Post by ex-BluesGM on Feb 11, 2005 10:31:34 GMT -5
AP- Last night the Worchester Ice Cats skated to a 3-1 victory over the Northern Division's Syracuse Crunch. The 3-1 score line wouldn't seem to indicate anything other then your normal AsHL spirited hockey game but the small print of the box score tells a different tale. The Crunch played like their name indicates and took 24 min of minor penalties to give the Ice Cats 11 powerplays and over a full period of accumulated time with a man advantage. Despite this however the Ice Cats went 0-11 on the PP.
"I can't decide how to feel about this one." said IceCats GM Gavin Gear, who had decided to travel and see a game for his Blues' minor league affiliate instead of traveling with the big club. "Any win is a good win, and 3 goals, the play of Shotov and Sanford; those were all great things. But how do you get 11 power plays and not score once!? Its dissappointing mostly because it shows the other teams they can push us around without any consequence. We may have to look at adding some help from the big club."
Gear was speaking of current Blues defenseman Brad NOrton, who impressed the club out of training camp but has thus far barely played for a very deep Blues side. Sending down Norton, and calling up a more versatile forward could be a win-win for both clubs. Norton although 28 years old still has many minor league options as he has barely played for the Blues and would not be required to pass through waivers even if they called him back-up to cover for an injury, plus calling up a cheaper player could save the Blues some money. Meanwhile Norton could provide another offensive force for the Ice Cats, from the blueline, particularly on the PP where he has had some succuss before. The Blues play tonight against the Buffalo Sabres where once again NOrton is a healthy scratch, the Ice Cats have the night off and could have a new defenseman to anchor their second line PP by tomorrow.
"I can't decide how to feel about this one." said IceCats GM Gavin Gear, who had decided to travel and see a game for his Blues' minor league affiliate instead of traveling with the big club. "Any win is a good win, and 3 goals, the play of Shotov and Sanford; those were all great things. But how do you get 11 power plays and not score once!? Its dissappointing mostly because it shows the other teams they can push us around without any consequence. We may have to look at adding some help from the big club."
Gear was speaking of current Blues defenseman Brad NOrton, who impressed the club out of training camp but has thus far barely played for a very deep Blues side. Sending down Norton, and calling up a more versatile forward could be a win-win for both clubs. Norton although 28 years old still has many minor league options as he has barely played for the Blues and would not be required to pass through waivers even if they called him back-up to cover for an injury, plus calling up a cheaper player could save the Blues some money. Meanwhile Norton could provide another offensive force for the Ice Cats, from the blueline, particularly on the PP where he has had some succuss before. The Blues play tonight against the Buffalo Sabres where once again NOrton is a healthy scratch, the Ice Cats have the night off and could have a new defenseman to anchor their second line PP by tomorrow.