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Flareon · 01-05-2019, 11:10 PM

Welcome to the one of the first Post Game Shows of S45!

Game 3

HALIFAX Raiders v COLORADO Raiders

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Projected Lines

Game 3 of the brand new season of the SMJHL took us to Colorado, for a match-up between the Halifax Raiders and the Colorado Raptors. Both teams are very much going through rebuilding periods, with each team's roster consisting of around 60% first year rookies. A lot of players with something to prove to SHL scouts on the ice should make for an interesting match. The win could go either way to the fresh-faced teams hot off the heels of the biggest draft in SMJHL history.

1st Period

The first goal of the game came just 1:17 into the period thanks to a missed shot from Alexander Selich left O'Koivu wide open to find a wrist shot over McKorsy's shoulder, scoring on just the 3rd shot of the game. The play continued on a see-saw with chances and possession flipping between each team. Halifax appeared to have the edge as they found themselves on the power-play three times. This ultimately proved fruitless with Colorado scoring their second goal, thanks to a well setup play from the Raptors, with a well screened shot from Knurtsson tipped in by Nick Novak. The period ended out with with the shots 17-9 in favour of Halifax.

Goals
Anastasia O'Koivu (COL) 1:17 - Assisted by Alexander Selich, Eric Vanderberg
Nick Novak (COL) 13:07 - Assisted by Knute Knurtsson, Chico Smeb

2nd Period
Halifax carried their momentum forward into the second period, constantly pressuring the Colorado team and drawing two early penalties. The second of which resulted in the Raiders' first goal of the season from the rookie Clifton Outlaw thanks to a pass from Karlsson below the goal line. Halifax kept up the pressure and before long scored the second goal of the night, courtesy of Choybuk, one of the few veterans of the game. He and Mr. Faceoffs charged up the ice in a 2v1 that left Yuri Ushakov helpless. Colorado's fifth penalty of the night was the cause of the Raider's third straight unanswered goal. A shot from Karlsson was left hanging in the crease and Kholin capitalised, sending the puck into the back of the net. The Raptors however kept on pressuring and getting good zone time as the period faded out. They were rewarded for their efforts as some dazzling passing between Chico Smeb and Zidek found McKorsy leaving an open net for the Voloshin to hit the puck into.

Goals
Clifton Outlaw (HAL) 5:07 - Assisted by Dylan Karlsson, Mr Faceoffs (PP)
Mikael Choybuk (HAL) 11:28 - Assisted by Mr Faceoffs
Matt Kholin (HAL) 14:53 - Assisted by Dylan Karlsson, Rainbow Dash (PP)
Konstantin Voloshin (COL) 16:29 - Assisted by Chico Smeb, Zivan Zidek

3rd Period
The final period of regulation saw the game wind down slightly, as both teams were clearly gassed and struggled to play at the same intensity as the first two periods of the game. The first goal didn't come till almost halfway through the period. A sloppy turnover from Halifax lead to Darrow getting the puck to Selich who scored a relatively easy goal past a dumbfounded McKorsy. The Raiders didn't take long to hit back and tie the game for the final time, with Choybuk scoring his second of the night on a good offensive play from Halifax. The period drew out with neither team having an edge, the shots 6-7 to Colorado. Time for bonus hockey.

Goals
Alexander Selich (COL) 9:58 - Assisted by Cassius Darrow
Mikael Choybuk (HAL) 11:02 - Assisted by Vegeta Muerto, Oleg Scoreov

Overtime
Neither team could manage any meaningful attacks in the overtime period, with both teams only hitting two shots a piece. A shootout was needed to settle the score. Outlaw was the first to step up for Halifax. A slow and steady build up ultimately proved fruitless as the puck went over the crossbar. Jakub Novak was next for Colorado. A sly fake gave him enough room to find the net and score. Scoreov was next to shoot for the Raiders, he fires a decent shot but ultimately it is gloved down by Ushakov, who is clearly on form. Selich steps up with the oppourtunity to win the game for the Raptors. He approaches and sure enough he lights the lamp, giving the Colorado Raptors the second winning point.

Three Stars
1) Mikael Choybuk (HAL) - 2G, +/- 2
2) Mr. Faceoffs (HAL) - 2A, +/- 2
3) Alexander Selich (COL) - 2P, GW

gordieboom · 01-06-2019, 10:42 AM

#comment 1
I think Halifax Raiders deserved more, outshooting there opponent 38 - 25. That being said, most of those shots game from the powerplay. Halifax had 6 opportunities, Colorado only 1.
Halifax Raiders third line filled with rookies played awfully. Matt Kholin, Clifton Outlaw and Troy Reynolds went -3 in their first game. Matt Kholin and Clifton Outlaw somewhat mitigated the damage by scoring their first career goal (both on the powerplay). Raptors sophomore Alexander Selich had an impressive game, a 2-point game (1 goal and 1 assist), 6 shots on net and a shootout goal. That's a player worth to keep an eye on!

