Rene Lecavalier semi-final: Canadiens de Montreal vs. Drumheller Dinosaurs

[VanIslander]

Rene Lecavalier division:



Canadiens de Montreal

coach Cecil Hart

Ted Lindsay (A) - Max Bentley - Maurice Richard
Sergei Kapustin - Anze Kopitar - Theoren Fleury
George Hay - Frank McGee (A) - Dave Taylor
Dolly Swift - Red Sullivan - Shirley Davidson
Chauncey Kirby, Marian Gaborik

Serge Savard - Dit Clapper (C)
Alex Ragulin - Harry Cameron
Frank Patrick - Allan Cameron
Fred Higginbotham

Frank Brimsek
George Hainsworth



vs.



Drumheller Dinosaurs

coach Art Ross

John LeClair - Mario Lemieux (A) - Marian Hossa
Michel Goulet - Mats Sundin - Jarome Iginla
Zach Parise - Rod Brind'amour (C) - Jack Walker
Sid Smith - Dave Poulin - Vladimir Vikulov
Dale Hunter, Phil Kessel

Rod Langway - Pierre Pilote (A)
Vladimir Lutchenko - Al MacInnis
Gus Mortson - Brian Rafalski
Robert Svehla

Johnny Bower
Carey Price
​

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[VanIslander]

Post your special teams, links, photos, comments, etc.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Canadiens de Montréal

PP
Ted Lindsay-Frank McGee-Maurice Richard
Harry Cameron-Max Bentley

Sergei Kapustin-Anze Kopitar-Theoren Fleury
Dit Clapper-Frank Patrick

PK
George Hay-Anze Kopitar
Serge Savard-Dit Clapper

Red Sullivan-Shirley Davidson
Alex Ragulin-Allan Cameron

 

[MVP of West Hollywd]

PP1
Leclair
Lemieux - Goulet
MacInnis - Pilote

PP2
Parise
Iginla - Sundin - Hossa
Rafalski

PK1
Brind'amour - Walker
Langway - Mortson

PK2
Poulin - Hossa
Lutchenko - MacInnis

 

[MVP of West Hollywd]

Honestly, BenchBrawl has a pretty strong team, but I guess I'll try:

- I believe my D line is stronger overall with trio of Pilote, Langway and MacInnis beating Savard, Clapper and H Cameron.

- His 3rd line seems relatively offensive driven with McGee (while tough as nails) and Hay being early offensive stars, while like Parise, Taylor had some good offensive seasons and a few Selke votes here and there. This line would also give up a lot of size to my massive 1st line if they matched up. I don't think he's stopping Lemieux while we can play his loaded 1st line with strong combo of Brind'amour and Walker.

- Kopitar, Fleury and Kapustin fits better than Sundin, Iginla and Goulet but is less talented overall, both Goulet and Iginla had more impressive careers for their position than Fleury and I don't know if Kapustin's Soviet career is all that much better than my 4th line RW Vikulov.

- I can't pretend I have a strong opinion on his 4th liners but Smith, Poulin and Vikulov is a pretty solid mix. Smith who scores some dirty goals led some Cup winning Leaf teams in goals in the playoffs and has some top 10 pts/goals seasons, Poulin is Selke winner and Vikulov as mentioned has more of a top 6 style of skill game.

- I just wanted to reiterate how brutal my PP1 is to play against. Lemieux is arguably the GOAT powerplay player, MacInnis exploits as PP defenseman are also legendary. Goulet is also one of the best powerplay scorers of his era with seasons tied for 7th and 10th all time in PPG. To round it out we have Leclair who can be a superb force down low, and Pilote's playmaking to help MacInnis who did his best with another PP defenseman like Suter.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Honestly, BenchBrawl has a pretty strong team, but I guess I'll try:

- I believe my D line is stronger overall with trio of Pilote, Langway and MacInnis beating Savard, Clapper and H Cameron.

I like your team, as well. Good luck!

Agreed, although I don't think the difference is as big as meets the eye. I would claim all three of my defensemen are underrated, Serge Savard excelling at the highest stakes and at controlling the defensive zone and a safe transition, Dit Clapper getting lost in the shuffle of his switching positions while having the same level of notoriety as a Pilote or MacInnis when he retired, and Harry Cameron whom the only knocks against was his seeming difficulty to coach and lack of recognition (probably related), but when you look closely he was always a dominant defenseman and won several cups as a prominent star. But of course, I prefer your Big Three.

- His 3rd line seems relatively offensive driven with McGee (while tough as nails) and Hay being early offensive stars, while like Parise, Taylor had some good offensive seasons and a few Selke votes here and there. This line would also give up a lot of size to my massive 1st line if they matched up. I don't think he's stopping Lemieux while we can play his loaded 1st line with strong combo of Brind'amour and Walker.

George Hay is one of the best defensive wingers of all-time that wasn't a strict defense specialist, and Frank McGee, for anyone who buys the newfound respect for pre-1910 hockey, is a massive strength as a 3rd line center (and in reality is my 2nd best center). I would say my third line is well-balanced between offense and defense, meanwhile your third line is almost a non-factor offensively.

Your size upfront will be a challenge for my team. I will have to rely on Savard, Clapper, Ragulin and A. Cameron to handle them moreso than my forwards. It will be useful for my team to have home ice advantage in this series.

- Kopitar, Fleury and Kapustin fits better than Sundin, Iginla and Goulet but is less talented overall, both Goulet and Iginla had more impressive careers for their position than Fleury and I don't know if Kapustin's Soviet career is all that much better than my 4th line RW Vikulov.

