Post-game vs. Regina

Just when I was about to say Patrick Holland potentially gets my vote for Unsung Hero of the year, he goes and lights up the scoresheet with a goal and a couple of helpers.  Keeping in mind that I am not a scout nor do I know what NHL scouts look for, but if I were a scout for the Calgary Flames, I'd sure be happy with Holly's all-around game.  He's just solid from one end of the ice to the other.  Not flashy, not super physical, but just reliable, consistent, and my goodness can the kid skate.

Speaking of not-so-flashy, it was another great game from Big Mess.  From the angle where I was I didn't see the fight, or very much of it anyways, but I did see the spattering of blood on the ice from it.  Regardless, I'm not sure I like him fighting.  He's already had a couple of concussions, it just makes me nervous.  Otherwise he's been doing good work, parking his big body in front of the opposing goalie and making room.

Another guy parking himself in front of the net is Connor Rankin.  You'd be blind if you haven't seen how teams are focusing in on him and really working him over.  That is part of the job of being in that position.  He's battling like a champ, but he's still not quite big enough to be as effective as Neal Prokop was.  *sigh* I miss Neal Prokop.

It was a decent game for Riley Guenther, nice to see him get his first WHL point.  He and Hamonic both got in some playing time over the weekend and played well.  Obviously their playing time is going to be limited, it's a nice problem to have, from a fan standpoint.  I don't remember the last time the Americans had this much depth at defense.  It probably wasn't that long ago quite honestly, but still.  It's impressive.

Shinnimin was right (not that he wouldn't be) in his interview I had with him the other day when he said his skating is more explosive this season.  Wow.  Those of you who sit high up in the stands, you get to see plays develop a lot more and you see sort of the bigger picture.  When you're up close you get a real sense of the speed.  Trust me, it's even more intense when you're right there with no glass between you and the play.

"Points are nice," said Patrick Holland, who had a goal and two assists. "At the end of the day though, our line is just as big a part of the win as points. I love playing on this line. The special thing about it is you get to play with the top defensemen (Mitch Topping and Zach Yuen), and Topping is easy to play with."

[...]

"On our line you have to take pride in what you do, it's not all about the points, though they are nice to get," said Messier, who plays on the checking line with Holland and Wilgosh. "Holding Weal off the score sheet was nice." (Herald)

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And now the moment you've been waiting for, my pick for the Movember winner.  Well, you're just going to have to wait a little longer.  I have to go through game photos from last night and make a decision.  I'm down to 4 possible winners--Mason Wilgosh, obviously, and Jordan Messier are top picks.  But if I'm including all facial hair, it IS no-shave November, then I can't dismiss Drydn Dow or Nate MacMaster.  So I have to decide if I'm going with just moustache or all the facial hair, then pick from there.  Besides, it will give me something to blog about tomorrow :)