Crunch Time

C'mon folks. You have got to excuse C'bus. They are so used to sending players to Syracuse this time of the year they were a bit confused when they realized their season might extend a bit further past MLB's opening day.and just needed to do something...

On a serious note, if he plays-ok. But if not, screw C'bus. I don't think he'll play because the pace at this time of year isn't a place for a lightweight totally offensive player. In a seven game series he'd get pounded every time he hit the ice. There's no holdng back once you make the playoffs & I seriously think he doesn't have enough weight in his ass just yet and he won't be able to hang for the breakout as easy as he does in the "A". The hat trick was a real loud announcement up there - he won't be under anyone's radar now.  Drop that shoulder and burn past d'men in the "A" might get you run into the boards at the next level. Man, Boll would be busy looking out...

He's a real nice kid with some filling out to do. He'll be a star Hope they don't screw  this up.

Don't care much for C'bus fans now. Wave the magic wand and they're all experts. Most hockey fans in Central NY have more time in the shithouse and the beer line at hockey games than c'bus fans have in the seats.

WTF can you do...We're in the playoffs too. Lets see who goes further. Maybe we get some back for the second round.

Pete

Hate to play devils advocate but they never said he wasn't playing for sure...but I do think they should have let them help Syracuse before calling him up..but then theyd probably call him up during the playoffs so Syracuse loses him anyways...remember Hartigan on Anaheim a couple years ago?They called him up and he sat the whole playoffs sans 1 game..its so they can practice at that level and be ready "just in case"..crappy, yes, but the way it is around most teams, not just Columbus..and really, how have they ignored the Crunch this year? Alot of people on this board complained about the "ECHL" goalie we got at the trade deadline before anyone saw him play (Lalande). This is pretty much the same team (minus Rome and Dorsett and Kelly ) that Syracuse had at the beginning of the season, and, from what I recall, alot of people here thought we had a pretty good team.....sounds like some blame needs to be put on the players for not playing well earlier in the season and the vets for underachieving...but I agree that Filatov should go where he is gonna play..God knows his defensive game needs help..and be careful what you wish for; if Cbus starts losing they are calling EVERYBODY up...

Well said Pete.   

cnypete:

C'mon folks. You have got to excuse C'bus. They are so used to sending players to Syracuse this time of the year they were a bit confused when they realized their season might extend a bit further past MLB's opening day.and just needed to do something...

On a serious note, if he plays-ok. But if not, screw C'bus. I don't think he'll play because the pace at this time of year isn't a place for a lightweight totally offensive player. In a seven game series he'd get pounded every time he hit the ice. There's no holdng back once you make the playoffs & I seriously think he doesn't have enough weight in his ass just yet and he won't be able to hang for the breakout as easy as he does in the "A". The hat trick was a real loud announcement up there - he won't be under anyone's radar now.  Drop that shoulder and burn past d'men in the "A" might get you run into the boards at the next level. Man, Boll would be busy looking out...

He's a real nice kid with some filling out to do. He'll be a star Hope they don't screw  this up.

Don't care much for C'bus fans now. Wave the magic wand and they're all experts. Most hockey fans in Central NY have more time in the shithouse and the beer line at hockey games than c'bus fans have in the seats.

WTF can you do...We're in the playoffs too. Lets see who goes further. Maybe we get some back for the second round.

Pete

 

 I am pissed off like everyone else but does our season ride on Nikita? and if it does we are not going far anyways. I am happy that Kelly is done and he will not *** this up for us. If we can not make the playoffs without Filatov then we do not deserve to be there. Manitoba will slaughter us if the team beleives this! We own the tie breakers so lets say Toronto goes 3-2 in their last 5 then we only need to match that as well and the crossover even if Chicago goes 5-0 we are still in. I am feeling good and one player never makes a team! Lets go Crunch!

Teams 5-7 in the West are 77 points, so we have 5 on them all.  After having time to calm down a little, I am still pissed at the situation.  However, if whoever is put in his roster spot can play defense and not give up on over half of the plays...I'll be happy.  Maybe some practice up in Columbus can try to teach him those finer aspects. 

However, after reading things all day..one thing will never change.  I still hate you MacFarland.  Douchebag.

I fully believe that the team can still pull this together. I think my main issue with all of this hasn't been how the Crunch will fair at all, although this certainly doesn't help matters. If the team collectively wants this, players will step up and get it done. I know that. But I think the anger has come from the way it was announced, the arrogant manner in which it was handled, and the complete disregard for the feelings of our organization. I mean, let's face it--C-Bus has abandoned us this year, and if anyone doubts that Kramer has just posted a laundry list at his blog, and my Chairman How's has also discussed it. What Crunch fans demand to know, and will never get, is why this has happened. Kramer said it best--The parent club has several responsibilities, including making every effort to put a winning team on the ice. This shouldn't be a choice or a whim for the parent club. It's their part of the bargain. We all know what's gone on this year. Yes, we're "this close" to the playoffs. But really, that is an amazing feat considering everything that has happened. Just because the Crunch has proved it's resilient doesn't mean that it needs to be tested over and over again.

The reaction of several CBJ fans hasn't helped the anger on this issue, either. Being told that your team doesn't matter, that your passions don't matter, that you're less than them because your city is smaller or your market is different, and that your league is just an exhibition league only stoked the fires of Crunch fans higher.

When it comes down to it, the Crunch can--and will--win without Nikita Filatov. I just wished the situation had been handled differently on the part of CBJ and its fans.

I just wish the whole season had been handled differently on the part of CBJ.

 And we sign yet another college player to a PTO. Thank you Columbus!! 

D'man Kevin Schmidt. 

You know, I was REALLY hoping that might come true.  Then Comcast sold off the Phantoms franchise to the Brooks Group (well, sort of - it's not officially approved by the AHL Board of Governors yet, and they apparently missed yesterday's deadline to sign a formal affiliation agreement).  So unfortunately, it doesn't look like the Crunch will be the Flyers farm team any time soon (current rumor has them playing in Glens Falls or Richmond for 3 years while an arena is built in Allentown).

Actually the Crunch I believe sign these guys to PTO's..the kid from Guelp can't have PTO from an NHL team because he is draft eligible this year..just wanted to clarify..

Thanks for the clarification on that Renegade. 

Renegade11:

Actually the Crunch I believe sign these guys to PTO's..the kid from Guelp can't have PTO from an NHL team because he is draft eligible this year..just wanted to clarify..