With only five games left there is no way that I can see the Otters losing any of those games. The only one that was in question was the Aurora game, but with Aaron Barton in the bullpen until the playoffs the Tigers do not stand a chance with their current goaltending situation.
So I guess we can crown the Otters the North Regular Season Champs. I think I can hear craigshaw cheering as we speak !!!!
That's a pretty strong statement. They play Couch twice, Stouffville, Newmarket and Aurora, which is a damn tough schedule. Apparently you rank Aurora as the toughest of those 5 teams and you strongly underate Matt Beirnes. You have to give these teams more credit as to how tough they will play the Otters.
Right now the Canes are up by 3 pts (77) in 1st but the Otters (74) have a game in hand. Assuming the Otters make up the game in hand, that still leaves the Canes in 1st by 1 point. If, as you say, the Otters win all 5 games that will give them a total of 84 pts. If the Canes win their other 3 games, that will give them a total of 83 pts and the North Championship will go to the Otters.
There are a lot of BIG if's here, the biggest one being that the Otters have to play their 5 games against the 1st (Newmarket), 3rd (Aurora) and 4th (Stouffville) place teams in the North, who will be out to win every one of their remaining games. The only probable sure win in the whole scenario is Newmarket over Villanova and that game in the end could be the one that decides 1st place.
Anyway, the horse race is on with the Canes and the Otters rounding the final turn and heading down the home stretch. Which one will cross the finish line 1st? it will be close, it could be a "Photo Finish".
I agree with Viperfan, there is no way that Huntsville can lose the North title for the regular season. Couchiching is average at best and they play them twice and Aurora has nothing to play for at this point as their position is already set for the playoffs and if what Viper said about Barton is true then the Otters should beat up big time on the Tigers as I would imagine they will be resting some of their key guys for the playoffs.
So when you look at it nobody has an easier trip to win the North in the regular season then the Otters
Who said you are not factual ?
I feel you are just rocking the boat.
Rocky;
"I agree with Viperfan, there is no way that Huntsville can lose the North title for the regular season."
Huntsville has four games remaining.
Two against Couchihcing and although I do not give the four points so easily to the Otters, I will let that one go.
One game against the Tigers. Barton is injuried/resting for playoffs, ok, I can see the Otters winning this one as well.
So far that is three games.
The second last game of the regular season for Huntsville is against Newmarket. The Otters could very well win this game, but something tells me the 'Canes will not just roll over.
Go Leafs !
Go Raptors !
Go Argos !
How about them Cowboys !
WEXDOG is a Cowboys Fan
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11
The next 4 games are against top 5 teams in the division. Were not talking the bottom teams where 7 goals seems to be just as absolute as a win. These teams will not roll over to the Otters just because their playoff standing is set in stone. Also, Newmarket has one tough game and that is against the Otters. They will bring it and bring it hard.
It just occurred to me that the last time we heard the "run the table" phrase was last season when a well known "Buzzer Backer" the since departed, in name anyway, "Studmuffin" who said that the Buzzers would run the table. As we all know the Buzzers did not run the table, as a matter of fact they didn't even come close.
I hope that "Viperfan1" has not put the "evil eye" on the Otters as the infamous "Studmuffin" did to his beloved Buzzers.
"Huntsville may win the regular season North title, but it will not be easy."
If I were a betting man, I would say the Otters don't really care all that much about a regular season 1st place finish, Wex. Just a feeling. For that reason, it may even be more difficult.
No sour grapes, IMHO. That awesome team stat I love (GAA), is the one that will seve them well come playoff time.
They have enough power with their VW engine for offense (Vatri, Whitelaw, Williams, and Waddell), for thrifty fuel consumption of litres per one hundred kilometes.
I like Ronny Rogers' 27 points since joining the team in just 17 games as some insurance.
Thoughts, Craigshaw ? Are PIMS still an issue with you?
I'd be very surprised if the Otters don't really care about fininshing 1st in the North. If that is their attitude at this time, then they will be in trouble entering the playoffs. Finishing 1st should be utmost in their minds right now for many reasons, one of which would be a huge psychological advantage going into the playoff rounds.
Last season when the Tigers were leading the parade, finishing 1st overall and 1st in the North was prime in their minds and they never let up up in achieving that goal. The worst thing that the Otters or the Canes can do at this point is to not care about a 1st place finish. I'm sure that coaches Perrin and McCarthy will agree and do their utmost to keep their players thinking that way.
huntsville indeed cares about finishing first. it is a big deal for them since they are the best team in the north.
as far as the PIMS the team has come a long way. we arent taking the stupid penalties that we were and contrary to what people said corey george and jeremy whelan have not racked up that many pims since joining the ranks.
the otters will be a dominant force in the playoffs and will be tough to beat especially at home.
