Sunday, October 25, 2015

No Lucky Number Seven

The Thunderbirds had their six game winning streak snapped Saturday night in Everett, after being shutout by Carter Hart, 2-0. They say you are only as good as your last game but if this team is going to win six out of every seven games and seven of every ten, I'm not going to quibble. At that pace you're looking at what could be a 48-50 win campaign.

It wasn't lack of effort that cost them a seventh straight win. For large stretches of that game's first two periods, Seattle controlled the puck and tempo with their bread and butter; a suffocating forecheck. No, it was a couple of turnovers and a hot goaltender that did them in. As we've said before, goalies can steal a few wins for their team over the course of a season and Hart definitely did that Saturday night. Seattle put 15 shots on goal in that fateful second period, many were quality chances. When the period was over though, there were down 2-0.

If I'm going to be nitpicky the one area I would have liked to see more consistency from Seattle in that game was a bigger presence in front of the Everett goal. Especially after falling behind. When they did get to the front of the net is when they were the most dangerous. Alexander True was one who did that well. He didn't get rewarded on a terrific redirect on a T-Birds power play. The Volcan-Eansor-Watson line was willing to go to the dirty areas looking for greasy goals too. Not all the forwards were willing to do that every shift though.

Everett must have been guilty of icing the puck at least a dozen times, if not more. This meant a lot of attacking zone faceoffs for Seattle. The T-Birds were winning most of those faceoffs too. I mean I don't think 16-year-old Matthew Wedman lost a draw all night. When you win an offensive zone draw and get the puck back to the point, someone has got to go immediately to the front of the net. When Seattle did that, they created a scoring chance, when they didn't they struggled to get the puck off the perimeter. Sometimes to get into the "house" (the area below the hashmarks and above the crease, right in front of the goal) you have to break a window or knock down a door. Seemed to me, at times, the T-Birds were ringing the doorbell and waiting for an invite in.

For the second straight road game Seattle was going hard from the opening faceoff. They controlled much of the first period in Vancouver Friday night and did so again Saturday in Everett. They just didn't reward themselves for that effort. The T-Birds are five road games into the season and have yet to score a first period road goal. But, they have also limited the opposition to just one first period goal in their last three road games and that came back on October 11th down in Portland.

The T-Birds effort in the loss to Everett wasn't much different then their effort in the two wins this past week over Tri-City and Vancouver. Only the result was different. Did we really think Seattle was going to go through the remainder of the season unbeaten? I don't think I need a record book to know no team has gone 70-1-1-0. One major difference against Everett, as opposed to what they did against Tri-City and Vancouver? Seattle never played with the lead against the 'Tips and Everett was able to dictate the play in the third period. The night before against the Giants, with the lead, Seattle dominated the final 20 minutes. Wednesday at home against the Americans, once Seattle got the lead they held on to it with a solid finish.

One area Seattle was able to clean up on the weekend was in the discipline department. After surrendering 15 power play chances in their previous three games, the T-birds were only shorthanded three times combined against the Giants and Silvertips. That was important because those two teams started the weekend ranked #1 and #2 in the league on the power play. Combined they finished 0-for-3. If you didn't know better, on Everett's lone power play chance Saturday night you would have thought Seattle was the team skating with the extra attacker. That's how affective the T-Birds lone penalty kill was. As a result, Seattle now sits third in the league on the penalty kill at 85.4%.

Let's look at the big picture. The T-Birds just won six in a row. They took two of three this past week and two of those three games were on the road. They've allowed two or fewer goals in their last seven games and in their last eight games have only once allowed their opponent to put more then 25 shots on goal. When was the last time an opponent had 30 or more shots on goal against Seattle? Last season. There are a lot of things to complain about in this world but the T-Birds losing once in two weeks isn't one of them.


My T-Birds three stars of the week:

3rd Star (Tie). Goaltender Taz Burman. Had his best game to date as a T-Bird in Friday's 3-1 win over Vancouver. Came a big toe's length away from a shutout as he stopped 21 of 22 shots. 3-0 in his last three starts with a 1.62 GAA and .924 SAV%. Toss out that first period back on October 4th in Kennewick and he's been stellar.
Defenseman Ethan Bear. Got his first two goals of the season in Seattle's 3-2 win Wednesday versus Tri-City, including the game winner. Added an assist Friday in Vancouver. Now at +5 on the season, second best on the team.

2nd Star: Center Alexander True. Keyed the T-Birds win Friday against the Giants with a heady play behind the Vancouver goal that led to him scoring the games first goal. He's becoming a big net front presence for the T-Birds, particularly on the power play and continues to win in the faceoff circle. His offseason commitment to getting stronger is paying off early in the season. A year ago, in injury shortened season, he had 12 points in 38 games (6g, 6a). Already this season in just 10 games has seven points (5g, 2a).

