Did not feel like a great period, but Slovenia cannot manfight Austria's power line and top pairing.

Zitat von Poke Check

Who wouldn't.

But to look at him doesn't mean you can get him. It's not as if Innsbruck isn't happy to get those kind of players (see Wachter and Kromp), but it's neither a given their club parts with them nor the players want to come to Innsbruck (see Dario Winkler who preferred Vienna and it's not hard to see why).

I don't think Salzburg would hold him with too tight a grip. Despite his junior national team pedigree, he's probably fallen to the bottom of the list of 98s, and has spent half the season with the farmteam. Of course, they would still have to pay...

Interesting you mention that. I have actually found that it is true that many players don't wish to go back and play in their hometowns. Many have a lot of negative sentiments associated with it. However, I think most farmteam players would eventually be willing to go to a place like Innsbruck. There used to be this mentality that went around that I thought was extremely destructive that "I don't want to play on a team that loses all the time", or something like that. But the players have observed how well their compatriots are doing on loan programs, and have become more open to the idea. I think if Innsbruck went to SBG's or KAC's farmteam and asked around, they could get a decent player or two.

Zitat von Fan_atic01

Ich bitte dich um 5 Namen aus der Alps, die Innsbruck auf Anhieb helfen würden.

Someone Innsbruck should look at is Samuel Witting. He's not really a priority for Salzburg at this point. He's a hometown kid. He's no gamechanger, but I'd much rather have Samuel Witting play 15 minutes a game for me than Michael Kuprian or Clemens Paulweber.

Zitat von R.Bourque

you've put a lot of effort in that post and I think it does merit an answer. The bad news is, I don't think you're on the right track - and even if you were, it wouldn't change a thing. Salzburg is one of the three organizations with a) the most money and b) the most man-power. If they don't make it work, how would anyone else? KAC are clearly doing a mighty fine job at this point. Both systems - and to a lesser degree, the Viennese one - have produced competent young players. I'll over-generalize here but the other clubs produced their young players despite the way they're organized on not because of a sustainable idea. Now, how will these players be able to make their way further on in their careers and further up the lineups (and consequently, for those that put an emphasis on such matters, play a role in the national team)?
One: they need to be better. They need to put everything in there and force the hands of their coaches. It's the same stpory all over again, If you can't show your coach you'll give your team a fraction of a chance to win than when another guy is in the lineup, you will not succeed.
We've gotta split it up here again.
Since this is not happening, what is the reason for it not happening:
A) Coaches are clueless and we, who don't see the players in their daily workouts and trainig sessions know more than they do. Possibly, but doubtful.
B) The players don't show enough hunger/desire or, let's break it down, potential to win the game at any given night than a has-been NHL-winger who#s forced to play at center.

Zitat von R.Bourque

So, I don't get my chances here, what do i do? Stay in the warmth of a "big" organization, play my 12 to 8 minutes a night ( or door-duty), depending on coaches mood and make enough money tp pay for a flat and a car (oddly enough, Niko doesn't need either cause he lives at home and doesn't drive - or didn't when I last saw him)? Or are there other routes I could pursue? Could I go to a different country? to learn and comeback with skills I didn't have- as Kalt Koch and Heinrich (examples) did?

Join A different club in the league (on loan?) and arrange for a more important role than the one I'd have with the coach over there and proove my worth?

Failing that, seek employment ( or loan agreement) a tier below and proove my worth?

there are options. The young players will have to take them and force their way into the top-six.

(in the end, the clubs have themselves killed a points regulation that made sense by extending the 0-point-Protection to sub-24 instead of the planned sub-20. Sub-20-rule would've meant you can't sit 22 to 24 year olds year olds for zero points to make up the numbers. You'd have to pay/use points for those. And if you have to do that, you can't fit as many imports in the lineup. And if you can't do that, the 20-24 year olds would automatically get more ice time. The clubs didn't want that, led by vienna who didn't want to pay/use points for a 22 year old Raffi Rotter in 2009. Yes' it's that long ago.,BUt that's just a side note)

We're looking at a much more important issue as this quote shows:

es wurde, glaube ich, noch nicht verstanden, dass es weniger um den sportlichen Erfolg als viel mehr ums Überleben geht. Die Angst konnte mir noch keiner nehmen.

