NHL 14 BAGM: The Story of Mario Lemieux and the Seattle Snipers

[LeafsFan31]

Lemieux Arrives, Snipers lose in Overtime

Seattle Snipers at New York Islanders
Oct 8, 2013 1 2 3 OT F SEA (1-0-2) 0 1 2 0 3 NYI (1-1-1) 1 1 1 1 4 Three Stars Mario Lemieux 3 goals Andrew Macdonald GWG John Tavares 1 goal	Team Stats Comparison SEA NYI Shots on Goal 9 24 Hits 26 11 Faceoffs Won-Lost 8 14 Penalty Minutes 2:00 0:00 Power Plays Converted 0/0 0/1 Power Play Opportunities 0 1 Time on Attack 6:47 5:59
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD NYI 4:29 K. OKPOSO (1), (F. NIELSEN) SECOND PERIOD SEA 2:15 M. LEMIEUX (1) NYI 8:16 J. TAVARES (1), (T. VANEK, T. HICKEY) THIRD PERIOD SEA 6:00 M. LEMIEUX (2), (C. KREIDER, A. PARDY) NYI 7:05 R. STROME (1), (P.REGIN) SEA 19:53 M. LEMIEUX (3), (J. BRAUN, M.TEDENBY) OVERTIME NYI 3:01 A.MACDONALD (1), (M.SMITH)

Mario Lemieux has arrived. The 18 year old was the only bright spot as Seattle was heavily outplayed by the New York Islanders. Seattle, managing only 9 shots, were able to steal a point in this one, because of the timely scoring of Mario Lemieux. A hat-trick, including the game tying goal with seven seconds remaining. John Gibson did all he could to keep Seattle in this one, but a shot from the point in overtime managed to get past him.

"Obviously this wasn't our best game, we were missing the net out there a lot tonight, and we couldn't get passes or shots through the lane. I'm happy I was able to get a few bounces to score the goals I did, it is still a big point for us early in the season. We all know we need to play a a better team game to have success"

-Lemieux on tonight's game.

[LeafsFan31]

Net Troubles, Snipers Shutout at Home

Calgary Flames at Seattle Snipers
Oct 22, 2013 1 2 3 F CGY (6-2-1) 0 0 1 1 SEA (2-5-3) 0 0 0 0 Three Stars John Gibson 25 saves Curtis Glencross GWG Karri Ramo 14 saves	Team Stats Comparison CGY SEA Shots on Goal 26 14 Hits 7 18 Faceoffs Won-Lost 10 7 Penalty Minutes 0:00 4:00 Power Plays Converted 1 0 Power Play Opportunities 2 0 Time on Attack 4:11 8:45
Scoring Summary THIRD PERIOD CGY 19:15 C. GLENCROSS (6), (D. JONES, M. STAJAN) PP

The Seattle Snipers scoring troubles continue with a 1-0 loss at home to Calgary. Now with a goals per game of under 2, it is clear that the Snipers are significantly under skilled and have extreme trouble creating chances. A lot of rushes result in turnovers, missing the net or weak shots on goal. It is clear that the offense of Mario Lemieux is not enough to produce many wins. However no one is panicking in Seattle, everyone realizes the situation this team is in as an expansion team; The wins will not come regularly right away.

[Tazer19]

Keep at it! Gotta find a way to generate some offense.

[LeafsFan31]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tazer19

Keep at it! Gotta find a way to generate some offense.

I'm Working on something to try to bring in a little help. Won't be anything flashy but I need to bring in a bit more skill.

Also, realized I hadn't posted my lineup, so here it is.

Seattle Snipers Depth Chart - 2013
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
LW	C. Kreider	M. Tedenby	F. Mclaren	T. Sestito
C	M. Lemieux	N. Mackinnon	G. Campbell	Z. Konopka
RW	V. Nichushkin	E. Condra	J. Hayes	G. Parros
D #1	J. Braun	R. Bortuzzo	S. Brookbank
D #2	J. Muzzin	A. Belov	A. Pardy
G	J. Gibson	J. Gustavsson

[LeafsFan31]

Game 20: @ Chicago

Seattle Snipers at Chicago Blackhawks
Nov 14, 2013 1 2 3 F SEA (5-11-4) 0 0 1 1 CHI (11-8-0) 1 0 1 2 Three Stars Marian Hossa GWG Patrick Sharp 1 Goal Nikolai Khabibulin 15 Saves	Team Stats Comparison SEA CHI Shots on Goal 16 25 Hits 27 9 Faceoffs Won-Lost 3 9 Penalty Minutes 4:00 0:00 Power Plays Converted 0 0 Power Play Opportunities 0 2 Time on Attack 7:42 4:44
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD CHI 19:58 P.SHARP (6) THIRD PERIOD SEA 4:41 S. BROOKBANK (1), (V.NICHUSHKIN) CHI 12:50 M. HOSSA (5), (P.KANE, J. TOEWS)

A hard fought game was played by the Seattle Snipers tonight in Chicago, however the result was the same, falling 2-1 to the Blackhawks. The sniper's came out with jump, skating hard, and finishing their checks. Controlling most of the play in the first forced Khabibulin to make several outstanding saves to keep the game tied.

