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cycfanforever
(The Next Level!)
154 Posts |
 Posted - 05/05/2010 : 07:06:11 AM
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I'm still scratching my head over why the Cyclones can't beat Reading.
In my eyes, they are nothing special with the exception of their goalie Dalton! He seems to be doing everything perfectly like Jeremy Smith did for the Cyclones in the first two series. We out shot them again Tues.29-23, plus we got two P.P. goals "FINALLY", BUT STILL LOST.
I'll be listening to the game Sat, still rooting for the boys, but baring a miracle,(Dalton falling apart for 3 straight games) it may well be our last game of this season
Don't get me wrong, I love the Clones and wish them much success like every one else here, but even if we win next game, I feel it's just a temporary reprieve from the inevitable |
You Miss 100% of the Shots You Never Take.
Wayne Gretzky!
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git er done
Larry the Cable Guy
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"LETS GO CYCLONES"
2007-2008
2009-2010
"KELLY CUP CHAMPS"
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 1:59:58 PM
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Sounds familiar-can you say Toledo  |
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dtwells
(The Next Level!)
270 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 2:18:33 PM
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It doesnt help any that they got a bunch of AHL affiliated players who didnt make the playoffs to give them some great depth either.
Shades of 06/07 where Ced was carrying the full load for the first time in his career and just fell apart after so many games so quickly? |
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Clones
(Rookie)
USA
42 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 2:38:05 PM
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Smith did an amazing job actually an outstanding job for us the first two rounds. I don't think we would be in this series without some of his amazing saves! I am sure he is beat. I heard from someone close to him that he has lost like 10 pounds since the playoffs started!
It will be interesting to see if Mayer plays the last games and, if a well rested goalie can pull out the 4 game win streak we need!!
Reading is beatable!! LET'S GO CYCLONES! I STILL BELIEVE!! : ) |
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cycfanforever
(The Next Level!)
154 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 3:39:43 PM
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Smith did an amazing job actually an outstanding job for us the first two rounds. I don't think we would be in this series without some of his amazing saves!
It will be interesting to see if Mayer plays the last games and, if a well rested goalie can pull out the 4 game win streak we need!!
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Our goalie is a critical part of the puzzle, but without offense,I think it's sill an unlikely thing, though not impossible!!
I said before that Jeremy was stellar the first two rounds and I'm not criticizing him now, it's just he can only do so much by him self!
We have to get more out of our offense or it ain't gonna happen!!! |
You Miss 100% of the Shots You Never Take.
Wayne Gretzky!
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git er done
Larry the Cable Guy
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"LETS GO CYCLONES"
2007-2008
2009-2010
"KELLY CUP CHAMPS"
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SCUBA
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
584 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 3:46:14 PM
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It's not inconcievable that we take the next two in Reading, It would be impossible to win 4 straight in Reading, but if we take the next two and get the teams back on the road with the last two at home.....I have to believe that a team like Reading where they have been unbeatable as of late has a hidden weakness that if exposed we can capitalize on. I'm not really that optimistic, just holding out a little hope.
lastly, Dalton......the Devil just called he wants your soul you promised him. I also called the Hockey Hall of Fame and I want them to reserve a space next to Roy where they can hang Daltons picture. Pretty Ho-Hum stats throughout the regular season, whats up his but? |
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BP2011
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
531 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 3:46:52 PM
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| If this was the NHL I would say this series is over, but this is not the NHL it is the ECHL and its not over until somebody wins 4 games |
08, 10 Kelly Cup Champions
08, 10, 14 American Conference Champions
08, 09, 13 North Division Champions
08 Brabham Cup Champions |
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dbc
(Been Here Awhile)
865 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 4:49:11 PM
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Of all the major sports, hockey is the one with the most upsets in playoffs. Does anyone really think Montreal is a better team than Washington yet they came back from a 1-3 game deficit beating the Caps twice in DC in the process. Anyone really think Philadelphia is a better team than NJ? Yet they beat them with their third string goalie and their two top scorers out. Playoffs is getting the lead, special teams, and the hot goalie.
