Rookie games vs the Islanders

[blackngold]

Some prospect observations from tonight's game:

MacDermid must have worked hard on his game over the summer because he was awesome tonight. He forechecks like a machine and was many times the first one on the puck after a dump in. He had a few good hits and also came close to fighting an Isles player that went headhunting for him, which was the play that caused Colborne's injury. I expect to see them 2 go tomorrow.
Lane also had the prettiest goal of the night. He came down the wing on what I think was a 2-on-1, got the puck, picked a corner, and fired a laser from the circle and hit the corner.
If he keeps improving at this rate he easily has a spot on the big club whithin the next 2 years.

Ryan Donald. Just what I expected: the guy is huge, and plays like it. Typical tough, snarly defenseman. For the first half of the game, Donald was the most aggressive player on the ice, pushing guys around in scrums and delivering a couple hits. He's fresh out of college so although he is quite willing, his fighting is not up to par yet and it showed in the working he got from O'Neill.
It'd do wonders for the kid if McGrattan showed this guy a thing or 2 about fighting in training camp.

Alexandrov. There is absolutely no flash in this guy's game. But, he is a great defenseman. He's always exactly where he has to be on the ice. Never out of position. Reads the play very well which lead to him multiple times tonight jumping up and creating a turnover. Yuri is also a very sharp passer. I thought he looked like a twig in development camp 2 summers ago, but he doesn't look out of place with his size anymore.
I could easily see Yuri getting NHL time this season. This kid is gonna be good. He doesn't have the flash and blazing speed of a typical Russian, but fundamentally he is very sound.

Donald and Yuri were paired together tonight all night (except when Donald went off for repairs) and I thought they were easily the best pairing out there tonight. Them 2 play the game 100% different than the other, but both are effective and together form a very sound duo. If they play in Providence together, they'll be a force.

There was some guy named Plekaitis playing on the B's on a rookie tryout. The dude was nuts. He's not too big, but he hit anything and everything. He had a badass shift where he lined up an Isles dman in the corner and just ran him over like he wasn't even there. 5 seconds later, the puck is back in the same exact corner with the same exact Isles dman, and Plekaitis once again just creams the guy. 2 of the biggest hits in the game probably.

Other guys that impressed me:
Seguin (obviously) (2 assists)
Arniel (very aggressive tonight)
Caron (hat trick, great hockey sense it seems)
Sauve (as we all know, he is fast as ****) (1 goal)
Randell (big forward, will line a guy up every now and then)
Button (good first pass)

Final score was 5-2 Bruins. Courchaine played the whole game in net and looked great. The 1st goal was a redirection right in front of him and the 2nd was as big of a garbage goal as you'll see.
$5 got you a seat anywhere in the building and it was a hell of a deal, especially with how talented this prospect pool is. Announced attendance was over 11,500 which is nuts for a rookie game.

Only downside was Terry "Donuts" Koharski reffing tonight. He had his whistle in top form. Tons of minor penalties, but not enough to **** up the game, which was very fun.

I wish I could go tomorrow. There should be a few more fights. I can see someone running the **** out of the Isles headhunter guy.

[blackngold]

By the way, Jack Edwards was the PA Announcer tonight.

[IhateLindros]

I thought Caron and Arniel were the best players out there for the B's. I swear if there was no fight rule there would have been at least three more fights.

The headhunting guy was Justin DiBenedetto and you guys can have him; he's a clown. I was a bit disappointed that MacDermid didn't fight but he played real well. Had the "A" on as well.

Theres always tomorrow.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by IhateLindros

I thought Caron and Arniel were the best players out there for the B's. I swear if there was no fight rule there would have been at least three more fights.

The headhunting guy was Justin DiBenedetto and you guys can have him; he's a clown. I was a bit disappointed that MacDermid didn't fight but he played real well. Had the "A" on as well.

Theres always tomorrow.

Where were you sitting?
I'd be shocked if MacDermid doesn't go tomorrow.

[BigBadBruins68]

Well, looks like if this game is any indication, Caron's broken collarbone from last year has healed nicely, and Seguin has the goods to bring in the points. I just can't wait for October.

