dlbalr

Don't put words in my mouth that I didn't say, I don't recall typing that the Habs can't do anything. It's not a defeatist attitude, it's basically reality, 17th overall picks in a supposedly weak draft generally don't turn into star players. Of course you go in thinking positively and hoping the guy you get turns out to be better than expected but to expect to get a top-notch player is asking a bit much here. You can get a good player with that pick, just keep your expectations tempered accordingly.

Finally, I leave the radio and good things happen. Russell, White, and Dawes all scored in the 3rd to give the Bulldogs a 5-1 win. http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1008614

Penalties hurt the Bulldogs once more, as the Moose score to cut the lead in half.

The City of Glendale is offering to extend their deal with the NHL to cover up to $25 million in losses next season in exchange for the league agreeing to run the team next season. This would allow more time to find a buyer willing to continually lose money in a market with little hope...I mean, a buyer willing to keep the team in Glendale. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/arizona-hopes-to-hang-on-to-coyotes/article2013660/

That's a scary list for the wrong reasons. The guys I've italicized I don't expect to play next year in the NHL due to age (Madden), inconsistency (Zherdev, Kobasew though someone may take a flyer on these 2), or outright suckiness (Frolov, Ponikarovsky, the latter having had just 3 more goals than Pyatt in the same number of games). There are a couple decent pieces on that list though, I'd like Handzus myself but I think he'll want to be paid more than a #3 C based on the contract he is finishing.

Bonneau scores his first in 33 games to make it 2-0! Yes, you're reading that right, Bonneau scored...on the opponents' net. And he takes a penalty seconds after, that's more like it for him.

1-0 after 1.

Dawes scores on an early PP to give the Bulldogs the lead just 1:09 in to the game!

No lineup changes for either team by the looks of it, the Conboy-Dumont-White line starts.

The other player on that line is Roman Cervenka, a player quite a few teams have interest in since he's a free agent. I'm not sure if the contract he signed last year was a 1 or 2 year pact though.

<p align="center"> <img border="0" src="http://theahl.com/files/cc2011_500.jpg" width="425" height="500"><br> </p> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center" width="250"> <p align="center"> <img src="http://theahl.com/-r105019%20:%20ham09_500.jpg" border="0" width="248" height="30"></p> <p>44-27-9, 3rd North</td> <td align="center" width="250"> <img src="http://theahl.com/-r105027%20:%20ham09_500.jpg" border="0" width="248" height="30"> <p>43-30-7, 1st North</td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Projected Lines:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="250"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Dawes - Boyd - Palushaj</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Russell - Engqvist - Wyman</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Conboy - Dumont - White</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Schultz - Masse - Bonneau</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Henry - Petruic</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">St. Denis - Klubertanz</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Nash - Carle</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">MacIntyre</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="19"> <p align="center">Mayer</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="20"><i>Scratches:</i> Stejskal, Avtsin, Zanette </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"><i>Injuries:</i> Sanford, Bisaillon, Bishop, Fortier</td> </tr> </table> </td> <td align="center" width="250"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="267"> <tr> <td align="center">B. Sweatt - Rosa - Shirokov</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Jaffray - Schroeder - Clark</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Bolduc - Bliznak - Desbiens</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Weller - Murray - Volpatti</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Flood - Sauve</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Baumgartner - Tanev</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Connauton - Ramsey</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Lack</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center">Weiman</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Scratches:</i> Rai, Schneider, Rypien, Polasek, Christie, Archibald, Seabrook</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Injuries:</i> Perrault, L. Sweatt, Parent</td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b> Scoring Leaders:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Goals:</b> Nigel Dawes (6)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Goals:</b> Sergei Shirokov (6)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>Assists:</b> Dustin Boyd (7)</td> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>Assists:</b> Marco Rosa (10)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Points:</b> Nigel Dawes (11)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Points:</b> Marco Rosa (15)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>+/-:</b> 3 tied with (+4)</td> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>+/-:</b> Chris Tanev (+7)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>PIMS: </b>Alex Henry (23)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>PIMS: </b>Aaron Volpatti (25)</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b> Game Info:</b></font></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td width="186"><b>Puck Drop:</b> 8:30 PM EST</td> <td width="155"><b>TV: </b>N/A</td> <td width="155"><b>Radio:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://cham.player.amri.ca/">CHAM</a></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Other Notes:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center">This marks the 3rd straight series (dating back to last year) that Hamilton has won 2 straight at home then lost the next 2 on the road. Hamilton is 1-1 in those series.</td> </tr> </table>

With this draft, you're probably looking at getting a 2nd/3rd line forward or 3rd-5th defenceman. It's not going to solve too many problems other than improving the depth. Right now, I've only briefly looked at some of the potential options for players at 17 in preparation for our mock draft next month. Selfishly speaking though, I'm hoping that Mark Scheifele from Barrie gets some consideration; most peg him to go between 15-20.