At this point, without a league sponsor and without a Deal for the TV rights, we will not have a league at all - beacuse no one will be willing and /or able to pay for the structure behind it. People in charge have by far failed to deliver a concept as to what would happen once Erste Group says "fuck it, we're not paying that anymore". There are fractions moving in different directions - including the absurd idea of self-marketing by a club who doesn't even know whether there'll be a league to play in next season. The presidents' meeting will shed some light - and we'll hear about it a few hours/days later depending on when graz or villach feels it suits them to spill the beans.

I'd really like to know who people think is going to pay for all this personnel and structures. Refs cost money, Organization costs money, producing live games cost money and in most fans' ideal world, every game (of their team because fuck the others) should be available on freeTv.

We're in deeper doo-doo than most here realize.


Sorry, I had to cut off there due to the limit of 10.000 characters. Rubbish idea.

Alles anzeigen

On the issue you labeled more pressing, I'll plead ignorance. The players I asked said "it'll be ok, other sponsors will come along." I don't think they did much reading up on it either, but none of us really have much control over that and I suspect fretting will not be excessively helpful.

You presented a binary which I think is worth discussing or pondering.

1. Coaches are clueless

or

2. Players are inadequate compared to former NHL players

To the latter. This is certainly true. But to return to the outset of my statement. The legio reductions affect every team. Each team has a limited number of these former NHL players, and most teams field bottom six lines at some point or another that don't consistent largely of former NHL players. A goal scored against Bar, Paulweber, Vallant, etc counts for as much as a goal against Fischer, Hansson, Kozek etc. The question isn't "are the legios or the osis better?" That's a settled question. The question is more of "why are our osis not victimizing the osis of other teams?" The question is not whether the osis should be on top lines, or whether they should receive pp time. They shouldn't. My question is why, despite the deterioration of the competition's 3rd and 4th lines, young 3rd and 4th lines continue to be so inefficient at scoring. Depth scoring certainly may be harder if you have a better team like KAC. However, in the absence of the ability to buy more former NHL players, you're stuck with the locals to provide depth scoring.

To the former. This is obviously construed in a way such that it would seem implausible, and I agree with you that it is an implausible view. But there are some things that should be considered when discussing how much knowledge the coaches and especially the GMs do have on hand. For instance. NHL teams bring all prospects and AHL stars into their pre-season camps to evaluate them. Then the AHL teams bring ECHL players aboard, etc. So for instance, this was the NY Ranger's preseason roster.

https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2019/9/11/2086…ing-camp-roster

Red Bull to my knowledge doesn't do this. They have a team bonding event, volleyball I think and a 3v3 game for dinner between the Alps team and the EBEL. But they don't actually have their prospects train with the senior team and then send players down as they are eliminated from the process. This leaves the coach without valuable information. Coach McIlvane is a great man, diligent coach, he watches the farmteam home games. However, there are natural concerns. You see a guy like Tim harnisch who likes to solo a lot at the alps level, a natural question is "will that work in the EBEL?" Without bringing him up for practices, it's hard to tell. Also, because they've never practiced with the senior team before, you bring a guy like Filip Varejcka up. He has never played with the team before. He doesn't know the players, he doesn't know the plays, he doesn't know the system, all he had was a pregame skate. Of course he is not going to leave a strong impression. But if these players trained with the senior team during pre-season, they would be easier to integrate into the system and both the coach and the GM (who controls these player movements) would have a better idea of how to plan things. So are they clueless? No. But are they operating on insufficient information? Maybe.

And I think this is the new reality of the EBEL. With the point reductions, previously you could have like 14, 15 legios, you could have 3 lines of foreigners. The one line of young austrians wouldn't matter, they only play like 5 minutes anyways. So, as a GM, you could afford not to put any attention into which youths you signed. Just sign all the ones who turned 21. Now you probably need some lines with Austrians in them. Two, maybe if you have a string of injuries, maybe even three lines. If you still have that mentality of "we'll just take the oldest guys, because it doesn't really matter", especially if there aren't good synergies between the 4 98' born players (there aren't), then you will naturally lack depth scoring.

Zitat von WiPe

kein qualitätsverlust erkennbar? ok es ist wohl die frage wie man "Qualität" definiert.

am Beispiel Salzburg. wir hatten lange zweit zumindest 3 Linien die halbwegs gescored haben.

Jetzt haben wir eine Toplinie die Scored - eine zweite Linie die an Effizienz (noch?) zu wünschen über lässt und zwei Linien die "Ergebnis halten" bzw "Gegner müde machen" spielen

davon werden die jungen meiner Meinung nach auch nicht besser.

ich hab heuer das gefühl das Hochkofler und Huber in der Entwicklung nicht weiter kommen.

