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Post by newham on Nov 21, 2004 21:14:08 GMT
Hi guys, i'm not around much lately but i still manage to crawl down to the arena every week and at the moment i'm utterly delighted with what im seeing.
You know, i had my doubts about that France trip but from the looks of things it has done nothing but good for the togetherness of the team and obviously the results. Apart from one person, the entire team looks like they truly are pulling in exactly the same direction to get results and this is something that has been so lacking in the last decade or so. We really do a much bigger chance of winning the league than we have in recent seasons and if you ask me, it's all bred from one man;
Curtis Cruickshank
Wow, this man is awesome. Over the last few weeks he has led me to the belief that he is the best goalie i have ever seen in a gold shirt and that does include the likes of Trev. He will be worth a good 25 goals a season more than other minders in previous years and that's not an insult to Pietila and Sundberg either, he's just so damn good it's scary.
Saying that, it would be harsh to say it's all down to one man. The defence is looking sound with Ricci shining in particular (very very classy defenceman), the front lines look devastating with even the third line being capable of ripping an oppositions defence to shreds. Kalmikov, Ivan, McKenna (the best player i have ever seen in this country, even when playing at 50%) and Caddy are all playing out of their skins.
Anyway, im running out of time so ill cut short this praise and just tell them to keep it up, we look unbeatable at the moment so well done Adey and well done team. Just remember though that nothing is done yet, not even close.....
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MP
Paul Adey
Hail hurts and rain is cold. Summer in the mountains
Posts: 6,811
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Post by MP on Nov 21, 2004 21:37:29 GMT
Curtis gives the whole team confidence - he is a superb keeper.
However I still feel the catalyst for the turnaround in form for Panthers is Steve McKenna. No co-incidence that consistency seems to have arrived with him.
After a poor start the team turned in a wonderful performance in Amiens but then fell away again when they returned to domestic competion, along with rumours of discord in the locker room.
Enter Smiling Steve - two games later there is an evident team spirit and the team turns up to play every night. Furthermore the players say playing hockey is fun again with Big Mac on the team - he's taken the pressure off them. And he's lovnin it - a team player par excellance! Mario knew what he was doing when he gave Steve the "C" for the Penguins, the guy is a natural born leader with no airs and graces. He might not have an "A" or "C" on his shirt in Nottingham but in truth he doesn't need one.
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Shaggy
Forum Moderator 
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
Posts: 10,995
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Post by Shaggy on Nov 21, 2004 22:06:56 GMT
I think you're perhaps going a tad OTT, Newham..... although I can't fault your basic premise.
Undoubtedly Curtis gives the rest of the team a lot of confidence - they KNOW they have a netminder who's there to do a good job.
Not sure I'd give McKenna the accolade of 'best player ever seen in this country' myself..... but he's damned good, that's for sure. And as MP points out - he's revitalised the team spirit. He doesn't need to wear a 'C'.... we have the cool head of Calle Carlsson for that, plus the fire of Clarke and the steadiness of Ricci for the 'A's..... McKenna is a nice extra - a 'C' without the 'C'! ;D
I don't think it's any one reason, to be honest. The forwards are doing nicely - we have talent, speed, fire and toughness, all in abundance. We have great imports and great Brits - and putting Craighead on the line with Myers and Wojciak was inspired - all three seem to have benefitted. The defence is working well as a team - sure, Krulis and Magdosko might not seem to be as good in comparison to Carlsson, Ricci and McKenna - but they're not half bad, neither. Plus they've gelled as a defensive unit with Curtis - which is the main reason I think that Sundberg didn't do too well last year - it never really seemed to 'click' between him and the D.
Add to that, Paul Adey is improving year-on-year as a coach......
I don't know how long these 'good times' will last..... maybe a few weeks, maybe the whole season (I hope!) - but as things stand right now, we have as least a good a chance as any other team in the UK to win any and all competitions.