[HordiBrusk29]

How did Cunningham look?

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

How did Cunningham look?

Not gonna lie, he looked pretty invisible.

Originally Posted by blackngold

There was some guy named Plekaitis playing on the B's on a rookie tryout. The dude was nuts. He's not too big, but he hit anything and everything. He had a badass shift where he lined up an Isles dman in the corner and just ran him over like he wasn't even there. 5 seconds later, the puck is back in the same exact corner with the same exact Isles dman, and Plekaitis once again just creams the guy. 2 of the biggest hits in the game probably.

Here's one of em:

[IhateLindros]

Originally Posted by blackngold

Where were you sitting?
I'd be shocked if MacDermid doesn't go tomorrow.

I was sitting behind the Islanders bench, right next to the tunnel where they come out. I'm going to try and get there tonight as well.

[Sugden Flu]

Originally Posted by IhateLindros

I was sitting behind the Islanders bench, right next to the tunnel where they come out. I'm going to try and get there tonight as well.

If I sit near there I'll track you down & buy you a beer.

[blackngold]

Short little article from Bish:

Boston Bruins rookie forward Lane MacDermid and I shared a little laugh after last night's game.

I asked him if he were a little surprised about showing up on the scoresheet with a goal as opposed to a fighting major.

"For sure," said MacDermid with a chuckle. "But lots of guys did really well in their fights.

"They stepped up and obviously I'm not out there to score goals, but when it comes I'll take it and try and help the team out any way that I can."

MacDermid was a little too modest according to his Providence head coach.

"I think one thing you see about Lane, especially about last season, his rookie year [in the AHL], he was pro-ready," said Murray. "As far as his work ethic, and the demands of the season, what he needed to do. He’s always the kid in the gym after practice the longest, working on his game.

"He knows he’s not so gifted with his hands, so he continually works at it, and you can see that his off-season, he’s in tremendous shape. So that gives him every opportunity to have success.

"I think a year under his belt from last year will give him a little bit more confidence too. We’re hoping to get him in more situations this season than we probably didn’t—or I didn’t—last season that hopefully he can grasp hold of that and do well."

MacDermid knew exactly what to do late in the second when he found himself open.

"I came off the bench and saw that the D were up in the play," said Lane. "I saw [Tyler] Seguin get the puck and I just tried to open myself up and go for it.

"He gave me the puck in a great spot and I just shot the puck as quick as I could."

[blackngold]

Here's a highlight video from last night. It has most of the goals, hits, and fights:

http://video.islanders.nhl.com/video...id=-7&id=75391

It doesn't however have the Colborne injury, the Donald fight, or one of Caron's 3 goals.

[blackngold]

When asked by a reporter if he thinks tonight's game will be chippy based on how last night's game ended, MacDermid said "I think so, we're gonna have to come out sronger and let them know we're not gonna allow that tomorrow night."

He's definitely going once if not twice tonight.

Here's a live stream for the game, which starts at 7:
http://video.bruins.nhl.com/videocen...5392&catid=616

[BigBadBruins68]

Originally Posted by blackngold

When asked by a reporter if he thinks tonight's game will be chippy based on how last night's game ended, MacDermid said "I think so, we're gonna have to come out sronger and let them know we're not gonna allow that tomorrow night."

He's definitely going once if not twice tonight.

Here's a live stream for the game, which starts at 7:
http://video.bruins.nhl.com/videocen...5392&catid=616

Sweet! All the same guys from last night? Which reminds me, any update on Colborne?

[IhateLindros]

I just ran into Calvin de Haan on Canal Street. I'm at beer works right now and will be heading over right after.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by BigBadBruins68

Sweet! All the same guys from last night? Which reminds me, any update on Colborne?

Colborne is doing better than initially feared. Initial reports were saying broken nose and possible concussion. It turns out, not only does he not have a concussion, his nose isn't even broken either. Just a ****-ton of stitches and swelling. He actually wanted to play tonight.

He should be ready to go by the time main camp opens up. He'll be wearing a full cage though.