Mudbugs Hockey Blog

I recently sent a couple of emails to Steve Cherwonak, Vice President of Communications for the Central Hockey League wanting to clear up some little tidbits about the vet rule regarding goaltenders. Do they count or not?

His reply was — “Goalies do count as veterans, although they generally play far fewer games than skaters, so they can often play several more seasons prior to receiving veteran status.”

Then that begged the question of — Do backup goalies count as a game played? Does it count as a whole game if they come in the last few minutes of the game.

His reply was — “A goalie only receives credit for a game played if he actually enters the contest, if he backs up and does not play, it is not considered a game
played. If he takes to the ice even for a few seconds, however, it counts
as a game played.”

Well that last part kinda stinks for the goalies, having a whole game count when you were put in in the last few minutes of a game. I wonder if that’s why some coaches are reluctant to replace their goalie when we think they should?

For those that feel Kenny Carroll is nearing vet status, you may be surprised to know that he is farther from it than you might think.

Kenny Carroll has played in 243 pro games, given that there is only 12 games left in the season, let’s assume he plays in 7 of the 12 also accounting for whether he starts or replaces DeCaro on any of those nights he will end up with approximately 250 games.

The Vet rule is 280 games as of this season, (that’s not to say that wont change over the off season) That basically says he is not considered a vet on opening night and will not be a vet until he plays his 31st game of the season which then that become his 280th game, but he will not technically count as a vet until the upcoming season.

© 2007 – 2009, Mudbugs Hockey Blog. All rights reserved. To Republish you must link back to the Original Article

I think i would rather leave that unfortunate label to the Eagles or even maybe the RiverKings. However having said that if we are close enough to take then we take it, but it is not necessary. All we need to do is get into the playoffs, which we will, and do it with a full roster and as many kinks worked out as possible.

Winning the Cup is the most important thing and it rarely comes down to home ice advantage any more. That part of it can still be a factor, I’m not denying that fact. It just has been a small factor the past several years. The Mudbugs will do well in the playoffs, they have the offense and the Goaltending, I’m just not sure about the special teams. But then again I have seen it done before where a team that totally stinks on the PP suddenly burn it up in the playoffs. I am hoping this one of those times.

Bringing in D Konrad Brand as some have said is not just Jason Basile can sit enough games to stay under the Vet rule, there is one other advantage to that, the rules state that for players to be included on the playoff final roster they have to have played a number of game preceding the final cutoff day. those two factors are unknown at this time.

© 2007 – 2009, Mudbugs Hockey Blog. All rights reserved. To Republish you must link back to the Original Article

Can the Bugs keep their amazing run going despite the goaltending situation growning to almost epidemic proportions with the apparent injury to goalie Adam Hanna?

Hanna was pressed into duty when starter John DeCaro (who had been pressed into the starting role when All Star netminder Kenny Carroll fell to injury before the All Star game in January) was summoned to the AHL.

That leaves newly acquired Guy St. Vincent as the possible starter in Saturday’s rematch with the Colorado Eagles. Could we see the 4th netminder pressed into the starting role?

As much as I like the fact that one of our players has the privilege to play in the “A”, we need him back big time. You have to realize as impressive as our record is in the standings, netminders are not like pitchers in Baseball and it will catch up to this team eventually.

First I hope Hanna is fine and ready to go for the next game even if it in a backup role so the team doesn’t have to scramble to find a body to dress as a backup. Second I sure hope either Kenny Carroll can return from injury, healthy of course or best case scenario would be John DeCaro returns just in time to fend off any such collapse. You must have solid goaltending to win consistently right? That’s true, But that’s not particularly how the Mudbugs have been winning their games of late.

They have getting the job done with offense. Defense and goaltending become a little less strenuous when you have the confidence the team can score enough goals to win despite mental breakdowns and poor play on the backend.

What young talent this team has, and it all begins with the emergence of Chris and Cam Abbott. These guys seem to be not only terrific setup guys, but finishers as well.

Over the last 5 games or so there has been no other combo playing in the league that’s better. They are the biggest reason the Mudbugs have kept their winning ways as of late. Just take time to let this stat settle in for a while, the combo has amassed 21 points in just 5 games. That’s staggering.

But let’s give credit where credit is due, two guys may be a major reason in a victory, but they can’t play every position on this team all at once for the full 60 minutes. There have been stellar play from several other players on this team. Team is the operative word.

Already enjoying a record of 4 wins and 1 loss on this road trip is exceptional for any team that has had to amass almost 4,000 miles over 3 weeks and 6 games and still having a shot at coming home with a 5-1 or 4-2 record is downright awesome. Hell I am already proud as ever no matter how the team comes away from Saturday’s game.

I am enjoying every bite of crow I have had to chew on and will gladly keep nibbling without complaining. I cant wait to cheer this team back home when they come out onto CenturyTel ice next Tuesday.

© 2007 – 2009, Mudbugs Hockey Blog. All rights reserved. To Republish you must link back to the Original Article