Die Jungen spielen zwar viel Unterzahl aber "schönes" Eishockey ist es nicht.

Und das ist für mich sehr wohl ein Qualitätsverlust.

das "secondary scoring" ist heuer in sbg quasi nicht vorhanden

Alles anzeigen

I think this is a really good point, which is why I want to push back on it. I think there's a lot that's valid here.

However, I think the reason that these lines struggle with scoring is precisely for the reason you mentioned. These lines receive no care, they're not properly planned. They're put out there for the sole purpose of maintaining the status quo. And that's exactly what they accomplish. Think about it this way. Salzburg vs. Innsbruck. First forty seconds is shift one for each team, let's just say line 1 vs line 1 ("good on good"). Next forty seconds is second shift for each team. "Twos on twos." So you have your Salzburg line three, vs. Innsbruck line three. Bar, Paulweber, Ludin, and defensemen Vallant and Nussbaumer. Is this really an impossible line to score against? Is it even a difficult line to score against? For anyone in the Salzburg system, scoring against such a line should not only be possible but easily attainable. Even if you're playing a powerhouse like Vienna. Maybe the third line is Artner, Winkler, Grosslercher, Birnbaum and Dorion. Maybe it's better, maybe Winkler and Wukovits are there instead. That should not be an insurmountable line to score against either. Now, obviously, as the game goes on, different lines play different lines, and there's a good bit of line matching as well. If I think my top line has the best chance to score against your 4th line, I might plan accordingly, etc.

With all due respect and reverence, I don't get the sense that the Salzburg staff put any effort into deciding who should be in the bottom six. They don't put effort into how the bottom six should be organized. They don't even really put effort into deciding who should be on the senior team. They merely sign every year the kids who most recently turned 21. And those are the new senior team members. Well, those aren't the best players. Anyone who watches the farmteam can tell very quickly. But that's not the point. That's not the purpose. Bottom 6ers are just treated as warm bodies, in which case sorting by age makes just as much sense as sorting by any other mechanism.

A guy like Nico Feldner, for example, needs a specific style of player to enable him to score. He isn't a consistent puck-handler in his own right, even at the AlpsHL level, you will not see him handle the puck more than necessary. But he has a big shot, good forechecking, and can make good moves around the net. You can say "wow, so many limitations." Absolutely. None of these kids are complete players, but that's just a fact of reality. So, if you wanted a line where you maximized Nico's offensive potential, you'd have to have two good puck-handlers who could play give-and-go hockey away from him, until he got open in an area where he might be dangerous. So, something like Varejcka and Baltram comes to mind. And he would compliment them in the respect that he is more physically competent at this level. Or take a guy like Mario Huber. You've definitely seen more of him than I have recently. However, he has some notable strengths. He's a pretty smart player, he's got good hands. On the other hand, he's not extremely fast, he probably under-utilizes his body, and he often requires set up as well. He's far from what you'd imagine your perfect give and go hockey player to be. So if you have Huber and Feldner, two players on a line that both like being set up, and you have one player on that line who has to play give and go hockey with himself, that's going to be a tough line to score with. Another approach you could take. Huber and Baltram like taking shots. If you could raise their shot percentages, you would have more third line scoring. Someone like Max Rebernig is perfect for that. He's the best kid at deflecting shots, screening the goal, rebounds, in the entire Austrian junior system. He is a bit like Feldner in that he can't really handle the puck or make high hockey IQ plays. But if your goal is just to help Baltram (s% 2.7%) and Huber (s% 13.8%), players who want to take shots on net, get their shots in the net, a guy like Max is what you're looking for. He's also a great defensive forward, and a great shot-blocker. Or take a guy like Tim Harnisch. Incredible individual offensive potential, but what I call a "greedy" player, it doesn't mean the player is selfish but that he requires a lot of a resource (possession) to be effective. To get this out of the way, Tim is the best offensive talent in the system, Varejcka is the only one who can be debated. He has more scoring ability by far than Feldner, Pilloni, Witting, Klockl, etc. There is absolutely something to be gained from playing a kid like Harnisch. But you'd need to put him with someone like Michael Schiechl. Someone who is not greedy, who can contribute to the game even if he has the puck on his stick less, and even win more possessions to give Tim more chances to score. These are just a few examples of ways the lower lines might be encouraged to score more.

