Post by Belfast on Dec 6, 2021 16:10:32 GMT -7
The Patriots first game of the 21-22 season starts off in Cole Harbor due to extensive upgrading of the beer lines at the Belfast Potato Mash Agricultural Center. Clearly, the Patriots were more concerned with the upgrades there than the contest on the ice as they quickly allow the home Butchers to amass a clear ownership of the face off circle, which results in a quick McDavid score on a nice feed from Oshie at 9:12 of the first period.
The Patriots dont bother Reimer with any quality chances in the first period and allow Nick Bonino to get behind the defense on a clear off side to score at 19:36 of the first to send the Butchers to the intermission with a 2-0 lead. The Butchers manage to hold down the fort even though giving up two PP chances to the Patriots in that first frame.
The only spark for the Patriots was when Rasmus Ristolainen absolutely crushes Jordie Benn into the end boards, sending him to the Butchers locker room at the midway point of the period.
The second period starts off with the Patriots in the box for some rather chippy play, Artem Zub giving former Patriot, Matthew Tkachuk, a quick spear sits out at 2:48, followed right after when Nico Sturm roughs up Adam Fox following a scrum around James Reimer. This does seem to get the Patriots going and Sturm makes up for his penalty on a bad give away by Joel Edmunson, beating Reimer clean on the blocker side. Sean Kuraly cruising through the slot, creates a perfect screen for Eriksson-Ek on the PP, but Hedman somehow manages to get a skate in front of it to deflect the sure goal out of harms way.
The Patriots manage to fight back to within one by the end of the frame.
The third period see's an uptick in the offense with the Patriots getting 2 scoring chances early, only to see Reimer shut the door on both attempts. Matthew Tkachuk scores on a cross ice feed from Fox to put the Buthcers up by 2 again, before Jakub Vrana scores for the Patriots to get them within one again.
Even with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, the Patriots manage only one more quality chance which Reimer turns aside and Pacioretty puts the game away with a late goal to seal the 4-2 home win.
Hellebuyck continues to have troubles in net allowing 4 goals on 7 quality chances, all on the forbidden6 row, while Reimer had a solid outing allowing 2 on 5 quality chances.
The Patriots dont bother Reimer with any quality chances in the first period and allow Nick Bonino to get behind the defense on a clear off side to score at 19:36 of the first to send the Butchers to the intermission with a 2-0 lead. The Butchers manage to hold down the fort even though giving up two PP chances to the Patriots in that first frame.
The only spark for the Patriots was when Rasmus Ristolainen absolutely crushes Jordie Benn into the end boards, sending him to the Butchers locker room at the midway point of the period.
The second period starts off with the Patriots in the box for some rather chippy play, Artem Zub giving former Patriot, Matthew Tkachuk, a quick spear sits out at 2:48, followed right after when Nico Sturm roughs up Adam Fox following a scrum around James Reimer. This does seem to get the Patriots going and Sturm makes up for his penalty on a bad give away by Joel Edmunson, beating Reimer clean on the blocker side. Sean Kuraly cruising through the slot, creates a perfect screen for Eriksson-Ek on the PP, but Hedman somehow manages to get a skate in front of it to deflect the sure goal out of harms way.
The Patriots manage to fight back to within one by the end of the frame.
The third period see's an uptick in the offense with the Patriots getting 2 scoring chances early, only to see Reimer shut the door on both attempts. Matthew Tkachuk scores on a cross ice feed from Fox to put the Buthcers up by 2 again, before Jakub Vrana scores for the Patriots to get them within one again.
Even with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, the Patriots manage only one more quality chance which Reimer turns aside and Pacioretty puts the game away with a late goal to seal the 4-2 home win.
Hellebuyck continues to have troubles in net allowing 4 goals on 7 quality chances, all on the forbidden6 row, while Reimer had a solid outing allowing 2 on 5 quality chances.
1st Star: Connor McDavid, Goal, Assist and buzzing around the net all night.
2nd Star: James Reimer, solid outing by the home team goalie.
3rd Star : Jakub Vrana 1 goal, 5 shots, 3 quality chances.
The Patriots first home game of the season see's a few more of the regulars pull into the lineup, in hopes of upsetting the juggernaut from Cole Harbor.
The lackluster effort from the first game seems to have lit a fire under the Patriots and they come out ripping pucks from all angles. This one appears to be over barely half way through the first period as goals from Josh Norris, Esa Lindell, Artem Zub and Nico Sturm nearly chase James Reimer before were 10 minutes in.