Well, yes, your 2nd line is more talented overall because you put your best winger on your 2nd line. I disagree that Goulet has necessarily a better career than Fleury. Goulet has a great AST record but Fleury faced absurd competition at RW with Jagr, Brett, Selanne, Bure, Mogilny etc. I would rank them close to each other, I think.

The fact you put your best winger on your 2nd line also widens the gap between our 1st lines, which is the biggest advantage Montréal has in this series. Lemieux is impressive and all but his wingers are kind of weak. Lindsay-Bentley-Richard is head and shoulders above LeClair-Lemieux-Hossa in terms of talent.

- I just wanted to reiterate how brutal my PP1 is to play against. Lemieux is arguably the GOAT powerplay player, MacInnis exploits as PP defenseman are also legendary. Goulet is also one of the best powerplay scorers of his era with seasons tied for 7th and 10th all time in PPG. To round it out we have Leclair who can be a superb force down low, and Pilote's playmaking to help MacInnis who did his best with another PP defenseman like Suter.

Your top powerplay unit is impressive and the greatest strength of your team. I don't expect it to be possible to stop it completely. I do love that I have defensemen that can handle your big forwards and especially LeClair/Lemieux as they get close to the net, with Clapper/Ragulin being tailor-made for this, and Savard to a lesser extent.

While on this topic, I also really like my top powerplay unit, even if it doesn't sport top PP names like Lemieux and MacInnis.

Lindsay-McGee-Richard
Cameron-Bentley

McGee, despite playing on my "3rd line" (which is probably my 2nd line), is used to the fullest extent of his offensive potential by centering the top PP unit between Lindsay and Richard. On the point, Cameron and Bentley are both very strong.

 

[MVP of West Hollywd]

George Hay is one of the best defensive wingers of all-time that wasn't a strict defense specialist,

Alright, the main thing I keep reading about him is being a stickhandling wizard, but I'll cede to your stronger research

 

[BenchBrawl]

Alright, the main thing I keep reading about him is being a stickhandling wizard, but I'll cede to your stronger research

George Hay was a versatile player; good shot, playmaking, elusive to hits, adapting to his linemates, great defensively, and so on.

About his defence, here are the quotes, which go back to even his pre-professional career, so it was a constant throughout his full career.

14 Jan 1920, 5 - The Leader-Post at Newspapers.com

George Hay - Broke up many rushes, as is his wont, last night, and counted the first two goals of the game.

13 Mar 1920, 24 - The Leader-Post at Newspapers.com

George Hay, as usual was the official stopper of rusher and instigated several of his own, getting two goals and assisting in another.

15 Feb 1921 - The Leader-Post

George Hay was the bright particular star for the locals. His offensive work in the first session, when his two passes paved the way for a pair of goals was high-class and his reputation as a rush breaker was unsullied.

11 Feb 1922, 20 - The Leader-Post at Newspapers.com

George Hay was perhaps the best player for Regina last night although the entire team played good hockey. He was on the ice for most of the game and in addition to being a power on attack was wonderful in breaking up rushes. His nifty backchecking took the kick out of many a Saskatoon attack and it was difficult for them to pass the center zone so effective was he in backchecking.

16 Feb 1922, 16 - The Leader-Post at Newspapers.com

George Hay was the pick of the local club. He never worked harder for victory than last evening. His offensive work was the best of the entire team, and so far as backchecking went, he was in a class by himself.

28 Feb 1922, 14 - The Leader-Post at Newspapers.com

George Hay turned in a very useful game, his forte of breaking up rushes being very much in evidence. He had one goal and an assist. His speed was apparent all the way through.

9 Mar 1922, 8 - The Vancouver Sun at Newspapers.com

Dick played wonderful, cool hockey, but the sensational performances of the night as far as the visitors were concerned were dished up by George Hay and little Ernie Anderson. The former broke up numerous dangerous rushes by the locals with a poke check that was as effective as a stone wall.

9 Mar 1922, - The Vancouver Sun

George Hay, who has been touted as the best forward in Western Canada, was a tower of strength to his team during the second period: He was equally good on the attack and the defence.

17 Mar 1923 - Edmonton Bulletin

GEORGE HAY OF REGINA PICK OF LEFT WINGERS IN GAME

First string left wing position is given to George Hay of Regina. He has speed stickhandling ability and goal-getting proclivities to fit with Frederickson and Gagne. And all three are two way players of the 60 minute brand. And it is the ability to go two ways and thus help the defensive end of the game that gives Hay the call over Jim Riley of Seattle.

Jan 26 1928 - The Leader Post

Added to that Hay has been trained in the old-time school of persistent back checkers. He will prevent opposition teams from scoring many a goal, because he starts to check their forwards back of their own blue line, as soon as they get possession of the puck.

Effective backchecking forwards are worth their weight in platinum, hockey managers will inform you. Hay is an effective backchecker.

Hay is not a spectacular player. When he's "in there" he forgets the crowd. Opposition players may hook him, slash and cross check, body him savagely to the boards and Hay will always emerge with a cool head and his mind strictly on the game.

From bio: George Hay

 

[Dr John Carlson]

Yes, George Hay was one of the best defensive wingers of his era, and from the very start, too. Before he left for WWI he was one of the youngest players in the amateur Manitoba Hockey League playing alongside Dick Irvin, who needed a strong defensive presence on his wing, and received rave reviews for his all-around game even then.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Yes, George Hay was one of the best defensive wingers of his era, and from the very start, too. Before he left for WWI he was one of the youngest players in the amateur Manitoba Hockey League playing alongside Dick Irvin, who needed a strong defensive presence on his wing, and received rave reviews for his all-around game even then.

Thanks for the insight, I wasn't aware of that!

 

[BenchBrawl]

Good job on building a strong team @MVP of West Hollywd

I really liked your squad and I hope you come back to play next year.