Lake Erie vs Rochester Americans

Just watched saturday's game (March 7th).  Just a few notes of things I noticed.

Despite being 29th in the AHL the Monster's power play looked better than the parent club.  They still pass a little too much, but their passes seem much crisper and faster. Some players barely hold the puck at all before passing (like they already know where their teammates are).  The Monster had a long 5:00 power play early in the game, during which they also had a full 2:00 5 on 3.  I don't know how hard Darcy Campbell's shot is, but he isn't shy about shooting the puck from the point.  The Monsters kept the puck in the offensive zone most of the 5:00 and Campbell took a number of shots from the point includingone that beat the goalie during the 5 on 3.

Galiardi has a couple of good little moves.  He used one to score on a power play as more good passing got him the puck to the goalies right, he deked the goalie and then back-handed a shot between the goalie and the d-man to give the Monster's a 3-0 lead. I mentioned the passing...four good quick passes spread the defense out. The second to last pass came to Rowe (from Macias) in between the circle which drew one d-man up away from the crease on the fake shot, then Rowe passed down to Galiardi who basically had the goalie to beat.

Matt Hendricks - looks like a Smyth style player.  He scored in this game by working in/around the crease. They replayed some of his goals this season and a lot of them looked to be off deflections, or by picking up rebounds in the crease and banging them home. He seems to spend most of his time within a few feet of the goalie....

Hendrick's second goal was an ugly one for the goalie.  He made the initial stop on Hendricks shorthanded chance, but it had just enough to squeak through the pads and knuckle across the line.

Late in the game Hendricks had a chance at the hat-trick. With the Monsters on the power play, a shot was thrown on net and Hendricks was crashing in from the goalie's left for the chance.

Per Ledin scored a goal camped in the crease and took a beating for his trouble. Early in the game he drew the 5:00 penalty. He was hit along the boards (nothing wrong with the hit) but then the American's player decided to sprear him in the ribs...not sure if Ledin said samething to ruffle the guys feathers or what?

Can't really say too much about Wieman. He wasn't tested much through out the game (5 shots in the first) and both goals against were pretty good scores.  He did seemt o get across the crease fairly well...

It's just one game, but Hendricks looks like a guy that might be up with the Avs in the next year or two. Since he was just called up, it will be interesting to see if he plays, and if so, how he does.