StadiumGambler · 01-06-2019, 02:06 PM

Observations.......

-Halifax came out of the gates with a physical start, by my count outhitting Colorado by a near 2 to 1 ratio. Physicality seems to be valued less in the modern game, but setting the tone can be important, so long as one of your key defensive forwards doesn't commit to an open-ice hit and leaves himself out of position. Luckily Halifax did not get burned by this, however.......
-........3 of the 4 Colorado goals came from turnovers off bad passes in the neutral zone. When you transition to the junior level you have to be able to move the puck and show better hands.
-Colorado brass have spoken highly of their 4th line as a future Top 6 unit, but it seems clear that Nick Brain isn't marching to the same tune as his linemates Knurtsson and Novak, who seem to play fairly well together. If the preseason and season opener struggles continue you've gotta wonder if the Raptors will move Brain around and see if they can get a winger from the Smeb line or converted defnese core to unleash the potential of Knurtsson and Novak, who combined for a goal in this game.
-The real key to Colorado hopes is Michael Scarn's ability to fit in with the Raptors forward core. Raptors have 5 rock-solid forwards and needed a 6th to round out the top 2 lines that get all the ice time, and Scarn's been thrown into the deep end as the second line Center to sink or swim. Based on the preseason and an ok performance in the opener, he seems to be swimming. So far.
-As for Halifax, they mustered a decent preseason but the team seems to be in worse shape than Colorado, with 4 core forwards and a top pairing, and the rest being rookie level. Theres also 3 magnets for controversy in Troy Reynolds, Jimmy Slothface, and Mike McKorsky. The rookies could bring the team beyond what they're capable of, but it probably won't happen for them this year.

*slothfacekilla* · 01-06-2019, 10:24 PM

Great PGS!

Comment 1:

First Period Turning Point

1:17 of 1st period - Colorado Goal by Anastasia O'Koivu @Pris

Halifax Raiders : 0 - Colorado Raptors : 1

Unfortunately for Halifax, the turning point of the first period came extremely quick with a goal by Colorado's Anastasia O'Koivu. After the rookie O'Koivu had been guilty of icing the puck earlier, Michael Scarn gained the Raptors possession by winning the defensive zone faceoff. Scarn's second early faceoff win proved pivotal, as Colorado quickly exited the Halifax zone despite the tired Raptors players. Alexander Selich fired a shot wide of the Halifax net, but the puck rebounded off the boards a bit. O'Koivu quickly picked up the loose puck laying to the side of the net and roofed it top shelf to open the game's scoring. The first goal of the game came within the first two minutes and set the tone for the rest of the period. The Raptors would go on to add another tally later in the period, and Colorado went into the locker room up two goals thanks to O'Koivu and Nick Novak. With the game in hand Colorado was confident in the locker room, while Halifax was left in catch-up mode.

[Image: tumblr_p3zp775WEx1uqp03co2_500.gif]

Comment 2:

Second Period Turning Point(s)

13:29 of 2nd period - Mr. Faceoffs @NH4JP wins face-off versus Michael Scarn in Colorado Raptors zone.

Halifax Raiders : 2 - Colorado Raptors : 2

14:53 of 2nd period - Goal by Matt Kholin @Kalakar - Halifax Raiders : 3 - Colorado Raptors : 2

After some early second period saves from Halifax's goalie Mike McKorsy, the Raiders saw their fortunes turn a bit in the form of a Colorado Cassius Darrow holding penalty. The Halifax power play went to work and Clifton Outlaw got the Raiders on the board. After grinding out another goal to tie the game, the Raiders found themselves back on the power play exactly two minutes after their tying goal. Raptors' Nick Brain was guilty of another hold and he anxiously watched from the penalty box as Mr. Faceoffs lived up to his name and won a crucial draw in the offensive zone. This allowed the Raiders to establish their power play set-up, ultimately leading to a Matt Kholin goal and the Raiders celebrating behind the Colorado net. The Raptors would tie the game again less than two minutes later on a Konstantin Voloshin marker, but this faceoff win and goal was key for the young Raiders team's confidence and helped them get stronger as the game went on.

