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***Acsolap*** · 07-31-2018, 08:43 PM

4 Vancouver v Anchorage 1 Armada

Tonight we will be reviewing the first meeting of Vancouver and Anchorage this season. Anchorage were the travelling team and were coming into the game having won only one in their last five. Vancouver on the other hand had the complete opposite streak having lost once in their previous five games.

First period:

The first period turned out to be a turgid affair with neither team being able to find a foothold in the game. Both teams had issues with their accuracy in front of the net with Vancouver missing seven times and Anchorage missing five. The major talking point in the opening stanza came when Viktor Kolesnikovs was sent to the box for two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct:

Despite the penalty Anchorage were able to cling on and the period finished goalless, Vancouver managing four shots to Anchorages measly one.

Second period:

The game came alive in the second. After Alex Andami copped a high sticking call with just two seconds remaining in the first it took Anchorage less than quarter of a minute to make the Whalers pay on the power play, Eero Niemi picking up his fourth of the season with assists from Rex Kirkby and Kolesnikovs. This was to be the sole high point for Anchorage though as Vancouver came charging back with a power play goal of their own, Kristaps Ball getting his sixth so far this campaign. The turning point for us came towards the end of the second when Jean-Luc Picard picked off a Jordan Von Matt pass in the Whalers zone and hit Kierkegaard that caught the Armada on a line change. He sped up ice and put one past Larry Atta to give Vancouver the lead.

This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Anchorage and they conceeded another soft one less than two minutes later when Tokek Takshak sniped one top shelf after some nice work in the Armada zone by David Kastrba and Jean-Luc Picard. At the end of the second period Vancouver were out shooting Anchorage a massive 18 to 5.

Third Period:

The third followed the trend set in the previous two periods. Anchorage just could not get a foothold in the game and spent the vast majority of the game in their own end. The sole highlight to bring you was Benis Smol chalking up his third goal this year after missing the net but catching a nice bounce:

After the fourth Whalers goal the game somewhat petered out. Vancouver knew the win was in the bag and Anchorage frustrated with a very sub par performance took a string of penalties to ensure they could never find a way back into the game. The final shot count portrayed a sorry story with Anchorage only managing to put six shots on net all night while Vancouver took thirty.

Three stars:

1st: David Kastrba. 3A, +2, 4 hits, 16:51

2nd: Jean-Luc Picard. 2A, +1, 1 hit, 20:56

3rd: Tokek Takshak, 1G, +1, 20:18

(618 words)

Credit to Ml002, King, Wasty, Carpy, Bruins10, Rum_Ham, Turd Ferguson, Ragnar and Enigmatic for the sigs.
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***notorioustig*** · 08-01-2018, 01:25 AM

Comment 1 (word count: 132):

THE CRUCIBLE: Analysis of Physical Play

Hit of the Game: 0:45 of 2nd period - Jordan Von Matt is hit by David Kastrba.

After falling behind early in the second period, Kastrba intended to make an impact to shift things back in favour of Vancouver. It was then that he saw Jordan Von Matt tied up along the wall, fishing for a loose puck. Kastrba timed his hit wonderfully, catching Von Matt just as he attempted to turn the puck up the ice. The result was some hostilities in the immediate aftermath, but the hit definitely got his Whalers teammates fired back up en route to a commanding win.

Big Richard's Auto Collision Hitters of the Game:

3. Tucker Baloo, 2 hits
2. Alex Andani, 3 hits
1. David Kastrba, 4 hits

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Comment 2 (word count: 206):

Missed Opportunities: The Turning Points That Never Happened

In this weekly segment, we explore the moment(s) in this week's featured game where a team or player blew an opportunity to make their mark on the game and either win it or at least turn it in their favour. In this week's game between the Vancouver Whalers and Anchorage Armada, the greatest missed opportunity was:

Unfortunate break on penalty call kills Anchorage's momentum

When the Armada were able to break through with a goal just 0:12 seconds into the second period, all the momentum seemed to be in their favour. However, they wouldn't be able to keep the ball rolling due to an unfortunate penalty call less than a minute later. After a huge hit and subsequent fracas from a David Kastrba hit on Jordan Von Matt, Tucker Baloo attempted to corral a puck near the scrum along the wall. He would accidentally trip and fall backwards due to a loose stick, which caused his own stick to fly up and catch a Whalers player in the face and drew a high-sticking minor. The Whalers would score on the ensuing powerplay, and continued a roll of their own on their way to a 4-1 victory.
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Comment 3 (word count: 229):

Fourth Stars of the Game:

In any game, there are a number of unheralded players whose contributions don't get listed on the scoresheet, or at least not the "sexy" columns. For each team, we have selected one such player whose game tonight won't be talked about as much as others', but was still a big part of their teams' effort.

Anchorage: Tucker Baloo, D

Despite a blooper reel moment leading to the penalty that kicked off Vancouver's tidal wave of momentum after Anchorage opened the scoring, Baloo had a very solid two-way game. He played over four minutes on a penalty kill unit that held Vancouver to just one goal on six opportunities, which he was in the box for. He contributed two hits and a blocked shot defensively, as well as a shot and several crisp outlet passes defensively.

Vancouver: Benis Smol, C

Smol played the exact type of game coaches want from their depth forwards. Smol moved the puck effectively to the Armada end of the rink, and chipped in a goal for his efforts. His defensive play was noticeable, finishing +2 on the evening and winning 8 of 13 faceoffs (61.5%). Winning the battle of the depth players is always a key component to success, and the Whalers did in this game.

***Gaia Mormont*** · 08-01-2018, 03:30 AM

Week Four. Game 61. Anchorage Armada Armada

versus Vancouver Whalers Whalers

First Star Analysis: David Kastrba Whalers

A solid effort by the entire Whalers team made it rather tough to pick the first star of this game. After some debate, David Kastrba took the lap around the ice after the game.

He along with Buck Maverick played pass for awhile until finally fooling the defenders and passing the puck to Kristaps Ball who nailed it to the back of the net. Kastrba also very nearly scored himself but his shot was deflected by Tokek Takshak at the last second. His final point came in a roundabout way as a shot by the Armada went off his helmet and was scooped and delivered into the Armada net by Benis Smol. Kastrba was rewarded for the lump on his noggin by getting the second assist on the goal. An excellent 3 point game for the youngster.

Great job David!

Nictox · 08-01-2018, 06:02 AM

SPECIAL TEAMS REPORT

Tonight we look at the Vancouver Whalers' vs Anchorage Armada's SMJHL game 61.

FIRST PERIOD

The first period we would see 2 penalties called, one to each team. At 4:11 Viktor Kolesnikovs is called for Unsportsmanlike Conduct after he got a grip of a sweater's collar and continually punched an opposing player in the face. This was a rat like play and I'm sure SHL Player Safety office will be taking a look into it, and most likely let it go as he was "only joking around." With the Whalers on the man advantage, they would not be able to convert and would record 4 shots, only one would reach Armada tender Larry Atta. The next penalty does not come until late in the period, when Alex Andani is called for high sticking at 19:58. With 2 seconds on the clock, Armada's unit wouldn't have time to make a play, so they look to the next period to make their mark.

The period would end with no goals on or off the power play.

