Thoughts After Watching Lake Erie Beat Up Rochester

NHL Network broadcasted today’s Lake Erie game against the Rochester Americans (Florida Panthers). Lake Erie scored at :17 of the 1st, built a 4-0 lead and cruised to a 6-2 win.

What was exciting:

• Live broadcast. I knew the Monsters had played last night, so I figured NHL Network was just going to rebroadcast last night’s game. I was pleasantly surprised.
• The score! Always nice to see the farm team playing well.

What was disappointing:

• The score! A lopsided game is not the best game to try to evaluate the talent.
• Jason Bacashihua wasn’t in net. The AHL’s player of the week had played last night, so Weiman got the start.
• LEM’s 3rd jersey. Blue numbers on a black jersey = impossible to read on TV.
• Ryan Wilson did not play. Apparently he has a “lower body injury” and is out 3 -4 weeks. Nice.

So how did ____ look?:

Nigel Williams (D) — He looked pretty raw. Our 2006 2nd round pick got a lot less ice time than I figured he would. He was a -1 in a game that his team won 6-2. But he got a chance to show off his hard shot on a “Taco Bell Beef Chalupa” PP (gotta love minor league hockey) during the 2nd when he blasted one off the post. He was also noticeably bigger than just about anyone else out there. It’s pretty clear that he’ll need at least another season in the AHL.

Tyler Weiman (G) — Not much work for him today, so pretty hard to critique him. He stopped 21 of 23 shots.

Matt Hendricks (C) — Since returning after being out a while with a toe injury, he’s on a hot streak. First star of the game with 2 goals and an assist, was a +3 and had 10 SOG. Wearing an A and according to the LEM crew, has some leadership qualities. Too bad he’s 28…

Philippe Dupris (C) / Chris Durno (LW) — Both has an assist and looked solid at both ends of the ice. Both were called up for a few games this season, I’d look for each to get a real shot to stick with the big team at some point next year.

T.J. Galiardi (C) — The Avs 2nd rounder from 2007 was the 2nd star with a goal and an assist. Made the best individual play of the game on the “Taco Bell Beef Chulupa” PP when he simply undressed American’s goalie Tyler Plante and scored. Looks to be on his way – a player I’ll be watching during rookie / training camp.

Per Ledin (LW) — Was the 3th star with a goal and two assists, but that was only his 6th goal and 15th points for the season in 45 games. Although he finally seems to be adjusting to the North American game, my guess is he’ll be heading back to Europe next season.