A late period turnover by Jake Muzzin placed the puck right on Patrick Sharp's stick, he made no mistake, putting the puck in off the bar past John Gibson.

"I felt I really took the wind out of our sails with that play. To have such an excellent start and piss it out away by one turnover with just seconds remaining is more than frustrating"

-Jake Muzzin on his turnover leading to Sharp's goal

Muzzin was right, Seattle was not the same team in the second period. Playing with no energy led to a heavily out shot period, and one that they leaned on John Gibson to keep the deficient at 1. A late period penalty by Lemieux seemed it would be what would push Seattle over the edge, however a big kill really inspired the team.

"The team really pick me up with that big kill. I felt after that we were able to get back to our game, we started skating again, hitting, winning the small battles. I believe that is becoming our identity. To be successful we need to go to the dirty areas, knock players off the puck, that's how we create chances"

-Lemieux on Seattle's play

That is exactly what lead to the tying goal. A great cycle shift by the top line, led to Nichushkin winning the battle in the corner and finding Brookbank on the top of the circle. He finished the play nicely with a slap shot, scoring a rare goal.

Unfortunately for the Snipers, the top players of the Blackhawks proved to be too much, Marian Hossa scoring the winning goal in the latter half of the third.

"I do believe this was a moral victory for us, however we need some of those real victories to start coming in"

-Gibson when asked about the team's mood after tonight's game

[LeafsFan31]

20 Game Update

Team Record: 5-11-4 / 7th Pacific / 13th West / 29th NHL

Goals Per Game : 2.00 (30th)
Goals Against Per Game : 3.00 (26th)
Powerplay Percentage : 22.7% (6th)
Penalty Kill Percentage : 78.1% (25th)

Seattle Snipers Stats - 2013
Skaters	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	GW	PIM	SOG	SPCT
Mario Lemieux	20	12	10	22	1	1	8	88	13.64
Chris Kreider	20	5	7	12	1	0	8	37	13.51
Nathan Mackinnon	20	2	9	11	-6	0	4	47	12.77
Valeri Nichushkin	20	6	5	11	-3	1	2	33	6.06
Justin Bruan	20	0	8	8	-1	0	6	16	0.00
Jake Muzzin	20	0	8	8	-5	0	18	16	0.00
Mattias Tedenby	20	3	2	5	-6	0	2	19	15.79
Greg Campbell	20	2	3	5	-5	0	26	29	6.90
Adam Pardy	20	1	3	4	-5	0	14	31	6.45
George Parros	20	1	3	4	0	0	10	8	12.50
Eric Condra	20	2	2	4	-8	1	4	13	7.69
Anton Belov	20	1	1	2	-9	0	16	11	0.00
Robert Bortuzzo	20	0	2	2	-7	0	18	19	5.26
Sheldon Brookbank	20	1	1	2	-6	0	11	9	11.11
Jimmy Hayes	20	2	0	2	-6	1	9	18	11.11
Zenon Konopka	20	1	1	2	-3	0	26	18	5.56
Frazer Mclaren	20	1	1	2	-7	0	10	7	14.29
Tom Sestito	20	0	0	0	-4	0	8	6	0.00
Goalies	GP	W	L	T	GAA	TOI	SV	SV%	SHO
John Gibson	16	3	12	0	3.07	936	441	89.12	0
Jonas Gustavsson	6	2	3	0	2.39	276	122	90.98	0

We can not score.. all I have to say.

STANDINGS :

Pacific

1. Calgary - 11-6-2 - 24
2. San Jose - 20-5-4 - 24
3. Edmonton - 11-7-2 - 24
4. Vancouver - 11-8-2 - 24
5. Anaheim - 9-11-1 - 19
6. Los Angeles - 8-10-1 - 17
7. Seattle - 5-11-4 - 24

Central

1. St. Louis - 11-4-2 - 24
2. Nashville - 20-5-3 - 23
3. Chicago - 11-8-0 - 22
4. Dallas - 10-7-2 - 22
5. Winnipeg - 9-9-2 - 20
6. Minnesota - 7-11-1 - 15
7. Colorado - 4-10-4 - 12

Atlantic

1. Tampa Bay - 14-4-1 - 29
2. Buffalo - 13-6-1 - 27
3. Toronto - 12-4-2 - 26
4. Montreal - 12-5-2 - 26
5. Ottawa - 10-7-1 - 21
6. Detroit - 10-8-1 - 21
7. Boston - 8-6-4 - 20
8. Florida - 8-9-2 - 18