The problem with Austrian youth is typically not that they're mildly poor at everything, but that they're good enough at some things and heavily lacking at others. The reason Nico scored so many points in a short period of time during the last regular season was because he was placed with legios whose skills complimented his weaknesses. And the reason he stopped scoring was because he was placed on generic bottom 6 lines.The legio restrictions apply to everyone. Not only Salzburg is fielding less experienced rosters, everyone is. Under the right circumstances, he could probably become a viable scorer in the league again. And I do not believe he is the only one, in fact I think there are others who would likely make a greater impact. Think back to the last 1 seed vs. 2 seed matchup KAC vs. RBS recently. Holloway, Brickley, and Feldner. That's a strong line in the sense that Holloway and Brickley are strong players. But do they bring something to Feldner or vise versa that compliments the play styles? Maybe. McIlvane knows more about hockey than I do, he certainly could see something there. But Brickley and Holloway don't really need the physical help that Feldner provides. Both Brickley and Holloway love to shoot, and Feldner's shot is really the only other thing you would call him for. Meanwhile, Holloway especially but Brickley also can make plays, sure. They can create chances for Feldner. But that's not really what they would really be doing if they were playing to their greatest strengths. On the 2nd line, you play against the opposing 2nd line more often, if you were on the 3rd line you might play the 3rd line more often. They may objectively be better playmakers than someone on a lower line, but against expected competition, they may provide Feldner less in the way of chances, etc. The third line was Schiechl, Hochkofler, and Huber. Schiechl and Hochkofler we will call two-way players. Huber likes his set up. KAC is the best defensive team in the league, only 42 GA. Nothing is impossible, but that line doesn't look like a line that is trying to score. Witting, Pilloni, Zitz. That line is not going to bring much offense, in fact, they had zero shots on goal. Finally, the top line with Baltram. Kolarik-Baltram-Hughes. Again, that is a good line, but it's a good line because Kolarik and Hughes are good players. It's an undersized line. I'm not convinced yet that Baltram has physical competency at this level of hockey. Hughes and Thomas Raffl is a great pair, and for obvious reasons, as they compliment each other strongly. Raffl returned the very next game and the line scored 3 goals. Baltram doesn't bring what Raffl brings, or close. He's not a poor man's Raffl, they are just conceptually different players. Also, because Baltram lacks physical competency, what he wants is someone to make up for that by being physically imposing. So Baltram doesn't seem to bring to his linemates what they would like, and they don't bring to him what he would like.

All this to illustrate my opinion that young Austrian talents are unique. If their talents were uniquely appreciated, and they were treated as potential scorers, I think they would show a greater ability to score.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me like there's been more life among the young players in the EBEL this year than any other year. Pity the stats haven't reflected it yet. However, I feel like players like the boys in Villach, and Kromp and Wachter in Innsbruck, and Baltram in Salzburg, the boys in Linz, even Nissner leaving and opening a spot for Wukovits and Salzburg finally allowing Winkler to Vienna. There's been more mobility, and I feel like the young players are better for it.

Bit surprised not to see Lukas Goggel on the U18 list. Has to work on his skating, but the kid has shown some poise with Bregenzerwald. Big kid, when he gets faster he has the potential to be physically punishing, and a pretty good passer.

Only one line could amount any sort of offense, Peeters-Baumi-Hubi. Other three lines just played 5 man pk.

That line did really well though. That line could be good some day at the next level.

It's been a rough season for the red bull players. They're far behind the PPGs they aimed for before the season. They won't stop until the buzzer...

Forgive me if, by some mis-translation, I misunderstood the point being made.

I've known of the Hammerle boys now for many years, heard nothing but the highest praise for them from other KAC players. Until today, I had no clue that they were not Karnteners, having played now at least the 6th year in KAC, and possibly more. At this point, I don't think the distinction between them and actual Karnteners really needs to be made.

Zitat von fishstick

kabidjan14 Ober was already presented on Facebook! Philipp Maurer as well.

Weiß wer was es mit Mitsch auf sich hat? Da kenn ich nur den von den 99ers. Und Konya ist der zurück aus Schweden?

I could have phrased that better. I saw he was on the team, but not in the game, and assumed he's injured now.

And I was remarking on the instagram post calling Maurer "Mauer".

I was wondering the same thing about Mitsch. And probably yes for Konya.

So, I assume "Mauer" is Philipp Maurer. My question would be who they will get from the senior team. Julian Pusnik and Stefan Freunschlag would seem likely. Maybe also a defenseman, either Kragl or Wolf? That would put the senior team at 2-7-13, and give the farmteam a bit more to work with. And if they intend to get Laurens Ober back. Aside from these, it wouldn't be the worst idea to pick up a handful of cheap imports. A couple of Lithuanians later, and this team wouldn't be too far back compared to where KAC was in 2016-17.

