From the NEP - our forward lines

[Shaggy]

Just read today's online NEP (link)

Interesting how our forward lines have been arranged (looking nothing like what most of us were thinking):-

In contrast to previous coach Mike Blaisdell, Ellis seems to have determined his three forward lines already and will persevere with them as they get used to one another.

Whereas most teams will go with two strong lines and a line of Brits, Ellis is making the most of his experienced GB players to have three even-strength formations.

He has Rod Stevens centring David Clarke and Ryan Shmyr, Matt Myers centring Steve Simoes and Sean McAslan, and Blaz Emersic being partnered by Matus Petricko and James Cooke.

"They are three very solid, durable lines and I will stick with them for the time being," said Ellis.

"That's the advantage of having experienced Brits and I know that gives me fire-power on every line."

A very interesting (and bold!) move that, I think.... avoiding the usual 1st/2nd/3rd line sets in descending order of strength... this could really cause headaches for the opposition teams if they don't have a noticeably weaker Panthers line to put their weaker 3rd lines out against!

Thoughts, anyone?

[Rich]

We worked out we could do this sat night then found Ellis had already done it for the game sun. I thought it worked really well and like you say Shaggy it means our 3rd line still has power.
It does mean if we get a penalty or injury we have to ice Neilly. I think hes an awesome player but in a big game its a gamble.
Also our third line is very lightweight :S

[Heanor Lair]

shaggy said:

Just read today's online NEP (link)

Interesting how our forward lines have been arranged (looking nothing like what most of us were thinking):-

In contrast to previous coach Mike Blaisdell, Ellis seems to have determined his three forward lines already and will persevere with them as they get used to one another.

Whereas most teams will go with two strong lines and a line of Brits, Ellis is making the most of his experienced GB players to have three even-strength formations.

He has Rod Stevens centring David Clarke and Ryan Shmyr, Matt Myers centring Steve Simoes and Sean McAslan, and Blaz Emersic being partnered by Matus Petricko and James Cooke.

"They are three very solid, durable lines and I will stick with them for the time being," said Ellis.

"That's the advantage of having experienced Brits and I know that gives me fire-power on every line."

A very interesting (and bold!) move that, I think.... avoiding the usual 1st/2nd/3rd line sets in descending order of strength... this could really cause headaches for the opposition teams if they don't have a noticeably weaker Panthers line to put their weaker 3rd lines out against!

Thoughts, anyone?

I was looking at those lines at the game, and it struck me what a bloody good line Cooke, Petricko, and Blaz was.

Having seen a very, very poor Brit line in action (Cov), and both Shuffs and 'Ulls not being very inspiring, I think ellis has got it spot on.

Bracknell were getting demoralised with us rolling 3 good lines, they never got a breather!

HL

[pantherfan]

I think I'm gonna have to eat my words about this panther team

[Shaggy]

pantherfan said:

I think I'm gonna have to eat my words about this panther team

How'd you mean? (as in - what were your words, and how does this change them?)

[LUFC]

To me do we have a '3rd' line? i mean to me we have a '1st' line and two '2nd' lines

"Rod Stevens centring David Clarke and Ryan Shmyr" sounds like out big hitting second line

"Matt Myers centring Steve Simoes and Sean McAslan" Sounds like a powerplay and goal scoring first line

"Blaz Emersic being partnered by Matus Petricko and James Cooke" to me is a fast skillfull second sort of line.

I dont see any weakness in any line. From what i gather 3 great lines, all fit and gelling nicely, goals from all lines will flow.

Hopefully being on a line with McAlsan and Simoes will make Myers shoot more (last season he danced about abit too much when he could of just released an earlier shot and headed for net for any pickups). And i hope clarky fires shots from all over like 2 seasons ago, he was hot stuff then

Other than those two little points i think we are going to have a good entertaining season.

[totallyrandom]

An interesting setup for sure. Only having 3 import defencemen could disadvantage you a bit though, especially when you have Neilson and Krajicek, both of whom seem to like racking up the points so could possibly get caught out of position. As with Belfast, looks like Ellis is going for a "we'll outscore you" approach rather than the "you'll find it very hard to get past us" setup they've adopted in Newcastle.

