Official NHL 11 CAG Team - CheapyD All Stars - Hockey Nights Tue @ 10e / Fri @ 8e

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Weird, played an online versus game earlier, and it was just as bad as before. Played as the Avs against the Red Wings. Anderson gave up 10 goals on 23 shots. Only played that one game, so maybe it was a fluke *shrug*
 
[quote name='moojuice']Weird, played an online versus game earlier, and it was just as bad as before. Played as the Avs against the Red Wings. Anderson gave up 10 goals on 23 shots. Only played that one game, so maybe it was a fluke *shrug*[/QUOTE]

That's because the Avs suck... ;)
 
[quote name='moojuice']Weird, played an online versus game earlier, and it was just as bad as before. Played as the Avs against the Red Wings. Anderson gave up 10 goals on 23 shots. Only played that one game, so maybe it was a fluke *shrug*[/QUOTE]

That is really weird. We played at least 10 games of OTP last night, and there wasn't a single game where one team scored more than 3 goals. And as I mentioned, every game was decided by one goal. I think the worst save percentage we saw was 80%...but most were 90% or above. Brandon and I even played the last game as a 2 on 2 game, and lost 2-1 where their team had 21 shots and we had 20. The difference was they were 1/1 on the power play and we were 0/1. Most everything that happened all night could be easily justified. I can't imagine it being that different for versus play, but maybe you just ran into a hot Detroit team.
 
The improved AI is only in OTP/EASHL, not versus. From the EA forum post announcing the new tuner:

OTP/EASHL Only:
-Goalies now will not throw the puck out when in glove standing unless pass is called for.
-Increase the effect of shot accuracy attributes.
-Changed CPU base attributes to make them a bit better defensively and a bit weaker on offense.
 
[quote name='DarkTower80']The improved AI is only in OTP/EASHL, not versus. From the EA forum post announcing the new tuner:

OTP/EASHL Only:
-Goalies now will not throw the puck out when in glove standing unless pass is called for.
-Increase the effect of shot accuracy attributes.
-Changed CPU base attributes to make them a bit better defensively and a bit weaker on offense.[/QUOTE]

Good catch. What that probably means is that once everybody realizes how much better the game plays, they'll improve the AI for versus games in the next tuner set. As long as that's the only thing they change.

Also, if anybody wants to play tonight, I'll probably be on in about 30 minutes or so.
 
I wanted to play with you guys tonight, but I got a call and was offered a free ride/ticket to the Kings game, so I went and saw them beat up on the Hurricanes! I also met and hung out with a statuesque Chick:

67574_482691399934_680884934_6806890_5788656_n.jpg
 
Well I've been a crappy teammate this year. I apologize. I just haven't been playing games as much. So I think I'm going to retire until next year. I'm just not feeling the game all that much
 
Yeah, you suck! No, really, there's no need to apologize. People play when they want to play. That's how these things work. I think we probably only have 7 of us who we all expect to be around most nights.

So, what time are we starting tonight? I was disappointed that I had to leave on Tuesday. That was the first time this season I've had to leave mid-game. I'm going to be on tonight for sure. I will probably be a little over an hour late, though. I was wanting to go see Inception (finally) at an earlier showing of 12:15, but there's too much going on today, so I'm going at 3:30 (limited showings at $2 theater). That means the movie will be over around 6, and I'll be home 10 minutes later.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']Yeah, you suck! No, really, there's no need to apologize. People play when they want to play. That's how these things work. I think we probably only have 7 of us who we all expect to be around most nights.

So, what time are we starting tonight? I was disappointed that I had to leave on Tuesday. That was the first time this season I've had to leave mid-game. I'm going to be on tonight for sure. I will probably be a little over an hour late, though. I was wanting to go see Inception (finally) at an earlier showing of 12:15, but there's too much going on today, so I'm going at 3:30 (limited showings at $2 theater). That means the movie will be over around 6, and I'll be home 10 minutes later.[/QUOTE]

Calm down Clarissa!



Seriously, I'll be on tonight for certain, probably around 10.
 
