My observations at a Monsters Game

by ProfessorOak on Nov 26, 2011 9:50 PM MST

While ya'll were watching the Avs play, I was at the Bears and Monsters game, where I was hoping to watch Stefan Elliott (heh) but here is what I noticed. More after the jump...

1. Gaunce - He is really a nasty player. He hits ALOT and if there is a scrum, you can bet your life that he is in the middle of it, and if he isn't he is definitely making his way over. He has a decent shot, but nothing fantastic. What impressed me with his shot is that he can find the net pretty well (see antonym for Matt Hunwick). I maybe saw him out of position once, MAYBE. The one thing that worries me is that he was so nasty that it was almost borderline dirty. He took atleast one stupid roughing penalty, and I can see those hurting the team. Oh and btw, from how he looked last night, he is NHL ready in basically all aspects of his game.
2. Bordello - He is huge, just beyond big. As we expect, nothing special on offense but he must have laid at least 3 big hits, clean ones too. He rushed the point and landed a Bears player right on his ass. Love him, he is a real guy that can bring energy.
3. Malone - Didn't notice him all that much until he scored the GWG with 20 seconds left in the game. He just drove the net in a scrambling play that could have been whistled and put it in the twine. He is as advertised, a good grinder.
4. Cedrick was scratched (although looked real good in warm ups) so Cann - He is just bad... period. VERY weak blocker side, not very positionally sound and isn't very confident out there.
5. Luke Walker - this guy is fast, real fast. He plays a lot like Hishon in the way that he isn't big, but he throws his weight around. If there were one word to describe Walker, it would be a pest. He scored a good goal, picked up a juicy rebound and outwaited the goalie, then roofed it.

6. Mauldin - He seems to have lost a step but still has good speed. He is a pretty decent PKer.

7. Stoa - lol, he had a couple assists, but he really just didn't play all too well. He was fairly physical though, which is weird... then again the whole team is REAL physical (maybe it's Quinn).

8. Barrie - Barrie really impressed me. He had two assists on the night. He didn't tie up his man in front of the net for a redirection goal and his defensive play all game was probably average. He definitely shines in the offensive zone. His decision making was perfect, EVERY time he pinched, it was the right time to pinch, and he kept the puck. EVERY pass of his was crisp and tape to tape. He has a pretty good shot on top of that. One of his assists came off a shot wide which to me seemed like he aimed there as opposed to HS (Hunwick Syndrome). Overall, good game by him.

This game got REAL chippy towards the end, and it was a great game. Final Score, Monsters - 5 and Bears - 4

Total PIM - 76

If I missed anyone, then they either didn't play, or I didn't notice them all that much. Feel free to ask about any players that I have missed though. Hopefully this gives you some insight as to what we have in the minors (albeit just one game and a small sample size).

MileHighHockey.com is a fan community, allowing members to post their own thoughts and opinions on the Colorado Avalanche and hockey in general. These views and thoughts may not be shared by the editors of MileHighHockey.com.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Great observations. Everything you said is pretty much the same as what we saw in camp and preseason. I’m looking forward to hitting a game in March when they play in OK. Thanks, btw! Love the info!!

Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120

by Cheryl Bradley on Nov 26, 2011 10:42 PM MST reply actions

We need some nasty in NHL.

by Ilkinio on Nov 27, 2011 3:18 AM MST reply actions

Wow. I went to the Marlies home opener, which was against the Monsters, and the entire team really sucked. The Marlies slogan is ‘Every Game Is A Tryout’, and after the game, I thought no-one on the Monsters was ready to play in the NHL. Bordello was probably the best player that game, but even then, he was only really noticeable in the first. Both Barrie and Elliot had decent defensive plays, but they also had stupid turnovers, blown coverage, etc. Stoa really sucked, but that wasn’t a surprise. Good to hear the players are picking it up, because I was really disappointed watching our prospects play.

by some white guy on Nov 27, 2011 6:41 AM MST reply actions

From what I’ve heard of the team, we had a REALLY slow start this year. I’m glad to see they’re coming back to normal. Add some Hish and Olvertine and we’ll be good to go.

