Below a recap from blog regular Calhob, thank you again for contributing!
Hey everyone!
Calhob here, with my yearly early look at the Little Rangers. For the past three or four years, my dad and I have been going to at least one Wolfpack game a year in Allentown (since we live in West Jersey). 10th row for $45 bucks. Pretty sweet deal.
I was really looking forward to seeing this team. They did very well last year, but started to slow down as more call-ups happened towards the end of the season. I have been trying to follow the Pack’s players, but I learn about them mostly from following what you guys say on this site. So it is always cool to see them in person.
Before I get to the game, I wanted to mention something that stood out during warmups. As the teams left the ice, Othmann stayed on by himself for several minutes after everyone else. There were two players from the Phantoms still out, but he didn’t want to leave the ice. Seems like a good sign. However, my prediction for Othmann this year is that he tries too hard to get up to the big club. He took 3 or 4 penalties during the game and most of those were careless stick penalties. He was pretty engaged throughout the night though.
One thing this team has is size and grit. It was a pretty chippy and nasty game. No full on fights, but lots of late hits and scrums, slashes and jabbering back and forth. Berard, one of the smallest guys really stood out. Several times he was getting into pushing contests with guys who were a foot taller than him. He also scored a goal on the PP.
All the goals the Pack gave up were on the PP. Oh, they lost 4-3 in a shootout. And they did get outshot by almost 25 shots.
Who stood out the most?
On defense it was Scanlin and Mackey. Both have size and move the puck pretty well. Robertson was involved in some big hits and post-whistle get-togethers. He doesn’t seem likely to ever be called up though.
Forwards were pretty disappointing. There was not much O-zone time. Berard was the most noticeable. Chemlar is a big dude and was involved a lot. I was hoping to see Rooboreck play well, as he is a big guy, but didn’t see much. Sykora had a nice passing play that led to a goal, but there was not much from him other than that.
Now this was their first game and they don’t have much preseason time together, so I expect them to improve a lot. 5 on 5 they were in the game, just never in control of it. And as I said, their goals against were from the PP. Domingue was in goal and made some really sweet saves and looked good. He flashed the glove many times.
Overall though, it’s a fun time. The game was during Rangers home opening night, so I missed that no D shootout. Thanks for reading!
Let’s Go Rangers!
48 responses to “Wolfpack game report”
The Rangers best forward prospects seem to be at the College level. The Pack will have trouble generating offense again.
Thanx, Calhob.
thanks for the write up. Robertson is a minor league lifer
Thanks again for the write up. Mothman is going to have problems going anywhere in NHL if he keeps taking penalties, same story as in the pre-season.
Thanks guys!
Beginning to think Othmann is a pick that just won’t pan out. In theory, he fits the mold of what this team lacks, but he might not be able to do it at an NHL level. Could very well become part of a deal at the deadline…..
He needs more seasoning; kid is only 21, let’s not bury him yet.
am impressed with Coolio transition so far. As said many time, it’s not the speed of the skating per se but the speed of the thinking, being able to anticipate plays, be in the right position, make the smart/quick pass.
agree with SN!
is lafreniere a Ranger yet?
Hope Igor didn’t break his TV watching this
then goes to bench like any other guy who scores
Rangers should trade for the Wild’s Gustavsson, they need more scoring from the back end.
Trade Miller B4 it’s too late. Already may be.
teams would line up to trade for Miller. I’m not against trading anyone, if it makes the team better. Im not sure trading Miller would make the team better.
I do think the left side of the Rangers D needs a change. They are very small on the left with Lindgren ( when he comes back), and Jones.
Don’t think Avery is a DJ fan either
https://x.com/nyrfanatic/status/1846298359834755573?s=61
you’re really reaching in your trolling attempts. sean avery lol.
was funny though
”seasons started Mika” lol
Avery would drag his team into the fight. We need some of that energy!
ref original XKCD #386
The question with Miller is – what is his upside from here? Defensively he seems to be guilty of the same mistakes/poor situational understanding over the past two seasons. Hard to say from the couch what has been tried or not to change this, but if what we see now is close to as good as it is going to get, maybe selling high now is the right call?
some of the Zibanejad criticisms are fair. Most are way over the top silly.
might have to rely on giggles for the road trip since vince will be away due to death in family. makes it even tougher for tomorrow since game on espn+
still have colin though thankfully
Lindgren is 6’0, 194. Got the bio info for the top 128 (by games played in 23/24 regular season) defenders:
Average: 72.2″, 205.78lb, Median: 74″, 205lb, Mode: 75″, 200lb
Chart of weight vs height:
Same data but grouped by weight “classes”
Brooks: Lindgren skating with Ruhwedel on fourth pair.
not everything you dont like is trolling….Avery has a point
lemieux on waivers by carolina
remember when he was a must sign here
Ha Ha. So true.
If he’s so in demand, send him packing for a top Centerman.
My imagination or have the Zebras intimidated The Remper into not finishing his forechecks behind the net? Sometimes lately it seems he makes a big BOOM but hits only wall.
not a fan of avery bobby. or those who use his take to further their trolling efforts
don’t know if it’s the refs, or Laviolette, but definitely seeing what you are seeing.
perhaps he’ll settle in a bit if he gets more than 4 minutes a game
as Larry said… play him so he developed his game in time for the important part of the season
it’s like lavy is hindering him because he’s tired of being asked about him or doesn’t like that he got so popular so fast
Per GoodGollyMissMollie – Quick first off ice, Brodude skated on 4th. Lindgren participated but as extra (and believe still with face guard).
giggles
From 21/22, regular season:
Igor: 169 GP, 111W, 0.921 SV%
Oettinger: 167 GP, 105W, 0.914 SV%
To those who want to toss 12M to Igor – are you sure you couldn’t live with Oettinger’s 8.25M and give the other 3.75 towards other positions? Also, Oettinger is three years younger.
Trade Igor for McDavid or Draistail!
Bring back Calm Talboot…
If they pay this clown a king’s ransom, then the drought is just prolonged even more. If you need your goalie to win games by themselves in the playoffs, you are not a Cup contending team. Go get the talent to win up front and get a decent goalie who won’t fade away in the playoffs. The key to this game is puck possession.
the coach doesn’t trust Remper yet for regular minutes…. if the thats the case let him get more minutes in Hartford…they can always bring up up for certain games against heavier teams
Trade Twerkin, trade Miller, trade DJ Mika, before the draft. If only!
that will just create a clown show situation where people assume the only reason he is on the ice is to fight someone. Either play him or send him down. And if you bring him back it is because you are going to play him full time.
but that would the main reason he was brought back …..because the coach knows the core is soft
pay Eye gore $9M + bonuses
that will get him to $12M
Are brain Farts considered Upper-Body Injuries?
Remper can take a punch. That’s all I can vouch for so far. Not so much interested in his iceboxing as his speed, aggression, and enthusiasm.
espn+ game? Anyone got a link? Why even pay for anything anymore these days. You still can’t get all the games in one place anyway. With the way this cotton candy crew play and what they cost, it may be time to say goodbye to hockey after 30 years. Oh yea trade the ruski, he’s not even worth 8…rant over. Lgr