1st Star: Center Scott Eansor. Was probably the T-Birds best, if not the most consistent, player in the loss Saturday. Had one goal this week but affects the game even when he's not getting his name on the scoresheet with a non-stop motor that allows him to disrupt the oppositions break outs. You get the feeling that he and his linemates, Nolan Volcan and Jamal Watson, are on the verge of an offensive explosion. They had a couple such chances versus Everett that just came up short.

8 comments:

  1. I was bummed about losing to EVT, but you're right, they can't win them all. And we're sort of getting used to them winning again. :) Thanks for putting into perspective, Thom!

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  2. As big as some of the forwards are with the T-Birds, more should be around the net. One issue I have with Gropp's game, is that he needs to play with more of an edge, use that size and speed to his advantage. If he did that, the sky is the limit with him. Kolesar is another who could be in front of the net more. His game has really come on and I expect a big year from him, but he could use that size and strength a little more, around the net. I know Olhaver is adjusting to the North American game, but he's another who could be a presence in front.

    Eansor isn't afraid to stick his nose in there, and he's one of the smaller players. He plays well over his height, and weight, plus gives 120% every game. I love the fact that True added muscle. He has great hands and should be outstanding this season and doesn't back down this season.

    Eansor's line could be fantastic, with the speed they have. Watson has been robbed several times, so I feel it is just a matter of time before he gets going. It certainly isn't from lack of effort on his part, same with Volcan. We all know how well they play defensively, but there is potential the have three 20+ goal scores there.

    I have been thoroughly impressed with the play of young Mr's Wedman and Tyszka, both play well beyond their years. With Brown coming on next season, we should still be good.

    I also need to mention Holowko and the job he does. It has to be hard on him pouncing around as he does, but he does everything he is asked to do. He would be a top six forward, for a lot of teams.

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    1. I agree with what John has written regarding Gropp, but should be mentioned that Barzel isn't up to form. He seems to want to dangle more then to distribute the puck.

      On another note, I feel what you have said about Holowko is absolutely nails it. How this guy can perform in the rare occasions that he gets ice, with no penalty kill, is exceptional. Sitting on bench for long periods of time, then putting everything on the line when he does is remarkable. I saw the game in Vancouver, where he had limited time in the first two periods, then when he was inserted with Barzel and Kolesar, that line was explosive. I expected them to be together at Everett, and if so, it could have been a difference maker.

      Olhaver, is just not the player expected. He skating is suspect, can't hold a pass or deliver a pass and doesn't use his body. I do have an issue with these imports coming in and taking up North American spots, as it seems hockey people feel to think that these kids are exceptional because they are from Sweden or Russia, but in some cases, this is not true.

      Keep up the good work, your comments are well written and most knowledgeable.

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    2. Yesssssss. Holowko is a work horse. True is actually really coming into it this year and is awesome on the fore check. The new kids (Wedman and Tish) are better than a couple of the veterans on the team - exciting to see that young talent and know that even when Barzal, Gropp and Keegs move on, there's guys coming up that are going to fill those gaps. It makes me crazy when those big guys aren't getting those big bodies in front of goalies...especially goalies like Hart!

      It's so exciting watching this team right now.

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  3. I've been playing and watching hockey for over 60:years, including every major Junior league in Canada. last night was a complete mystery to me, with the injuries putting Olhaver on power play and playing him all those shifts. Sure he is a big body in front of the net, but if anyone noticed how easy that big body was pushed down to the ice or forced away from the play. I'm wondering how Holowko would have looked on that power play. I'll love to see Wedman get more ice time as well, let him develop this year...key in on those individuals on their every shift and follow their play, then you'll know who are players.

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  4. Interesting stats.
    Donavan Nuels....regular shifts on second line with Eansor and Volcan, plus some power play and penalty kill...lots of minutes
    Last 33 games..scored in 5 of those games
    2 goals 6 assists 8 points minus 3

    Nick Holowko... 4th line with mixed line mates..no special teams..minimal minutes per game
    Last 33 games, scored in 7 of those games
    3 goals 4 assists 7 points plus 2


    Thought provoking ??

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  5. Interesting stats.
    Donavan Nuels....regular shifts on second line with Eansor and Volcan, plus some power play and penalty kill...lots of minutes
    Last 33 games..scored in 5 of those games
    2 goals 6 assists 8 points minus 3

    Nick Holowko... 4th line with mixed line mates..no special teams..minimal minutes per game
    Last 33 games, scored in 7 of those games
    3 goals 4 assists 7 points plus 2


    Thought provoking ??

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  6. Couldn't agree more with montague pei.

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