Zub has a a strong effort in the first period with a goal and 2 assists and a block to his credit. Lindell has 4 shots on goal, Sturm follows up with 3 and the Norris, Kuraly, Nichushkin line control play whenever they're on. The first period mercifully ends with the home team up by 4.
The second period sees Reimer get his skates under him and he turns away another 2 quality chances before Eriksson-Ek finally solves him on a pass from Jason Robertson.
The Butchers offense has fit and spurts and Adam Fox manages to sneak a puck across the goal line against Nedeljkovic who thought he had secured the puck underneath him.
Early in the second, McDavid, looking for a lengthy stretch pass, gets caught by Nico Sturm with a clean open ice hit. McDavid was on the ice for a few moments but managed to finish the game, albeit definitely not at his full strength (-3).
The third period sees Reimer try to keep his team in the game, stopping 3 quality chances in close before Eriksson-Ek scores his second of the game to put it out of reach on a break out pass from Jamie Oleksiak. Connor McDavid, still clearly angry with the officiating, then proceeded to take a 2 minute bench minor for his continued yapping at the referee. The Butchers manage to kill that off and Jeff Carter adds a goal for the Butchers in garbage time, but the Patriots come out with an impressive 6-2 win on home ice.
Nedeljkovic appeared to hurt himself after Mat "The Rat" Tkachuk slew footed him late, no penalty call on the play, but Hellebuyck came in and only game up one goal....on one chance.
70% of the Butchers possession was on Adam Fox. Seriously, I dont think he could have touched the puck more without divine intervention. If it wasn't Fox, it was Hedman or Edmunson. Not a banner day for the Butchers forwards.
Nedeljkovic was 1 goal on 4 chances 26 shots total and Hellebuyck was 1 on 1 chance 5 shots total, while Reimer was 6 goals on 13 Quality chances, 35 shots total.
1st Star: Eriksson-Ek: 2 goals, 2 assists 8 shots, 4 quality
The Patriots first home game of the season see's a few more of the regulars pull into the lineup, in hopes of upsetting the juggernaut from Cole Harbor.
The lackluster effort from the first game seems to have lit a fire under the Patriots and they come out ripping pucks from all angles. This one appears to be over barely half way through the first period as goals from Josh Norris, Esa Lindell, Artem Zub and Nico Sturm nearly chase James Reimer before were 10 minutes in.
Zub has a a strong effort in the first period with a goal and 2 assists and a block to his credit. Lindell has 4 shots on goal, Sturm follows up with 3 and the Norris, Kuraly, Nichushkin line control play whenever they're on. The first period mercifully ends with the home team up by 4.
The second period sees Reimer get his skates under him and he turns away another 2 quality chances before Eriksson-Ek finally solves him on a pass from Jason Robertson.
The Butchers offense has fit and spurts and Adam Fox manages to sneak a puck across the goal line against Nedeljkovic who thought he had secured the puck underneath him.
Early in the second, McDavid, looking for a lengthy stretch pass, gets caught by Nico Sturm with a clean open ice hit. McDavid was on the ice for a few moments but managed to finish the game, albeit definitely not at his full strength (-3).
The third period sees Reimer try to keep his team in the game, stopping 3 quality chances in close before Eriksson-Ek scores his second of the game to put it out of reach on a break out pass from Jamie Oleksiak. Connor McDavid, still clearly angry with the officiating, then proceeded to take a 2 minute bench minor for his continued yapping at the referee. The Butchers manage to kill that off and Jeff Carter adds a goal for the Butchers in garbage time, but the Patriots come out with an impressive 6-2 win on home ice.
Nedeljkovic appeared to hurt himself after Mat "The Rat" Tkachuk slew footed him late, no penalty call on the play, but Hellebuyck came in and only game up one goal....on one chance.
70% of the Butchers possession was on Adam Fox. Seriously, I dont think he could have touched the puck more without divine intervention. If it wasn't Fox, it was Hedman or Edmunson. Not a banner day for the Butchers forwards.
Nedeljkovic was 1 goal on 4 chances 26 shots total and Hellebuyck was 1 on 1 chance 5 shots total, while Reimer was 6 goals on 13 Quality chances, 35 shots total.
1st Star: Eriksson-Ek: 2 goals, 2 assists 8 shots, 4 quality
2nd Star: Artem Zub: 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 shots 2 quality
3rd Star: James Reimer 6 goals against on 13 quality chances and 35 total, he did what he could.
Belfast is 1-1-0.
Belfast is 1-1-0.