Lots of chat here about their goalie and our poor special teams. As to getting the lead, I noticed in today's paper that Chuck said the team came out flat last night. In the three games thus far the Royals have outscored us 6-0 in the first period. In the five games against KZoo they outscored the Wings 9-0 in the first period. In the four games against Florida, the outscored them 6-3 in the first period with 2 of the three coming in the first game. Thus in twelve games they have outscored the opposition 21-3 in the first period and given up goals in only two first periods out of 12. They have been ahead after one period in 11/12 and tied 1-1 in the other.We need to give them credit. They come to play from the first whistle. |
Edited by - dbc on 05/05/2010 4:52:45 PM |
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dtwells
(The Next Level!)
270 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 6:00:28 PM
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They have came out firing on all cylinders, and I wasnt trying to take anything away from Jeremy. He has played great, but when your offense isnt getting you nearly enough help, its gotta wear on you.
Look at Daltons lines
36-38, 45-46, 27-29. While the Clones dont exactly have an explosive offense, they are getting in close enough for a boatload of shots, but a combination of a hot goalie and not taking the best shots just wont work. I hope they can take it 6 if nothing else to have one last home game. |
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fangers
(The Next Level!)
USA
262 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 6:43:28 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by dtwells
It doesnt help any that they got a bunch of AHL affiliated players who didnt make the playoffs to give them some great depth either.
Shades of 06/07 where Ced was carrying the full load for the first time in his career and just fell apart after so many games so quickly?
People keep saying that...exactly who did they get back & when? From what I can tell the Clones atually got more guys back in recent weeks then did Reading... |
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jimc
(Rookie)
34 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 8:01:27 PM
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| Reading received Stiener from Rochester on March 20th. Labelle from Provident and Riendeau from Toronto on March 31st. Ryan from Toronto on April 2nd. Kwiet, Berry, Perry and Scott from Toronto on April 6th. Ross from Toronto on April 14th. Hope that helps end the confusion about the AHL Players. |
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fangers
(The Next Level!)
USA
262 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 9:06:10 PM
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| thanks jimc, for some reason I couldnt find the transactions for them... |
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cloneinator
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
597 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 9:34:44 PM
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Yeah Reading got a lot of AHL players dropped on them, but the Cyclones have plenty of players with AHL experience. Regardless of the outcome, I always felt we matched up pretty good. If we lose, we lose. No animosity or whining from me.
Sometimes you get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you... |
...And on the eighth day, GOD created the Cyclones! |
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Catch22
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
676 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2010 : 10:47:22 PM
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There is still an outside chance to win this series, but its very very slim.
As I said about a month ago, Charlotte was the worst possible draw for the Cyclones. They won, but it was a long and physical series that surely took its toll. It didn't help that during half that time Reading was sitting at home resting.
Add to that losing Reynolds and Pierce and Smith shouldering the entire load so far and its no surprise that the boys may simply be out of gas.
Regardless of what happens now its been another good year. Our team makes the playoffs and stays on top of the standings every year. We can't complain about anything at all.
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Yes, I grew up playing hockey... In Alabama. |
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hrc666
(Loves To Post!)
1363 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2010 : 03:40:52 AM
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Reading has been playing superbly throughout the playoffs. dbc's stat of Reading's first period domination (21-3 in all their playoff games) speaks volumes of how well they're playing.
The Cyclones have had another very good year. They've gone about as far as they could have been realistically expected to go. As Catch22 wrote, the brutally tough series against SC and Charlotte took their toll. When one adds the injuries to Reynolds and Pierce and the very poor power play (all season long) to the equation, it's almost impossible to envision this team advancing beyond the Conference Finals. In order to do so now, the Cyclones would have to make history as no team in ECHL history has every overcome an 0-3 deficit. The prospects of a team scoring less than 2 goals per game becoming the first to do so are about zero.
The last two seasons of Weber's late season trading has been pretty poor. The trade of Gordon for Faulkner and Miller last season didn't help us in the playoffs and deprived us of a very good player this season. The Aubin for Voakes and Marchesi trade looks every bit as bad to this point.
