I can admit when I'm wrong -- Disco Stu, you nailed it. Lees was a bad acquisition by your favorite GM, Costa Papista. And BP, you're right - you just don't give up 5th round and 3rd picks for a guy who led the Barrie Colts in playoff scoring last year and can play the point on the powerplay, is a solid faceoff man and an overall smart hockey player and team leader.

Why not use that 5th round pick thrown in and draft another 15 year old who's no use to us for 2 years. I wish I understood what it took to be a real general manager.

Lees was our best player by a mile last night. He did all the little things well, and the big things even better. Also noted - Suggs has a 3 game goal scoring streak. I guess Costa was LUCKY to snare him up out of nowhere while you guys are still lamenting the loss of our "best defensive defenceman" - AllStar MacDonell (no longer named Alex).

Bottom line is though, I'm coming around to your way of thinking - BP Fox - Saginaw wins that 6-3 last night, but probably 8-0 if MacDonell had played his usual 12 minutes with 4 PIM because he needs to haul guys down who are faster than him.

There won't be enough room on the Lees bandwagon when he becomes one of the biggest reasons we make the playoffs, while you continue to question why the hell we picked him up in the 1st place. I know for a fact FOUR teams have already called about getting him before the deadline. One just happened to have made it to the OHL finals last year.

It will be great when we split the games with the Whalers this weekend. Their goaltending is atrocious. Weber started last night and was pulled after 6 minutes. Big games...big games.

One minor point of contention, Lees is terrible on faceoffs. He lost one very badly in their own end, I think in the 3rd Period and next whistle Moe sent Platt on to take the draw. I remember it clearly since Lees had to take that lonely stroll back to the bench as Platt skated by to take his spot. He did play his best game of the season though.

i dont know how anyone could say anything bad about nick lees, he is an outstanding player and gives his best no matter what, even if they are getting their butts kicked he still gives his all to help the time. i think he will be a big help this year and will be a player to look up to throught the season and carrer

I do not recall anyone on this board, or any other board ever saying anything bad about Nick Lees. So you have no worries bunnie.

How many Bills are there? First you say that if we don't win on Friday we are out of the playoff period. Then Nick Lees and the team have a great game, get the win, and now we are going to make the playoffs and Nick Lees will be the reason. And you think I am nuts.

Bash me if you will Bill, but at least get the facts right. I have nothing against Nick Lees. I think he is a fine player and I believe he will help the team. You know sometimes when playing poker you might choose to draw to an inside straight. It's a bad move and you shouldn't do it. Sometimes you get your card. Still doesn't make it a good move. Hope you see the point. Pretty sure you won't.

By the way, how did Mike Suggs get into this conversation. You keep bringing up that post on another board. That is not fair to people who don't go there. For the record, Costa was praised for his moves last season and this past summer. Getting Mike Suggs on board was part of those moves. I am sure what made Mike attractive was the fact that we drafted his brother. Mike has been a pleasant surprise.

Why oh why can't you let this MacDonell thing go. He is no longer on the team, let it go.

If we in fact split with Plymouth, my prediction of a 4 point weekend will come true. I believe you called for only 3 points. Since you feel we would split with Plymouth you must have been looking for a tie against Bellville. Boy were you wrong!

As always, nice talking to you.

It's sad how in your head I am, BP. How'd MacDonell look for Plymouth tonight? You probably only see 8 games a year anyway. You don't read very well - if we make the postseason, Lees will be a reason why. Not the biggest reason, but we'll need more games from him than last night. Amazing for any logical person to wonder if we still should have picked up Barrie's leading playoff scorer for an 8th rounder next year and 3rd rounder in 2005, who won't play regularly probably until 2007, but not amazing for you to question it.

You've lost the head games. It is clear. I don't post anywhere else but here. You must be mistaken. Not a first. Won't be a last. Fool.

First of all, you are not in my head. I have been logging some long hours and picking on you relaxes me.

I do wish sometimes you would make it harder. Here is just a sample:

Maybe 8 games a month. Depends on the month.

You are the one who cannot read. I never said, or quoted you as saying "the biggest reason", go read it again there chief. Also you said "when" not "if, your words, not mine.

Who are you trying to kid, I have seen your posts on other boards. Besides, I was refering to your bringing up posts by other people on other boards.

Looks like I win this round, better luck next time.

