dlbalr

End of 2, 3-1 Bulldogs. Some line changes for this one, as Boyd moved back to his natural centre position being flanked by Dawes and Palushaj. From what I've heard in part of a period, it appears as if Engqvist has moved back with Russell and Wyman on the checking line...which is also the 2nd line.

Wyman scores on the PP...yes, an actual powerplay goal! 3-1 Bulldogs. (This after Palushaj had one waved off...)

Russell scores! What a time to turn on the game, 2 goals in less than 5 minutes (from the time I turned it on when it was in commercial).

Base hit into centre field! Wait, it's a goal for Hamilton, Boyd with the tally. Palushaj and Dawes with the helpers.

I'd settle for a goal right now, 1-0 Rivermen in the 2nd. Conboy back in for Schultz.

When I mean slightly gone up, I'm talking 2/10ths of a percentage point. In other words, they better win already.

Sounds like 2 'bag skates' were part of it, as was a lot of physical play. Though I can't help but wonder if practice will be cancelled tomorrow to allow them to recover.

Picard's not at practice today so Pyatt has dropped back to form a 4th pairing with Weber. Quite the intense practice too.

There's only a handful of people here who I'd classify in that polarized category (and to their credit, have been consistent with it over the long haul which is good), but I've noticed in general on other boards and in the e-mails I get from readers that the battle lines have been drawn so to speak. I'm hoping that by mentioning this now, we can nip this before it becomes more problematic here. Discussion, good or bad, is fine, just as long as it doesn't degenerate into mindless bashing. We've got a good group of posters here, I suspect we'll be fine.

Hamilton (36-26-9) will look to snap their 4 game losing streak as they travel to Peoria (38-28-7) to end this road trip. Andrew Conboy is eligible to return from suspension in this one which means Hunter Bishop will not be eligible to play. Active scoring leaders: Goals: Nigel Dawes (34) Assists: Aaron Palushaj (27) Points: Nigel Dawes (55) PIMS: Jimmy Bonneau (169) +/-: Ryan Russell (+15) Active scoring leaders: Goals: Graham Mink (23) Assists: T.J. Hensick (43) Points: T.J. Hensick (61) PIMS: Dean Arsene (128) +/-: Dave Spina (+9) Puck drop is at 5:05 PM EST and can be listened to by clicking this link: http://cham.player.amri.ca/

You know you're in iffy shape for the playoffs when losing a game on Tuesday against Abbotsford would drop the playoff odds by nearly 18%. Fortunately, despite the losses the last 2 days, the odds have actually slightly gone up thanks to some of the out-of-town scores going Hamilton's way.

Oy, this is why I rarely post after 11, I always seem to screw up. Hamilton's also ahead of Toronto due to games in hand, which I believe they have several on the Marlies.

That's where I'm hoping we can get back to. I find more and more now that a lot of people are moving into polarized views, you either are a 'lover' or a 'hater.' It's shaping up as the 2nd coming of Price/Halak again and that's not a good thing. It's hard to overlook the cap issue, I must admit. But at this point of the season, where no more moves will be made, it's a little easier. Gomez isn't being waived and sent to Hamilton tomorrow, or any other day this season, there's no replacement coming in. Both sides are stuck with each other. It shouldn't be a discussion of what could have been, but rather what is with this roster as constructed. Yes, his play doesn't warrant his salary, I'll be the first to admit that and he's certainly not immune to being criticized, but I try and evaluate him now as, "Does his play help the team?" More often than not, the answer is still yes which is what irks me when after a loss where the entire team doesn't score, the focus and most often the blame shifts to Gomez alone. Just seems too much like scapegoating to me. I'd like to see Cammalleri play with Desharnais myself; for most of this season, it seemed whoever played with Desharnais magically sprung to life. At this point, why not give it a shot?

From a comment like this, an uninformed reader would think that Gomez hasn't done a single thing right all year (and yes, I know you're using a phrase used by someone else earlier). Guess what, he has. To call him wretched in every facet of the game is complete and utter BS. He can still play, and still help this team. They are better with him than they are without him and if people don't think so, check out the success of this team while he was out of the lineup. Quite reminiscent of this stretch but with less offensive pressure (which is quite sad to even remember, honestly). I'm venting a bit here but I'm sick and tired of the incessant Gomez bashing, it's gotten old and accomplishes nothing. If he has a good game, we see people whine that he doesn't do it more often. Guess what? He's not the only player struggling but yet he's the only one people seem to call out with any regularity. Is it justified? Yes, he deserves some of the blame. Note that some doesn't mean all, yet some here (and elsewhere) seem to believe that he is to blame for all of the team's problems. It's not true, and everyone here knows that (or should at least). Same for Martin, yes, we disagree with some of the tactics but it's still up to the players to execute; I don't think anyone's naive enough to believe that the game plan was to go and get shut out 3 straight games. I remember a post I made during a similar stretch where I said enough is enough about the posts that simply perpetuate the same tired rants about Gomez and Martin in particular. A reminder is in order, I believe. As a reader (and someone who has to moderate this board), I don't think I, or anyone else wants to read something where every 5th post spews the same things over and over that's full of incessant whining. Other boards are known for that; that's why people come here, for intelligent discussion and to escape stuff like this. Repeated bashing posts doesn't exactly provide that. Look, I know it's a losing streak and we're all upset. But even still, we should still be capable of having quality discussions that don't involve hyperbole as quoted above. Please also note that this is not directed at anyone in particular and that the quoted post was just selected as the most recent one from this discussion; it was not intended to single that poster, or any other one, out.

Bulldogs lose 2-1 in a shootout, so once again, they do get at least a point. Stejskal made his debut in this one, replacing Bishop. http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1008402 Marlies lost in a shootout as well while Grand Rapids was blitzed by Texas so the Bulldogs remain in a tie for 2nd heading into tomorrow's game in Peoria.

All these upsets in March Madness equals the end of my bracket. Only 1 team left out of my Final Four now, though I suppose that's not terrible considering I've watched as much NCAA basketball as I have Indonesian cricket.

3 Stars now up, needed a few more minutes to research the stat of the night which really isn't a stat so much from tonight but rather something that's been bothering me for a bit. http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2436

Wolves tie it, d'oh. 13:45 left.

Carolina lost at least, moving the magic number to clinch down to 7 points.

1-0 Bulldogs after 2, Wyman with the goal.

He's on my shortlist.

I think the reason for Plekanec being on the top unit and Subban the 2nd is to try and curtail P.K.'s ice time a little bit. At some point though, they need to realize the experiment isn't working. And once again, the Habs will test my creativity in terms of trying to pluck positives out of this one (aside from Price of course).

And yet he only has been credited with 24 giveaways on the entire season in 73 games. That puts him tied for 11th on the Habs with Gorges and tied for 276th in the NHL. I'm not a big fan of the stat overall as I think it's a little too subjective, but like my piece on the site right now regarding penalties, I feel as if once again people have been misled as to Gomez's supposed lack of effectiveness. Does he turn it over more than some (and is that 24 a little low)? Sure, but that will happen to those who carry the puck in more, it's only logical.

I originally typed that but in doing further digging, it doesn't sound like that was the case.

Don't want to disappoint you too much but Pronger's out right now.