That being said, Weber has accomplished something which only 3 other teams have ever done in the 21 year history of the ECHL-3 consecutive Conference Finals appearances. Getting this particular squad to the CFs is certainly one of his biggest accomplishments as a coach.
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"The only way David Desharnais will see an NHL game is if he buys a ticket".
--donnie hockey
"David Desharnais will be invisible during 5 on 5 hockey. IN THE AHL"
--donnie hockey
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Edited by - hrc666 on 05/06/2010 04:38:03 AM |
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2010 : 09:41:30 AM
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If I recall correctly the Cyclones fell into an 0-3 hole against Atlantic City and battled back to force a game 7, I want to say it was 2002. Sure the 'Clones dropped the deciding game 7, who is to say it can't be done again, 4 game win streaks do happen. The Squad has already put together several 3 game win streaks this season.
Like others have said, Dalton is on great form and that is a big part of the equation. Unless his form falters and the boys can get to him early it's going to be very tough. Reading is a skilled team and they don't miss on very many opportunities so staying out of the box is paramount. Their 5 on 5 game is based on transition and when they do get offensive zone possession they run the same schemes they do on their PP, i.e. over load one side and look to pass to the weak side for a one timer.
HRC, I have to disagree. Last season there is little chance the Clone's get past Elmira or Wheeling without Faulkner. Don't get me wrong, I like Ben Gordon but at the time of the trade he hadn't proven he could carry a line; most of his scoring came late in the season when he was on a line with Kilpatrick and Van Guilder. The way those two were playing you could have put just about anyone out there and he would have put up numbers. Gordon is a solid player and will do quite well for himself at this level and probably in the AHL but to this point he hasn't proven he can the guy that can carry a line like Faulkner was able to. Gordon has consistently been paired with AHL caliber players this season. The only problem I ever saw with the Faulkner deal was the Gerard Miller aspect. Gerard was the bust of the deal and it makes me wonder if Faulkner, by himself, could have been had for less.
As far as this season goes, the only thing that Mathieu hasn't done is score. At the time of the trade Chuck most likely new that Morehouse was a giant question mark for the playoffs due to injury so he was going to have to add some grit and net presence to the lineup. Mathieu brings those things with the added benefit of some skill. Mathieu has never been the best skater out there, nor does he possess great open ice puck skills. He does have the knack for getting under the opponents skin to draw penalties, the willingness to go to the front of the net and battle, a quick first step and good hands in tight places. In order to bring him in, Chuck gave up Marchesi, a serviceable d-man who would have been a question mark on the playoff roster since the team was loaded with d-men, and Voakes, who had oodles of potential but couldn't stay healthy for more than 4 games. In 24 games with the Cyclones Voakes had 15 points which equates to .625 points per game, Aubin has played in 24 games for 13 points or .541 per game. Neither one was set out to be a game changer on this years squad, but Aubin brought a net presence and grit that Voakes didn't have.
If there is a downside to both trades, it was that the Cyclones gave up young talent which could have been qualified for the following season. The bottom line is that Chuck made deals to make the team better that year and in the scheme of the ECHL where contracts are 1 year deals and teams try to reload each summer, is that really a bad thing.
If there is one thing that has hurt us in the playoffs this year it's that where Reading received help late in the year from their affiliates in the form of players who got sent down just in time to get their 5 games in, the Cyclones biggest AHL asset, Chris Muller, was in MKE playing his butt off and choose not to return once the Admirals season was done. Sure, this years Squad had it's share of call-ups, outside of Lacroix, Mueller was the only other true AHL caliber players the Team had. The last time the Cyclones had any real AHL depth in the playoffs was 07-08. Hopefully, should the affiliations renew, the depth will be there next season. |
"PBR can do that to you....1,2,3,12 beers and you're f**ked"
-oscar
"and i don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation" - joan jett
"beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy." - benjamin franklin
"is that a pulled pork sandwich i smell?"
"some things are just better without pants...."
www.cycwords.wordpress.com |
Edited by - elvis77 on 05/06/2010 09:52:41 AM |
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