Not many other ways to describe it. Isn't it great, how we've sucked BP Fox into seeing this as some great psychological battle of wits? Nothing speaks to his savvy and intellect (or lack thereof more than that). Everything I write now - he has to debate. Hee-hee. I love how I'm either "buddy" or "chief" to him when in reality - I don't think I could have an in-person chat with him without looking for an exit sign after 30 boring seconds!!!! Not your buddy, really! I try and avoid people who put cartoon logos on their posts and create "characters" for themselves.

For those who weren't in Plymouth, and couldn't care less about melodrama...some quick thoughts.

Bissonette...awful, awful giveaway to lead to the 2nd goal. Major disappointment so far this season. I'm sure he's a leader, I'm sure the losing bugs the hell out of him. He's playing far below expectations. I've never been one of those to say he's overrated like others do, but he's not playing with the same intensity some other guys are. It's obvious, and it needs to change.

Rizk....almost invisible beyond a couple moments of rushing up ice in the neutral zone. Is this becoming a lost cause, you tell me? I'm starting to wonder.

Borges...took an awful collision with Wisniewski...now THERE'S a world-class defenceman who's going to be a good pro. The Blackhawks are going to love having him when 2005 rolls around. Borges skated off of his own volition, couldn't come back and play. Part of me would be surprised to see him play today.

McNeill...didn't play. Did the radio say why? Assuming it's just bumps and bruises, because he finished strong Friday night. Bissonette suffered without McNeill's smart play. Not saying Bissonette isn't a smart player (save one BAD miscue), but they do compliment each other well.

Dix/Liffiton - had an amazing fight. Neither guy would go down when both landed a few knockout blows that would have crashed mere mortals (!) to the ice. A great fight that for Dix, at worst was a draw, and at best - was a slight victory, thanks to a few shots peppered in at the end.

Sturgeon - just not impressing me on the ice this year and lost a fight (couldn't seem to get right arm free) to Pisellini. He didn't get his clock completely cleaned, but he didn't come close to winning either.

Platt - had his moments - hit the side of the post on one great rush. Played his ass off as usual but Plymouth just didn't give up very much open ice.

Pfligler - robbed on the three stars selection. Kept Saginaw in the game in the 2nd. He was electric. Didn't have a chance on either the 2nd or 3rd goals. I like how both our goalies have played since the coaching change. Both seem to realize Mantha's going to play players based on their effort, maybe not their reputation.

Lees - had a real good night again, he's giving his all.

Gimblett - like to see a little more from him. He's one of the guys whose time seems to be decreasing based on the past two nights.

MacDonell - if he played - probably a 5-4 OT win for us.

Hope everyone enjoys the game today.

Bill, I can't believe you have stooped so low as to take shots at The Fox. He is just sitting there, minding his own business, chillin' in the sun, not a care in the world, and you have to take shots at him. Shame on you.

Who are the "We", you and the other Bill?

You should try and have some fun, it's a game, remember.

Have a great day there pal!

The "L" on your forehead has never been more prominent.

Good recap of the game, I feel the same way you do on many of the players described.

Bissonnette, coughed up a beauty on the 2nd goal and skates over to the bench, like "la, de da, another day at the rink". As always, so dispassionate, so disinterested. Perhaps putting the "C" on his sweater is more than he can handle. I just don't see his leadership in the ice. He rarely uses his size and opposing players aren't afraid of him. He is just too easy to play against. The air came out of the team after that goal.

They had little if any offense because the defenseman can't complete the first pass and/or they simply can't put 2 passes together so they just continue to turn the puck over at center ice. It's these games when they can't score that the major disappointments of JM Rizk and Gimblett are clearly evident. Gimblett did finally use his size and made so big hits, Rizk did absolutely nothing. I don't recall him even coming close to getting a scoring chance. His ice time has to be reduced and/or sat. It's not working. Last year he played some at center, perhaps putting him back there might get him going, although I doubt it.

The Dix fight was a dandy. Sturgeon's was a big disappointment against the 17 year old. He is just a fraction of the player he was last year.

Pfligher played great and deserves to play much more often. He's looking every bit as good as Brown (who is an average OHL goalie, certainly not a top tier goalie), if not better.

Plymouth can be beat. I thought they roughed up our guys a bit and expect to see some fire works today, a must win.