Record: 16-18-0-2 (Fifth Place Sherwood Conference)
Overview:
The Melville Millionaires have set their sights on next season. Head-coach and GM Jamie Fiesel recently announced that the Millionaires would be 'sellers' during this year's deadline, and earlier this week he made good on that promise. He sent his top-scorer Braydon Metz to the Melfort Mustangs in exchange for future considerations. The Millionaires have some other 20-year-olds that could be on the move. That being said, at this point the Mils are a playoff team, and we saw last season that all a team needs to do is 'get in' and then anything goes from there.
Who's Up Front:
With the departure of Metz, a lot of pressure now falls onto the shoulders of 18-year-old forward Lucas Froese to lead Melville's offence. Froese's natural talent is obvious. He's got an extremely bright future, and has put up 28 points in 25 games so far. The departure of Metz should provide even more of an opportunity for Froese to showcase his ability. The Stars can't afford to give him time to make plays, because if they do, he'll make them pay.
Who's on D:
The Millionaires don't have one specific defenceman who will wow you statistically, but they do have some play-makers back there. 1991-born d-man Tyson Newell really stood out to me the last time I saw these teams play. Newell is physical, moves the puck well and leads all Millionaire's defencemen in scoring. He'll see time on the power-play and penalty-kill and will likely be matched up against the Star's top lines.
Who's in Goal:
A tough decision for Jamie Fiesel to make tonight. Does he start the reigning SJHL Goaltender of the Week Zach Rakochy? Or does he elect to start former North Star's goaltender Alex Sirard. Sirard beat the Stars in early December, and played very well in doing so. Rakochy is 10-8-1 with a .901 save percentage while Sirard is 4-4-2 with a save percentage of .888.
X-Factor:
One of coach Fiesel's best bargaining chips right now is 20-year-old forward Cody Hanson. Hanson has 37 points in 36 games, and is undoubtedly the top player on Melville's roster right now. It's no secret that several teams around the Junior Hockey world are likely coveting the services of Hanson around deadline day, but for now he's a Millionaire, and he's a player that the Stars need to be aware of or they'll get burned.
Record: 18-20-1-1 (Fifth Place in Bauer Conference)
Overview:
The Battlefords North Stars are coming off a 4-3 shootout victory over Notre Dame on Wednesday. After a sluggish start, the Stars regrouped and managed to tie the score with 60 seconds remaining and then prevailed in the shootout. The Stars are winners of three straight, and hold a six point edge on the Nipawin Hawks in the Bauer Conference.
Who's Up Front:
Keith Grondin has officially bumped his slump. 2011 has started well for Grondin. He scored against the Swedes on Monday, and scored in both regulation and the shootout on Wednesday against Notre Dame. Grondin now leads the team outright in goals with 22, and continues to find success playing with Kyle Hall and Colin Phaneuf.
Who's on D:
Cris Neurauter quietly had himself a whale of a game Wednesday against the Hounds. The Star's captain had two assists, and logged a lot of key minutes, particularly in the third when the Stars were down to only four defenceman. Neurauter continues to contribute at both ends of the ice, and is ranked fourth overall in team scoring, and his second amonst defenceman with 28 points.
Who's in Goal:
Kyle Birch has won his last three games, and it wouldn't surprise me if we see him get the call again tonight. That being said, maybe it's Graham Hildebrand's turn. Kyle Birch was the hard-luck losing goaltender against Melville back in early December.
X-Factor:
Some may disagree, but I believe that once the Stars split up Blake Tatchell, Colin Phaneuf and Keith Grondin they became a more well-rounded team. Sure it was fun watching those three together, but now that the talent has been more spread out - Players like Kyle Hall, Tanner Schwab and Samuel Fortier have benefited heavily. Tonight could be a big night for the likes of Blake Tatchell, Tanner Schwab and Samuel Fortier. Schwab scored a big goal Wednesday to bring his team within one, and Fortier made some nice plays and came close on a couple of occasions. A big night from those three would go a long way in helping the Stars beat Melville and increase their streak to four games.
No radio broadcast tonight because I am off to Paradise Hill to call an NSRHL game. But you can catch the game live, or if you need the game on the radio, you can listen to my pal Craig Stein call the game for GX 94.
15 comments:
Heck of a game last nigt. I am really starting to like the make-up of our team.. I think we need one more defenceman and another scorer and we could do something in the playoffs. I really like the pick-up of Galbraith, hes big physical can score. Tatchell is great, We stole Hall from Estevan. I really think the future looks bright.
2 very weak goals by Birch in the 3rd.
Why isn't hildy playing? he hasn't played in about 3 weeks, c'mon pearson, you are not developing this goaltender.
wow, because Birch is 11-3 in his last 14 starts. What a stupid comment.
Actually Hildy did play 1/2 the game vs Sweden did he not?
At this time of the year and how close the standings are, you cant be shuffling goalies. Like the previous guy said Birch is 11-3 in his last 14. Kyle is the 20 year old and Hildy is 19. Hildy will be starter next year and he will get to play more... Right now you've gotta go with whats winning games and Birch is so you gotta stick with him. The stars are blessed to have 2 great goalies.
News Flash..........and it has been noted on this blog a few times already, Birch & Pearson have a relationship that dates back to bantam hockey in Winnipeg. Hildy may be the better tender, but Birch will always get the benefit of the doubt.
It is a shame that a goalie with Hildy's talent wastes away on the bench.
SOME PEOPLE JUST DONT GET IT........ THE STANDINGS ARE VERY CLOSE. YOU GO WITH THE HOT HAND..... HILDY IS NOT WASTING AWAY ON THE BENCH..... Hildy will get his chance.. Birch is in his last year and is on a 4 game winning streak.. My guess is Hildy will play next game. Thats great that Pearson has some many connections that he can get a goalie of Birch's and Hildy's calibre. Its not often that a team can have 2 starting goalies.. Feel happy.
Well i have to agree, to me Birch is a good goalie but when he starts wondering around the other teams know it. From what i can gather Menuch will not play a game in NB, he doesnt want to be here and a trade is in the works. But rumors are rumors right.
agree saskgolf. hildy has never had a serious chance to develope as a goaltender under pearson. as a third year goalie here, he should be getting way more minutes.
Yes Pearson coached Birch in Bantam. haha you people are a treat!!!
If ken is committed to Birch he should trade hildy for a stay home d-man.
Haha. Trade hildy then next year we wont have a goalie. And Ken coached Birch in Bantam. This is the reason i come on this blog. I cant believe the crap I read on here... It really is entertaining... I cant believe how little clue people have..
Birch gets not much help most nights. There are 3 D men that think they are forwards most of the time. Wakelin was the best D last night and he is a forward. Go figure.
Havent we beaten this dead-horse enough?
My take:
-Both are great kids, both can start in this league.
- Both are happy in the Battlefords.
- If you win, you stay in. Birch has won four in a row. Why would you change it? When Hildebrand won four in a row against Melfort in the playoffs, nobody was shrieking to play Kyle.
- Hildebrand is no dummy. He knows that if he's around here next year he'll get a ton of starts because
1) He'll be 20.
2) He'll likely have a younger goaltender to guide and mentor.
The fact that we continue to have this debate is hilarious.
Dan: I agree 100%... Its halarious that we even talk about this...
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