[quote name='jza1218']For whoever was talking about reading the Walking Dead, here's the compendium on Amazon for 37.95: http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Dead-...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1287812829&sr=8-1

Also, don't know if anyone has heard of this show that is going to debut on IFC this week called Dead Set. It's a mini-series from England about a zombie outbreak during Big Brother. It's supposed to be really good. Airs Monday night I believe.[/QUOTE]


Thanks for that. I wanna read that first before I see the Series. Also thanks for the IFC recommendation, going to add to my dvr. Sounds really good.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']Last night was pretty good except for that last game. I could tell everyone lost interest after that.[/QUOTE]

Well...you should really look at our first four games of the night if you want to see what "good" play looks like. We were ridiculously dominant in those games. Then, as more people got on, our passing percentage dropped lower and lower (down into the freaking 30% range in one game) and the defensive positioning got worse and worse.

I don't know if you just didn't care in that last game, Matt, but I basically stopped trying because you kept giving up breakaways like you didn't know how to stop them. I know you were playing with an AI d-man in that game, but that's all the more reason to make sure you're back in case he fucks up...especially if the other team is cherry picking (which they were). It sucks, but in games where the other team cherry picks, you might as well forget about getting in on the offense. If that's boring or not fun for you, just drop from the game. But there's no way we can just expect Gary or whoever is in net to stop 2 on 0's all game.

Really, if this tuner set is going to be anything permanent and we have a fair shot at being a legitimate contender again, I think we all need to get back to better habits. Whether this means playing the game more or just focusing and paying attention to what is going on. We've gotta get back to playing our defensive zones properly. I've been finding myself hanging back in the slot on defense because a lot of times the wingers will be down digging the puck out of the corner with the d-man. I know with the last tuner set, the game was horrible, and we basically had to try anything to have a chance to win, but we really gotta get away from that.

Going hand in hand with making bad passes, we've gotta cut down on turning the puck over. This is something I struggle with sometimes too, but we have to get better at figuring out when that extra move/pass can and can't be made. A lot of times, we just need to put a shot on net. If you want to set up a specific shot, fine, go for it. But recognize when it's not going to work, or recognize when that shot IS YOU and take it. I think those early games where we dominated almost set us up the rest of the night with the expectation that we were going to have an easy time scoring. The same thing won't work all night...especially not against the better teams. We've gotta mix it up and try to catch them off guard.

Anyway, those are the biggest things that I thought we needed to address. As far as win/lose, yeah, last night was pretty solid. But as the team filled up more, our play got worse. You have to wonder what that says. And it definitely wasn't because of our goalie. Alan didn't do bad in the game he played in net, and Gary freaking giftwrapped that one game for us because we had no business winning that one. With the playoffs a few days away and then a fresh season starting after that, I hope we can work on these things so we don't have to hope for 30 save shut outs to win games.
 
The one game with 30 saves....not sure how I got a shutout on that one at all. I think I will keep trying to be a Goalie and seeing if I can at least make my self a better player at that position just in case. Usually the problem with a D digging out the puck is that if we go for that dig, it leaves the goalie open, but then again I suppose the other D-man should be covering that spot as well now that I think about it. I don't have a problem playing blue line defense or even back a little more, hell I've been doing it since 09. I think it just takes people time to get use to D cause your not constantly on the attack but your waiting for the attack to happen, but I do recognize I should be watching for cherry pickers. Occasionally I'll take a slap shot and hope for the best or a deflection or a something.
 
Yeah, I think my biggest problem (and I think I'm the biggest offender in that regard) has been turnovers. I hold onto the puck a second too long sometimes while trying to get the pass or shot off. Sometimes it works, in regards to the pass, because it draws defenders to me, often leaving someone open as they beat the crap out of me. But sometimes they take me out before I get the pass off, which is a problem. But it is something I'm working on.

I think I've been pretty good about covering the point, and not dropping down too low. Many of my scoring chances have come from turnovers I've forced taking the puck away from the opposing D-men.
 
I basically stopped trying when it looked like you guys (and Gary, who ended up quitting) quit trying. I was back at the blue lien and playing my spot, but I'm not used to having to play 100% of the back line defense by myself.

How did I give up breakaways when the forwards turned the puck over, causing the breakaways? I don't think the blame should be placed more than 50% on me. I was hanging back so much that I rarely received a single pass, and I mean altogether, not just in the offensive zone. Not sure what else I can do short of never crossing the blue line and leaving us essentially shorthanded on offense.
 
