Surely one of the best games we played all year in dominating zone, out-shooting, out-chancing and absolutely outworking the downtown lawyers. Their big slow goalie, wasn't so slow tonight and combined with some posts, some wide shots, and some unlucky bounces we just couldn't put it behind his frame.
We deserved to win, and because we did that - and executed so well, I came home tonight feeling like I usually do.... after a win. :-)
We had four plumbers on D, and some really hard working forwards while Tony played goal again. Team - we did very, very well and with some more manpower I am convinced we can beat these guys when the chips are down the following week.
The Spirit were eliminated (!!!) so it seems our next opponents will be the Nordiques. I don't want to take this team lightly and hope that everyone brings their top game and work ethic next Sunday because a win then will allow us to go to the final and face the Byers again. I really, really want it...
We CAN win two games in a row, with simple hard work and impassioned high energy. Let's get everybody back, and let's win this thing.
Marty
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Roster for Vikings 08/09 Winter Team.
#4 W James Becke (c) - paid
#5 C Eric Pierni
#6 D Don Overington (a) - paid
#9 C Graham Matthews - paid
#10 W Paul Wheaton - paid
#11 W Paul Joslin - paid
#13 C Chris Charron - paid
#14 W Sophie Bourque
#15 D Derek Dath (a) - paid
#16 W Mark Thibadeau - paid
#17 W Tim Alexander - paid
#19 D Christian McMillan - paid
#21 D Paul Young - paid
#26 W Claude Lafontaine - paid
#27 D Ricci Ng - paid
#29 G Marty Shmanka
Alt: Rob Yoshida, Enzo Lopoppolo, #7 W Greg White, #8 W Joe Stallone
#5 C Eric Pierni
#6 D Don Overington (a) - paid
#9 C Graham Matthews - paid
#10 W Paul Wheaton - paid
#11 W Paul Joslin - paid
#13 C Chris Charron - paid
#14 W Sophie Bourque
#15 D Derek Dath (a) - paid
#16 W Mark Thibadeau - paid
#17 W Tim Alexander - paid
#19 D Christian McMillan - paid
#21 D Paul Young - paid
#26 W Claude Lafontaine - paid
#27 D Ricci Ng - paid
#29 G Marty Shmanka
Alt: Rob Yoshida, Enzo Lopoppolo, #7 W Greg White, #8 W Joe Stallone
Monday, August 25, 2008
Christian can't make it, but offers some solid advice for us...
Hi Marty,
I never doubted you guys would beat the Growl but it sounds like a great win last week - way to go!
What are the odds that a Monday night league and a Tuesday night league would both schedule Wednesday night games in the same week?! Most unexpected and frustrating that I can't play in both.
If I understand the Rinx league schedule correctly, we (the Vikings) will continue on in the playoffs no matter what happens against Daley Byers on Wednesday, whereas for my other team it's the final game for the league championship - we (the Ice Gators) have been on a great roll in the playoffs (finished the season 8th of 18) and making it to the finals is huge, so I've decided I have to play in that game. If the situations were reversed I would certainly be playing with the Vikings. Hope you guys understand.
Crush the Byers! A team that completely relies on 2 players is a beatable team. I'm no coach but one idea is to try playing their two "stars" the way NHL teams play against dominant players - assign a couple of good skaters as shadows whose only assignment is to stay right on those guys whenever they're on the ice, fight them for every puck, make sure they're not open for passes, etc. Key to making this work is the commitment of the two shadow players to give up on all other aspects of the game and focus only on staying on those guys, but I've certainly seen it work
When their big guns rush the puck the D should not back off them too much - step up and crowd them at our blue line to slow them down and give our wingers a chance to catch up on the backcheck. Those two guys are fast and stick handle well, so D should try not to bite on any moves or play them for the puck in any way, just stay on them and steer them to the outside - let them keep the puck until they're forced to take a wide angle shot or dump it off. Beat those two guys, beat the Byers!
