Even without Radek's Flub...

Ando · Guru

Even without Radek's Flub...

Jonny G · Senior Member

I agree. They were lucky to still be in the game in the 3rd period. Colorado could (should) have had a handful of goals by halfway through the first.

Habs were totally outplayed all night. It's disingenuous to blame Bonk for the loss when so many others sucked just as bad.

-- Edited by Jonny G at 16:02, 2006-01-12

24 Rings · Guru

Boys, All I know is that Marek Svatos looked like Paul Kariya in his prime last night (7th round pick no less!!!!!). He was scortching the Habs D-men and leaving them flat-footed. I saw Markov picking up his pants twice in about a 3 mintue span...

Sum up that game like this...

Huet = brilliant

Rest of Team = needs improvement

barry33 · Guru

Ando wrote:

No way were the Habs going to win last night! The problem, as it has been for more than a decade now, pretty much starts and ends in the middle! Anyone notice who blew the defensive zone coverage on the Av's first goal? In fact, with the exception of some crafty face-off wins in the final few minutes...when the game was all but done...Koivu was missing checking assignments all night. Add to this the usual whipping the Ribeiro takes in the defensive zone...and Steve Begins ineffectiveness...and Radek's flub....and you soon get the picture! ...the Habs are sooooo weak at Centre...and other teams know it! And other teams exploit the middle!

And-O although you and I have disagreed on coaching I totally and 110% agree with you on this one. That is what makes this board nice. We will not agree on everything but can agree on others. Like the judge says "the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle". I hate to agree with Pierre the Monster McGuire but I totally agreed with him last night. He says that we are terrible up the middle and have no second line or even 3rd line center. He is 1oo% right! CJ has been forced to use Begin as a 2nd line center!! Now I like what Stevey brings to the table, but Stevy should be at the end of the table not the head. But what are the options? Ribs and Bonkers. Bulis when you are in a pinch but that takes him away from the wing where he at least semi-effective. Although I appluad Saks effort last night he seemd to be a step behind his assignment (see replay on the first goal..that was his man).

I realize I only coach a Bantam team but I can tell you that if I was placed in the position that Julien has been regarding my centers this year, I would be joining him at hair club for men. I have 2 stud centermen on my first 2 lines that are really almost interchangeable. That gives me 2 guys on the Powerplay. My 3rd center is not as talented but he is versatile but he is consistent and is a plus 4. My 4th guy is a solid checker. I can tell you that if I had to take my number 3 and 4 guy and use them as 1 and 2 (and on the PP) my teams record would be 4-16 and not 16-4.

macneil · Guru

andy i would expect you to dump on koivu, after your boy screws up, not only does he throw the puck up the middle , he also misses lappy in front of the net that led to the game winner , also the first goal was scored off a rebound , off a tip and it was striet standing beside svatos while he shot it in . we may have looked bad in the game but without bonk's "bonk" we were in for a overtime perhaps and a point or 2 . i dont know about you but i would rather win while being outplayed then not win.

Figaro · Guru

Koivu will be a great compliment to a real first line centre. I would not want to lose Koivu.