NOS Studio Sport report - seb170455's Blog

seb170455's Blog

NOS Studio Sport report

Posted on February 3, 2012 at 03:48 AM.

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NOS Studio Sport
Good evening this is Mart Smeets of Studio Sport Netherlands with a special report about the Moose Jaw Mustangs.

Recently King Willem-Alexander has bought the Mustangs franchise. We normally do not have much interest in Hockey. We talk about icehockey, not hockey. We call grasshockey hockey, but I think the impact of the Mustangs on our Royals and the Dutch people will change the meaning of the word hockey. Icehockey will become hockey. That's why I want to talk with you about these Moose Jaw Mustangs.

The Mustangs in Moose Jaw has been the newest addition of the NHL. Winnipeg has returned to the NHL. These two new additions want to have great impact on the NHL. The Mustangs have done great in the opening games of the season. After 23 games they are first in the NHL standings with 36 points and a record of 17-4-2.

We talked with GM Jo Loonstra and Headcoach Maus Jansen. We listened to them and made our own synopsis of their recent performances. I will give you an account of this synopsis.

First of all, I want to point out that the first place in the NHL standings are great for the Mustangs. Only 4 defeats in 23 games are very good. They are first in goals against, with 37 GA. The defence and goaltending are great and you may say that they are the main reason that the Mustangs are on top of the NHL standings.

-First line-
S.Doan - G.Brule - N.Bergfors

This first line had a great start of the season, but lately they start to slip a little bit. Bergfors started very slow and picked up the pace. Bergfors had 3 GWG in the last 6 games, which GM Loonstra was thrilled about. The free agent signing hopes to develop in a high scoring winger. Brule and Doan had 10 great games, but recently they had a cold streak. They still are the biggest point producers, with 17 points, but Loonstra hopes that captain Doan in particular will be leading this franchise.

-Second line-
R.Whitney - M.Hanzal - R.Vrbata

This second line is two-faced. Martin Hanzal is doing a very good job. He is winning face-offs, hitting hard and producing points. He has 4 goals and 13 assists. Loonstra has been impressed with Hanzal and maybe Hanzal will be on the first line with Doan and Bergfors. Whitney and Vrbata are veterans and have had their contributions, but Loonstra believes they could do better.

-Third line-
R.Torres - L.Eller - B.Gordon

I talked to GM Loonstra and he told me he was satisfied with his third line. Lars Eller is picking up the pace with 9 points and his play is getting better. He is a future 1st line center. Torres and especially Gordon surprised the staff in the last five games. Gordon has 5 goals already and two were GWG.

-Fourth line-
M.Boedker - K.Chipchura - B.McGrattan

These guys are doing their job. McGrattan is doing his job. Chipchura has 8 points and is doing very well on the PK as well. Boedker has to develop more, but he will maybe get a run on the second or third line to see how he does there. We'll see.

-Defence-
1st K.Yandle and R.Klesla
2nd O.Ekman-Larsson and D.Morris
3rd N.Zo� and A.Emelin

Yandle has done a great job, but his numbers do not show it. Klesla is the shut down guy in this team and is in top five in NHL when you look at hits (72). OEL is leading all defencemen in points with 13 (6G and 7A). He's doing a great job and with the more experienced Morris as his partner he develops well. Zo� has had a great rookie season so far. This undrafted TWD is the top goalscorer along with Shane Doan (9 goals). He makes minutes in the 3rd line defence, but also on the 1 PP line and 1 PK line. He will be a great allrounder. Emelin is a hard hitter and plays well with Zo� on the 3rd line and the 1st PK.

Goaltending
A.Lindback - M.Turco

The goaltending has been great. Anders Lindback and Marty Turco have been great acquisitions this season. Lindback leads the NHL in wins (15) and GAA (1.52). He is among the leaders in shut outs (4) and he is third in SV% (.932). He has done great and the staff of the Mustangs feel that he could become the goaltender of the future of their franchise. Marty Turco has had only two starts, but has done well. His veteran presence will have a good effect on the Mustangs.

I have given you a quick roundup of the Mustangs this season so far. Questions will always come to mind. Will they keep up the pace or will this succes have a slow death? And will GM Loonstra be on the market for a good winger or will he keep quiet? I am sure that you, as I, will keep track of this franchise and his future achievements. Goodbye for now. I say; "Tot ziens en tot de volgende keer" (Goodbye and till next time)