Hey Craig, I don't know anything about Corey George but I do know about Jeremy Whelan, remember he used to play for the Tigers. Glad to see that he is keeping his cool with the Otters so far, but don't be surprised if that changes very easy in one game and Whelan will be "gonezo" for a few games or more. Don't like to say it, but it could happen when the Otters play Aurora on Feb 10th, only because Whelan will be out to prove something with the Tigers.
"I'd be very surprised if the Otters don't really care about fininshing 1st in the North. If that is their attitude at this time, then they will be in trouble entering the playoffs."
I don't agree with you there smc. i don't think they care as well and i don't think newmarket cares either.
Saying so is because for newmarket- they have a won way ticket to the dudley so if they loose in the playoffs it doesn't matter because they will still be playing in the next few weeks. Also it doesn't matter because as long as they play good in the playoffs then who cares where they finnish.
And for Huntsville- My last point goes the same for Huntsvile, they only have to play well in the playoffs. Although it would be nice if they got the glory but it doesn't mean anything so they will not miss it.
"hunt otter", thanks for your opinion. I don't agree and I don't think that coach McCarthy of the Otters would agree with you. A team that does not want to finish in 1st place in any sport, win it all and go the extra mile is taking a chance and may regret it in the end. The best defense is a good offense.
Check out the Otters tonight, down 6-3 with less than 8 mins to play, they come back and win in a shootout 7-6. Now don't tell me that the Otters don't want to finish in 1st place and win it all. They certainly do and that's why the Otters will be the team to beat in the North this season.
Smc, I am not saying that they don't want to get i am just saying that if they don't then it won't realy matter to them. i am sure that this will be a fight for first for the two teams and right now either of them can get it. Huntsville would love to have and so would newmarket, and neither of them are willing to give it up.
Being in 1st place or not will matter for all of about 30 seconds after their final game. McCarthy knows regular season means NOTHING except positioning for the playoffs. It is one of those, nice things, but nobody will get overly worked up about it.
Does anyone really care who has won the Presidents trophy in the NHL since its inception 22 years ago? There has only been 6 trophy winners that have gone on to win the Stanley Cup.
Thanks for your comments, I guess the Tigers will have an easy time of it this week when they play the Hurricanes on Thurday night and the Otters on Sunday. Since, according to you, finishing 1st means nothing, so I would imagine that coach Perrin and coach McCarthy will bench their top guns and just play out the season which should give the Tigers a couple of wins against the two top teams in the North, and an excellent running start into the playoffs.
If you believe that, then you have never played any sport at a Major level.
Who was it that said?
"Winning isn't everything, it's the ONLY thing".
Oh ya, Vince Lombardi, but then what the hell did he know about coaching and winning!!
gohurricanesgo (Login gohurricanesgo) Registered Members
Re: Huntsville will run the table
February 4 2008, 1:40 PM
lol thats right smc newmarkets gonna sit all their good players. and play jr c guys b/c they dont care.lol i know 4 a fact newmarket cares about first.
I know Newmarket cares about finishing 1st and they will be out to "clean our clocks" and so will the Otters and so they both should be. I'm just trying to understand some of the opinions on the Forum about finishing 1st, it really amazes me how some say it does not matter as long as you have the bye in your pocket.
In hockey, and every sport for that matter, if you are not prepared to play to win every time you step on the ice, on the playing field or whatever, then you will never be a winner.
The Otters, contrary to some opinions, are out to finish 1st and so are the Canes, and I assure you that even though the Tigers are out of the race for 1st, they will be out to beat both the Otters and the Canes in their final games this week, so that they can gain that important momentum required entering the playoffs.
gohurricanesgo (Login gohurricanesgo) Registered Members
Re: Huntsville will run the table
February 4 2008, 4:25 PM
yes and also the other reason why the otters and canes care about finishing first is the home ice advantage in the north.
It sure won't be easy for newmarket to stay in first... they have to beat 2 of their next 3 games (aurora, huntsville & villanova) and huntsville will have to loose one of their games (couchiching, newmarket & aurora). So both teams will have to face aurora and each other it almost a sure win for newmarket on sunday when they face villanova so that means that they have pretty much have to win 1 of their next 2 games and that would be against aurora and huntsville and that won't be easy. Both aurora and huntsville will try to stop that from happening.
Aurora for the sake of taking back that horrible game that shouldn't of happened a few fridays ago (6-5 newmarket shoot out)
Huntsville so that they can move up to first and grab north division champs and beat the second place teams.
Newmarket probably wishes that they could have faced teams like seguin or orangeville. Personaly i think that newmarket has a better chance of winning against huntsville because the tigers have been pretty tough against other teams latly. Oh smc I doubt that perrin and mcarthy are going to do that LOL.
