EDM: T. Gilbert (PPG, 18:39 - 2nd) , A. Cogliano (04:19 - 3rd) , G. Brule (12:48 - 3rd) , T. Hall (EN, 18:05 - 3rd) OTT: N. Foligno (06:30 - 1st)
GOALIES EDM: M. Gerber (W) OTT: B. Elliott (L)
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BEERS & JEERS PLAYER GRADES
The Cult of Hockey Grading System: 10perfect game, 9 extraordinary, 8 great, 7 good, 6 above average, 5 average, 4 below average, 3 poor, 2 terrible, 1 deserves to be in minors.
#2 JAMES VANDERMEER - (7)BEERS He was pretty good tonight (5 hits and 3 blocked shots). Best I have ever seen him. He out chanced the opposition and really played a smart game. No stupid chances taken. I liked what I saw from him for the whole 60 minutes. He played 18:55 and was +1 at games end.
#4 TAYLOR HALL - (6)He skates fast and stick handles well. But he needs to learn that he won't beat the whole team with his skill. He needs to find more ways to be successful. He did take a team high, 4 shots and scored the empty net goal..
#5 LADISLAV SMID - (5) He was average. Nothing special. He wasn't on for a single scoring chance for, but he did face some good lines against. He also finished -1. Considering the Sens only scored once, that sucks.
#6 RYAN WHITNEY - (6) I thought he played well but with all his ice time, he made some mistakes. The only notable one was the Alfredsson giveaway. But other than that he did well. He out chanced the opposition 8/3 and he played 26:21.
#10 SHAWN HORCOFF - (6) His line played against the Spezza line and that made their nights harder. Horcoff assisted on Hall's empty net goal and finished the night 7/10 for 41% on faceoffs.
#13 ANDREW COGLIANO - (8)BEERS Wow! He had himself another great game. Look at Mr. Fat Lip go. He was flying all game long. In 17:38 of ice time, he had a goal and an assist. This kid grew some heart in the last few games.
#14 JORDAN EBERLE - (6) Average. He still plays a solid game, but when you face a top line, it makes your job hard. He helped make the Hall goal happen and picked up an assist.
#16 COLIN FRASER - (5) Better game for Fraser. He did OK with 50% on faceoffs, a team best. His line started well with a great 1st shift. Would like to see him be more consistent.
#22 JF JACQUES - (5)He had a couple of big hits and that's about it. Not very effective when he's one of the hired muscle guys.
#26 KURTIS FOSTER - (5)He blocked 3 shots and took 3 shots. It's too bad he was out chanced, but I suppose that comes with the job when you are the 3rd pairing.
#27 DUSTIN PENNER - (7)BEERS He played a heck of a game with Cogs and Brule. He used his power wisely tonight and made things happen. He had 2 assists and out chanced the Sens 4/1. He blocked 2 shots and took 3 shots on goal. Penner plays well with Brule so I can't see why Renney would split them up. This line should stay out.
#28 RYAN JONES - (4)JEERS He was pretty bad. I have no idea why he's still with the team while Liam Reddox is busting his ass in OKC.
#29 MARTIN GERBER - (8)BEERS He played well. He controlled his rebounds well and really played a solid game. I was critical about him starting before the game started (I don't like starting a goalie against a former team). He proved me wrong. Atta boy Gerber!
#33 STEVE MACINTYRE - (0) DNP (Healthy scratch)
#35 NIKOLAI KHABIBULIN -(0) DNP (Injured)
#40 DEVAN DUBNYK - (0) DNP (Healthy scratch)
#43 JASON STRUDWICK - (0) DNP (scratch)
#45 SHAWN BELLE - (0) DNP (Minors)
#46 ZACK STORTINI -(7)BEERS He played good. He could have been played more. He only played 4:53, but took 3 shots on net. What!?! Who else can play as little and still create as much? Not many on this squad. Play him more Renney. Switch Stortini and Jones.
#49 THEO PECKHAM - (7)BEERS I should write a book.How to love Peckham in 30 days or less. The man was a machine again tonight. He was a team best +2 and had 2 hits and 3 blocked shots. I liked him a lot. My favorite guy on defence now. Maybe we should start a Peckham to the all star game campaign?
#67 GILBERT BRULE - (7)BEERSBrule is usually all over the ice (not always a good thing with him). He had a goal and an asissit and played 15:45.
#77 TOM GILBERT - (7)He was pretty decent. Hard to believe. He scored a goal, 4 blocked shots and 2 shots on goal.
#83 ALES HEMSKY - (0) DNP (Injured)
#89 SAM GAGNER - (6)He was OK. He had an assist and was the best on his line. Too bad Jones is hampering his play.
#91 MAGNUS PAAJARVI - (6) He was better than the stats suggest. He crashed the net and played hard. Would like to see him with more chances on the PK. He had a hit and a shot.
After another solid game last night from Andrew Cogliano, I'm starting to regret all the smack that I have been sending his way as of late. He's proving me wrong, and that to me, is impressive. I like that.
It seems as the tougher it (the game) gets for Cogliano, the more he steps up and responds. He had struggled plenty early in the season and a lot of people, including myself, were mighty pissed at him for failing so miserably.
But, since he took the first puck in the mouth and responded with a good game, it all snowballed from there. He's been better and better. Basically since the Ranger game where his line was lit up like a Christmas tree, (Cogliano a personal -4 for that game) he has been really good overall in the last 7 games. So impressive that we/I can't ignore it anymore. He has 2 goals and 1 assist in the last 3 games and is looking like he may get more in the games to come.
Did suffering through the pucks to the face make him stronger? Did he gain more confidence everytime a player would elbow, face wash or rub him in the face? Did the Boarding call against Turris change his play or mindset?
Don't know these answers, but I think over the last while (and in the future), Cogliano has been answering all these for us.
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