Speaking of predictions, it's about time your pick for 2nd round breakout scorer gets going. Russell has 2, still waiting for Masse to score...

I didn't take Neuvirth but I did take (and star) Howard. That's a double ouch there.

His rights I believe were held by Montreal (QMJHL). Junior hockey would have been most ideal for him but had the Habs pushed for that route, I think he'd have went back to Russia for the season where he'd actually be paid.

Rats, 1-1 heading to OT. Manitoba scored with 2:02 left in regulation. Don't think I'm staying up for this one...

Dumont banks one off of Lack's shoulder to make it 1-0 Bulldogs!

Scoreless through 1.

Oh joy, we get Koharski from last night plus David Banfield. This isn't going to be pretty.

I think the big thing with Avtsin is he can't really be trusted right now, kind of like Pouliot, actually. He's erratic in the offensive zone (when he's on, he's great) and as Trizz noted, his defence is shaky. As for Schultz, the only thing keeping him in the lineup is the fact that the coaching staff really, really likes tough guys. Before last night, Schultz was on the ice for every Manitoba goal in the series.

The stats through Round 1 are now updated in the StatTracker. When I was checking the boxscore for the CZE-FIN game, I noticed a familiar face, Janne Lahti, a former Hab prospect. Guess he resurrected his career after a rough stint with Hamilton.

<p align="center"> <img border="0" src="http://theahl.com/files/cc2011_500.jpg" width="425" height="500"><br> </p> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center" width="250"> <p align="center"> <img src="http://theahl.com/-r105019%20:%20ham09_500.jpg" border="0" width="248" height="30"></p> <p>44-27-9, 3rd North</td> <td align="center" width="250"> <img src="http://theahl.com/-r105027%20:%20ham09_500.jpg" border="0" width="248" height="30"> <p>43-30-7, 1st North</td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Projected Lines:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="250"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Dawes - Boyd - Palushaj</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Russell - Engqvist - Wyman</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Conboy - Dumont - White</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Schultz - Masse - Bonneau</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Henry - Petruic</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">St. Denis - Klubertanz</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Nash - Carle</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">MacIntyre</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="19"> <p align="center">Mayer</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="20"><i>Scratches:</i> Stejskal, Avtsin, Zanette </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"><i>Injuries:</i> Sanford, Bisaillon, Bishop, Fortier</td> </tr> </table> </td> <td align="center" width="250"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="267"> <tr> <td align="center">B. Sweatt - Rosa - Shirokov</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Jaffray - Schroeder - Clark</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Bolduc - Bliznak - Desbiens</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Weller - Murray - Volpatti</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Flood - Sauve</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Baumgartner - Tanev</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Connauton - Ramsay</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Lack</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center">Weiman</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Scratches:</i> Rai, Schneider, Rypien, Polasek, Christie, Archibald, Seabrook</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Injuries:</i> Perrault, L. Sweatt, Parent</td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b> Scoring Leaders:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Goals:</b> Nigel Dawes (6)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Goals:</b> Sergei Shirokov (6)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>Assists:</b> Dustin Boyd (7)</td> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>Assists:</b> Marco Rosa (10)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Points:</b> Nigel Dawes (11)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Points:</b> Marco Rosa (15)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>+/-:</b> 3 tied with (+4)</td> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>+/-:</b> Chris Tanev (+7)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>PIMS: </b>Alex Henry (23)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>PIMS: </b>Aaron Volpatti (25)</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b> Game Info:</b></font></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td width="186"><b>Puck Drop:</b> 8:30 PM EST</td> <td width="155"><b>TV: </b>N/A</td> <td width="155"><b>Radio:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://cham.player.amri.ca/">CHAM</a></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Other Notes:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center">The biggest lineup news I'm waiting for is whether it's the same referees doing the game; sadly I believe it will be. Only the healthy scratches and Mayer were in the pre-game skate, suggesting no likely lineup changes. By the way, of those scratches, only Bishop (who isn't even on the Clear Day) is possible to return any time soon.</td> </tr> </table>

Evidently, that goal at the end of the 2nd came with a ton of controversy. From Derek's Twitter: Hamilton's last goal took forever to count; from reading some fan accounts of the game, sounds like the officiating was brutal. C'est la vie with Koharski.

That last minute of the 2nd proved to be a killer as the Moose scored another before the period ended to make it 3-2. Dumont and White both scored in the 3rd but Manitoba got 2 themselves, making the final 5-4 Moose. Game 4 goes tomorrow. http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1008612

Last minute goal (in the 2nd) ties it at 2, d'oh.