SECOND PERIOD

With a whole 1:58 of penalty time left, Anchorage comes out strong. Eero Niemi would take a shot which goes wide of the net, he would retrieve the puck himself and take another shot, putting one passed goaltender Johannes Leitner. Give Anchorage the 1-0 lead early in the second. Tucker Baloo would be called for high sticking at 0:54 giving Vancouver the advantage and the opportunity to tie the game up. Kristaps Ball would receive a pass from Buck Maverick and bury it behind Atta at 2:04, tying the game up at 1. At this point the young Anchorage team is flustered and starts playing from behind the remainder of the game. Niklas Mueller is called for slashing at 4:11, but Vancouver is only able to record one shot which is gloved down by Atta. Sean Stevenson Jr is called for slashing at 7:41. With Vancouver on the power play again, Anchorage would have to play shut down with their PK unit. They would hold the Whalers to 2 shots this time. Anchorage then gets a chance to take the lead, when Benis Smol is called for hooking at 10:46. Only one shot would make it to the net, Leitner would glove it down and the power play unit is unable to produce. The Armada would find themselves down again when Muhammad McLovin is called for holding the stick at 14:29. The Whalers' power play unit goes on an all out offensive with 5 shots on Atta, but are unable to score. They would end up scoring seconds after the penalty is up taking the lead. The period would end with Vancouver leading 3-1 with 2 late goals.

THIRD PERIOD

Only one penalty called this period, and it's against Anchorage. Sean Stevenson Jr is called for hooking at 16:06. Vancouver would not convert on this power play, recording 2 shots on net.

The game would end with Vancouver winning 4-1.

Vancouver Whalers PP - 1/6 (16.67%) PK - 1/2 (50%)

Anchorage Armada PP - 1/2 (50%) PK - 5/6 (83.33%)

While Anchorage ended up in the box a lot more, their PK unit was able to shut down all but 1 attempt. Goalie Larry Atta, played outstanding when his team is down the man.

Vancouver's special teams were not producing on enough with the man advantage and their PK unit allowed the first goal of the game.

PIM Leaders of the Game

Sean Stevenson Jr 4PIM - Stevenson's undisciplined play showed tonight when he took two penalties.

Viktor Kolesnikovs 2 PIM - Kolesnikovs unsportsmanlike conduct should not be allowed in this day and age.

Muhammad McLovin 2 PIM - As Captain, you should show discipline. Taking bad a bad penalty due to frustration is not very leader-like.

[726, this one needed the words]

RIP Dangel #AD26 | RIP TDZ

CanadianDuck · 08-01-2018, 01:37 PM

In today's quick recap, we will be talking about Game #61 of the season.

Vancouver Whalers

vs Anchorage Armada

Vancouver looks to build momentum after big win, while Anchorage looks to get back on track following an OT loss.

Key Moments
At 16:37 of the 2nd, Soren Kierkegaard would score the 3rd of 4 Canuck goals giving the Vancouver Key moment. 12 seconds into the 2nd period, Eero Niemi gave the Armada their key moment by scoring the lone goal for Anchorage on the powerplay.

Top Star of the Game
A 3 assist night for David Kastrba, earning him the Top Star of the Game.

(Word Count: 104)

Sean · 08-01-2018, 03:20 PM

Comment 1:

Highlights From This Riveting Game

[Image: oQzZzN.gif]

Despite no score (and basically no shots) in the first period, it was obvious both teams were out to win tonight!

[Image: L8rZop.gif]

It had been so long since Leitner had a shot against him, he forgot how to play goal for Anchorage's 1 goal.

[Image: QuarrelsomeRewardingEnglishpointer-size_restricted.gif]

At the end of the day, Anchorage could not keep up with the overpowered Whalers.

Comment 2:
The ref's paychecks must have been a little heftier this week
6-2, That's not the score of the game, but that's definitely the reason this game ended 4-1. If the refs had their way it probably would have been 10-1! 6-2 was the number of penalties each team received. The Whalers spent the majority of this game on the powerplay because the refs couldn't stand to see this game go against the narrative. 0-0 After 1 period? Can't afford to let this continue. At the beginning of the year, everyone said it was gonna be Kelowna or maybe Vancouver that wins it. No hope for any other team. I was a believer, I thought maybe someone could stand up to the big guy. It seems the league doesn't want anything to do with that. Well, you crushed the hopes of the little guy. I hope you're happy SMJHL.

