I can't believe Mike Ribeiro is not among the month's three stars?
The 1st and 2nd stars were Spezza & Datsyuk. Yeah, they had good months, but really, +/- is the only place they really are ahead of Ribeiro. I believe his goals had a greater impact to our team. He also had a 44% shooting percentage for the month & (I don't have the numbers) a face off % at or near 50%.
Jason Spezza 10 – 15 – 25; + 14 in 14 games
Pavel Datsyuk 7 – 15 – 22; +11 in 15 games
Ribeiro 11 – 9 – 20; + 4 in 14 games
Third star was goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who posted a 10-4-1 record, 1.96 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in 15 games. Hard to compare a goalies and skaters.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Bounce Back game?
We need one! Turco will catch heat for last night, & we can always claim injuries, which were a factor - BUT, one road goal does not make a road win, and one goal in six periods isn't the production of a playoff-series-winning team regardless of the other circumstances.
If nothing else, a couple key injuries have highlighted the fact that we must get a second line that can score consistently. In a long term plan, the scoring by committee that Tippet loves to joke about recently isn't successful when your committee is driven by one line and they go cold.
I assume we'll see Smith tonight. Saturday's afternoon afair with Detroit will be interesting to see who starts and how they play. I guess that's why we watch.
If nothing else, a couple key injuries have highlighted the fact that we must get a second line that can score consistently. In a long term plan, the scoring by committee that Tippet loves to joke about recently isn't successful when your committee is driven by one line and they go cold.
I assume we'll see Smith tonight. Saturday's afternoon afair with Detroit will be interesting to see who starts and how they play. I guess that's why we watch.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Bad news for the wings game
An update from Heika today:
Sergei Zubov did not make the trip with the Stars because of a hand injury he incurred during the Nashville game. Zubov was hit by a shot puck.
Stars coach Dave Tippett said Zubov is day to day and could play by
Saturday.
But that means the Stars will go with three rookeis tonight along with Robidas, Daley and Norstrom against the best offense in the league.
Well, they said this game was going to be a test.
I'm happy for Fistric, but he isn't a replacement for Zubie. Look for Mo, Daley, & Robidas' to increase power play time on the point.
New Year Outcomes
Tough night for the Stars, shut out for the first time on NYE. What should have been a tune up for this week was instead, a wake up call for what will be a key week including two games with Detroit.
The winter classic however seems to have been a hit. Definitely the first time I've heard hockey talk on ESPN Radio as I get ready for work. That is a success there. All of the commentary I have heard has been positive.
For me, they do need to resolve the ice issues that frequently delayed the game, but the product was first rate, given the elements. I'm sure there will be more, given the economic success that Buffalo reported and the success for the NHL in getting noticed. Let's keep it unique though, too many will dilute the pool!
Now let's beat Detroit tonight!
The winter classic however seems to have been a hit. Definitely the first time I've heard hockey talk on ESPN Radio as I get ready for work. That is a success there. All of the commentary I have heard has been positive.
For me, they do need to resolve the ice issues that frequently delayed the game, but the product was first rate, given the elements. I'm sure there will be more, given the economic success that Buffalo reported and the success for the NHL in getting noticed. Let's keep it unique though, too many will dilute the pool!
Now let's beat Detroit tonight!
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