I imagine they will receive significant reinforcements from the EBEL side...

Zitat von Haxo

Bin schon heiß auf die internationalen Spiele!

Zu Tappara kann ich noch sagen dass ich Charles Bertrand bei Sibir 3-4 mal spielen sehen hab und er mir damals sehr getaugt hat, hab ihn sogar mal im KAC Transfergeflüster vorgeschlagen.

Hab den als technisch versierten, quirligen Spieler mit guten Händen und super Pässen in Erinnerung, der sehr viele Chancen kreiert hat. Der ist glaub ich sehr stark! Sogar mal ein Spiel für die Jungbullen gemacht lt. EP.

Und Wouter Peeters - hat lang in Salzburg gespielt, der ist ja bestimmt mit diesem Senna Peeters verwandt, der ja für Österreich spielberechtigt ist, wer weiß da was kabidjan14 oder ein Salzburger vielleicht?

Wouter is not related to Senna, though I made the same mistake as well.

I'm hoping the best for Senna's eligibility but I'm growing more and more pessimistic because, in my experience, the longer this bureaucratic stuff drags on, the less likely it is to clear. In future articles I think I will take a wait-and-see approach to his situation.

Hochegger shouldn't have too many problems with strength. I'm pretty sure he's up to 77 kg ore more and benches 80 kg or more, which are both respectable. He's not Nico Sturm though, that much is clear.

2018-19 Post-Season Top 5+1 Austrian Rankings: Rock Bottom

https://authockeytxreports.wordpress.com/2019/05/28/201…gs-rock-bottom/

Zitat von Johnny-Canuck

Translation would be nice

*google translate*

The rivals of the national team of Belarus in qualifying for the Olympics-2022 have become known

According to Hockey.by, the national team of Belarus will compete with the teams of Slovakia and Austria for the right to play at the 24th Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. Another rival of our hockey players will be determined by the results of prequalification tournaments that will be played in the winter of next year. Belarusians, Slovaks and Austrians will get the team with the lowest rating in the IIHF summary table among the winners of the subgroups in the preliminary qualification round.

It is also known that the competition in our top four will take Slovakia. Matches of the final Olympic qualification will be played in the late summer of 2020.

Recall the XXIV Olympic Winter Games will be held from 4 to 22 February 2022 in Beijing (China). In the ice hockey tournament of the Olympiad will be attended by 12 teams: 8 teams, located at 1-8 places in the IIHF ranking, China as the host country of the competition, as well as three winners of the final qualifying tournaments.

Not sure this is where to put this, but here goes.

https://hockey.by/news/sobytie/news68453.html

A. Please, please, no legio naturalizations.

B. If legio naturalizations, not just anyone who is old and has been around for a long time. Get someone like Adam Comrie.

Zitat von Haxo

I agree with almost everything u stated, but for the part on Hundertpfund. Being a slow footed guy in first place - ok. But going stale mode not even able to cut off players along the boards due to laziness and not moving your feet is inacceptable and in this shape he is absolutely useless in whatever position on any team at this level.

Komarek played an ok tournament imho, but his efforts on the d side of things in yesterdays game was ridiculous. He was cruising all over the place leaving his guys wide open several times. That was a shame and i wonder how things like that happen for a guy like him being easily our best player along Raffle.

Yeah, he really got caught watching from no-man's land on the second goal. I think it's just a case of not taking the opponent seriously. Angelo Miceli is a naturalized legio, he's no joke. If Hofer was longer maybe he breaks that pass up as well, or gets a stick on it. Just way too easy. It's that post-go-ahead-goal complacency. When you think you can score any time you turn the heat up, you neglect to actually turn the heat up as often as you need to win the game.

The youngsters are on the clock. They have two years. If there was any doubt, now we know, this should be their team then.

First of all, what killed the team this tournament was the complacency each time they scored a tying goal or went up a goal. They would be bookin it and bookin it and finally score...and then suddenly, "alright, time to rest. We did good." If you do not build a lead, it will crumble. All it takes is a stray bounce, a crazy individual effort, an unintentional deflection, one careless moment from the goalie and suddenly that tie turns into 1 goal down or that 1 goal lead turns into a tie and a tie turns into a shoot out. And then it's hard to get back into that fighter mindset after you have been cruising for a while. One cannot CANNOT take your foot off the gas pedal.

