Record: 6-6-1-1 (5th)
Road Record: 3-4-1-0
Last Game: 4-3 win versus Coquitlam
The Scoop:
The Warriors picked up their third road win of the season, their first win away from home since September 24th, last night in Coquitlam, downing the Express, 4-3. Grayson Downing, picked up one goal and set up the game winner in the second, to earn first star honours. Downing is tied with Alex Grieve for first in team scoring and will apply his trade next fall at New Hampshire.
It is certainly tough to get read on this hockey team. As they are for the most part, even in every statistical category. They don't score a whole lot of goals, however they don't give up much either. Let's take a look at Westside.
Forwards:
As mentioned, the Warriors attack is lead by two players in particular. Grayson Downing and Alex Grieve are tied with 17 points a piece, however, the tie-breaker goes to Downing who has scored four more goals. Their line-up, on paper, looks impressive. As they have two forwards, Downing and Tyler Brickler, committed for next season. Brickler checks in at third in team scoring (4-6-10) and adds another element to the two headed attack of Westside. The Warriors look well balanced, in the fact they have 8 forwards that have recorded 6 or more points this season.
It is tough to get a true scouting report on a team I haven't seen in action this season, and will only see one more time this season, as they are a non-conference opponent. It does seem like the Warriors are an opportunistic bunch, who have the potential to capitalize on the chances they do get in the course of 60 minutes.
Defense:
What jumps out at me about their blue-line, is the offense upside they do possess. Matthew Maher and Michael King have six points each through 14 games this season. That is on pace for a 30 point season from the two. More importantly, the Warriors return a veteran D-core with the exception of only two rookies, in King and Brayden Sherbinin. That bodes well for a team looking to make a step up with the heavy weight in the Interior.
Goaltending:
Personally, I think the Warriors best strength is in goal. Westside has two, potential number 1's in Cam Gorchynski and Kevin Boyle. The latter, picked up his second win of the season last night, to bring his record to 2-6-0-0. You might think that isn't good at all, look past those number. Boyle has a vey respectable 2.88 GAA and a sound 900 save percentage. That was good enough to secure a scholarship to U MASS for next season. An added bonus, Gorchynski is only 18, and still has another two years of eligibility left.
Record: 8-3-1-1 (2nd)
Home Record: 6-2-0-1
Last Game: 3-2 OT loss versus Langley
The Scoop:
Touched on it last night in the post-game show and on the blog. The Kings need to find a way to convert on their chances and put teams away. Throwing 48 shots on goal and only having two goals to show for it, won't do you any favours in this league. The power-play also had it's fair share of struggles last night, capitalizing once on seven opportunities. However, both those trends can be reversed with coaching and video. The Kings don't need to hit the panic button.
Hockey is a game of inches and bounces, and neither of those things went the way of the Kings last night. One numerous occasions, they were presented with grade A scoring chances, but, for whatever reason, couldn't get the goal they needed. The message is simple for the boys in green & gold tonight, convert the scoring chances you create, and when that happens your going to find success very quickly. It wasn't that the forward group played poorly collectively. However, the players became too individual in the late going, and that didn't do them any favours. Tonight will be about sticking to their brand of hockey, and getting back to their structure oriented offensive attack.
Look for a few changes to the line-up tonight from one night earlier. I think we will see a line-up with a greater physical presence upfront that will create chances on the fore check.
Defense:
Bad bounces happen. Its a fact when you play any team sport, especially hockey. The winning goal was prime example of that. The Chiefs Kody Dhawail's winning goal was the result of a puck hitting a King defender infront and sliding past Garteig. The defense was doing what their suppose to, but sometimes that is the nature of the beast. The Chiefs surprised the back-end with their speed early in the game, however credit the six to adjusting as the game wore on and not giving up many chances. It's always good when you get goals from your blue line. Chris Williams scored his first of the season, at the most opportune time, tying the game at two in the second. I believe you will see an angry back-end tonight and that's not a good thing for the opposition.
Goaltending:
If it aint broke.....
Mike Garteig, simply put, is becoming one of, if not, the premier goaltenders in the BCHL. He was terrific last night making saves at the most important times for his team. Just look to his break-away save on Josh Myers in the second, when his team was on the comeback trail. He is developing a pention as a big save goaltender, and this broadcaster loves calling those moments, time and again. It can be tough for any goaltender to see their opposition at the other game, have "career" games against the Kings. However, what makes a good goaltender, great, is how they respond to that challenge. Even though he had a lighter work load, Garteig was their, save for save, with Wyatt Galley.
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| Look behind the net. Is that Gandalf the Grey? |
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