo this color commentary. I totally agree with your explanation. Maybe you could give some of this advice to coach.
ReplyDeleteI would be interested to hear what you have to say about the coaches. Everyone always has an opinion about the refs but let's face it we are in Jr B and for the most part are going to have Jr B officials. They are learning as well. Yours and the fella up top who obviously understands the game and by the looks of things was a high level player or a coach at some point (maybe that was you as well) judging by th F1 F2 F3 comments are two of the best written comments I have ever seen in this blog. A well written opinion with actual comments that offer worthwhile ideas are far more enjoyable to read then the coach sucks, or the coach doesn't know what he is doing. I for one am interested in your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI concur with your openion. I wasn't in any way suggesting the coach sucks, obviously he doesn't. I just believe the openion put forward by the gentleman above spelt out the whole game and why Nelson handled us so easily. They operated in twos all game long. One forechecker on the puck carrier and one supporting him and picking up the loose puck. Their defensmen had us trapped all night long in the same way. They would pinch and a forward would support and back them up. It was a perfect game plan and it worked to a tee. As far as Solecki goes, 56 saves on 62 shots is a 96% save percentage. I want that guy on my team any day
Deleteyou want solecki on your team? he is the worst goalie in the league.... given that he is 20. he has been in the kijhl since he was 17, and is very inconsistent (consistant at playing the puck like a fool) to be taking up a 20 year old spot that could be filled by a d-man...which the riders need. yes, he doesnt have that great of a team in front of him as in the years past but some of the goals that have been let in have been pretty questionable this year. i would be developing Dushenko a lot more.... its pretty obvious he is the better goalie and has way more potential (17)
DeleteLet us examine the 20 year old choices for the Ghostriders. McKissock played junior A last year. Wearing the C for the team plays lots of minutes in all situations. Has moments where motives are questioned others where he is committed. Grade B. Gonzales? The performance that he has delivered is inconsistent. He takes awful penalties- has taken the team off the power play more than any other teammate. Back checking is sporadic. No doubt has the abilities speed and size but desire is questionable. Has doubled his goals to a total of 6 in the new year. For a Twenty Bomb grade C-. Lowe-Wylde? 11 games in he has as many goals as Gonzales. He has shown grit and determination and that can do attitude. Grade B+ Solecki plays big games and big minutes. He sits 15th on the goalie stats in the league with a save percentage of .910.League best is .929( 19 additional save in 1000 shots over Solecki) Duschenko is filling the back up role well and has a save percentage of .911 but plays typically the second ranked teams. Grade A. I agree that a Twenty year old defense man would have been great leader ship to this defensive core but not at the expense of Solecki. At 17 Dushenko has time to develop his potential and mental state when he becomes a starter and take the pressures associated with it.
DeleteCoaching is an art. Many talented players have tried including Wayne Gretzy. Each coach has their own style as to how get a team to win games. Having been a Coach ,albeit not junior level, I usually say all coaches are crazy. What that comment means is most coaches are or have to be thick skinned, dominant, unwavering, control freaks with great love of the game. All this while they bring multiple personalities and abilities to hopefully peak performances. They too sacrifice and their efforts are reflected in the teams heart. It is easy to say that Barry isn't doing what I believe should be done however it isn't my team to coach. Barry has his design of a team. He is accountable to the Team Executive. He is also GM and has chosen the players on this team. I do believe in statistics. Plus Minus ratings. Turn over rates at each ice zone. Hits. Scoring chances. Bad penalties. Zone face off wins. These won't win you games but it will help understand how wins can be repeated or how a loss might be avoided. It helps make players accountable for how they play the game and what they can do to be better.
ReplyDeleteA player name we don't hear enough is Derek Chudyk. He is defensively responsible but when he finishes his checks we know he understands his role on the team. I think in the Nelson Game he was a consistent player throwing two to three checks per shift.