[quote name='jza1218']Yeah, I think my biggest problem (and I think I'm the biggest offender in that regard) has been turnovers. I hold onto the puck a second too long sometimes while trying to get the pass or shot off. Sometimes it works, in regards to the pass, because it draws defenders to me, often leaving someone open as they beat the crap out of me. But sometimes they take me out before I get the pass off, which is a problem. But it is something I'm working on.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, part of the problem with this is just the way the passing is. Instead of anticipating the last second before you get hit, you have to anticipate one second BEFORE you will get hit because of how long it takes to get rid of the puck. It's really a crappy system, but because of it, you (general "you", not statnut "you", lol) have to either get really good at knowing when to get rid of it, or just try to always err on the side of caution.

As far as playing zones, I think the biggest thing that needs to be remembered is whether you're playing with a human partner or an AI guy. This goes for wingers or d-men. Everybody knows when you're playing with the AI, they'll cross you up, or just go after one particular guy, and you've gotta be more flexible about covering their side. But with two human guys, we just need to trust each other, and not be so compelled to "help out".
 
[quote name='Matt Young']I basically stopped trying when it looked like you guys (and Gary, who ended up quitting) quit trying. I was back at the blue lien and playing my spot, but I'm not used to having to play 100% of the back line defense by myself.

How did I give up breakaways when the forwards turned the puck over, causing the breakaways? I don't think the blame should be placed more than 50% on me. I was hanging back so much that I rarely received a single pass, and I mean altogether, not just in the offensive zone. Not sure what else I can do short of never crossing the blue line and leaving us essentially shorthanded on offense.[/QUOTE]

I agree, the turnovers don't help...and yeah, when you get caught in between, it can be rough. But really, our defensemen should be the last people to get in the zone (on both teams) when we have the puck. If the other team is cherry picking, I'm sorry, but you pretty much have to never cross the blue line. But it's not leaving us short handed because they've got a guy who doesn't feel like he needs to get back on defense.

It sucks, but you have to chalk it up to the other team playing like douchebags. I'm sorry. I just can't justify letting a man get behind you four times in one game. No doubt, there are other reasons we get our asses kicked as well (and I named them). But we can't act like that's not a problem. I criticized Gary at the beginning of the year for the same thing, and he worked on it and got a lot better. It's part of being a defenseman. You don't let people get behind you.
 
Half of it was the auto back skate thing, too. But yeah, that game was an aberration. You know I normally am quite good at my position. Everything just felt out of sync for that game.
 
Nothing to make up for, really. Just trying to get the team serious again. With the last tuner set, it was kind of a free for all, and it was hard to really expect anything just because you played well. But I think we're mostly in control of our own fate again. So, the smarter we can play, the more it should help. Just chellenging everyone to do better.
 
[quote name='n8rockerasu'] But I think we're mostly in control of our own fate again. [/QUOTE]

At least until the next tuners set lol.
 
Yeah, as far as I was concerned, there was no conflict; just a discussion. It motivates me to play better next time.

I'm all for the kissing part, though. ;)
 
[quote name='Matt Young']Yeah, as far as I was concerned, there was no conflict; just a discussion. It motivates me to play better next time.

I'm all for the kissing part, though. ;)
[/QUOTE]

That's all I really wanted.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']So, what time tonight? Gotta get some practice in since we only have a couple days, I believe, until we make our playoff run.[/QUOTE]

Well, I can make 8 PM EST tonight, but 10 works too depending on what everyone else has going on. The EA website shows that there is 1 day and 4 hours remaining in the season. So, I guess the playoffs will officially start tomorrow night at around 8 PM EST. We definitely need to get ourselves set tonight to decide how we're going to run things for the playoffs though.

Not as many people really played this month, so we've got less people to choose from for the playoff line. But we do need to decide if we're going to go with a human goalie or not. Also, depending on everybody's availability, we'll have to figure out when we want to make our run. Friday would be the obvious choice, but I'd be fine with trying to play tomorrow night or Thursday as well.
 
I'm pretty much good with whichever night or nights is/are best for everyone for the playoffs. As for the human goalie, I'm not sure. I wouldn't want to play against an AI goalie if we have a human goalie, but I guess there is the option to match.
 
