January 10, 2008

The weeks are moving too quickly again...

Oh, internets. Being without my very own computer is taking its toll on my delicate psyche, and not just because I haven' t heard head nor tail of what the repairs are going to cost, but because I miss all my files and my programs and my bookmarks. Wireless internet is grand, but I don't mind being tethered to the cable router, because I like my desk. I miss my hard drive, and that is sad.

What is NOT sad, not even a little bit, is the fact that Providence is representing with three players at the AHL All-Star game later this month -- AHL Player of the Month (December 2007) Pascal Pelletier (Team Canada; starting, TOTALLY DESERVES IT; should have been called up over Dave Krejci this past week), Tuukka Rask (Planet USA, starting, oh, whatever), and Matt Lashoff (Planet USA, also a starter, and also whatever). My plan is to keep Lashoff in Boston so that another defenseman gets picked. Not because I want Matt to miss out on the honor of being selected to play in the All-Star game, but because I legitmately do not see how he's a better defenseman than ... well, just about anyone in the league.

I had this argument (and one about Rask) with a gentleman sitting behind me at the Boston/Capitals game last week, and here's the rub: Matt Lashoff is too inconsistent for my liking. I generally don't pick on someone about their job performance, especially when I can't put my money where my mouth is and do it better (too much coordination and athletic skill required; two things I was born without), but ... people, I just don't see this love affair you have with Matt Lashoff, defenseman. I do not understand how he is one of the top twenty defensemen in the AHL. I just don't get it, I suppose, or maybe I am only paying total attention to him when he's having an off night. I resolve to try to see what the love affair is all about for 2008, but I don't harbor much hope.

Rask... Oh, where to even begin. I know that he has a rabid, loyal following (hi, Brit!) but again, I just don't see it. He's 14-3-0-0, and by any right, those are some pretty stellar numbers. His GAA isn't anything to sniff at either -- 2.04 YTD, and neither is his save percentage -- 90.7% YTD. Providence, however, is 29-5-2-1 (still good for #1 in the league, fyi. Why aren't you at the Dunk more often, again?), which indicates to me that maybe the whole team is a bit on the skilled side.

Rask has totaled less than half the wins, and more than half the regulation losses. His playing time with Providence can be listed as such: 3 consecutive games, one game off, four consecutive games, recall stint, one game, recall stint, one game, recall stint, eight consecutive games, one game off... bringing us to present day.

One of the games between recall stints came down to a shoot-out. One of the games in the past eight consecutive games was also a shoot-out. One of the games was an overtime win. Be very clear on one thing: I do not, in any way, discount the skill that goes into stopping a skater on a shootout. However, he wouldn't have those fancy wins under his belt if he wasn't backing an offensively gifted team (what up, Pascal? Leadin' the league in goals! I'm so proud!). And yes; I blame the goaltender a little bit (even the ones I so dearly love) when a game goes to any type of overtime. Five of those remaining 11 wins were one-goalers. Skill is needed to keep it a one-goal game, yes, but that's almost half of his wins that came that close to swinging the other way. Too close for comfort. The other six games are all 2+ goal differences, and because goalies don't score goals (what I wouldn't give to see one score!), I have to lend credit to the forwards and the defensemen. Tuukka has skill. I know this. Please don't write me and tell me that, because I know. I KNOW RASK IS SKILLED. I just believe that he needs more time to mature his professional game before he's touted as the Second Coming, and there's nothing I hate more in the world than someone telling me that I absolutely HAVE to love so-and-so (see also; Thomas, Tim). Though, I think I may have just talked myself into maybe liking Rask a little bit. Oh dear.

Other AHLers who've been invited to participate in this year's All-Star festivities in Binghamton: Nolan Schaefer (Peter's little brother, who currently has two consecutive shut outs under his belt), Keith Aucoin (why can't we get players like that?), and Teddy Purcell, who is blowin' it up in Manchester this year.

Let's see. What else have I missed telling you about? I skipped the Wives' Carnival (and thusly Mark Stuart in a dunk tank -argh!) this year, mostly because I had other things going on, so no pictures... Pascal was the AHL Player of the Month for December. I hope now maybe Boston will clue in to the fact that he's like, GOOD (he scored almost as many goals in one month -- 13 -- as Boston's leading scorer (Chuck!) has scored YTD (14) in the entire SEASON. I know the skillsets are different between the two leagues, but Christmas on a cracker, people, what more do you want from this kid?), and maybe call him up to give him a look-see. If we lose him because of some front-office stupidity, it's not going to be pretty 'round here.

Jordan Sigalet is officially back on the roster, about a month and a half after his collapse. I know there was no timetable on his return, but internets, I won't lie: I'm totally stoked. Bummed that it means MFMB is back in Johnstown, and even that Fraaaaanck is gone (pronounced like Frank, but I like Frooonc so much better), but so excited that those two damn Sigalets are back together. Something always feels off to me when they're separated, and I do not like it.

The pBruins return home this weekend after an elongated stint on the road (Disney Princesses on Ice and the Providence Boat Show usurped their turf), and I'm looking forward to continuing the winning streak into 2008 (still no losses witnessed in person!).

by Heather | 8:08 PM | 0
filed under: 07-08 season || ahl news || providence bruins