Latest news with #RayFerraro
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I always hated it': NHL expert blasts Edmonton Oilers for major tactical fail
This in from ESPN's Ray Ferraro, perhaps the sharpest commentator in hockey, his assessment of the failure of the Edmonton Oilers to cleanly move the puck out of their own end in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. On The Ray & Dregs podcast, Ferraro noted the Oilers often attempted to lob the puck out, only to lose possession in the neutral zone and have the pounding Panthers come right back at them. 'That high flip has become a tactic around the league,' Ferraro said. 'And I always hated it because we finally get the puck, and now it's like we're on the punt coverage team. Right? They flip it up, we go down, they've got the puck again. Like, why can't we pass it out? And if Edmonton's D can get back to make a first clean touch, I think their first play has got to go up the middle of the ice. You rim it around the boards, and Florida just snuffs it out. Like, (Edmonton needs to) get back quick as you can. Maybe that open spot is the middle of the ice, and that backs off their D. And if it doesn't, then you can go to the high flip.' Ferraro added: 'But it's not easy, right? Like Florida is not going to give you any time to do it.' 1. To check the validity of Ferraro assessment I went over zone exist in the first period when the Oilers were most on their back heal against the Panthers. Florida built up a 2-0 lead in the first period on two even strength goals, the second one coming after the Oilers failed to advance the puck, Edmonton's Mattias Ekholm whiffing on a clearance and Florida charging right back into the Oilers zone to score. 2. I looked at every time the Panthers or the Oilers gained possession of the puck when they were in their own d-zone. If they made a clean break out play — which included any d-zone clearance that went deep into their opponent's end and gave the clearing team a chance to forecheck effectively — they got a passing grade. If the puck was picked off in the d-zone or neutral zone leading to a quick counterattack, they got a failing grade. 3. Florida made clean exits on 26 out of 40 attempts, a success rate of 65 per cent. 4. Edmonton made clean exits on 26 out of 53 attempts, a success rate of 49 per cent. 5. That's a significant difference between the two teams. That's a major advantage for the Panthers. In building their 2-0 lead, they relied heavily on effective counterattacks, while thwarting Edmonton's attempt at the same. This led to more offensive zone time for the Panthers and led directly to one goal. 6. So what to do? The Oilers have seven d-men who can move the puck. But Troy Stecher struggled most to move it against Florida in Game 5. John Klingberg is a sound passer of the puck and more creative than Stecher. The Oilers should likely go back to him. Ekholm also had his struggles, so maybe move him back to pair up with Evan Bouchard. Darnell Nurse and Klingberg would be one other pairing, with Brett Kulak and Jake Walman rounding things out. These d-men can all make a pass. They can all skate with the puck. They're full capable of beating the Florida forecheck, even as the checkers come in fast, hard and dirty. Lobbing the puck out or rimming the puck around the boards didn't work will in Game 5. Not one lob or rim worked to move the puck out under possession in that key period. The play can work as a last resort, but they also fly in the face of Edmonton's strength, quick advancement of the puck to fast forwards like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. It also strikes me that Edmonton's centres might provide a bit more support in the d-zone, working with the d-men to advance it, something Florida excels at, a three-man unit pushing the puck up ice, two d-men and usually the centre helping out. 7. The key to this series is whether Edmonton's d-man puck movement can get the best of that fierce Florida. forecheck. If Edmonton can, they will launch dangerous counterattacks and be more able to dump the puck in places where Oilers forecheckers can create havoc, either winning the puck or hammering on the Florida defenders. It's time for Edmonton to launch it's own blitz of passing, skating and hitting. Florida is at their worst in their own defensive half of the ice. They can be exploited with stretch passes for breakaways. Now is the time. Game 6 is the moment.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I always hated it': NHL expert blasts Edmonton Oilers for major tactical fail
This in from ESPN's Ray Ferraro, perhaps the sharpest commentator in hockey, his assessment of the failure of the Edmonton Oilers to cleanly move the puck out of their own end in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. On The Ray & Dregs podcast, Ferraro noted the Oilers often attempted to lob the puck out, only to lose possession in the neutral zone and have the pounding Panthers come right back at them. 'That high flip has become a tactic around the league,' Ferraro said. 'And I always hated it because we finally get the puck, and now it's like we're on the punt coverage team. Right? They flip it up, we go down, they've got the puck again. Like, why can't we pass it out? And if Edmonton's D can get back to make a first clean touch, I think their first play has got to go up the middle of the ice. You rim it around the boards, and Florida just snuffs it out. Like, (Edmonton needs to) get back quick as you can. Maybe that open spot is the middle of the ice, and that backs off their D. And if it doesn't, then you can go to the high flip.' Ferraro added: 'But it's not easy, right? Like Florida is not going to give you any time to do it.' 1. To check the validity of Ferraro assessment I went over zone exist in the first period when the Oilers were most on their back heal against the Panthers. Florida built up a 2-0 lead in the first period on two even strength goals, the second one coming after the Oilers failed to advance the puck, Edmonton's Mattias Ekholm whiffing on a clearance and Florida charging right back into the Oilers zone to score. 