PACK LOOK TO TAKE COMMAND OF ADMIRALS

vs.
Tonight at 7:05, the Hartford Wolf Pack take on The Norfolk Admirals with ex-Pack D-Man Bryce Lampman, in his first game back in the Civic Center.

The Pack, currently tied for 3rd in the Atlantic Division at 7-6-0-1 for 15 points, come off a loss 2-1 loss in Portland on Sunday. The team is led by Greg Moore, (13th overall in the AHL scoring race with 7g - 7a - 14pts in 14 games) just back from his call-up from the Rangers and Pierre Alexandre Parenteau (5g - 4a - 9pts in 11 games). Expect Al Montoya, 2-4-1 2.61 GAA and .901 %, in goal tonight. Montoya continues to battle a back injury sustained by a kick in the back by Dave Ling in Toronto two weeks ago.

The Admirals, currently in 6th place in the East Division at 4-8-0-1 for 9 points, feature Bryce Lampman who was traded by the parent club NY Rangers for the injured Mitch Fritz this summer has 2G and 1 A for 3 points in 13 games. He'll also be locking up with his closest friend Jake Taylor. The two grew up playing hockey together and Bryce was in Jake's summer wedding party. The Admirals are led by Kyle Wanvig (28th in the AHL in scoring with 4G 9A - 13 points in 13 games) and Blair Jones (3G 6A 9 points in 13 games). In net, The Admirals feature the 5th ranked Jonathan Boulin who has a 2-1-1 record with a 2.05GAA and a .943%.

You can catch the game on ESPN 1410am or watch it live with Bob Crawford on the microphone on B2 Network.

Howlings will have a full report after the game.

Comments

[stevek]

Hey Mitch,

Can you give us an update on these players?

Whats the deal with Bourret?? I see that he is -10. He has the worst +/- on the team, by far....Does he play defence? Are the Rangers disappointed with him?
Also is Anisimov, going through what Dubinsky and Dawes did last year, having a good camp with the Rangers getting cut just before the regular season, then tanking their first few months at Hartford?
What happen to Byers, his numbers are down this year, is there a reason for that? Is Dupont leap froging him as the top power foward in Hartford?
Lauri Korpikoski numbers look good, has he raise his game?

[laurie]

I'm not Mitch, but hopefully you won't mind if I share my own opinions. ;)

Bourret's biggest flaw is probably his propensity for making high-risk passes. When they work, they look like a thing of brilliance. But too often they don't. This season, with Dawes and Immonen gone, he hasn't really clicked with anyone he's played with, so it seems his passes are being picked off more often than not. Add to that the fact that for large stretches he's just looked disinterested. Maybe him ending the season so high last year and working hard (but incorrectly) over the summer and being amongst the first cuts from camp took the air out of the sails, similar to how Dawes struggled when returned to Hartford last season. Can't say if the Rangers are "disappointed" with him, but I do know he spent the majority of the season in Gernander's dog house before going out with the concussion.

Anisimov's a 19 year old kid trying to adjust to a brand new country, a new language and a completely different style of play. You can't really compare his situation to Dawes or Dubinsky last season for that reason. He's got some great skills, but has struggled a bit adapting to the style of play and speed of the game in the AHL, which is actually probably faster than the NHL. Whereas he's been taught to be fluid and conserve energy and depend on set transition plays and rushes on the larger ice surface, in the AHL there's more stopping-and-starting, banging the puck up the boards and dumping and chasing -- a lot more so than in the NHL even. His line with Dupont and Parenteau really seems to have clicked recently, however, and he's looked more comfortable and has been getting and (in particular) setting up more chances as a result.

I haven't really noticed a drop in Byers' game. There are others on the team who's picked up some of the scoring slack, and he's been used less frequently on the power play. He hasn't seemed as brash and physical as he was last season, but he's also being looked at as one of the teams "veteran" leaders, so that could just be a matter of trying to play a bit smarter. I can't really say I have any complaints with his play thus far, but maybe Mitch has noticed something I haven't.

Dupont has benefited greatly from being put on the wing with Parenteau and Anisimov, who have both fed him some great passes right out in front of the net that he's put home... which is exactly what you want him to be doing. I can't think of a point he's picked up recently on which he hasn't been right around the net. He skates well, has decent size, and isn't afraid to go to the net, and it's really been paying off for him lately.

At the start of the season, I thought Korpikoski had made the next step in his development, but honestly, I'm not so sure now. Lately he's looked pretty much like he did last season, which is to say he needs to work on his passing and finishing skills and putting himself in the right place in the offensive zone to get more scoring chances. He has the occasional shift where he really stands out, but he needs to work on doing it more consistently.

[stevek]

Thanks Laurie,

It seems you really follow the Pack, wow...

thanks again for your insight

[laurie]

Steve:

In some ways following the Pack is actually more enjoyable than following the Rangers. They're certainly no where near as predictable, though occasionally their power play looks awfully similar. ;)

[Mitch Beck]

Steve,

You sure do ask quite a few questions... :)

Boy where do I start...

Bourret:

The biggest problem that Alex has, to be polite, is a questionable work-ethic. There isn't a person in the organization that questions his talent. He was picked as a first rounder for a reason. The problem is that he has severe brain cramps and just stands around some times and will get burned. Ken Gernander's biggest challenge bar none with Alex is motivating him. If you've seen him play when he IS motivated, boy is he a joy to watch. The kid can hit like Hollweg, pass like Jagr and score like any name you want. The problem is he is SO inconsistent and takes so many shifts off that you question his desire and truthfully if it doesn't improve and soon I think he could be done with the organization after this year.

Anisimov:

I have to be honest with you because it's the only way I know how to be. Alex has a WORLD of talent and given time he WILL be a Top Line NHL Centerman. He needs to work on consistency and his defense but he is the real deal. I am very partial to the young Russian. I think the kid can flat out play and when he's on boy can he do some things with the puck, but he has a lot to learn and will be a VERY good NHL player...in time.

Byers:

Dane is a mystery, he really is. He will show signs like he's ready for the NHL and then disappear for stretches. He's on one of those right now. Last night he took a very dumb penalty and got into a fight and put his teammates behind the 8 ball when they were in total control of the game.

Dupont:

When I watched Brodie play in the first couple of exhibition games I told Bruce Berlet that I couldn't understand why he was even in camp with the WP because he looked that out of place. When I spoke with him recently though he told me that he usually starts slow and once his mindset gets locked in on the speed and the type of game played at the level he's at that he takes off. His play of late certainly would be in line with that. If you want to verify it on your own, take a look at his numbers while he was in Juniors and you'll see what I mean. As of right now, it is absolutely he and Greg Moore who have been the Pack's two best players. There is no doubt that he has the chops to back up his NHL potential, but he will need time to grow in the AHL before making the jump.

Korpikoski:

Lauri is a great young kid who I like a lot. He will definitely be an NHL player. He needs to work on his shot but his defense is usually spot on and he hits like Ba-Ba-Booey's breath (a little Howard Stern reference for those in the unknown). He too needs to work on consistency and hitting the net offensively. If I were betting, which I'm not, I think he will be one of the young guys on the Rangers next season.

Hopefully I answered all of your questions. Laurie did a fine job as well so between the two hopefully you've gotten your answers. Thanks for reading...

[stevek]

Thanks again for answering my questions, Laurie and Mitch, and keep up the good work...