I definitely think it'll work for the Panthers- it's only a slightly different arrangement but your defencemen will have to be fit and stay out of the box

[Shaggy]

totallyrandom said:

An interesting setup for sure. Only having 3 import defencemen could disadvantage you a bit though, especially when you have Neilson and Krajicek, both of whom seem to like racking up the points so could possibly get caught out of position. As with Belfast, looks like Ellis is going for a "we'll outscore you" approach rather than the "you'll find it very hard to get past us" setup they've adopted in Newcastle.

I definitely think it'll work for the Panthers- it's only a slightly different arrangement but your defencemen will have to be fit and stay out of the box

Hmmm.... perhaps. Although I wouldn't write off Danny Meyers just because he's British.... and we've got Mopes as 5th D-man (or we will when he's back from injury).
We're not the only ones going with 3 import D, though... looks like Belfast, Hull, Manchester and Newcastle are doing the same.

If I read Ellis' tactics right (and I'm no expert, so I could be way off here) the constant rolling of 3 equal forward lines could serve to take some of the pressure off our D-men - with the intention being to keep the puck in the offensive or middle zones as much as possible. There's some big lads on the Panthers roster, no doubt - but there also seems to be a fair bit of speed, even with some of the big guys. Used right, the forward and defensive units could end up helping each other out a bit more than normal... something of a force multiplier?

[BIG-BAD-TONE]

I like the way Mike has set his stall out as well as 3 good lines it will bring on the young Brits playing alongside imports instead of having a line of all Brits, great idea IMAO

[lockerbie]

I really dont think Neilson and Krajicek need worry about being caught out of position if last night was anything to go by, At this early stage their positioning was ideal.

[Smudge]

I think Clarke more than anyone suffered from Blaisdell's insistence on a Brit line last season, which was used less than the import lines, and from Blaisdell's general under-use of British players.

Clarke proved the season before that he is a top or second line winger and it appears he is being given the opportunity to prove it again. Just the fact that Ellis has done this will do Clarke's confidence the world of good and I can see him having another good season.

[Shaggy]

smudge2 said:

I think Clarke more than anyone suffered from Blaisdell's insistence on a Brit line last season, which was used less than the import lines, and from Blaisdell's general under-use of British players.

Clarke proved the season before that he is a top or second line winger and it appears he is being given the opportunity to prove it again. Just the fact that Ellis has done this will do Clarke's confidence the world of good and I can see him having another good season.

I agree.

Just watching Clarkie on Sunday night was like a breath of fresh air... You can always tell when Clarkie is 'well up for it'... the way he looks, the way he moves - even just in the warm-up - he looks hungry and full of energy. We didn't see too much of that last season, unfortunately.... but it was back on Sunday.

Clarkie had a scorching season 2 years ago - I see no reason why he can't do the same (or better) this year.

[bobness]

3 things please me greatly so far. (And I haven't seen a game yet)
1. 3 lines of 2 imports and a brit. I can see some goals being scored against other teams' 3rd lines this year, or some very tired opposition towards the end of the games, with them having to play 2 line hockey to keep us back.
2. Clarke back on a line where he can/will have opportunity to play like he did 2 years ago. Echo Smudge's point 100%.
3. Cooke to be a full time forward. He impressed me a lot last year. Hope he can rise to the challenge. Early reports are favourable indeed.

Roll on Sunday.

[thfnick]

shaggy said:

Hmmm.... perhaps. Although I wouldn't write off Danny Meyers just because he's British....

For those who went to France, how was his positional play?

T'was "questionable" when he played for Blaze last year and as a result couldn't dislodge James Pease from the number 5 slot.

[Shaggy]

thfnick said:

shaggy said:

Hmmm.... perhaps. Although I wouldn't write off Danny Meyers just because he's British....

For those who went to France, how was his positional play?

T'was "questionable" when he played for Blaze last year and as a result couldn't dislodge James Pease from the number 5 slot.

Meyers didn't have the best time of it out in France... I've seen him much better than that. Having said that - the team as a whole didn't really have a good time (apart from that France game.... a scarily close 1-0 loss!).

Personally, I'm more inclined to judge him on how he looked in Bracknell... and that was pretty good. Noticed again tonight at the practice... he's got a wicked wrist shot on him, hasn't he?