[Image: tumblr_phjluyEugV1qdy56ro2_500.gif]

Comment 3:

Third Period Turning Point

11:02 of 3rd period - Halifax Goal by Mikael Choybuk @DollarAndADream- Halifax Raiders : 4 - Colorado Raptors : 4

The teams were again tied going into the third period. Colorado started the period with plenty of pressure in Halifax's zone, and they were ultimately rewarded for their efforts with an Alexander Selich tally near the midway mark of the period. Still, Halifax's bench did not sag and Kristoffer Matsson's face-off prowess allowed the Raiders to put on some pressure of their own. Colorado managed to put on a shot blocking clinic before Vegeta Muerto slipped a puck through the sea of Raptor bodies. The puck missed the net, but Mikael Choybuk nabbed the puck behind the Raptors' defense. Choybuk broke in all alone on the Raptor netminder Yuri Ushakov, and Choybuk put a little flair on the tying goal by going between his legs while depositing the puck over a sprawling Ushakov, who's last effort poke check proved to not be enough to keep the game four to three. This was the pivotal moment of the third, as after only a small penalty scare to Colorado late in the period (Halifax was 2 for 5 previously) the game stayed deadlocked at four to four and would eventually need overtime and a shoot-out.

OT/Shootout Turning Points

When they give me TPE to talk about em

DollarAndADream · 01-07-2019, 12:30 AM

Ballin.

//

Pris · 01-07-2019, 10:38 AM

Comment #1: Big Picture:

- Colorado's second-line pairing of Anastasia O'Koivu and Eric Vanderberg seems to have clicked right away, both putting up a point each in this game. The two have already shown their strong defensive mentalities as well, as they are currently +8 and +7, respectively. Keep an eye on this line and its defensive metrics throughout the season.
- Tonight, Colorado alternate captain Alexander Selich demonstrated again why he's poised to have a monster season. The SMJHL sophomore put up another 2 points in this game towards what has become a PPG campaign. Selich is currently leading the league in goals and 5th in points. Early awards nominee?
- There seems to be an overarching theme in Halifax towards regaining possession, and it is "beat the crap out of people". Just in tonight's game, seven different players had 3+ hits. The team is currently 2nd in the league in hits/GP. Considering their low goal totals, I don't know if this is quite working out for them.

Comment #2: Projections

- Holy rookies, Batman! Halifax must have a bright future awaiting them in a few seasons, seeing as half of their roster seems to comprise rookies (including two of today's goal scorers!). Winger Clifton Outlaw and center Matt Kholin, in particular, seem well on their way to having great rookie seasons. Will Halifax see a potential repeat of S30 and S36 brilliance one of these seasons?
- Woooooow. Ushakov pulls off the win with 34 saves on 38 shots. The young Russian currently sits atop the rookie goaltenders in both SV% and GAA, only behind Montreal send-down Petr Vrana. Perhaps it won't be this season, but Ushakov might be a name to watch for a possible future Corcoran Trophy, particularly if the aforementioned defensive core can help him keep his GAA and SV% high over the next few season.

Comment #3: For the Future

- Alternative forms of having possession: faceoffs? With the appropriately named Mr. Faceoffs at the dot on their first line, Halifax sits at a comfortable 2nd in the league in team FO%. Perhaps they should explore their scoring opportunities off face-off wins rather than via physicality, as it seems to be something the team is particularly adept at.
- Perhaps if Colorado could put more shot pressure onto the net, they wouldn't be finding themselves in shootout situations. In tonight's game, Colorado was outshot by 13, with no player other than Alexander Selich taking more than 3. With an average of 24.92 shots per game, the team sits well below the league average of 26.22. A greater offensive spread might help - with a spray of shots on goal, a few more are bound to go in.

Segi · 01-07-2019, 12:02 PM

Observation:
When we look at the +/- of both teams, we see drastic differences even though the game went to a shootout. The first line of the Raiders with Mikael Choybuk, Mr. Faceoffs and Oleg Scoreovs ended the night on a +2, while the third line with Clifton Outlaw, Matt Kholin and Troy Reynolds finished on a -3. On the Raptors side, every player ended between a +2 and a -1 although only Chico Smeb and Veika Toivanen managed to get a +2. This shows that the Rabtors are a much deeper team and they should end this regular season much higher up in the standings than the Raiders.

