Going to be perfectly honest. Kyle Rank did not have a strong game. He let in a lot of weak goals that he usually would've stopped, but that's how it goes sometimes.
Only domination I remember in the game was the Waxers in the 1st period as they carried the play for the whole period, but the short handed goal by the blades was absolutely huge. To the Blades credit they found a way to leave the 1st tied up as Greenham made some good saves.
Blades came out much stronger in the second period, but I can't say they overwhelming dominated the play. It just seemed like every shot found a way to the back of the net in the 2nd period. They were stronger on the puck in the attacking end and the Waxers seemed to lose their jump that they had in the first period. It has to be tough finding yourself tied in a game where you carried the play all period.
As for the fight,from what I hear the Oakville player got a few punches in before Harding even knew he was in a fight. I did not get a great look at it, so I can't say that it's true or not. Guimond started fast, but Harding finished strong.
On to game 2 where I think the Waxers will come out and play much stronger. I think the score tonight is more indicative of a rough night for Kyle Rank. At the same time I don't think the Waxers ever really got started playing their game. One thing I was reminded of was why I love this team. Down 6-3 with their net empty the Waxers were diving and putting out full effort to prevent a goal on the empty net. Many would have not cared because it was 6-3, but these boys never give up.
SMC . If you saw the game differently I, for one, would be only too happy to read your acount.
Do I sense you see the Blades, who upset your Tigers, now the "apple of your eye?"
I think it was PM87 who said that one will only go as far as goaltending will permit you.
It was true of Markham's Rank whose work got them past St. Michael's. Karpowich's work against Markham was not stellar and Wellington lost. Greenham's pipe duty was instrumental in the Blades' beating Aurora.
I always appreciate a fan's perspective of the game particularly if they were there.
A lot more banter over their about the game. I posted my reaction over there as well.
SMC57
(Login SMC57)
Re: Oakville Starts Off Slow But Rallies To Take A Decisive Game One Victory At Home!
No score for this post April 6 2008, 1:02 AM
"Matty B"
"The only domination you remember was the Waxers in the 1st period"!!
What in "hell" game were you watching??? Were you at the game?? Tonight's game looked like men (Oakville) playing against boys (Markham), after the 1st 6 mins, the Blades dominated the rest of the game. Markham was outplayed, out skated, out shot, out disciplined, out everything.
The only reason the Blades didn't pile up another few goals was that they laid off in the 3rd period and obviously were nursing their 4 goal lead. The Waxers showed to be a team totally undisciplined. Free 5 penalties and it's been a long time since I've seen a "class" act like Hudes displayed. Throws the puck at the ref, swears at him and then breaks his stick, very "classy".
Ricky boy (Cornacchia) better straighten this team out in the discipline department or this series will be over in 4 games.
Wear on me,wex,your evaluation is right on from fans thinking,there team can do no wrong,to those who think they are the chosen ones ,to smc(note the login)whose bitterness for loosing is someone elses fault.Im a waxer fan and I am pissed cause we lost,not refs fault,not certain players fault,not thesurrounds of the dukedome but because we as a team sucked,stopped skating and pulled a game one against the dukes.We where all over them for the first 8 minutes had a 2 nothing lead,while the were playing dumb with penalties,had a chance to bury them,and then had a sudden role reversal and continued to play dum for the last 52,we as a team cannot do this against this team,we were the makers of our own fate.Sure the ref was calling it tight,at this level,time of the year,surely they can catch on the way he was calling the game.I believe we can turn this around,we are all allowed a undisiplined,foolish game they ironically deserve it its been a long grind but .........................................they must get back to waxers hockey, bluntly put we dont we are done,I know we can!Someone may quip,Oakville caused us to take the penalties,in my opinion,not 2 teams must be playing.
Well Oakville could have folded the tent down 2-0. But scored a shorty that put them right back in the game and tied it up before the first period was over. They came out in the second and took it to Markham. 6 unanswered goals, impressive.