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.

by andidee15 on Nov 27, 2011 8:48 AM MST up reply actions

The Monsters did

and then Cedrick returned… It’s amazing how different you play when you have confidence in your goalie, currently he is statistically the best goalie in the league (outside wins and possibly shut outs).

by ProfessorOak on Nov 27, 2011 1:16 PM MST up reply actions

Once I learned about him, I was psyched that we picked him up this summer. A tandem of him and Pickard/Aittokallio/Millan/Patterson should be really good for the Monsters next year.

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.

by andidee15 on Nov 27, 2011 6:20 PM MST up reply actions

agreed

It’s just, who goes where since 4 goalies won’t (and i believe can’t) be splitting time in Lake Erie.

by ProfessorOak on Nov 27, 2011 6:59 PM MST up reply actions

the Avs have to extend him

before we can dream about Cedrick next year.

Someone will come calling with the money for him this summer so the Avs better get on it and lock him into a really nice contract with the thought that he could work towards back-up for the Avs when Giggy moves on.

In all honesty… if the Avs can settle down and get some wins for the next month or two, I would not be against seeing what they could get for Giggy from a team in dire need of goaltending. Which surprisingly is a lot of teams (hellooooo Columbus!). Sure it hurts the Monsters moving Cedric up but about that time they could do a PTO contract with one of their college goalies and see what they have in them.

Languishing for Landeskog

by zandar on Nov 27, 2011 7:57 PM MST up reply actions

good to see you were able to catch a Monsters game and report back your thoughts.

As for the style of play that sometimes borders on dirty…
they played Hershey which is a close rival and always a top team in the league. And its the AHL where you get a lot more questionable hits and antics so if you are a passive team you will get ate alive. Granted that may sound kind of extreme but until you see someone like Scott Parker take on two guys then tear away from 2 officials to take on a 3rd player… you don’t really know how crazy the AHL can be.

Any thoughts on Mercier or Carman? Mercier may not have a future with the Avs due to the 27631863 bottom 6 players they have but Carman is quality and just getting back into the rhythm of things.

Languishing for Landeskog

by zandar on Nov 27, 2011 9:17 AM MST reply actions

On Carmen, I was debating on whether or not to write about him. On the stat sheet he was invisible, all 0’s but on the ice, he was probably one of the better forecheckers. He didn’t register a shot, but he worked fairly well behind the net and getting pucks that were in deep.
Mercier got a goal, basically a garbage goal, but he was in the right spot to get it, so I’ll give credit where it is due. Other than that, he wasn’t all that noticeable. There is nothing that stands out about him either positively or negatively. I guess the word I’m looking for is solid.

by ProfessorOak on Nov 27, 2011 1:22 PM MST up reply actions

unless Radar stays as 3rd line center...

Carman could develop into a great 3rd line center for the Avs. At the very least he’s going to be a pain to play against on the 4th line and be a threat on the PK.

Languishing for Landeskog

by zandar on Nov 27, 2011 8:00 PM MST up reply actions

I dunno if I’d say he could develop as a “great” 3rd line center, but a pretty good one nonetheless, he just swarms the puck, and bugs the shit out of people.

by ProfessorOak on Nov 27, 2011 8:10 PM MST up reply actions

Good to know we have one of those in the system. Long term, I see Radar in a Top 6 role. Whether the team is rolling 2 scoring lines or 3 still remains to be seen and depends on wingers, but I do think that his days as a one-dimensional defensive center are done. He’s quickly becoming a 2-way playmaker, and if he can just add a bit more finish, he’d be a very solid 2nd line center.

Carman and Malone – two very good options I’m happy we have.

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs.
Varly: you're awesome. We love you. Please don't break.

by andidee15 on Nov 28, 2011 4:12 AM MST up reply actions

I completely agree

I think Radar has taken huge steps so far this year, he just needs to work on finishing, and if there is one thing we know Radar can do, it’s work on something. His defensive aspect is his strongest part of his game, and nothing about him is flashy, but he gets it done, remind you of a certain player we may have just recently drafted?
On Malone, I love what he brings, it’s rare to have a 4th line center have somewhat of a scoring threat.

by ProfessorOak on Nov 28, 2011 3:36 PM MST up reply actions