Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

[SENS_AK27]

Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

LEAGUE NEWS


The Phoenix Coyotes have signed veteran winger S. Donovan to a 1 year contract worth a little more then half a million. Donovan is expect to report to Portland before their next match against Providence. The move will add to the veteran presence on a remarkably young team. Along side Thomas, Donovan will provide advice and lead by example. Despite being in the twilight of his career Donovan can still keep up with the best of them and is considered one of the fastest skaters on the team even at the age of 37.

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Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

SUNDIN BLANKS PROVIDENCE IN HIS 2ND SHUTOUT OF THE SEASON

GAME 13 RECAP





GAME NOTES:

DONOVAN - In
MILLER - Out


Scoring Summary:

2nd
Morrison from Schlemko and Yonkman @ 12:54
Nuberg from Schlemko and Donovan @ 18:28
3rd
Maclean from C. Morrison and Pattenden @ 5:30
Cooper from Yonkman @ 17:40

[SENS_AK27]

Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

PHANTOMS EDGE PIRATES IN CLOSE GAME

GAME 14 RECAP





Game Summary:

The Pirates tried to make it 3 in a row when they took on the hard hitting Adirondack Phantoms. Although the game started off right, with the Pirates scoring the first goal it quickly slipped away as the Phantoms would go on to score 3 unanswered goals. The Pirates would cut the lead to 1 before letting in another goal.

Sundin wasn't playing up to his usual standards as he gave out many large rebounds which resulted in easy Phantom goals. The defense was also uncharacteristically slow, often being beaten to the puck in their own zone by the faster Adirondack forwards. Late in the game Coach MacNeil shifted the gritty trio of Blaine, G. Morrison, and Thomas back down to the 3rd line and that seemed to generate some offense as soon after it lead to a goal.

It was too little to late as time would expire and the Pirates would lose a close one.

Scoring Summary:

1st
Nuberg from Maclean @ 3:25 (1-0 Portland)
2nd
Nuberg @ 1:32 (Tied 2-2)
3rd
G. Morrison from Blaine and Pattenden @ 15:00 (4-3 Adirondack)

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Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

BABY PENS EDGE OUT PIRATES

GAME 15 RECAP





GAME SUMMARY

The Pirates were host to the Wilkes-Barrie Scranton Penguins in tonight's game. The Penguins, struggling going 2-8-0 in their last 10 games. Portland looked to come out and extend their losing streak by scoring an early powerplay goal. But a penalty filled 2nd and 3rd period allowed the Pens to creep back into the game and eventually score the winner. The Baby Pens went 3/9 on the night as the Pirates penalty kill was uncharacteristically poor tonight.

Nuberg & Maclean continued to show great chemistry on ice together by combining for a goal in tonight's game.

Scoring Summary:

1st
Holopainen PPG (6) from Cooper and Blaine @ 6:11
Nuberg (6) from Klingberg and Maclean @ 10:57
2nd
Nuberg (7) from Maclean @ 7:45
Aldridge (1) from Weber and Thomas @ 11:50

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Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

PIRATES REBOUND AGAINST THE STRUGGLING BABY BRUINS

GAME 16 RECAP





GAME SUMMARY

The Pirates rebounded in a win against the Providence Bruins. Sundin played exceptionally well in net stopping 25 shots. He got a lot of help from his defense in front of him, who were able to clear his rebounds and made smart choices moving the puck out of the zone, therefore reducing turnovers.

Blaine, tallied on the powerplay to give the Pirates the early lead. Then Maclean extended his point streak by stripping the defenseman of the puck and putting the puck past Khudobin. The Bruins got some bad luck when Hamill got in the way of an Aldridge slapshot. The puck struck his knee and he was in obvious pain. He did not return to the game and is now expected to miss 3-4 weeks.

Despite the score, Nuberg failed to register a point, so his point streak ends at 5 games.


Scoring Summary:

1st
Blaine PPG (4) from Holopainen and Cooper @ 11:27
2nd
Maclean (6) @ 10:21
3rd
Sauve (8)
C. Morrison (4) from Cooper and Yonkman @ 17:35
Maclean EN (6) @ 19:47

[thedudedominick]

Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

Do I need to go to the media to complain about my ice time? Went from line one to line four.

[SENS_AK27]

Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

Do I need to go to the media to complain about my ice time? Went from line one to line four.

Not at all, the Coach is still trying to find Chemistry and the best line combinations.

[SENS_AK27]

Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

COOPER'S HATTRICK POWERS PIRATES TO BIG WIN OVER CONNECTICUT

GAME 17 RECAP





GAME SUMMARY


The Pirates keep winning, at they traveled to Connecticut to take on the Whale. Well it turned out to be the Ryan Cooper show as the impressive youngster potted 3 against the Whale. Cooper got his first very early when he took a pass from C. Morrison and sniped a wrister from the top of the circle. He got his 2nd midway through the 2nd when he stripped the defender of the puck, walked in on Johnson and did the forehand to backhand deke for his second. He scored his 3rd and first career AHL hattrick when on the powerplay he intercepted an errant pass and threw the puck on net which fooled Johnson.

Sundin wasn't terribly busy in net but stopped 27 shots on his way to another victory. Maclean is becoming a familiar name on the score sheet as he pushes his point streak to 7 consecutive games.

The Whale also suffered a blow when Blaine crushed S. Bickel behind the boards with a huge hit. Bickel was shaken up and had to leave the game. He is now expected to miss the next 1-2 weeks.