I'll be on tonight. In fact, I'm going to be on for a bit right now. Need to get that friggin Legend Card.

Edit: Heads up, dashboard update
 
Well, human goalie is basically Alan or Gary's call. If they're comfortable enough with it and feel that it provides us with consistency or an advantage of any kind, I'm fine with it. Ultimately, we need to put the best team on the ice.
 
I agree, it should be their call. I don't think we have to worry much about putting the best team on the ice since people didn't play as much this month thanks to good things like weddings and bad things like shitty tuner sets, so there's not much to debate.

I'm still waiting to hear your opinion on statnut's idea though, Nate. ;)
 
Well, if we DON'T go with a human goalie, somebody will have to sit. I don't want that to influence the decision though. If there's 6 of us on the ice and we give up 5 goals in the first period, that doesn't help anybody. Whatever gives us the best chance to win a banner should be what we go with.

Also, my wife would probably get mad at me if I started kissing dudes. Just sayin :p
 
You guys know me, usually around 10 pm is perfect for Tuesday through Friday. Just sends me a message is all. I'll try goalie tonight and see how I do. I could use a couple more games to up my goalie stats. Some times an occasional play for Saturday and Sunday.
 
I think Gary would be good in goal if he wanted it. I could play goal, but those screens and odd man rushes are my weakness, so if I play goal, the Dmen need to be REALLY careful. I know the only two goals I gave up last week were on a 2 on 0 break and one where I got screened badly.

As for lineups, this is my opinion:

W/Goalie:
LW: Statnut
C: Nate
RW: Darktower
LD: Matt
RD: Me
G: Gary

W/O Goalie:
LW: Statnut
C: Nate
RW: Darktower
LD: Me
RD: Gary
 
[quote name='moojuice']I think Gary would be good in goal if he wanted it. I could play goal, but those screens and odd man rushes are my weakness, so if I play goal, the Dmen need to be REALLY careful. I know the only two goals I gave up last week were on a 2 on 0 break and one where I got screened badly.

As for lineups, this is my opinion:

W/Goalie:
LW: Statnut
C: Nate
RW: Darktower
LD: Matt
RD: Me
G: Gary

W/O Goalie:
LW: Statnut
C: Nate
RW: Darktower
LD: Me
RD: Gary[/QUOTE]

I agree. Those are our strongest options.
 
I feel privileged to make the play off team. I hopefully can get a few games in tonight to raise my goalie stats. Maybe we could practice as well with 2-0 breaks in practice and 1 on 0 breaks and what not as well. If I can get comfortable with being screened and what not, I don't see why I couldn't be goalie. Hell, I'll even take the heat for missing goals and what not. :D
 
Really? Because I played one bad game in which our passing percentage was below 50%, our forwards constantly turned the puck over, and I had to do the work of both defensemen? I've been very good otherwise. Alan hasn't even been around on half the hockey nights due to work.
 
Like I said, it's just my opinion. I know I've missed a few nights, but then again, I've also been on later on in the night, and throughout the week as well. As for that one bad game, that's also the only game I believe I've played with you this whole season post-tuner. This is a democracy though, so if anyone feels I should sit out, say it and I'll sit out if the majority think so.
 
[quote name='moojuice']Like I said, it's just my opinion. I know I've missed a few nights, but then again, I've also been on later on in the night, and throughout the week as well. As for that one bad game, that's also the only game I believe I've played with you this whole season post-tuner. This is a democracy though, so if anyone feels I should sit out, say it and I'll sit out if the majority think so.[/QUOTE]

That wasn't directed only at you. Nate agreed, too. I was wondering if it would be a democracy, though, or just you and Nate choosing. I think each GM should have a vote, at least.

I wasn't at all criticizing your play as a defenseman; rather, I was expressing that I have played well other than that one bad game, and you haven't been around as much. I missed one night, but that was when I was in Vegas.

I'll just list my point of view for the record. You guys are all my friends, and you dish out criticism yourselves, so I don't expect you to take anything personally, since it's about the game.

As for my play: I've explained the one game, in which I had to compensate for the other defenseman being an AI player, and we had a sub-50% passing percentage, lots of turnovers, and a human goalie. Also, other people seemed to have already given up in that game, like Nate, who kept trying to fight people.