Flames1848 · 01-08-2019, 08:39 AM

Season Opener for Mike McKorsy

In his first Regular Season Game in North America Mike McKorsy lost on the Road in Denver at the Colorado Raptors with a score of 4-5. Mike looked very nervous in his first game and only saved 21 of 25 Shots. His Sv% looks like that and was at 0,840. If you take a look on all 3 periods, the first was his poorest. Two goals on 9 shot attempts speak for themselves. In the later Periods he felt more comfortable and the stats went up a bit. In the ShootOut McKorsy showed one of his weaknesses. Both Penalty Shots he faced he couldn’t save and the game got lost.

Comment 1 Week 1, 115 words

Trautner · 01-08-2019, 12:40 PM

First comment:

Halifax absolutely peppered the Colorado net in this game early on in the season. This included an astounding 30 shots within just the first 2 periods of the game. In the end, Colorado and Halifax finished the regulation periods tied at 4 to 4, so Colorado's forwards were definitely more efficient in front of goal. Notably, Nick Novak scored his first goal as a professional player, assisted by Chico Smeb and Knute Knurtsson on the Colorado forwards' 4th line. Alexander Selich also opened his scoring account for the season late on, and is expected to be a serious contender for the most goals scored in this season as a veteran.

Second comment:

The young rookies for this Colorado Season 45 SMJHL draft class really stamped their mark on this game. Nick Novak of course scored his first goal, while Knute Knurtsson, the faceoff expert, recorded his first professional assist. Anastia O'Koivu, the much hyped first rounder also fired home a rocket in the first period to open the scoring in this game, also marking her first goal. Chico Smeb, another defenseman alongside O'Koivu, had 2 assists this game and really seemed to create many chances for the Colorado's later lines. Expect these rookies to really be the driving force behind Colorado's success this season.

Third comment:

Michael Scarn had quite the anonymous game tonight. The young talent out of Scranton struggled on faceoffs, only winning 7 of the 18 draws. This gave Halifax possession often times deep into Colorado territory, so Scarn has to look to improve as a center on his faceoffs or he could lose some playing time or see himself moved to the wing. Still, Scarn seems to play plenty of time on the penalty kill team for the Raptors, recording 4:55 of action on the penalty kill. His positioning is very sound and Colorado already trusts the speedy skater to put himself in front of goal, blocking shots and pestering opposing forwards and defensemen as they come forward on the power play.

Kylrad · 01-09-2019, 06:02 AM

Comment 1:
Although he didn't show up in the 3 stars of the game, the unsung hero for the Colorado Raptors in this tight game was Chico Smeb, Chico had two assists to lead the team in points this game along with his +2 rating in a high scoring game all with only 12 mins of ice time. He also had 1 shot block as he nobly sacrificed his body for the good of the team in order to preserve the lead as Halifax peppered Colarado with shots greatly out shooting them 38-25. Its unsung players like Chico who dont go noticed that separate the good teams from the bad, imagine what he'll be able to do with more ice time and training.

Comment 2:
While Chico Smeb had a great 1st game for the raptors Parker Smeb was quite the opposite killing all the momentum for his team and almost costing them the game. The Raptors controlled the play to start the game jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first half of the first period. Then right after the second goal Parker takes a lazy hooking penalty putting Halifax on the powerplay and from their they had all the momentum into the 2nd scoring 3 goals until Chico once again saved the team with his play making. Parker needs to work harder if he wants to be given more chances and cant be taking lazy penalties

Comment 3:
We talked about the unsung hero of the team in Chico Smeb, and the liability in Parker Smeb this game. But how about another Smeb in Daniel Smeb. While both Chico and Parker stood out for good and for worse Daniel was quite irrelevant all game almost completely invisible. He finished the game with just 1 shot and didn't really manage to contribute anything else. At least he wasn't completely blown out on the face off dot going 5/12 but even that wasn't great, quite an underwhelming game from Daniel but at least he didn't harm his team too bad.

ztevans · 01-10-2019, 08:06 PM

THE POST GAME SHOW I WILL REGRET MAKING - HALIFAX VS. COLORADO Goal

chetib · 01-11-2019, 04:35 PM

Comment #1
Halifax came out of the gates looking to finish this game early, 17 shots in the first and 13 in second is great start to the season. However with that dynamic explosion they might have drained the tank a bit too fast, the 3rd period they notched only 6 shots. Colorado came out with a more consistent effort registering consistent shots across all period. Great first start for Colorado goalie Yuri Ushakov who did a great job of stopping 38 shots through this game, this is an example of where the stats sheet doesn't give a player credit for doing a great job.

