Expert Analysis Weekend 2

[DarrenDregz]

Well, Its your Insider here for another weekend of exciting NL senior hockey! With talks between the NHL and NHLPA non-exsistent; I've had some more time to cover the NLSHL and look forward to watching closely this weekend!

Fans in Grand Falls have been patiently waiting for the Cats to take the ice for the first time in 2012 and finally tomorrow night they'll play host to the Gander Flyers. Top stories out of Grand Falls are the league debut of Luke Gallant, the Cats debut of Andrew Pearcey and the start of the A.J. Whiffen era. Luke Gallant will be a special player in this league and will be considered one of the top 5 dmen once the season is over. However, the expectations seem to be so very high! He will be great no doubt but I encourage fans to be patient and also realize that while he has major junior and university experience; he does not have NHL,AHL or european experience like Obrien and Lapointe. If Andrew Pearcey does indeed put on the Cats jersey this Saturday night, the fans are aware of what they'll get. High speed, High end talent that most importantly doesn't take a shift off! No Mark Yetman, No problem? To be determined! I believe Whiffen will be just fine as a starter in Grand Falls, he will look strong this weekend but don't be surprised if the Ceebees or Bous get to him once or twice this year. There doesn't seem to be a great deal of talk about Ryan Graham but I believe this guy is a huge pickup and he makes an immediate impact this weekend! As for the Flyers, they will be in search of they're first win again this weekend and I dont think they will get it. They'll need a stronger effort in terms of team defence and a strong goaltending performance. Expect the imports to be better this weekend and to see guys like Wadden and Pearson continue to find the scoresheet. As stated above, I expect the Cats will take both games this weekend but theres a chance that the Flyers could pick up the upset if the stars align on Sunday.

At the CEC this weekend we will see the first true heavyweight matchup of the season as the Caribous play host to the Eastlink CeebeeStars. Both teams are undefeated going in, will either team be undefeated coming out? The crowd at the CEC will be rocking and i'm sure with Mark Tobin gone, Ray Dalton will be the brunt of A LOT of heckling! Stack these two teams up against each other and they are fairly even! Steve Yetman and Keith Delaney are likely the top two playmakers in this league and should be fun to watch this weekend. My sources around the league tell me Donnie Gosse will make his season debut as will Doug Obrien. Thats a huge upgrade to the Ceebees defence in comparison to last weekend. Matt Bragg had a huge weekend last weekend in Deer Lake and will look to keep that going. I expect Andrew Sweetland to light the lamp a couple of times as he seems to like going shelf against the Ceebees. Charles Lavigne finds his way into a goalie duel with the best in the league Jason Churchill. Churchill is the measuring stick for goaltenders in this league and this weekends result will have Fans stating whether the Ceebees import goalie is worth it or not. Robert Slaney went pointless last week in his NLSHL debut, expect a bounce back this weekend but I suggest people take notice of this kids play without the puck, its not all about the score sheet! Expect to see the Ceebees find themselves down early in the first tomorrow night, probably a penalty and then a pp goal. Seems the Stars get off to slow starts; especially against the Bous. I expect the Bous will take both games this weekend with one game being by one goal and the other by multiple. Then cue the "why are they flying in Lavigne?" posts.

To touch on a couple of topics from this week. Yes, the insider expects the Ceebees will atleast attempt to get both Matthew Thomey and Matthew French their 6 games in before the playoffs. If they do indeed expect to get 6 in for Thomey, I speculate he could be at the SW Moores for the home opener in 2 weeks!
In regards to the Clarenville acquisition of Kennedy; not really a surprise. He suited up for them last year in the playoffs and he'll give them flexibilty moving forward. Not to mention the fact it also gives them a nice gambling chip to take to the table.

Well that'll do it for this edition folks, Hope this gets some good hockey discussion going! Myself and Bob Mckenzie are about to take in a round of golf, hope its not too windy for my hair. And remember, pay attention to who youre talking to at the games this weekend, It might be the Insider, right under your nose!

[meincbn]

In that case, maybe the CeeBees should stay home and save a pile of money?

[wingsdiehard]

i predict a split in the games.. caribous high end offense will meet a high end goaltender this weekend and if gosse and obrien are in the lineup then it just makes things even more so tough on the bous. lavigne will prove all the nay sayers wrong this weekend take it to the bank

[#1BousFan]

i predict a split in the games.. caribous high end offense will meet a high end goaltender this weekend and if gosse and obrien are in the lineup then it just makes things even more so tough on the bous. lavigne will prove all the nay sayers wrong this weekend take it to the bank

he won't be able to stop our offence for long

[geoela]

I know it is very very early....but from what I saw, Lavigne has trouble with long shots. He looked bad on a couple of goals last weekend from out a bit. In close, he looks pretty good. JMO.

[Hockey]

You make the real insiders look good. You cannot judge any player on a couple of games. The christmas break will be the first time you can give a report card on any players.

[DarrenDregz]

Its your Insider again, I'm hearing that Mike Dyke will not be in the Ceebees lineup this weekend.

Also, hockey, I assume you are offended because I predict the ceebees will lose both games this weekend? It is only a prediction my friend; I believe they will lose both but a split is possible and would be great for them. I myself have also been preaching patience to fans in regards to players and encouraging them not to "judge" them too soon. Just because I predict that people will question Lavigne if the ceebees lose both games this weekend, it doesn't mean I agree with them.

Ps, I am a real insider

[geno]

You are right, should be a couple of great games! CBs will have Gosse and O'brien in thier lineup and the Caribous will have their offence in high gear! Coming off a weekend where 8 of their 11 forwards had goals, this weekend sniper Chris Hulit.....last seasons second top scorer.....will make his season debut in the Caribous lineup. CBs import goal tender will be tested by the likes of Hulit, Desrosiers, Yetman, Bragg, Sweetland, Sullivan etc.

Should be a weekend of great hockey.......

[superfan]

You are right, should be a couple of great games! CBs will have Gosse and O'brien in thier lineup and the Caribous will have their offence in high gear! Coming off a weekend where 8 of their 11 forwards had goals, this weekend sniper Chris Hulit.....last seasons second top scorer.....will make his season debut in the Caribous lineup. CBs import goal tender will be tested by the likes of Hulit, Desrosiers, Yetman, Bragg, Sweetland, Sullivan etc.

Should be a weekend of great hockey.......

BANG BANG BANG !!!!

[seniorhockey]

There doesn't seem to be a great deal of talk about Ryan Graham but I believe this guy is a huge pickup and he makes an immediate impact this weekend!

This will be hard for Graham to do Dregz seeing as he will not be there. I figured a man with your credentials would have been able to source this information. In the meantime, when he does debut in 2 weeks time, I will differ on your synopsis and do not believe he will have the impact you are predicting.