Guelph Storm @ Niagara IceDogs - Thursday, 2019.01.10 - 7pm

[dogs777]

Originally Posted by NiceDawg

There were a lot of other plays tonight where I said "how come Thomas didn't"...

I don't think Billy has found the right line combinations yet, but Thomas doesn't crack the top six based on his play lately. I'd put him on a line with two heavier players who can create a bit of space because when he is hemmed in he gives up the puck too easily.

Honestly don’t care where he plays just hope it’s the wing

[Blacksox]

DOGS TV | Post-Game Interview with HC Billy Burke - January 10th 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDo0I3pq6cQ

[NiceDawg]

Originally Posted by strohs

He wasn't good in the first two periods

Looked like a rookie out there ...

Jones took some time to adjust to playing on the wing and was crowding Studnicka. I think that's why he was off that line in the second period. Probably time to break out the Marty Williamson bingo ball line maker or lurk the forum for input.

[AuldBone]

Originally Posted by NiceDawg

There were a lot of other plays tonight where I said "how come Thomas didn't"...

I don't think Billy has found the right line combinations yet, but Thomas doesn't crack the top six based on his play lately. I'd put him on a line with two heavier players who can create a bit of space because when he is hemmed in he gives up the puck too easily.

I don't get why the team has such an insistence on making Thomas a center, he seems to perform better on the wing. I keep saying, I'd have him on the right side:

Robertson - Studnicka - Thomas makes way more sense to me than either :

Jones - Studnicka - Maksimov...

or

Thomas - Jones - Maksimov...

Both Studnicka and Jones see themselves as defensively minded, offensive centers... It's like having too much of a good thing in one place.

Philip - Jones - Maksimov looked good together, after Lodnia got hurt. I'm not against trying Sopa with them on his off wing. I mean if we're going to see 'Line Combos by Bingo machine' anyway until everyone settles in with chemistry.

I don't think losing tonight to Guelph is a wholly bad thing. Sometimes how a team comes out of a loss, is more telling than how it comes out of a win. Maybe this game helps them gel.

[fishfan51]

Tough loss, very entertaining game. Two highly skilled teams that will only get better as they find chemistry. I have no clue what the coach was thinking putting Jones and Studnicka on the same line.They are both top six, 200 foot centres and they’re on the same line??? Honestly stumped by that one. I’m glad it only took him 20 minutes to realize how stupid it was though.

[NiceDawg]

Originally Posted by fishfan51

Tough loss, very entertaining game. Two highly skilled teams that will only get better as they find chemistry. I have no clue what the coach was thinking putting Jones and Studnicka on the same line.They are both top six, 200 foot centres and they’re on the same line??? Honestly stumped by that one. I’m glad it only took him 20 minutes to realize how stupid it was though.

It took me 5 seconds, and probably 4 seconds less for you.

[dogs777]

Originally Posted by fishfan51

Tough loss, very entertaining game. Two highly skilled teams that will only get better as they find chemistry. I have no clue what the coach was thinking putting Jones and Studnicka on the same line.They are both top six, 200 foot centres and they’re on the same line??? Honestly stumped by that one. I’m glad it only took him 20 minutes to realize how stupid it was though.

Only possible thing i could think is he thought hey both guys are first line centres so let’s try it maybe who knows was good to see it changed second period and Thomas on the wing

[NiceDawg]

Originally Posted by dogs777

let’s try it maybe who knows

I think I have seen that epitaph beside "hold my beer, watch this".

[Blacksox]

Originally Posted by fishfan51

Tough loss, very entertaining game. Two highly skilled teams that will only get better as they find chemistry. I have no clue what the coach was thinking putting Jones and Studnicka on the same line.They are both top six, 200 foot centres and they’re on the same line??? Honestly stumped by that one. I’m glad it only took him 20 minutes to realize how stupid it was though.

...and for a left winger Jones was so far out of position on that first goal 22 seconds in. Not blaming Jones, but clearly not a smart move starting him there.

[Blacksox]

10 seconds left, IceDogs gained possession of the puck, I thought they had won tonight! And if they did, the narrative of this game would be a lot different. I bet the next time Tomasino is in that situation he doesn’t make that mistake again. Lesson learned for a fantastic young player!

IceDogs played right with Guelph and at times outplayed them, but it's still early - we have yet to see the best of either one these teams! If by chance, this is the OHL finals, what an entertaining series that will be!

Mysterious Case of Ivan Lodnia
Dec.15, 2018 “Minor injury. If it were a playoff game, he would have played.”

Is tomorrow a playoff game?