Alumni In the Pros: January 2012

[Rita]

Because as Bahnstorm noted, it is not December anymore. ;-)

[Bahnstorm]

Fantastic news about Bitz as he just got the start tonight for the Chicago Wolves. An article on canada.com talks about his return with him saying "At this point my chips are on the table, I'm all-in.": http://www.canada.com/sports/Byron+Bitz+back+action+first+game+since+2010/5955787/story.html
I really hope this works out for him.

EDIT: BITZ SCORES, welcome back.

[css228]

Glad Scrivens took part in thisIt Gets Better video

[sah67]

Colin Greening scored his 8th goal of the year last night, in Ottawa's 6-4 win over Philadelphia.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

Colin Greening scored his 8th goal of the year last night, in Ottawa's 6-4 win over Philadelphia.

A lucky break for Colin.  He was at the boards near the bottom of the circle and passed the puck to a teammate heading for the net.  The Flyer d-man, Matt Carle, had that guy covered, but it went in off Carle's stick.

[Luke 05]

So when Datsyuk puts a puck in the net off a D-man, it's a heads up play.  But when Colin does it, that's luck?  I guess it's all about perspective.

[Rita]

Colin Greening scored his 8th goal of the year last night, in Ottawa's 6-4 win over Philadelphia.

The box score says it was his 9th goal.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

So when Datsyuk puts a puck in the net off a D-man, it's a heads up play.  But when Colin does it, that's luck?  I guess it's all about perspective.

If he intentionally deflects it off a D-man, it is a heads-up play.  This was a pass to a teammate that defelected off the D-mans stick.

Of course, it's always a heads-up play to throw the puck at the net.  In this case, however, it was lucky it went in.

[RatushnyFan]

Check out Moulson's +/- statistic (currently +2):  Islanders stats

He doesn't have any shorthanded points and he seemingly plays mostly with Tavares and Parenteau (at least when I've watched him play, perhaps not over the full season?).  It's an interesting stat as the next best +/- from a forward who has played in 30+ games is a -5.  I'm not trying to argue that he's a comparatively better defensive forward than his teammates, it just seems a little odd to me.  Perhaps he's good at getting off the ice 5-10 seconds before goals are scored?

[jeff '84]

Moulson got goals 19 & 20 (and an assist).... so far.

[jkahn]

Moulson got goals 19 & 20 (and an assist).... so far.

and Greening has 3 assists (all primary assists per the scoresheet), as Sens lead at Pittsburgh 5-1.  Good night for our favorite left wings and their teams.  Isles beat the Wings 5-1.

[Rita]

Moulson got goals 19 & 20 (and an assist).... so far.

and Greening has 3 assists (all primary assists per the scoresheet), as Sens lead at Pittsburgh 5-1.  Good night for our favorite left wings and their teams.  Isles beat the Wings 5-1.

The last assist on Milan Michalek goal was very pretty. To borrow a baseball phrase, Greening's pass had eyes and got through 3 penguins and landed perfectly on Michalek's stick.

14 Assists o the season thus far for Colin, and for the 2nd year in a row he is the Senator's "Fastest Skater" and just shy of having the fastest time ever in that All-star skill event. (The penguin announcers spent a lot of time on this, and for those of you who are wondering, that title belongs to Aaron Cole).

[RatushnyFan]

6 points for Cornell graduates last night, not bad.

[Trotsky]

Check out Moulson's +/- statistic (currently +2):  Islanders stats

He doesn't have any shorthanded points and he seemingly plays mostly with Tavares and Parenteau (at least when I've watched him play, perhaps not over the full season?).  It's an interesting stat as the next best +/- from a forward who has played in 30+ games is a -5.  I'm not trying to argue that he's a comparatively better defensive forward than his teammates, it just seems a little odd to me.  Perhaps he's good at getting off the ice 5-10 seconds before goals are scored?

The (few) games I've watched this season, his line has dominated in puck possession.  It's also going to be the case that when Tavares is on the ice, the opponent hangs back a bit, all the more because there's so little to fear when he's not on the ice.

[Flyers1037]

Colin Greening has been announced as a NHL All-Star rookie.  If they run this like last year, the rookies are divided into two teams by the NHL and then at the end of the fantasy draft (Thursday Jan 26, 8-9:30) the two "rookie teams" are chosen by the All-Star team captains.  They will then participate in the skills competition Saturday night, Jan 28 7-9.

Complete All-Star roster here:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=76666&navid=DL|NHL|home