Cats Considered Underdogs

[NLHockeyTalk.ca]

I agree with Hockey Dave. Sure Gallant and Fergus are top imports but its the locals and draft picks that put the Cats slightly ahead of the other teams.

Locals in Sibley, Brent and Dalley. All 3 great hockey players.

The biggest thing is their draft picks....

Wicks. Cole. Bussey. McGuirk and now Lindstrom....

These guys are guys the Cataracts selected ( quite often with the last pick of each round ) Some were picked after other teams had passed on a pick.
Meanwhile they contribute greatly. getting almost 70 points between them. ( 30, 7, 23, 4 , 4 )Lindstrom stepped in and because a solid 5th/6th defensemen. Find another team where their draft picks have contributed as much as these guys have.

Evan, I agree with this. They definitely did their homework & wanted players that fit into their style of hockey.

Watched Wicks play & come into his own. A great player. McGuirk is there with the best of them.

Solid lines.

This is going to be some fine hockey IMO.

[evanpenton]

Cant wait !

[Flyer24]

The two time defending champs,with all the award winners, and by far the best import are certainly not the underdogs. Nice try though. I'm not sure anyone on the Royal's even listens to what young Hynes says so I am pretty sure it won't really bother the Cats haha.

[superfan]

I agree with Hockey Dave. Sure Gallant and Fergus are top imports but its the locals and draft picks that put the Cats slightly ahead of the other teams.

Locals in Sibley, Brent and Dalley. All 3 great hockey players.

The biggest thing is their draft picks....

Wicks. Cole. Bussey. McGuirk and now Lindstrom....

These guys are guys the Cataracts selected ( quite often with the last pick of each round ) Some were picked after other teams had passed on a pick.
Meanwhile they contribute greatly. getting almost 70 points between them. ( 30, 7, 23, 4 , 4 )Lindstrom stepped in and because a solid 5th/6th defensemen. Find another team where their draft picks have contributed as much as these guys have.

Evan, I agree with this. They definitely did their homework & wanted players that fit into their style of hockey.

Watched Wicks play & come into his own. A great player. McGuirk is there with the best of them.

Solid lines.

This is going to be some fine hockey IMO.

Hey Barry, will you be at the Joe on Sunday, if so I can meet you at the Governors Table(beer garden)and buy a round of BUD LIGHT .

[NLHockeyTalk.ca]

Unfortunately, no. I have prior work commitments.

I am going to miss some fine hockey (I may get to watch online).

I am wishing both teams well but have to say - the Royals that I saw play this past Sunday, were on their game & they want this victory!

[superfan]

Unfortunately, no. I have prior work commitments.

I am going to miss some fine hockey (I may get to watch online).

I am wishing both teams well but have to say - the Royals that I saw play this past Sunday, were on their game & they want this victory!

10/4 we will catch up with you some how, and I agree the Royals are on their game .


... and this is their time

[smogdog]

it makes it easy to be on your game when you are playing a team with a lot of injuries and missing players. i think cb got lucky that the bous never had a full lineup

[NLHockeyTalk.ca]

it makes it easy to be on your game when you are playing a team with a lot of injuries and missing players. i think cb got lucky that the bous never had a full lineup

No doubt the Bous having several players missing impacted their lineup. They did run out of gas in my opinion, but I also noted that they did not play Bavis & Smith that much either - opting to go with the more experienced skaters while having at least some fresh legs to throw out.

I've watched all but 1 game here in Corner Brook this season & Sunday was the best that I have seen the Royals play in any of the games (at least in my opinion). Their Saturday night performance was typical here at the Civic Centre. They've come out flat a number of weekends. The change to the Hodder may give them the "on the road" feeling where they seem to play that much better on Saturday.

I don't think that the Royals winning in 7 is any indication that they won't do well in the finals. I think it speaks more to the heart of the Caribous for not giving up.

As for the Hynes indicating that he feels the Royals have the advantage ... what would you expect him to say ... "No, we're going to lay down and give the championship to the Cataracts because they're the first place team"??? He's obviously showing confidence in his team & doing what he should do - hype the match-up.

I don't think that any Royals or Cats fans should think that this championship is a given for either club. This is a game where anything can happen. A bad call here, a puck bounce here ... and it's a whole different series.

[superfan]

They played a similar game as the cats do .

[timbits]

Whoever wins or loses, I just hope that this series comes down to a game 7, give the fans some awesome hockey. We know this should be a rough hard checking series with two very talented teams. Let's hope for some close one goal games, keep us all on the edge. Obviously hope the cats win but I know that the royals fans deserve to see a herder.. Let's hope for two healthy line ups and none of that "take out their best player" crap. Can't wait for the games this weekend!