Metropolitan

1. Pittsburgh - 11-6-1 - 23
2. Philadelphia - 11-6-1 - 23
3. Washington - 10-8-1 - 21
4. NY Islanders - 9-10-1 - 19
5. Columbus - 8-8-2 - 18
6. New Jersey - 7-9-2 - 16
7. Carolina - 7-9-2 - 16
8. NY Rangers - 6-9-3 15

NHL League Leaders - Updated: Nov 15, 2013
GOALS		G	ASSISTS		A
	1. Sidney Crosby	14		1. Henrik Sedin	20
	2. Mario Lemieux	12		2. Valtteri Flippula	16
	3. Daniel Sedin	12		3. Ryan Getzlaf	15
	4. Alexander Ovechkin	11		4. Jason Spezza	15
	5. Jaromir Jagr	11		5. Christian Erhoff	15
POINTS		PTS	PLUS / MINUS		+ / -
	1. Sidney Crosby	29		1. Matt Carle	14
	2. Jason Spezza	24		2. Victor Hedman	13
	3. Logan Couture	24		3. Kimmo Timonen	11
	4. Jordan Eberle	23		4. Dan Boyle	11
	5. Steven Stamkos	22		5. Brad Stuart	11
WINS		W	GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE		GAA
	1. Ryan Miller	12		1. Kari Lehtonen	2.02
	2. Antti Niemi	10		2. Jimmy Howard	2.05
	3. Devin Dubnyk	9		3. Tuuka Rask	2.08
	4. Jonathan Bernier	9		4. Craig Anderson	2.15
	5. Ondrej Pavelec	9		5. Ryan Miller	2.16
SAVE PERCENTAGE		SV%	SHUTOUTS		SO
	1. Craig Anderson	.937		1. Karri Ramo	3
	2. Ryan Miller	.932		2. Tuuka Rask	3
	3. Jimmy Howard	.930		3. Peter Budaj	2
	4. Tuuka Rask	.927		4. Devan Dubnyk	2
	5. Kari Lehtonen	.927		5. Martin Jones	2

Lemieux Vs Gretzky Update

Mario Lemieux :

20 GP - 12 Goals - 10 Assists - 22 Points

Wayne Gretzky :

18 GP - 10 Goals - 8 Assists - 18 Points

It looks like Lemieux has an early edge on the point totals in this new rivalry of up and coming superstars. With no disrespect to Lemieux's linemates, his point totals are extra special before of the lack of talent of a new Seattle Franchise. Gretzky however is centering the top line of the Toronto Maple Leafs with Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul on his wings. Gretzky isn't relied on as much in Toronto as Lemieux in Seattle. His point totals are right where they need to be and Toronto is playing very well with a record of 12-4-2.

The first match up between Toronto and Seattle is a little over a month away, let's see if this rivalry intensifies leading up to this game.

Rumors :

Not much to talk about, however looking at every team for a possible trade. May have to take on a bad contract to bring in a little scoring help. A full write up on the thoughts of GM White will be coming soon.

[LeafsFan31]

Don't have the stats because I exited the game in anger, but just blew a 4-2 lead in the 3rd to the Avalanche. Lost 5-4 in regulation, the winner coming shorthanded with 3 seconds remaining. I am officially in last place.

[LeafsFan31]

The detailed thoughts of Seattle's GM - Part 1

5-11-5. Well.. I guess I will be positive here, the team has been playing slightly better of late. Let's build some consistency and we will dig out of the bottom of the standings. And hey were playing well tonight, a 4-2 lead to against Colorado heading into the third!

Roughly 30 minutes later..

.....What is going on here. Another blown lead, a SHORTHANDED goal in the last seconds. We had 1:40 left of powerplay time, this was our game, so many have been ours to win, but we just can't. Maybe were too young, too inexperienced. I think it's time to get on the phone, let's try to make a deal. I know were a expansion team, were not supposed to do well right away, but I need these guys to have a mentor, someone who has won, and can show them how to be professionals. I don't have the time to wait 5 years for them to figure it out on their own.

Let's see, I'm just at the cap floor, I can afford to bring in a little salary on a deal here. I know Vancouver and Nashville are interested in Lucas Lessio.. what could I get back ?

David Booth ?

Paul Gaustad ?

Maybe I could squeeze a prospect or a pick out of them too for taking on the contract. Hmm.. yes this isn't a bad idea.

After speaking to Mike Gillis..

David Booth and Jordan Subban. Now that is a deal I can get my head around. David Booth isn't exactly the player I was looking for.. but he will add some experience to this young team. I think I have to pull the trigger on this one.

Wait a moment... a message from Lou Lamoriello. JAROMIR JAGR!? Now that is more like the type of player I was thinking of. I don't want to act too quickly here, this is my first trade, this franchises first trade and Jordan Subban is a damn good prospect to not acquire.

I just have to go with Jaromir though, if I can get some picks added in too, that will sweeten the deal. I just hope Jagr and Lemieux will find some chemistry on the same line.. If only they had played together before.