AMHERST @ SUMMERSIDE - WED. APRIL 10 - GAME 5
Apr 9, 2024 11:01:39 GMT -4
Post by JPA on Apr 9, 2024 11:01:39 GMT -4
Been so long since I did this, I'm trying to remember how.
Great job by Capsfan3488 to be opening the threads all season long - and this is only an exception by myself to try to add something - one and done.
I'm surprised the Ramblers won a game - never mind two games. The Caps are that good. They're big - fast - experienced and skilled.
The Ramblers, as mentioned earlier, only have three 20 year-olds and three out of region players, and they're punching way out of their league - or where they should be. They've scored first in every game so far, but the difference seems to be momentum. At home - they can ride the support of the crowd - but on the road - they seem to take a few penalties and quickly fall behind - and then it's the Caps' turn to ride the wave.
For the Ramblers to win, they will need to initiate and not retaliate. There's no other way. The Caps' PP is rolling at 35.1% in the playoffs. I don't keep those kind of stats in the playoffs - but I would guess that it's one of the highest percentages in recent seasons in the playoffs.
The Ramblers' PK is 73.7, the lowest of any playoff team other than Fredericton. It isn't like a strong force meeting an immovable object. The Caps' own the ice on the PP. So far in the series - the gap is widening, with the Caps going 8 for 18 on the PP so far according to the league stats - for a 44.4 PP percentage. Now THAT'S a power play!
I'm told that there are only five PEI officials qualified to referee at this level, but well-known Tanner Doiron is usually busy at a higher level - AHL, QMJHL, etc.
Nick Hann, Jack Robinson, Travis Timmons and Jeff Affleck are the others. A lot of us joke around about being down 2-0 before our teams cross the bridge, but they've been pretty fair. There haven't been a lot of 5 on 3's, or five minors in a row to one team. As well, after the past week - I think everybody knows that all eyes are on the officiating around the league - and the onus will be on the players to stay out of the box rather than calling out the officials after games.
I find the Caps' big boys - Eastman - Rutledge - Irvine and so on play a chippy style, but that's what makes them such dominant players. The Ramblers need to use their speed. The Caps like to score goals - so the Ramblers need to get somebody in behind their D - and that shouldn't be hard to do if they have the right game plan - but they're going to need to take a few slashes - a few shots in the mouth - and suck it up. It's a must in Summerside.
Sim seems to be labouring to get up once he's down. I don't know if there's anything to it - but when he first came back - he jumped back to his feet as quickly as possible after going down to make a save. Lately, he seems to go to the knees and stays there and is beginning to slide out of position more and more often. He even ends up on all fours against the back boards once in awhile - and I believe he did that twice in last night's game.
The Ramblers' tic tac toe passing by the big line is working - and if they continue that - get somebody moving through his (Sim's) grille and float some shots up high - it might be effective. Nobody needs me to say that - the players and coaches are right there with the best view in the house - I'm just sayyin' to try to make myself look smart - LOL.
If the Ramblers have any chance of winning - they need to win a game in Summerside. The odds are not good - but IF they did head back home up 3 games to 2, the whole Maritime hockey community would surely take notice.
When the Ramblers won their only league championship - it was Bill Riley's first season as coach and GM. They finished in 4th place in the regular season and nobody expected them to win the playoffs - well - except for Bill Riley and the players. This has a lot of the same feel to it - only even more invincable odds against the CJHL nationally ranked Caps.
For the players reading along - and I know they are - there will be thousands watching along online. Play like you do in Amherst. They might try to run you through the boards - but they won't get away with it. Those days are over. Go out there - and go get some. Take it to them. Play like the next goal wins - no matter what the score is. Get in behind their D - get Sim off his feet - and get that next goal.
Been a long time since I've been a Ramblers' fan and following along.
Been a long time since I rock and rolled - Been a long time since I did the stroll. The vibes are feeling pretty good.
Great job by Capsfan3488 to be opening the threads all season long - and this is only an exception by myself to try to add something - one and done.
I'm surprised the Ramblers won a game - never mind two games. The Caps are that good. They're big - fast - experienced and skilled.
The Ramblers, as mentioned earlier, only have three 20 year-olds and three out of region players, and they're punching way out of their league - or where they should be. They've scored first in every game so far, but the difference seems to be momentum. At home - they can ride the support of the crowd - but on the road - they seem to take a few penalties and quickly fall behind - and then it's the Caps' turn to ride the wave.
For the Ramblers to win, they will need to initiate and not retaliate. There's no other way. The Caps' PP is rolling at 35.1% in the playoffs. I don't keep those kind of stats in the playoffs - but I would guess that it's one of the highest percentages in recent seasons in the playoffs.
The Ramblers' PK is 73.7, the lowest of any playoff team other than Fredericton. It isn't like a strong force meeting an immovable object. The Caps' own the ice on the PP. So far in the series - the gap is widening, with the Caps going 8 for 18 on the PP so far according to the league stats - for a 44.4 PP percentage. Now THAT'S a power play!
I'm told that there are only five PEI officials qualified to referee at this level, but well-known Tanner Doiron is usually busy at a higher level - AHL, QMJHL, etc.
Nick Hann, Jack Robinson, Travis Timmons and Jeff Affleck are the others. A lot of us joke around about being down 2-0 before our teams cross the bridge, but they've been pretty fair. There haven't been a lot of 5 on 3's, or five minors in a row to one team. As well, after the past week - I think everybody knows that all eyes are on the officiating around the league - and the onus will be on the players to stay out of the box rather than calling out the officials after games.
I find the Caps' big boys - Eastman - Rutledge - Irvine and so on play a chippy style, but that's what makes them such dominant players. The Ramblers need to use their speed. The Caps like to score goals - so the Ramblers need to get somebody in behind their D - and that shouldn't be hard to do if they have the right game plan - but they're going to need to take a few slashes - a few shots in the mouth - and suck it up. It's a must in Summerside.
Sim seems to be labouring to get up once he's down. I don't know if there's anything to it - but when he first came back - he jumped back to his feet as quickly as possible after going down to make a save. Lately, he seems to go to the knees and stays there and is beginning to slide out of position more and more often. He even ends up on all fours against the back boards once in awhile - and I believe he did that twice in last night's game.
The Ramblers' tic tac toe passing by the big line is working - and if they continue that - get somebody moving through his (Sim's) grille and float some shots up high - it might be effective. Nobody needs me to say that - the players and coaches are right there with the best view in the house - I'm just sayyin' to try to make myself look smart - LOL.
If the Ramblers have any chance of winning - they need to win a game in Summerside. The odds are not good - but IF they did head back home up 3 games to 2, the whole Maritime hockey community would surely take notice.
When the Ramblers won their only league championship - it was Bill Riley's first season as coach and GM. They finished in 4th place in the regular season and nobody expected them to win the playoffs - well - except for Bill Riley and the players. This has a lot of the same feel to it - only even more invincable odds against the CJHL nationally ranked Caps.
For the players reading along - and I know they are - there will be thousands watching along online. Play like you do in Amherst. They might try to run you through the boards - but they won't get away with it. Those days are over. Go out there - and go get some. Take it to them. Play like the next goal wins - no matter what the score is. Get in behind their D - get Sim off his feet - and get that next goal.
Been a long time since I've been a Ramblers' fan and following along.
Been a long time since I rock and rolled - Been a long time since I did the stroll. The vibes are feeling pretty good.