I agree with that assessment. I did not really get into the whole bad play of the Waxers because I think I was more angry at the statements that alluded to Oakville's domination. Did they win? yes. Did they dominate? not in my eyes.
Waxers need to play there game in game 2 to get back in this series. I still thing the heart and desire of this team showed in the final 2 minutes of the game.
It never ceases to amaze me how people perceive a hockey game. Maybe I've been around longer than most on the Forum and have more experience in assessing teams both as a player and a coach. Anyone who watched last night's game and comes out saying that Oakville did not dominate the game overall, is either new to the game or has never played or coached. Interesting assessment of the Blades, from the Tiger coaching staff during their series, "Oakville just keeps coming at you with their depth". If anyone knows about the importance of depth, it is the Tiger coaching staff.I have seen both Oakville and Markham play even prior to the playoffs and called the Blades to win the final in 6. Last night's 6-3 win by the Blades entices me to change my prediction to 5 but I will stick to 6.
"Wayne"
My quick assessment of the game, is that after a blistering start by the Waxers, the Blades settled down and dominated the rest of the game. It's as simple as that. If you recall the Blades followed the same pattern against the Tigers. Aurora would go ahead quickly and then they were fighting for their lives as the game went on especially in the 3rd period. I won't go into all that, it's now history. To anyone who knows this game, the reason the Blades can do this is "DEPTH" and that coupled with a guy named Greenham will be the deciding factor in this series and quite possibly in the Dudley and the RBC. Why do you think the Tigers went all the way last season, "DEPTH". Give me a team with depth and you can have your few stars, I'll beat you every time. In last night's game, after the unbelievable start by the Waxers, you could just see the Blade's depth slowly wear down the Waxers. Markham looked better in the 3rd, but it was too late. In my opinion Oakville were coasting a bit by then, why not they had a 4 goal lead, and if anyone noticed, the Oakville coach did skip some of his mainstay's shifts in the 3rd.
"Matty B"
I don't "hate" the Waxers, I don't hate any team, I'm not too respectful of coach Cornacchia and company for reasons of my own, but that's another story. I'm sure that anyone who has played against Cornacchia has a story to relate. The Waxers have not won enough yet to be "hated". To be hated you have to win a few championships and a couple of RBC'S to earn the right to be hated. One of my fellow players of the past Gus Badali, was the 1st coach of the Waxers when the Marlies started them back in the early 60's I believe. I lived in Markham and followed the Waxers for years later. Just for interest, Badali was the 1st to handle Wayne Gretzky's career. Hate? you can hate a coach, a player or an individual, but hate a team, NO.
Interesting interview last night with Nick McParland, I may be wrong, but I'm sure it was McParland. He was asked about their win over the defending RBC Champs the Aurora Tigers. His main comment was that their goaltender, Scott Greenham, was the difference overall in the series, especially in the 3rd game 1-0 win by Oakville. His comment was "if it wasn't for Scott, the Tigers would have beaten us 10-0". Nice to see a player at this level say it as it is. 10-0? I don't think so, a Tiger win? most defintely in that one.
To sum up, "goaltending" and "depth" are tough to beat in a best of 7 series. I believe that Oakville has these ingredients more so than Markham and in the end will take the series because of it.
OK the lanes of communication are now open for all of you out there who disagree to "jump all over my bones". Go ahead I'm used to it.
your opinions,you should too,dont arragantly shrug off peoples opinions,unless you are the ultimate hockey god,come on now enjoy the banter leave egos on the side!
to say oakville didnt dominate for the final 50 minutes is rediculous regardless of if you were there or not. you dont get 6 goals unanswered just coasting and play shinny.
Craig, exactly my point just put in a differeny way. Anytime a team scores 6 unanswered goals you have to be dominating the play, whether the goalie becomes a "sieve" or not.
The Blades even dominated the final min when the Waxers pulled the goalie, how they didn't score in the open net was unbelievable, should have been 7-3.