Go Vikings!
Christian
I never doubted you guys would beat the Growl but it sounds like a great win last week - way to go!
What are the odds that a Monday night league and a Tuesday night league would both schedule Wednesday night games in the same week?! Most unexpected and frustrating that I can't play in both.
If I understand the Rinx league schedule correctly, we (the Vikings) will continue on in the playoffs no matter what happens against Daley Byers on Wednesday, whereas for my other team it's the final game for the league championship - we (the Ice Gators) have been on a great roll in the playoffs (finished the season 8th of 18) and making it to the finals is huge, so I've decided I have to play in that game. If the situations were reversed I would certainly be playing with the Vikings. Hope you guys understand.
Crush the Byers! A team that completely relies on 2 players is a beatable team. I'm no coach but one idea is to try playing their two "stars" the way NHL teams play against dominant players - assign a couple of good skaters as shadows whose only assignment is to stay right on those guys whenever they're on the ice, fight them for every puck, make sure they're not open for passes, etc. Key to making this work is the commitment of the two shadow players to give up on all other aspects of the game and focus only on staying on those guys, but I've certainly seen it work
When their big guns rush the puck the D should not back off them too much - step up and crowd them at our blue line to slow them down and give our wingers a chance to catch up on the backcheck. Those two guys are fast and stick handle well, so D should try not to bite on any moves or play them for the puck in any way, just stay on them and steer them to the outside - let them keep the puck until they're forced to take a wide angle shot or dump it off. Beat those two guys, beat the Byers!
Go Vikings!
Christian
Monday, August 18, 2008
2-0 win over the Growl.
What would have the Habs have been like without the Big 3 of Robinson, Savard and Lapointe? We found out they may still have won but with a lot more work involved. Our wingers showed up big on the boards, rarely giving up loose pucks and opportunities to the Growl who were completely frustrated. Truly a team shut-out this was, and surprising at that, given the Growl have beat us before.
Derek came back to D, as did James, and Shawn saved some his best for last, as sadly the quiet guy who never complained once is leaving for Vancouver next week. Great having you on the team Shawn and we all wish you the best out west.
One of the best executed games we played guys - so thanks all for the extra effort tonight.
Derek came back to D, as did James, and Shawn saved some his best for last, as sadly the quiet guy who never complained once is leaving for Vancouver next week. Great having you on the team Shawn and we all wish you the best out west.
One of the best executed games we played guys - so thanks all for the extra effort tonight.
Friday, August 15, 2008
5-2 win over the Nordiques.
Graham updates the blog...
For the team blog when you get back: our last game was 5-2 win vs Nordiques, with the last goal coming with 5 seconds left or else it would have been 5-1 (both their goals were in the 3rd period). Tony played great for us in his replacement role even though he was a Nordique himself! Claude came back from his injury to score 2 goals and get three points. Joe matched the feat and Greg and I had 2 points each. On the downside, we gave up a lot of 2 on 1s and I ended up in the penalty box (again). Now for the playoffs!
Btw, Christian won’t be able to make our next game as he’ll be out of town.
Thanks for the update Graham. Great game guys.
For the team blog when you get back: our last game was 5-2 win vs Nordiques, with the last goal coming with 5 seconds left or else it would have been 5-1 (both their goals were in the 3rd period). Tony played great for us in his replacement role even though he was a Nordique himself! Claude came back from his injury to score 2 goals and get three points. Joe matched the feat and Greg and I had 2 points each. On the downside, we gave up a lot of 2 on 1s and I ended up in the penalty box (again). Now for the playoffs!
Btw, Christian won’t be able to make our next game as he’ll be out of town.
Thanks for the update Graham. Great game guys.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
5-2 win over the Growl
Well played game guys, but sadly a meaningless game in the standings, but fun nonetheless. I hope the Growl and the Nordiques don't become super motivated and surprise us in the playoffs! I am going to miss the final game of the season, but will be back for playoffs.
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