Post by griffan on Apr 10, 2007 16:34:40 GMT -5
Both have an impact on the Griffins playoff hopes.
Hamilton:
Andrei Kostytsyn, Zack Stortini, Maxim LaPierre, Carey Price.
Price was the goalie for Canada in the 2007 WJC. He was voted MVP of the tournament and was on the Allstar team. His numbers for the tourney were: 6 GP, 1.14 GAA, .961 Save%, 2 Shutouts. He played for the Tri-City Americans in the WHL where he was 30-13-1, 2.45 GAA, .917 Save%. He was Montreal's first round pick, 5th overall in 2005. We may see him in a game but with Hamilton only 1 point behind Rochester I doubt it. Roch/Ham are fighting over home ice advantage in the first round so I'd imagine Yann Danis will get the nod.
Kostitsyn is the biggest concern. 50GP, 21G, 31A, 52Pts. He's still the teams 4th leading scorer despite his recall to Montreal.
The good news is Jaroslav Halak will be playing for Slovakia in the IIHF World Championship Tournament in Moscow. Yann Danis is no slouch but Halak was a monster between the pipes this season.
Peoria:
D.J. King, Roman Polak, David Backes, Jason Bacashihua.
Backes is the only scoring concern. He played 49 games for St. Louis and his numbers were 10G, 13A, 23Pts.
Bicashihua adds strength to a goalie tandem that already has 2 solid goalies in Marek Schwarz and Chris Beckford-Tseu.
Their last 4 games are against 2 tough teams.
Milwaukee (H), Omaha (A), Omaha (H), Milwaukee (A).
IMO Hamilton got stronger overall. They still have a lot to fight for so they will be a very tough opponent. Besides that, the Griffins can make a run for 3rd in the division if they take all 4 games remaining and Hamilton loses their last 4.
This is a possibility because Hamilton's final game is against Rochester. Hamilton could end up anywhere from second to fourth in the division depending on these last 4 games. Hamilton has hopes because Rochester's last 4 games are against Toronto, Syracuse (2) and Hamilton. Syracuse has been the hottest team in the division over their last 10 games so it's possible they can take 2 from Rochester.
Peoria has a very tough schedule which works in our favor. The good thing is Omaha is fighting with Manitoba for first overall in the conference. Milwaukee needs 1 more point to sew up 3rd in their conference. Hopefully they don't decide to give some players a night off and hand Peoria 2 points.
Bottom line is the Griffins need 6 points over the last 4 games to sew up a playoff spot. Either a Griffin win or a Peoria loss works. Also, they need 4 wins for another 40 win season.
I believe the Griffins can pull off the 4 wins, challenge for the 3rd spot and add another 40 win season. It would be awesome for them to go into the playoffs on a roll. Climbing out of 4th place and adding another 40 win season would be a helluva confidence booster.
Brian
Hamilton:
Andrei Kostytsyn, Zack Stortini, Maxim LaPierre, Carey Price.
Price was the goalie for Canada in the 2007 WJC. He was voted MVP of the tournament and was on the Allstar team. His numbers for the tourney were: 6 GP, 1.14 GAA, .961 Save%, 2 Shutouts. He played for the Tri-City Americans in the WHL where he was 30-13-1, 2.45 GAA, .917 Save%. He was Montreal's first round pick, 5th overall in 2005. We may see him in a game but with Hamilton only 1 point behind Rochester I doubt it. Roch/Ham are fighting over home ice advantage in the first round so I'd imagine Yann Danis will get the nod.
Kostitsyn is the biggest concern. 50GP, 21G, 31A, 52Pts. He's still the teams 4th leading scorer despite his recall to Montreal.
The good news is Jaroslav Halak will be playing for Slovakia in the IIHF World Championship Tournament in Moscow. Yann Danis is no slouch but Halak was a monster between the pipes this season.
Peoria:
D.J. King, Roman Polak, David Backes, Jason Bacashihua.
Backes is the only scoring concern. He played 49 games for St. Louis and his numbers were 10G, 13A, 23Pts.
Bicashihua adds strength to a goalie tandem that already has 2 solid goalies in Marek Schwarz and Chris Beckford-Tseu.
Their last 4 games are against 2 tough teams.
Milwaukee (H), Omaha (A), Omaha (H), Milwaukee (A).
IMO Hamilton got stronger overall. They still have a lot to fight for so they will be a very tough opponent. Besides that, the Griffins can make a run for 3rd in the division if they take all 4 games remaining and Hamilton loses their last 4.
This is a possibility because Hamilton's final game is against Rochester. Hamilton could end up anywhere from second to fourth in the division depending on these last 4 games. Hamilton has hopes because Rochester's last 4 games are against Toronto, Syracuse (2) and Hamilton. Syracuse has been the hottest team in the division over their last 10 games so it's possible they can take 2 from Rochester.
Peoria has a very tough schedule which works in our favor. The good thing is Omaha is fighting with Manitoba for first overall in the conference. Milwaukee needs 1 more point to sew up 3rd in their conference. Hopefully they don't decide to give some players a night off and hand Peoria 2 points.
Bottom line is the Griffins need 6 points over the last 4 games to sew up a playoff spot. Either a Griffin win or a Peoria loss works. Also, they need 4 wins for another 40 win season.
I believe the Griffins can pull off the 4 wins, challenge for the 3rd spot and add another 40 win season. It would be awesome for them to go into the playoffs on a roll. Climbing out of 4th place and adding another 40 win season would be a helluva confidence booster.
Brian