Happy days...... ;D
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Post by Samxpenguin on Nov 21, 2004 22:11:05 GMT
Curtis gives the whole team confidence - he is a superb keeper. However I still feel the catalyst for the turnaround in form for Panthers is Steve McKenna. No co-incidence that consistency seems to have arrived with him. I'll agree with you on that, i think Mckenna has had a fundamental effect on the team, his presence seems to have brought so much spirit and made players have more faith in there team mates. I can't stress how much we need to keep him in the squad, whoever we may have to drop. As Cruikshanks....out of this world, best netminder i've seen in a Panthers shirt for a long time. Apart from one person, the entire team looks like they truly are pulling in exactly the same direction Who do you mean? Watching the game yesterday and the last few weeks i havn't seen anyoen who does seem interested. I have a feeling you mean Craighead? If so, i have to seriously disagree with that. |
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MP
Paul Adey
Hail hurts and rain is cold. Summer in the mountains
Posts: 6,811
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Post by MP on Nov 21, 2004 23:37:42 GMT
McKenna (the best player i have ever seen in this country, even when playing at 50%) Not sure about that but he is an awesome player in his own way. Lovely cameo on Saturday. Defending in the second period, Steve has the puck and gets pinned to the boards by a Devil behind his own goal line.... so he just straightens his arms and pushes himself off the glass (complete with Devil on his back), gets the puck on the end of his stick, which being at arms length is well beyond the reach of the poor Devil, then starts to skate up the ice with Devil in tow.... At this point the poor Devil gives up the unequal struggle and skates away leaving Steve (smiling broadly) to make a play with the puck! He's a class act  |
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DoUrden
Ken Westman
Squash Them Sheep
Posts: 2,645
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Post by DoUrden on Nov 22, 2004 5:35:46 GMT
skates away leaving Steve (smiling broadly) to make a play with the puck! He's a class act And I think thats the key reason for it. He seems to be having so much fun being allowed to play Hockey with no pressure at all compared with what he is used to in the NHL. |
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Post by Alf Garnett on Nov 22, 2004 5:59:56 GMT
I'll just add my tuppece worth on here whilst I can.
1) McKenna.As MP says is quality.He just seems to have more time with the puck than most players,due to his reading of the game.It can't all be fluke can it?
2) Curtis Cruickshank
Another string of fine saves again from CC (28 from 29 shots is very good,regardless of opposition)I hope we're not in danger of taking him for granted.
However the main factor is this IMO
3) The whole team is playing as a team.We scored 4 goals on Saturday and had 4 different goalscorers.We are not relying on a 'hero' line to have multi-point games night after night.
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Post by Heanor Lair on Nov 22, 2004 15:43:53 GMT
Hi guys, i'm not around much lately but i still manage to crawl down to the arena every week and at the moment i'm utterly delighted with what im seeing. You know, i had my doubts about that France trip but from the looks of things it has done nothing but good for the togetherness of the team and obviously the results. Apart from one person, the entire team looks like they truly are pulling in exactly the same direction to get results and this is something that has been so lacking in the last decade or so. We really do a much bigger chance of winning the league than we have in recent seasons and if you ask me, it's all bred from one man; Curtis Cruickshank Wow, this man is awesome. Over the last few weeks he has led me to the belief that he is the best goalie i have ever seen in a gold shirt and that does include the likes of Trev. He will be worth a good 25 goals a season more than other minders in previous years and that's not an insult to Pietila and Sundberg either, he's just so damn good it's scary. Saying that, it would be harsh to say it's all down to one man. The defence is looking sound with Ricci shining in particular (very very classy defenceman), the front lines look devastating with even the third line being capable of ripping an oppositions defence to shreds. Kalmikov, Ivan, McKenna (the best player i have ever seen in this country, even when playing at 50%) and Caddy are all playing out of their skins. Anyway, im running out of time so ill cut short this praise and just tell them to keep it up, we look unbeatable at the moment so well done Adey and well done team. Just remember though that nothing is done yet, not even close..... Newwie, my little positive ray of sunshine ;D ;D I think it must have been your double who was the bearer of doom and gloom last season on the forum ;D Love HL |
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Post by newham on Nov 27, 2004 16:55:18 GMT
Newwie, my little positive ray of sunshine ;D ;D I think it must have been your double who was the bearer of doom and gloom last season on the forum ;D Love HL Doom and gloom artist? Moi?  ive never been so offended in my entire life! ;D I dont know what it is, we're doing no better position-wise this year but i just have a feeling that we're merely inches from glory! Oh, inches and a few months, a couple of games and a few trophies of course....;D How was Thursday night by the way? |
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Post by heja on Nov 27, 2004 17:54:02 GMT
probably one of the most dull games again, but and panthers played well with in them selves again and easily won.
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Post by girdeaux on Nov 28, 2004 14:19:59 GMT
How was Thursday night by the way? IMO Panthers played well & never attempted to get out of 3rd gear. Woolhouse played, and Scott & Neil got regular shifts, especially the latter in the 3rd period. Comftable win but it didn't help with Edinburgh missing their top points scorer & they had a very short bench. Didn't really have a competitive atmosphere to the game to be honest Daniel, whether that was due to the small crowd, the fact we were playing a BNL team or the fact it was a thrusday game, I do not know |
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ive never been so offended in my entire life! ;D