Comment 3:
Jax Aittokallio Lone Brightspot in a Lousy Game
It's not often you can walk away happy with a stat line of 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Points, 0 PIMS, 0 Shots, 0 +/-, and 1 hit while having a relatively good game. The term relative is very important here because in over 18 minutes of ice time nothing happened while Aittokallio was on the ice and nothing is better than something bad. When 12 players had a negative +/-, sitting tied for a team best 0 looks pretty good. When your team manages to put up only 6 shots, who can blame you for not having any? This man made the staticians night easy, Jax made him only move his wrist once. I think in a game like tonight's, these are the positives you need to look for.

Mayuu · 08-02-2018, 04:08 AM

Tonight's: Was it really just a 2-min?
Viktor Kolesnikovs rough gestures and words, should it have been more?

[Image: XOMwviB.gif]

It was not a good night for Armada as the let in 4 goals, but the team seemed off right from the start.
You can see yourself what Viktor Kolesnikovs is gesturing and saying.

We all know that the talk on the ice can get a little rough and it's a very high tension, hyper competitive game. It's normal to be on edge, especially in an important game like this.

Nonetheless it's unacceptable to signal that you are going to kill someone and then shout "you are fucking dead" regardless of the situation.
Of the ice this would serve as a threat to someones life and is punishable by law.

A minor is sufficient on the ice but I'd like to see the league fine the player for this sort of behavior. It reflects bad on the sport and league.

What are your thoughts?
Tweet your opinion and add #SHLhockey and #2-min

RETIRED

NH4JP · 08-02-2018, 11:27 PM

What happens on the dot with Mr. Faceoffs

Faceoffs takes up a big role in today's hockey. Everytime you win a draw you get possession of the puck. The more your team have the puck, the more scoring chance you get and vice-versa. Which is why Centers take pride in winning them draws and why coaches love center men who do win them.

Anchorage Armada: 37 wins on 88 faceoffs taken ( 42,0%)
Vancouver Whalers: 51 wins on 88 faceoffs taken (58,0%)

Clear advantage for the Vancouver Whalers here.

The winner and the loser for today's game:

Winner: Vancouver Whalers' center Alex Andaniwith 18 wins on 27 faceoff taken (66,6%)
Loser: Anchorage Armada's center Elias Armia Jr. with 3 wins on 20 faceoff taken (15,0%)

Horrible performance in the dot by Armia Jr.

*JURT* · 08-03-2018, 01:58 PM

Harvey's Fail of the Game is back again, and today we offer you what might be one of the worst line change in the history of hockey.

It took place in the game between the Vancouver Whalers and the Anchorage Armada. The Armada had given up a quick powerplay goal at the beginning of the second period, but had reciprocated only two minutes later, and were still clinging to the fact that the game was tied toward the end of the second despite being unbelievably outshot (they managed only six shots in the entire game). They were outshot, but the scoreboard stayed even, until Jordan Von Matt made a pass that was intercepted by Jean-Luc Picard and decided to head straight to the bench, followed by his teammate Grayson St.Reagan. Chaos ensued, Rex Kirby couldn't get on the ice on time to save his teammates mistake, and the Whalers' Soren Kierkegaard scored right after. The Whalers never looked back, and the Anchorage lost.

[Image: giphy.gif]

hats_4_days · 08-03-2018, 04:23 PM

Today we see the Vancouver Whalers travel to Anchorage to face off against the Armada in a game that saw the Vancouver Whalers win 4-1 and no other player had more to do with the Vancouver's win than David Kastrba. The Barstool Player of the Game was all over the field today assisting on three of the four goals that were credited to the Whalers. The first just 2:04 into the 1st period which was a big one to tie the game up at 1. The second assist , his lone primary, came with 1:27 remaining in the 1st period to put the game up 3-1. His last assist coming 11:28 into the 3rd period. He assisted on 3 out of 4 goals and with a stamp like that its hard to argue why anyone but David Kastrba could be named the Barstool Player of the Game.