We have to talk personnel, it's unavoidable. Lots of people are angry at Thomas Hundertpfund, and I tend to disagree. I strong disagreed with Bader trying to use him as a 3rd line or higher player, that is ridiculous. However, as the 4th-line checking line center he can be useful. He works hard in his own end, good puck protection skills. Won't score much, maybe the occasional goal, but he brings what you're looking for to a 4th line player.

The whole blue line needs to go. I say that somewhat figuratively and somewhat literally. They couldn't move the puck. They couldn't defend. They were constantly late on pinches. They couldn't even be relied on for a good hard slapshot like the Norwegian defensemen. On a good team maybe Heinrich is the 6th defenseman and Unterweger is the 7th, or vise-versa. But perhaps even preferably not.

Coaches loves Cijan because he plays with great vigor. But it hasn't brought anything to his club sides or the international team. Even as a 4th line grinder, there are better options. Thank you, next. I was actually very happy with Ganahl as a 4th liner. He can come back. Haudum. Haudum doesn't have to hang his head, he did not do bad this tournament. Albeit, he did not do particularly good enough, but relatively he did well enough. He's got blazing speed and increasing skill. Difference between him and Michael Raffl is 8 kg. Raffl has great puck protection skills and is strong on his skates. Haudum should start working on that. Haudum puts in great work, but he's still doesn't throw enough muscle around to protect the puck, control possession and play through contact.

Zwerger's problem is that he's almost exclusively a sniper, and perhaps a passer as well, you put him on a line with a good puck-handler and possession driver he will give you great results. However, he doesn't really drive possession himself. He would also really benefit from being leaner. Hofer was undoubtedly the weak link on his line with Raffl and Komarek. He's a hard worker and a pretty good playmaker, but he has obvious physical deficiencies that are very easily exposed. Obrist is a pretty good 4th-line player, it's hard to complain too much because he was pretty good at keeping the pucks out of his own end, but it's nice to have a guy who can do that and also pose a threat offensively.

Peter Schneider is fast, at least for an EBEL player or a National team player, and he's got a pretty good shot. However, as I mentioned before, he's not particularly great with change-of-direction, or puck protection, or dangling and deke-ing, at least not at this level. Great work rate though. A great 4th line would be Ganahl-Hundertpfund-Schneider if there was the luxury of other, better, options to put him there, which there isn't. Raphael Herburger is too small for this level of hockey. And if he were super fast, that would be ok, but he isn't. Another guy with a great work-rate and very pesky. In an ideal team, he would not be in a scoring line either. As the first line center, he simply won't do. Thomas Raffl. I won't rag on him much, he's a long-time mainstay and hero of the team. Usually a strong bulwark to take the puck from, but this tournament he looked tired, and his puck protection skills were not as good as they usually are. His stickhandling also wasn't where it usually is. Alexander Rauchenwald. Not a bad player at all, I certainly expect more against Italy. But against teams like Latvia or Norway, the 3C is actually a very important position and needs someone who can bring a good bit of physical talent and firepower.

Who is left. Komarek, Michael Raffl, and Baumgartner? Komarek was probably as good as he's going to get. I was mostly happy with his performance. Michael Raffl aside, he was the most consistent player. The most reliable player, reliable being reliably-good not reliably-bad. I can't think to ask more from Michael Raffl either. He was the best player, as usual. Baumgartner. You know, he did the little things right. He would get it in the offensive zone and chase after it, get it to some teammates, put pressure on opposing defensemen. Really showed he was trying out there, which is very good. But a source of consistent offense at this level? Not yet.

My takeaway is simple. Help needs to come. Next generation needs to step up, and needs to step up soon. I'm still in, and I believe in them. Ride or die.

I feel like the biggest difference today was the defensemen. The forwards could have been better, they could have finished their chances and created more traffic in front of the net. However, not having mobile, puck-moving defensemen with good slap shots at the point who could keep the puck in the offensive zone and spearhead the offense really hurts. Also, there is a physical deficit that the team seems to face against every opponent they encounter. Having Ulmer and Viveiros return will be two huge additions to the blue line, and if Italy does not do something problematic that will give Payr and Maier another year to develop.

It may just be me, but I feel like Thomas Raffl has played poorly in a couple games now. Don't know what's up with that.

There's your team captain

What a dirty trip by Reichenberg. This Norway team really is trash.

Finally. There was a very dirty hit on Haudum earlier. Norway finally pays for its dirty play.