Predictions

Looks like Springy and Proff's Army inched 1 game closer tonight to validating my predictions. Can Alexandria rebound? Is Topeka's weakness(ie. goaltending) finally being exposed? Any thoughts?

Last night's Topeka-Fairbanks game was more about FB's D and FB's ability to take advantage of opportunities. I don't think Merriam was a weakness. Maybe he could have stopped the first goal, but it sure looked like he was screened big time. The second goal was just a great move to the backhand by Sanatana that would have beaten even Reichard. The third goal was pretty much a fluke, but I guess one could argue that Merriam could have done a better job controlling the initial shot. Still, one of the real differences was that FB did not allow the RR to develop any kind of flow through neutral into the zone. The one exception was the RR goal. And when the RR did genrate some sustained pressure in the zone, Reichard shut them down.

All that being said, your prediction about Fairbanks could still be right. That series, however, is still way too close to call. I look forward to next weekend.

The first goal: Nice shot by Carlson, deflected off Topeka fwd Matt Hartmann. That's how it got by Merriam. I couldn't identify that at the time, but it did appear to change direction slightly. Second goal: Paulazzo broke his stick in the Dogs' zone, causing turnover, puck chipped ahead springing Santana on breakaway. Nice move, nice shot, goal. Third goal: Classic example of throwing the puck to the net and see what happens. Reasonable, easy to handle shot from Block from right wing, but rebound caroms off Stonacek's skate and in. Bang Bang... it's 3-0.

The RoadRunners were sloppy and disjointed. Give some credit to Fairbanks for their hard work, and they showed they wanted it more. Topeka played like throwing on a jersey and showing up was enough to win. Not even close. Not at this time of year. Games 3 and 4 should be incredible!

Playoff hockey. THIS is what it should be like!!

Playoffs are won and lost by the ability to capitalize on mistakes. The "B" game will not cut it, you have to be on point for every game.

Re: Predictions

PhantomManiac wrote:

Looks like Springy and Proff's Army inched 1 game closer tonight to validating my predictions. Can Alexandria rebound? Is Topeka's weakness(ie. goaltending) finally being exposed? Any thoughts?

So what is your beef with Merriam?? Are you mad because he is doing so well this year or is it that you want to be just like him?? And I'm sorry whats the name of your goaltender again??

First post and your worrying about Merriam huh? you his girlfriend? ha!

No, just been watching you bash him all year and wanted to know what it is you don't like about him?? For all I know you could be his girlfriend!!! Plus I was unaware that there was a certain thread I should post on first?!?!

Merriam started his Junior Career with the Phantoms and now they don't like it. Shows what idiots they have in their organization.

Re: Predictions

PhantomManiac wrote:

Looks like Springy and Proff's Army inched 1 game closer tonight to validating my predictions. Can Alexandria rebound? Is Topeka's weakness(ie. goaltending) finally being exposed? Any thoughts?

Yeah, Topeka's weaness in goal is definitely being exposed in the playoffs this year.

BTW, exactly what does the inside of a human colon look like?

LoveTheGame wrote:

I was unaware that there was a certain thread I should post on first?!?!

It's the Nooby thread... Everyone that comes on here for the first time has to post there and admit they are unworthy. Other acts of self flagellation are optional.

I believe you will find this thread down in The Pit...

For the record I have not blasted him all year. Maybe a comment or two but thats it. In my opinion he is not very good. He only faces 20 shots per game, and he is not very mobile. He is an excellent kid and i certainly do not have any ill will. Kiss my ass MC, you don't know what I nor the organization is thinking, so don't put words in my mouth. Good Luck beating Proff's Army with him in net. I am sure we will see the Icedogs at Natty's!

PhantomManiac wrote:

For the record I have not blasted him all year. Maybe a comment or two but thats it. In my opinion he is not very good. He only faces 20 shots per game, and he is not very mobile. He is an excellent kid and i certainly do not have any ill will. Kiss my ass MC, you don't know what I nor the organization is thinking, so don't put words in my mouth. Good Luck beating Proff's Army with him in net. I am sure we will see the Icedogs at Natty's!