***O4L*** · 01-13-2019, 10:14 PM

Comment 1:
This early season contest between Colorado and Halifax had a feel to it like both teams were still in pre-season, the total amount of rookies in this game was 27 with 14 coming from the Raiders and 13 playing for the Raptors. During regulation the Raiders absolutely dominated possession and ended up out-shooting the Raptors 38-24. Two major rookie standouts for the Raptors were Chico Smeb and Anastasia O'Koivu, Chico Smeb ended the game with 2 assists while playing just over 12 minutes while Anastasia O'Koivu ended the game with a goal to go along with one hit and two shot blocks.

Comment 2:
The lack of discipline from Colorado almost cost them this entire game, the young Raptors team had 6 different players who took minor penalties. They somehow managed to come out of the first period with a two goal lead after taking three penalties but the second period almost ended up costing them the entire game. In the second period the Raptors took another two penalties and Halifax managed to score on both with Clifton Outlaw and Matt Kholin both sniping their first of the season. In the third period Steve Craig-Smeb took another penalty for Colorado in the final 4 minutes when the game was tied 4-4 but the Raptors managed to kill it off and hold on to take the lead to OT.

Comment 3:
If you're a fan of fast paced hockey with lots of lead changes and not much defense then you'd likely like this game, this was a game with four lead changes. In the first the Raptors scored twice with goals from O'Koivu and Novak. In the second period the Raiders were able to score 3 goals which which were sniped home by Clifton Outlaw, Michael Choybuk and Matt Kholin, two of which were PPGs, right before the end of the period Konstantin Voloshin was able to sneak a goal in for the Raptors to tie the game back up at 3-3. Then in the third period star Raptors forward Alexander Selich scored his first goal of the year 9:58 into the period to take the lead back for Colorado which was almost immediately answered back by the Raiders with Mikael Choybuk scoring his second of the game for to tie the game back up at 4-4. The game remained even going into the shootout before Jakub Novak and Alexander Selich both scored to win the game for Colorado.

"“HA HA! THIS GAME WILL NEVER END! I POSSESS THE SOUL OF EVERY GOALIE ON TEAM B!! CREW 4 LIFE!! SIGN WITH EDMONTON FOR THE CUP!!!” cackled Belial as he placed a Fedora on his head."
SMJHL Commisioner S17-S26
Calgary Dragons GM S14-S23

xDParK · 01-14-2019, 05:45 AM

Comment 1
X-Factor
Today's X-factor was none other than Chico Smeb. He had a big night in his SMJHL debut. The rookie potted 2 assists in just 12 minutes of ice time playing on the 3rd pairing. Both of these points came 5 on 5, as he doesn't play the powerplay, those were some efficient minutes for Chico today. In addition to his 2 assists, he also had a shot blocked ( in a league where shot blocks are fairly hard to get), and had a +2 rating. All in all, it was a nice debut for the rookie, and he's put himself in an early lead for rookie of the year, albeit 1 game in.

Words:115

Comment 2
Special Teams
I think it was clear the refs were out to get the Raptors tonight. It was as if the Raptors were playing against Halifax AND the refs. Just one powerplay for the Raptors compared to a whopping six for Halifax. I think this was one of the main reasons this game went to overtime. Colorado is known for being one of the best 5 on 5 teams in the league, so having to play just under 12 minutes shorthanded made this game closer than what it should have been. I hope this isn't a sign to come for what the reffing will look like this season, they need to be better.

Words: 111

Comment 3
Shootout/Overttime - Yuri Ushakov
Colorado was dominant in the shootout/overtime period, which is a big relief for them after blowing a 2-0 lead, and a 4-3 lead. Their goalie Yuri Ushakov didn't have the greatest game in regulation, but he absolutely shut Halifax down in overtime and the shootout. Halifax had three high danger scoring chances in overtime, one ringing off the post, and two being robbed by Ushakov. He had to be feeling confident heading into the shootout, and indeed he was. This one was over quickly, as Ushakov stopped both Outlaw and Scoreov from Halifax, meanwhile both shooters for Colorado scored on McKorsy.

Words: 102

kit · 01-18-2019, 05:15 PM

The smeb report:
The smebs of colorado came into their first game looking to contribute positively. And while not all opf them may have showed up on the scoreboard, they definitely were a factor in the shootout win. Most noteably Chico Smeb had 2 apples in this game and was a plus 2. The only negative smeb was half brother Steve, he doesnt have the full smeb genes so this is to be expected from time to time. Parker and Daniel btoh contributed in minor ways but are refining their game. Both having just over 10:00 of ice time they had some oppportunities and put a couple of shots on the board, but ultimately werent much of a marker in their first smjhl game

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