Lazyeye · 08-04-2018, 08:28 PM

Defensive Forward of the Game sponsored by Trojan Condoms

Tonight's game was an interesting one. The Whalers came into Anchorage and completely dominated the Armada 4-1. Their game plan was executed so well that the Armada were held to a season low 6 shots, despite scoring the first goal of the game. Whalers forward O'bigbers was a pivotal part of the Whalers domination. He helped continue the Whalers pressure by going 12 for 17 in the faceoff dot and played almost a minute on the Whaler's penalty kill. Though he was unable to tally a point in the game; O'bigbers showed defensive prowess in a game where there wasn't much opportunity for Vancouver to play defense.

Word Count: 107

**RomanesEuntDomus** · 08-06-2018, 04:17 AM

The Anchorage Gazette

Fan-protests grow louder as Armada get dominated by Vancouver Whalers

The protests and boycotts that have been going on in same parts of the fanbase for months now have started to gain traction in recent weeks with some very lackluster performance by the Anchorage Armada. Perhaps the low point of the season was last nights game against the Vancouver Whalers, were Anchorage was completely dominated and only managed an embarassing 6 shots all game - with these numbers it's almost a miracle that the Armada only lost 4-1. The Armada are still in an okay position in the playoff race though as the team has been able to rake in some wins as well, but the Jekyll & Hyde face that the team has shown so far doesn't bode too well for their postseason chances. The unrest among the teams supporters certainly isn't helping in that regard either, many of the teams diehard supporters are still disgruntled with the relocation from Prince George to Anchorage and while the teams has had some success in building up a new fanbase up North, their numbers aren't matching the old crowds yet, many of which have turned their backs on the team after claiming the were 'abandoned' by the front office.

ThatIrishFellow · 08-06-2018, 09:18 PM

The SMJHL Bust of the Game Award

Vancouver put the boots to Anchorage in this one - absolutely dominating the stat sheet, and out-shooting their opponent 30 to 6, yes you read that right, thirty... to six. Without a doubt, the Bust of the Game Award goes to Grayson St. Raegan. Winning less than 50% of his draws, it was tough to generate offense with this man on the ice - and he was on for a while (22 minutes). It's hard to score when you aren't shooting, and even harder to shoot when you aren't winning faceoffs. Anchorage had neither shots, nor faceoffs tonight, and Grayson couldn't put the pieces together to help his team. It's unfair to put all the blame on him, since the entire team had an abysmal showing, but someone has to take the blame. I'm sure there are no hard feelings in the locker room after this one, and it was a great character building game for them.

DannyMethane · 08-08-2018, 11:20 AM

Punching Bag Of The Game
PElias Armia Jr.

Elias Armia Jr. was hit a whopping 5 times in tonight’s game by five different players. This accounted for roughly eighteen percent of the hits thrown in the game. He must have been doing something right as the opposing coach told his players to give him everything they had. He paid for it too. Late in the third, Elias disappeared into the locker room for repairs, and we didn’t see him any more after that. When we tried to reach him after the game we were turned away. His coach dismissed any questions with, “I don’t have an update right now.”

(WC:109)

SlashACM · 08-08-2018, 10:17 PM

Goalie Grades-
Johannes Leitner (VAN): 5 saves on 6 shots, .833 Save Percentage
1st period: 1 save on 1 shot
2nd period: 3 saves on 4 shots
3rd period: 1 save on 1 shot
Goalie grade: C

Larry Atta (ANC): 26 saves on 30 shots, .867 Save Percentage
1st period: 4 saves on 4 shots
2nd period: 11 saves on 14 shots
3rd period: 11 saves on 12 shots
Goalie grade: C+

Goalie of the Game: Larry Atta
This was a tough decision, and while Atta took the loss, he faced a much stronger team as his team only put up 6 shots against the Vancouver netminder. Atta's second period left much to be desired, but the rest of the game was solid. Unfortunately the whole team fell apart and he couldn't secure the W.

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