Most Important Win of the Preseason!
So far.
Sure, it's the pre and we're jaded playoff fans, but still... was fun to see the new (and old) kids in blue in the ROG. And winning!
Fun game. Some good plays. Some tasty turnovers. And some promising prospects. And Arturs wins the preseason Vezina in playoff style. Woo!
Nucks got on the board first in the 1st. Hoagie scores on the PP. His 1st PP tally in a couple years. With sweet tictac apples from Räty and Karlsson.
Another Nucking PP puts the red lights on in the ROG. Rocket Ronnie scores his 1st goal of the almost season. Assists from Brock and Lekkerimäki.
SeaTurtles come back to score early in the 3rd. Too early, actually.
Doesn't matter.
Lekkerimäki, played an excellent game, was on the ice late defending the 5-on-6. Sets up Suter for the EN and 2nd GWG.
Nucks (almost) shutout the Krake 3-1.
1st Impressions
Lekkerimäki looked good. Only had a big bobbly on his 1st shift - but fresh young turnovers are part of a prospect's diet. Was good defensively and offensively for most of the game. One game might be a tad short of meaningful data, but expect he'll be on the big team in October.
Räty was a monster in the dot. And around the net. With BC Faeries starting early, could be his chance to center the 4th line. For at least a few weeks.
Karlsson was looking good too.
Liked Wolanin's game - made a very smart play to setup the tictac PP goal. And the ice-fighter, Friedman had a tilt with Tanev. Was hitting Seaturtles hard, including should-checking Tanev off a sure goal.
GMPA has more stocking stuffers in the prospect closet this season. That's good... because greedy BC Faeries are having an early harvest festival of injuries.
Video Replay
How sweet to hear the Shortie's P-B-P tones again... Missed him in the playoffs... but he's back to cover the Nucking important games - not those tedious HNIC ones.
STATS? Yes, STATS R Back.
TACO TALK
"Good effort. Sloppy at times. Kids played well. Silovs played well. He was right there. He doesn't get rattled." About Lekkerimäki, "Pretty smart kid. He's gonna get more comfortable."
Welcome back NM! For those of you keenly interested in the zero-point season, this was a good game.
Tomorrow, the Nucking payroll heavies play Cowtown in Abby. How exciting!