Gorillas Trash Talkers
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Taking a Break - An All-Star Break that is...
Posted by: Prognosticating Pucker on Mon Jan 11th 2010 6:43pm
While we’re four games past half the season in games played, the All-Star break is officially the mid-point of the season. Reflecting on how the team started the season, the funk that they fell into, and the recent performances I will make a few observations.
Let’s start from the back. Brown has shown some signs of brilliance, tempered by games marred by a few seemingly reckless plays and his extremely competitive nature. His save percentage is above 90% and is hopefully climbing incrementally. That’s where it needs to be. If the defense plays capably, and if he exhibits focus and self control, he may whittle that GAA down below three. Then he can be counted on consistently.
Lohtander, who I like to call “T-Lo” appears to be getting more of a comfort level with his team and with the small rink, North American game. He has begun to show some sound skills in most areas. He still needs to get his SV% over 90% and knock his GAA down. With a defense beginning to get fully healthy and pairings really starting to mesh, T-Lo may be a go-to guy down the stretch.
Defensively Smale has been relatively consistent from the start. He’s also producing points at a rate high enough for him to earn and All Star berth. The pairing of Jernberg and Obermeyer has been a pleasant surprise, JJ has been playing as well as I’ve seen him play and covers Obe’s back when he goes on one of his scoring runs.
Smith has fought back from injuries and appears to be more and more of a bookend rearguard every game. In scoring, puck movement, and recovery speed, Brennan has shown fine qualities. Although injured, with six points in just nine games, Arvai is a good addition to the lineup when healthy. Felde, I believe is a defenseman from juniors, that converted to forward, and is now playing defense for us. His speed and quickness are obvious and I think we have a real good two-way guy here.
One would expect points from MacRae, Guenther, Morissette, and Nimmo. They are all delivering as expected. Bell is racking up some good points but needs to improve the plus-minus a bit. Battaglia’s ability to control the tempo of play on the ice is a plus, and he is delivering near point per game production when healthy.
Beeman and Cloud are hustlers, have good speed, and finish their checks. They are fun to watch play. Chafe has shown the relentless hustle that he has always shown here and he is solid on the penalty kill. Sutter’s time on the ice has been dealt out sparingly. Mostly used in shutdown roles, he’s only on an 18 or 19 point pace, which is not good for him, but he is still in the plus.
Overall we still have a long way to go, but we are showing good signs. Chemistry seems to be developing and it appears likely that some leadership in the dressing room has begun to show its face. Once Arvai returns, if we can stay healthy, we have a good rotation front and back that Coach Pellerin can try to optimize. A playoff spot is within reach and we need to grasp it after the break.
Beeman Exciting Addition to Gorillas Roster
Posted by: Prognosticating Pucker on Thu Nov 05th 2009 12:59pm
Jason Beeman, a 5'11" 213-pound, right-shooting winger joins the Amarillo Gorillas. The Diamond Bar, California native did his Major Junior work in the tough Western Hockey League, entered the pro ranks with a few seasons in the ECHL, and has played overseas in China.
In locating a message board from his junior years, Beeman was repeatedly ranked as a top "Agitator", was almost unanimously voted the best hitter and body checker, was on almost everyone's ballot as the most favorite player to watch, and was noted as a fan favorite.
He is no stranger to the penalty box with 41 recorded fights in the last nine years (excluding China). With the Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL in 2006-07 he tallied 24 points, a +11 plus/minus rating, and had 13 fighting majors in his 143 PIM total.
This guy should be fun to watch!
Chief Meteorologist says: "A Cloud Will Appear in Amarillo on Friday"
Posted by: Prognosticating Pucker on Tue Nov 03rd 2009 5:55pm
Joining the Amarillo Gorillas today is Chris Cloud.
About Chris Cloud:
Hometown: Waywayseecappo, Manitoba
Ht: 5’11” – Wt.190 Lb. (“Middleweight”)
Born: October 22, 1988 – Turned 21 Two Weeks Ago
Position: LW & C – Shoots: Left
He has been involved in 65 fights in the past five+ years. This year he participated in 2 fights in the pre-season in the American Hockey League with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The other 63 fights occurred in Canadian Major Junior hockey in the typically tough Western Hockey League. In the past four years he has averaged almost 15 fights per year.
Given we have yet a lot to see from this young man, he has some similarity to James Hiebert, now of the Texas Brahmas. Cloud might get the chance to tangle with the tough veteran middleweight this Friday when Amarillo meets Texas. Another possibility might be defenseman Luke Lucyk.
Saturday the Gorillas face Colorado, but Fraser Filipic, the most natural combatant for Cloud is believed to be on the IR. Joining him on the IR is big, tough Jay Birnie. But perhaps we may see Cloud cross paths with Alex Penner or even big Jason Beatty.
NHL Draft Pick Traded to Amarillo
Posted by: Prognosticating Pucker on Tue Oct 13th 2009 12:08pm
The Amarillo Gorillas acquired Mike Brown from Rapid City, along with rookie defenseman Jake Obermeyer, for future considerations. In 2003 the Boston Bruins picked Brown in the 5th Round, 153-rd overall.
With highly-talented and young goalie prospects (and 2009 Vezina Trophy Winner) Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask and Hannu Toivonen already in the Boston minor league system when Brown was drafted, he did not have much of a shot for advancement. Given his non-major junior experience and the traffic jam in the Bruins system, scouting analysts had him spending his career in the AHL and/or ECHL.
Brown has spent some time in the American Hockey League and has toiled quite a bit in the East Coast League, along with a short stint in Europe. His numbers are generally positive and his pre-season performance in Rapid City showed very good potential.
Could Mike Brown be the Gorillas number one goaltender this year? We will soon see. Reports so far do not have Longo making the transition from D-III college effectively and Delbuono came to town likely knowing that he was a long shot to make the squad as a backup.
It will depend upon what Tuomas Lohtander shows in practice and early games, but for now it appears that Brown may be the new number one.
It's Funny How Things Happen So Quickly
Posted by: Prognosticating Pucker on Thu Sep 24th 2009 4:46pm
After posting yesterday's viewpoints on our blueline situation, isn't it rather ironic that the signing of 38-year old veteran defenseman Rod Aldoff comes a day later? I can't say whether it is a case of great minds think alike or pehaps keeping an ear to the tracks leading to some good sources promted the near coincidental happenings.
In any event, Aldoff will be a good one combined with the crew that we already have on board. He's got many years of good experience. He offers on and off ice leadership along with a scoring touch.
Robert "Bert" Malloy sounds unique. He Captained both his hockey team and his baseball team at D-III Lehigh Valley. While the Gorilla announcement listed him as an outfielder, he played catcher prior to getting injured in his freshman or sophomore year,
From the articles that I have found, he returned behind the plate during his recently completed Senior year. So they kept his bat in the lineup and leadership on the field in the outfield until he was fully recovered. The bottom line is that catchers are tough and a leader is a leader.
That ability to play backstop or outfield apparently translates to his game on the ice as well. It is reported that he plays forward naturally, but can play defense as well. Michael Handza often, and to some extent Jamie McKinven, served that role as needed last year.
Having a "swingman" or two on a roster can be very valuable. In the case of untimely injuries, heavily penalized games, or covering for players that get a fighting major, it is good to have someone that can move forward or back to cover where the need is.
Coach Pellerin appears to be continuing his building of a solid team. Keep it up Brian!