Scoring Summary:
1st
Cooper (5) from C. Morrison @ 0:51
Maclean (8) from Aldridge and Donovan @ 8:10
2nd
Tessier (1)
Klingberg (1) from Janssen and Pouliot @ 6:58
Tessier (2)
Cooper (6) @ 8:11
3rd
Cooper PPG (7) from Pattenden @ 16:20

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Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

LEAGUE NEWS


POST TRADE ANALYSIS

Interim GM Brad Treliving made some more adjustments to the roster by making some minor league moves. He shipped off seldom used defenseman Goncharov to Vancouver for prospect N. Jensen. The Canucks were looking for more a mobile defenseman that has an offensive upside and Treliving was looking for a young defensive forward.

The trade with St. Louis was more of a courtesy trade after young forward Patrick Cosgrove grew more and more outspoken about his ice time with the team. Not wanting a distraction in the locker room Coach MacNeil made the request to Treliving and soon a deal was struck. On Peoria Cosgrove will see more minutes on the 2nd or 3rd line as they are short on Right Wingers in the minors. The Coyotes also give up a good offensive prospect in L. Lessio, although he still unsigned. In return they get a big bodied two way forward, someone that is a little older and more of an offensive upside. Grachev is expected to join the team as they prepare for their next game against Worchester.

[SENS_AK27]

Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

BABY SHARKS STEAL WIN IN THE SHOOTOUT

GAME 18 RECAP





BOX SCORE:
1st
Gogol (1)
Nuberg (8) from Maclean @ 11:17
3rd
Ferriero (5)
Bellini (1) from Pouliot @ 11:45

Shootout
Maclean - Save
C. Morrison - Post
Cooper - Save
Donovan - Miss
Holopainen - Save
Schlemko - Goal
Pattenden - Miss

Ferriero - Save
Wingels - Miss
McCarthy - Save
Desjardins - Miss
Murray - Save
Gogol - Goal
Guite - Goal

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Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

AFTER 18 GAMES

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Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

PIRATES EDGE OUT WORCHESTER IN 2ND GAME OF HOME AND HOME

GAME 19 RECAP





SCORING SUMMARY:

1st
C. Morrison PPG (5) from Nuberg @ 16:04
2nd
Irwin (1)
Nuberg (9) from Maclean and G. Morrison @ 12:47
3rd
Bellini (2) from Pouliot and Janssen @ 14:42
Holopainen (7) from Schlemko and Cooper @ 18:12

[SENS_AK27]

Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

MACLEAN NETS 2 AS WBS EEKS OUT OT WIN

GAME 20 RECAP





GAME NOTES

Pirates forward R. Miller will have a meeting with league officials after a questionable hit in which, WBS forward J. Williams was hit from behind along the boards while playing the puck. Williams had his back to the play and Miller delivered a late check which resulted in Williams hitting his face on the dasher and then falling to the ice. With blood pouring freely from his nose and mouth, Williams was helped off the ice and went to the dressing room for repairs.

There was no call on the play, which lead to many questioning the referees for the game. Williams is currently listed as out of the line-up indefinitely. The league will make a ruling tomorrow on the hit. A suspension would be a first for Miller.

SCORING SUMMARY:

1st
Maclean (9) from Donovan and Aldridge @ 4:14
2nd
Veilleux (4)
Day (4)
3rd
Maclean (10) from Donovan and Nuberg @ 17:54
Bellini (3) from Aldridge and Grachev @ 18:10
Tangradi (6)
OT
Jeffrey (10)

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Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

TWO 3RD PERIOD GOALS POWER HERSEY TO VICTORY

GAME 21 RECAP





GAME SUMMARY

Portland traveled to Hersey to take on the Bears. With both teams hovering close the the .500 mark the contest could have gone either way. After both teams traded goals in the first period, Portland took the early 2nd period lead after Nuberg and Maclean connected on the powerplay.

Portland got into penalty trouble in the 3rd period when their undisciplined play resulted in a 5 on 3 for Hersey. Fortunately they were able to kill it off before they took another penalty. On this penalty Eakin got behind the defense and Janssen tripped him up with his stick as a last ditch effort to prevent the break away. A Penalty Shot was called but luckily Pogge was able to stop Eakin to preserve the lead.

Eakin would get that goal though on his next shift on the powerplay. With time winding down it looked like this game was heading to overtime but K. Aucoin intercepted a pass and walked in and fired a slapshot from the top the circle. The shot fooled Pogge and beat him over this left shoulder. The surprise game winning goal shocked the Pirates who all were expecting to go to overtime.

Scoring Summary:

1st
Aucoin PPG (2)
G. Morrison (6) from Bellini and Janssen @ 10:31

2nd
Maclean PPG (11) from Nuberg and C. Morrison @ 11:24

3rd
Eakin PPG (5)
Aucoin (3)

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Re: Transcending Expectations: The Coaching Career of Neil MacNeil (NHL 12)

LEAGUE NEWS


The Phoenix Coyotes made another roster move when they shipped out Center M. Pouliot to Pittsburgh. Pouliot has been a healthy scratch with Portland the last two games. Although Pouliot was a great defensive player, with good speed, Portland was looking more for a playmaking center with more offensive upside. They found that in Pittsburgh's Vitale.

Vitale is expected to join the team for their next game against Springfield. When he does join the team he is expected to Center either the 3rd or 4th line.