Sorry SMC57 I did not realize my statement would be beyond you. McCarthy will have the players playing for the wins of course. They will strive to be in first. Maybe you just missed the word AFTER. If you still do not understand it, you can ask someone from last years Buffalo Sabres team what it means or closer to home just ask Jerome.
Tell me, which do you think Tom would prefer. Ending the season in 1st & on a 10 game losing streak or ending in 2nd with a 20 game winning streak? As I stated before, it would be nice to end up in 1st but I know he will not get overly worked up about it.
Ref the quote you think Lombardi made. You will not find that quote you referenced on the Official Vince Lombardi site. There is some debate whether he actually said it (if he did he was not the first). Some say he did, others said his actual quote was Winning is not everything--but wanting to win is. Regardless of whether he actually said it or not, he stated in a book, Vince Lombardi On Football.
- I have been quoted as saying, Winning is the only thing. Thats a little out of context. What I said is that. Winning is not everything--but making the effort to win is. -
Guys, I have seen every Super Bowl since they started and used to follow Lombardi's great Green Bay Packer teams, believe me the quote that has been used and credited to Lombardi by coaches from day 1 is:
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing"
If you can't find it in books, too bad, ask anyone who has coached football or any sport fot that matter.
I guess you probably haven't heard the other winning phrase by another great football coach from Notre Dame, Knute Rockne:
Wikipedia.....The quote is most widely attributed to American football coach Vince Lombardi; however, he did not coin the phrase. Lombardi is on record using the quote as early as 1959 in his opening talk on the first day of the Packers’ training camp. The quote captured the American public's attention during Lombardi's highly successful reign as coach of the Packers in the 1960s. Over time, the quote took on a life of its own. The words graced the walls of locker rooms, ignited pre-game pep talks, and echoed from the rafters of banquet halls.
In response to growing criticism surrounding the credo, Lombardi eventually came to regret the "winning is the only thing" statement and offered a repudiation, implying that what he meant to say was, “Winning is not everything - but making the effort to win is." Those sympathetic to Lombardi downplayed his use of the original quote. However, contemporaneous sources including first-hand accounts by his players and various journalists have documented Lombardi’s use of the “winning is the only thing” version.
The quote was coined by former Vanderbilt and UCLA football coach Henry “Red” Sanders, who is credited by his players with first employing the slogan in the 1930s while coaching prep school football in Georgia.
It is real interesting going back over this thread in light of what has happened in the playoffs to date. Hurricanes finished 2nd, eliminated by 3rd place Aurora. Otters finished 1st, eliminated by the 4th place Stouffville.
"mannmi90"
Love his sarcastic statement about the Otters finishing in 1st place:
"I'll bet McCarthy & the players are just thrilled about that".
You know it doesn't take long to realize who on this Forum have either not played or coached at any major level in hockey by their ridiculous statements. Outside of the obvious reasons to finish 1st like a title, a bye, prestige and momentum, the most important one from a coach's aspect and from a players', is to get that all inportant home game advantage in the 7th game of the final series. I'm sure that McCarthy's and the Otter's primary reason for beating the Tigers in the final game of the season 3-2, and why the Hurricanes were at the game watching, was just that.
The final scene did not work out for the Otters, however the Tigers by finishing 3rd, ahead of the Spirit, now have that all important extra home game advantage over Stouffville. So anyone who says that where you finish in the final standings is not important has obviously had no experience in playing or coaching at this level.
Being in 1st place or not will matter for all of about 30 seconds after their final game. McCarthy knows regular season means NOTHING except positioning for the playoffs. It is one of those, nice things, but nobody will get overly worked up about it.
Does anyone really care who has won the Presidents trophy in the NHL since its inception 22 years ago? There has only been 6 trophy winners that have gone on to win the Stanley Cup.-
SMCs comments
-If you believe that, then you have never played any sport at a Major level.-
-You know it doesnt take long to realize who on this Forum have either not played or coached at any major level in hockey by their ridiculous statements.-
-So anyone who says that where you finish in the final standings is not important has obviously had no experience in playing or coaching at this level.-
You seem to be stuck on that same thought process.
I will not bore you with my background but lets just say, Wrong!
So what exactly was wrong with my statement. Other than the fact you seem to disagree with me. As I said in my original statement - McCarthy knows regular season means NOTHING except positioning for the playoffs -.
That statement is ringing true once again. Ask the Patriots about it. Ask 16 of 22 NHL teams that won the Presidents trophy in the NHL & lost in the playoffs.
Those are all facts. You just do not seem to like facts. Just like the fact Lombardi was not the originator of the winning isnt everything quote. Hey, but you have seen every Super Bowl since they started. All that means is you are old & that means SFA.