That's another thing... I've only quit once, ever, when it was unavoidable. Nate and some of you guys will quit games or constantly try to fight when things don't go well. It just seems like the forward line never gets criticized... Nate and DarkTower constantly skate into traffic when there are open players out near the point, and it results in turnovers a lot, especially from DarkTower. Statnut usually is good at deking past in those situations, though.

I, as a defenseman, probably have the least penalty minutes per game on the team; I get a ton of blocked shots; and I'm excellent at poking the puck away and usually don't draw tripping penalties when I poke check.

I hate to mention things like these since I worry about people getting offended, and I didn't plan to mention any before we even played tonight. But since it seems that tonight doesn't matter and the lineups have already been unofficially agreed upon by you guys, I'm just wondering if there's a point to me playing tonight since it appears I won't even have a shot.

I expect my points and criticisms to carry as much weight as everyone else's, in the interest of fairness.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']Really? Because I played one bad game in which our passing percentage was below 50%, our forwards constantly turned the puck over, and I had to do the work of both defensemen? I've been very good otherwise. Alan hasn't even been around on half the hockey nights due to work.[/QUOTE]

It wasn't just because of that one game, Matt. It's cumulative over the whole season. I don't really remember Alan missing too many hockey nights, but like he said, he does play during the week as well. After tomorrow, I'll be compiling the stats for this month, so we'll know how much each person played and who has been contributing. The final decision will be made then. Ultimately, the playoff roster is a depth chart, and it can change at any time...for anybody.

As I've mentioned before, Gary took the criticism that was given to him and worked to improve. Most everybody on the team has noticed the improvement, and it earned him a spot on the playoff roster. There are others who didn't make the playoff roster last month who hardly played at all this month. That's their choice. But these decisions are made by more than one person and there are definitely no favorites being played. If you deserve a spot, you will get one. It's up to you how you respond to the challenge.
 
I'd be happy to sit out of the playoffs to make sure everyone gets in. My availability this week is limited to tomorrow night and late tonight anyway.
 
Instead of holding those criticisms back, you should be saying those things when we are playing so that we can address those issues as they arise.

I think it should be a democracy as far as who gets in, since it only fair, but then again, people need to voice their opinion for it to work.

We could also rotate too, since its not like our future depends on the playoffs.
 
Nate, stats can't really be the only way you judge a defenseman. Blocked shots aren't counted accurately in this game, and that's a huge part of playing D. Also, you're contradicting yourself by saying it's cumulative over the season. Before, you said the playoff roster would be based on that month's performance.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']Nate, stats can't really be the only way you judge a defenseman. Blocked shots aren't counted accurately in this game, and that's a huge part of playing D. Also, you're contradicting yourself by saying it's cumulative over the season. Before, you said the playoff roster would be based on that month's performance.[/QUOTE]

Your first argument was that Alan missed "half the hockey nights". Alan played 83 games with the club this past month. You played 29. Of course stats won't tell the whole picture. But they give us a general idea of what level each person is performing at and they are what you started your argument with.

Also, I don't contradict myself. Month = Season. I was speaking in terms of the game. The best unit will be put on the ice. Can't make it any simpler than that. Both Gary and Alan tried goalie out tonight and the results were brutal. So, for defenseman, they are your competition. Which one do you think you played better than this month? Which one deserves it less than you? It's really not as big of a deal as you're making it out to be, and there's a chance we could be one and done like last month anyway. So, all this is potentially over one game. But there's no reason you can't make next month's playoff roster.
 
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I don't know if I played better than Alan this month or not since he and I weren't often on at the same time, except the one aforementioned disaster game, and then last night's game in which I played better than he did. Unfortunately, we didn't get to play together any more than that. As for the 83 games played, I have no idea when/if people start games aside from regular hockey nights unless I'm already on Xbox Live, so nobody clued me in on all that.

I played really well last night, but due to all that bullshit, I only got one game in, so now people probably think I'm an asshole since I didn't get to reinforce my points on the ice except for one good game.

I guess maybe I could try out another position or something. I was pretty good center for the team in 09 and 10. It's just getting harder to play with the games starting later most nights. I get up early.
 
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