12 replies to this topic

[Aussie_Wing]

San Antonio Rampage (9-11-2-1) @ Grand Rapids Griffins (14-9-0-0)
7:00 pm EST



Basically, this GDT is just a Mursak appreciation thread because he is simply awesome.

No, I just wanted to let people know there was a game tonight.

Go Griffins!

[Coyote0106]

Well the last time we played SA, they spanked us, bad! We need to come out and show them we aren't the same team that lost by big margins in those two games.

Hopefully there will be enough people at the arena to make it obvious.... This storm might make it a 1k (if that) crowd.

Edit: I should be getting my 2 Mursak jersey's just in time for tonights game!

Edited by Coyote0106, 09 December 2009 - 10:16 AM.

[uk_redwing]

4-2 Griffs. Vigilante, Williams, Tardif and Delmore with the goals. Crosty will also kick someones ass.

Theres my prediction/factual future knowledge.

[ruarc']

Any word on who's starting? I know Larsson has been on a tear, but I'd love to catch a game with McCollum in net.

Edited by ruarc', 09 December 2009 - 04:16 PM.

[Aussie_Wing]

Larsson is in net tonight, looking very sharp too.

Tatar just got hammered to the ice by none other than Jeff May. Former Wings prospect, interesting.

GREAT penalty killing by the Griffs, Rissmiller exceptional.

Edited by Aussie_Wing, 09 December 2009 - 07:33 PM.

[Aussie_Wing]

Tardif, after having about 3-4 attempts at jamming the puck past their goalie, finally put the puck past the line but the whistle came just after and the ref waived it away.

Ah the Wings/Griffins sure do have luck with the whistles don't they...

[titanium2]

Tardif, after having about 3-4 attempts at jamming the puck past their goalie, finally put the puck past the line but the whistle came just after and the ref waived it away.

Ah the Wings/Griffins sure do have luck with the whistles don't they...

I replied to your post in the GD but I'll do it here too. I just don't see any significant difference in the way Axelsson has looked tonight in comparison to any of the games this year. He has a few moments of great intensity but for most part he tries to play a patient game. I just think that if his intense moments lead to points then people say he had an awesome game but at the same time forget that for the rest of the game he played in a way that many like to interpret as "floating."

[Aussie_Wing]

I replied to your post in the GD but I'll do it here too. I just don't see any significant difference in the way Axelsson has looked tonight in comparison to any of the games this year. He has a few moments of great intensity but for most part he tries to play a patient game. I just think that if his intense moments lead to points then people say he had an awesome game but at the same time forget that for the rest of the game he played in a way that many like to interpret as "floating."

To his credit he improved a lot in the 2nd but still, intensity needs to improve. He needs to take a leaf out of Ritola's book who is always buzzing out there.

One thing we can agree on though, how good is Mursak?! This kid is good, real good.

[uk_redwing]

How was the fight?

[Aussie_Wing]

4-2 Griffs. Vigilante, Williams, Tardif and Delmore with the goals. Crosty will also kick someones ass.

Theres my prediction/factual future knowledge.

4-2, good call. Factual knowledge right there.

How was the fight?

Unfortunately, it wasn't much. They were both right up against the glass and neither wanted to give each other an inch so they couldn't really get free. Crosty had a slight height advantage and tried to land a few quick punches. Neither got any decent ones away and in the end the other guy wrestled him down.

Mursak! Superstar! Good win Griffins.

[titanium2]

One thing we can agree on though, how good is Mursak?! This kid is good, real good.

I don't mean to be a buzzkill or anything like that but I really wonder about excitement and the way it compares to prospects from a few years ago. For example, I've been told by some that when Filppula was at a ppg in the AHL and Hudler was really racking up the points that fans here were really, really excited. I just wonder how the excitement for guys like Mursak and Tatar compares to how excited people were for Fil and Huds.

[Aussie_Wing]

I don't mean to be a buzzkill or anything like that but I really wonder about excitement and the way it compares to prospects from a few years ago. For example, I've been told by some that when Filppula was at a ppg in the AHL and Hudler was really racking up the points that fans here were really, really excited. I just wonder how the excitement for guys like Mursak and Tatar compares to how excited people were for Fil and Huds.

Totally fair point mate.

Filppula had something like 70 points in 70 odd games in his AHL rookie season, he was outstanding. Had some massively productive patches where he was putting up many multiple point games in a row. Hudler put up close to 100 points in his final AHL season before eventually graduating to Detroit.

Tatar has the chance to be something special, a slightly more well-rounded version of Hudler IMO. Hudler is very underrated though, had close to 60 points last season while playing 3rd line and about 14-15 minutes per night. He's got 70-80 point upside in the NHL IMO. Filppula isn't as offensively gifted as Hudler but is the better player, at least to me. He's a 50-60 point guy max. When these guys were playing in the AHL there was excitement but as I didn't follow the AHL as closely as I do now, I can't accurately comment on the excitement. I would check updates and be pleased to see them doing so well, as others were, but I wasn't as keen on prospects as I am now.

It's just when I watch Mursak I see someone with legitimate NHL upside. What's he lacking? He makes up for his small stature with his speed, he's good defensively, he plays physical and he has great offensive instincts. So long as he keeps up his current pace and continues to improve, he should hit the NHL in a year or two and be a nice 2nd/3rd liner for the Wings.

[titanium2]

I feel like Mursak and Ferraro are in the same mold as Eaves with maybe a little more upside on the offensive end; the kind of guy that deserves to be in the top six but if he's on the third line doing serious damage then it's that kind of depth that makes good teams great.