Oh hell, that's right, your one of those idiots that work for that organization. I almost forgot.

PhantomManiac wrote:

Good Luck beating Proff's Army with him in net. I am sure we will see the Icedogs at Natty's!

Well, lets just look at the actual numbers, instead of just making shit up as we go along - ok?

Here are Merriam's stats against Fairbanks this year:

2/1/08 - Loss 5-4, 18 saves on 23 shots
2/9/08 - Win 6-1, 28 saves on 29 shots
2/10/08 - Win 2-1 SO, 35 saves on 36 shots (plus stopped 5 of 6 in shootout)
4/17/08 - Win 3-1, 20 saves on 21 shots
4/18/08 - Loss 3-1, 20 saves on 23 shots

Lets see how Reichard's stats compare against Topeka this year (according to Pointstreak):

2/1/08 - Win 5-4, 21 saves on 25 shots
2/2/08 - Loss 8-1, 23 saves on 28 shots (pulled after 34 minutes)
2/9/08 - Loss 6-1, 24 saves on 29 shots (pulled after 50 minutes)
2/10/08 - Loss 2-1 SO, 28 saves on 29 shots (stopped 4 of 6 in shootout)
4/17/08 - Loss 3-1, 27 saves on 30 shots
4/18/08 - Win 3-1, 23 saves on 24 shots

Merriam's stats against Fairbanks this year are 3-2-0, 2.16 GAA, .917 save percentage.

Reichard's stats against Topeka this year are 2-3-1, 3.65 GAA, .885 save percentage.

Reichard is an absolute top flight goalie, but Merriam has outplayed him by a wide margin when the two teams matched up this season.

Could Merriam have a bad streak? Sure he could. Every goalie can. However, Merriam has been extremely solid against Fairbanks this year, and has been nothing short of exceptional in the playoffs to this point.

You may very well see Fairbanks in St. Louis this year - but there is absolutely no basis for believing it will be because of Merriam's play.

PhantomManiac wrote:

For the record I have not blasted him all year. Maybe a comment or two but thats it. In my opinion he is not very good. He only faces 20 shots per game, and he is not very mobile. He is an excellent kid and i certainly do not have any ill will. Kiss my ass MC, you don't know what I nor the organization is thinking, so don't put words in my mouth. Good Luck beating Proff's Army with him in net. I am sure we will see the Icedogs at Natty's!

hey thanks for believing in the Dogs... be sure to give us pizza after we beat you though so we can chuck it all in your tunnel like you did us last year.. lol

Well Phantom Maniac I know this board is everybody's opinion, but what you say about Merriam makes no sense!?!? Just because he only see's 20-30 shots a game, means that defense is doing their job, doesn't mean that they're not quality shots!! Are saying then that Nick Hopper isn't very good because he only saw a limited amount of shots while in Santa Fe?!?! If you think that you measure how good a goalie is with the number of shots they face, you know nothing about being a goaltender!! I think that Merriam's numbers speak for themselves!! But as far as Alaska beating Topeka, GOOD LUCK, cause their going to need it!!!!

I am not sure who chucked pizza all over the hallway, however I know it was not us because all the pizza's were in the dogs lockerroom.

kevgraub wrote:

PhantomManiac wrote: Good Luck beating Proff's Army with him in net. I am sure we will see the Icedogs at Natty's! Well, lets just look at the actual numbers, instead of just making shit up as we go along - ok? Here are Merriam's stats against Fairbanks this year: 2/1/08 - Loss 5-4, 18 saves on 23 shots 2/9/08 - Win 6-1, 28 saves on 29 shots 2/10/08 - Win 2-1 SO, 35 saves on 36 shots (plus stopped 5 of 6 in shootout) 4/17/08 - Win 3-1, 20 saves on 21 shots 4/18/08 - Loss 3-1, 20 saves on 23 shots Lets see how Reichard's stats compare against Topeka this year (according to Pointstreak): 2/1/08 - Win 5-4, 21 saves on 25 shots 2/2/08 - Loss 8-1, 23 saves on 28 shots (pulled after 34 minutes) 2/9/08 - Loss 6-1, 24 saves on 29 shots (pulled after 50 minutes) 2/10/08 - Loss 2-1 SO, 28 saves on 29 shots (stopped 4 of 6 in shootout) 4/17/08 - Loss 3-1, 27 saves on 30 shots 4/18/08 - Win 3-1, 23 saves on 24 shots Merriam's stats against Fairbanks this year are 3-2-0, 2.16 GAA, .917 save percentage. Reichard's stats against Topeka this year are 2-3-1, 3.65 GAA, .885 save percentage. Reichard is an absolute top flight goalie, but Merriam has outplayed him by a wide margin when the two teams matched up this season. Could Merriam have a bad streak? Sure he could. Every goalie can. However, Merriam has been extremely solid against Fairbanks this year, and has been nothing short of exceptional in the playoffs to this point. You may very well see Fairbanks in St. Louis this year - but there is absolutely no basis for believing it will be because of Merriam's play.

Liar....

bp

BorderPatrol wrote:

kevgraub wrote: PhantomManiac wrote: Good Luck beating Proff's Army with him in net. I am sure we will see the Icedogs at Natty's! Well, lets just look at the actual numbers, instead of just making shit up as we go along - ok? Here are Merriam's stats against Fairbanks this year: 2/1/08 - Loss 5-4, 18 saves on 23 shots 2/9/08 - Win 6-1, 28 saves on 29 shots 2/10/08 - Win 2-1 SO, 35 saves on 36 shots (plus stopped 5 of 6 in shootout) 4/17/08 - Win 3-1, 20 saves on 21 shots 4/18/08 - Loss 3-1, 20 saves on 23 shots Lets see how Reichard's stats compare against Topeka this year (according to Pointstreak): 2/1/08 - Win 5-4, 21 saves on 25 shots 2/2/08 - Loss 8-1, 23 saves on 28 shots (pulled after 34 minutes) 2/9/08 - Loss 6-1, 24 saves on 29 shots (pulled after 50 minutes) 2/10/08 - Loss 2-1 SO, 28 saves on 29 shots (stopped 4 of 6 in shootout) 4/17/08 - Loss 3-1, 27 saves on 30 shots 4/18/08 - Win 3-1, 23 saves on 24 shots Merriam's stats against Fairbanks this year are 3-2-0, 2.16 GAA, .917 save percentage. Reichard's stats against Topeka this year are 2-3-1, 3.65 GAA, .885 save percentage. Reichard is an absolute top flight goalie, but Merriam has outplayed him by a wide margin when the two teams matched up this season. Could Merriam have a bad streak? Sure he could. Every goalie can. However, Merriam has been extremely solid against Fairbanks this year, and has been nothing short of exceptional in the playoffs to this point. You may very well see Fairbanks in St. Louis this year - but there is absolutely no basis for believing it will be because of Merriam's play. Liar.... bp

Grumpy

Marc Foster wrote:

LoveTheGame wrote: I was unaware that there was a certain thread I should post on first?!?! It's the Nooby thread... Everyone that comes on here for the first time has to post there and admit they are unworthy. Other acts of self flagellation are optional. I believe you will find this thread down in The Pit...

I'm sure glad you didn't have this rule when I started posting a year or so ago.

PhantomManiac wrote:

I am not sure who chucked pizza all over the hallway, however I know it was not us because all the pizza's were in the dogs lockerroom.

actually it was the phantoms... because yall usually get a buffet or some shit after you win... so our pizzas weren't good enough... and i know this for a fact because i was working security and had to stand between proff and your coach...