Post by seniorhockeyking on Jan 2, 2022 21:33:54 GMT -6
I would call this the half way point of the season, and I think for the most part it's as predicted. But I've watched a lot of hockey in this league and want to give a bit of a recap on it.
1. Drake - Drake has maintained the high level they were at when in the Provincial North Final. Covid might have ruined their run that year, but this team is still built to win. Having locals like Cam Blair, David Stumborg, and Calvin Bartel goes a long ways. I don't think they have as much forward depth as Foam Lake, but I love the way this team plays night in and night out. They play the game the right way, and have as good of a team as any in this league. Additions of McFaul and Draude helped offset the loss of some of their guys from last team. I see great things in this teams future.
2. Foam Lake - On paper, they have probably the best team in this province. I think if they found a D-Man or two they would be untouchable. Losing Wapple is a huge loss and something that might keep them from doing great things in this League. Their top two lines have been awesome, but I do think that the run and gun style of hockey they want to play night in and night out won't translate to winning when it matters. I'm surprised they didn't go in A Provincials, but they loss of Wapple might have directed them this way. I think if they can figure out how to play in the playoffs this could be the year they win this league. Top 6 needs to figure out how to play together and realize they are better when everyone's playing team first hockey.
3. Davidson - This is a team that could beat you if you decide to take a night off or don't have your horses there. Their imports don't scare me, but the Allan's , as much as everyone hates them, seem to preform year after year. This teams needs McNabb to play all their games in February/March or they won't be going very deep. If they can figure out the right line combinations going forward and get commitment all around, they could be a team that second place doesn't want to play to get to the final.
4. Lanigan - I did expect more from them, Harmsworth and Bricker were huge adds. I think once this team can get some "Non-Imports" worth keeping they will get back to a top level team in this league again. Shields hasn't stole games like I thought he would, but no goalie can do that with sub par defensive play. I still think this is a team you can't take a night off from. I would like to see the leaders of this team get this team to the point where they can play a full 60 minutes. They seem to be their own worse enemy as the games progress.
5. Wynyard - Another team I expected more from. For some reason their local studs just don't produce against the big dogs. I maybe expected more from the additions from Raymore. Still a team that is still getting to know each other in the locker room. I expect them to be much better in the second half, and if they can figure out how to play together, they could be a team you don't want to play in the playoffs.
6. Watrous - A sad story really as they have always seemed to have a strong local base to build teams around. The loss of the Klassen's and Ullyott's have really set this team back 12 steps. Hearing that it was very hard for them to get locals to play, and this is what drove imports away. I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't have had guys lined up to play from Saskatoon, but when you know you don't have the locals, or a goalie, why play there? I think this gives them a chance to save money and rebuild. The ugly truth is that you can't compete in any senior hockey league, let alone the Long Lake League, without solid locals, and unless they convince some guys to play, It could be a while until they have productive local talent. Their ex-coach won't hesitate to let you know that they are technically still the defending Provincial A Champs, as well as the Defending League champs. Although that team was one of the best I've seen in my days watching senior, I think they need to make sure to keep their memories strong, cause they won't have a team like that again in this decade.
1. Drake - Drake has maintained the high level they were at when in the Provincial North Final. Covid might have ruined their run that year, but this team is still built to win. Having locals like Cam Blair, David Stumborg, and Calvin Bartel goes a long ways. I don't think they have as much forward depth as Foam Lake, but I love the way this team plays night in and night out. They play the game the right way, and have as good of a team as any in this league. Additions of McFaul and Draude helped offset the loss of some of their guys from last team. I see great things in this teams future.
2. Foam Lake - On paper, they have probably the best team in this province. I think if they found a D-Man or two they would be untouchable. Losing Wapple is a huge loss and something that might keep them from doing great things in this League. Their top two lines have been awesome, but I do think that the run and gun style of hockey they want to play night in and night out won't translate to winning when it matters. I'm surprised they didn't go in A Provincials, but they loss of Wapple might have directed them this way. I think if they can figure out how to play in the playoffs this could be the year they win this league. Top 6 needs to figure out how to play together and realize they are better when everyone's playing team first hockey.
3. Davidson - This is a team that could beat you if you decide to take a night off or don't have your horses there. Their imports don't scare me, but the Allan's , as much as everyone hates them, seem to preform year after year. This teams needs McNabb to play all their games in February/March or they won't be going very deep. If they can figure out the right line combinations going forward and get commitment all around, they could be a team that second place doesn't want to play to get to the final.
4. Lanigan - I did expect more from them, Harmsworth and Bricker were huge adds. I think once this team can get some "Non-Imports" worth keeping they will get back to a top level team in this league again. Shields hasn't stole games like I thought he would, but no goalie can do that with sub par defensive play. I still think this is a team you can't take a night off from. I would like to see the leaders of this team get this team to the point where they can play a full 60 minutes. They seem to be their own worse enemy as the games progress.
5. Wynyard - Another team I expected more from. For some reason their local studs just don't produce against the big dogs. I maybe expected more from the additions from Raymore. Still a team that is still getting to know each other in the locker room. I expect them to be much better in the second half, and if they can figure out how to play together, they could be a team you don't want to play in the playoffs.
6. Watrous - A sad story really as they have always seemed to have a strong local base to build teams around. The loss of the Klassen's and Ullyott's have really set this team back 12 steps. Hearing that it was very hard for them to get locals to play, and this is what drove imports away. I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't have had guys lined up to play from Saskatoon, but when you know you don't have the locals, or a goalie, why play there? I think this gives them a chance to save money and rebuild. The ugly truth is that you can't compete in any senior hockey league, let alone the Long Lake League, without solid locals, and unless they convince some guys to play, It could be a while until they have productive local talent. Their ex-coach won't hesitate to let you know that they are technically still the defending Provincial A Champs, as well as the Defending League champs. Although that team was one of the best I've seen in my days watching senior, I think they need to make sure to keep their memories strong, cause they won't have a team like that again in this decade.