2. I looked at every time the Panthers or the Oilers gained possession of the puck when they were in their own d-zone. If they made a clean break out play — which included any d-zone clearance that went deep into their opponent's end and gave the clearing team a chance to forecheck effectively — they got a passing grade. If the puck was picked off in the d-zone or neutral zone leading to a quick counterattack, they got a failing grade. 3. Florida made clean exits on 26 out of 40 attempts, a success rate of 65 per cent. 4. Edmonton made clean exits on 26 out of 53 attempts, a success rate of 49 per cent. 5. That's a significant difference between the two teams. That's a major advantage for the Panthers. In building their 2-0 lead, they relied heavily on effective counterattacks, while thwarting Edmonton's attempt at the same. This led to more offensive zone time for the Panthers and led directly to one goal. 6. So what to do? The Oilers have seven d-men who can move the puck. But Troy Stecher struggled most to move it against Florida in Game 5. John Klingberg is a sound passer of the puck and more creative than Stecher. The Oilers should likely go back to him. Ekholm also had his struggles, so maybe move him back to pair up with Evan Bouchard. Darnell Nurse and Klingberg would be one other pairing, with Brett Kulak and Jake Walman rounding things out. These d-men can all make a pass. They can all skate with the puck. They're full capable of beating the Florida forecheck, even as the checkers come in fast, hard and dirty. Lobbing the puck out or rimming the puck around the boards didn't work will in Game 5. Not one lob or rim worked to move the puck out under possession in that key period. The play can work as a last resort, but they also fly in the face of Edmonton's strength, quick advancement of the puck to fast forwards like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. It also strikes me that Edmonton's centres might provide a bit more support in the d-zone, working with the d-men to advance it, something Florida excels at, a three-man unit pushing the puck up ice, two d-men and usually the centre helping out. 7. The key to this series is whether Edmonton's d-man puck movement can get the best of that fierce Florida. forecheck. If Edmonton can, they will launch dangerous counterattacks and be more able to dump the puck in places where Oilers forecheckers can create havoc, either winning the puck or hammering on the Florida defenders. It's time for Edmonton to launch it's own blitz of passing, skating and hitting. Florida is at their worst in their own defensive half of the ice. They can be exploited with stretch passes for breakaways. Now is the time. Game 6 is the moment.
Calgary Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
B.C. Sports Hall of Fame postpones induction gala to fall due to slow ticket sales, escalating costs
Article content Christine Sinclair, Ray Ferraro, Jim Hughson and the other members of the 2025 B.C. Sports Hall of Fame induction class will have to wait a little longer for their official salute. Article content The BCSHOF announced Thursday in a press release that the induction gala slated for June 4 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has been postponed until the fall, citing 'slower than anticipated ticket sales,' as well as 'escalating costs.' Article content 'We are disappointed to have to move this important event but know this is the right decision given the circumstances,' the press release stated. Article content Soccer great Sinclair and Ferraro, who is fifth all-time among B.C. born players in NHL regular season goals with 408, are being inducted in the athlete category, along with mountain biking's Cindy Devine, rugby's Nathan Hirayama and para swimming's Walter Wu. Article content Article content Hughson, who was the longtime voice of Hockey Night in Canada, goes into the hall in the media category. For builder-coach, it's Saul Miller (sports psychology), Wes Woo (weightlifting) and the late Chandra Madhosingh (table tennis). The 2000 B.C. Lions (team), the Meraloma Club founders (pioneers) and Robert Wright (W.A.C. Bennett Award) are also being inducted. Article content Article content
Vancouver Sun
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. Sports Hall of Fame postpones induction gala due to slow ticket sales, escalating costs
Christine Sinclair, Ray Ferraro, Jim Hughson and the other members of the 2025 B.C. Sports Hall of Fame induction class will have to wait a little longer for their official salute. The BCSHOF announced Thursday in a press release that the induction gala slated for June 4 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has been postponed until the fall, citing 'slower than anticipated ticket sales,' as well as 'escalating costs.' The plan is to have an induction ceremony in October. A date and venue hasn't been finalized yet. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We are disappointed to have to move this important event but know this is the right decision given the circumstances,' the press release stated. Soccer great Sinclair and Ferraro, who is fifth all-time among B.C. born players in NHL regular season goals with 408, are being inducted in the athlete category, along with mountain biking's Cindy Devine, rugby's Nathan Hirayama and para swimming's Walter Wu. Hughson, who was the longtime voice of Hockey Night in Canada, goes into the hall in the media category. For builder-coach, it's Saul Miller (sports psychology), Wes Woo (weightlifting) and the late Chandra Madhosingh (table tennis). The 2000 B.C. Lions (team), the Meraloma Club founders (pioneers) and Robert Wright (W.A.C. Bennett Award) are also being inducted. This year's class was unveiled in October. The BCSHOF has inducted 452 individuals and 69 teams since its first class in 1966. The hall is located at B.C. Place and is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vancouver Sun
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. Sports Hall of Fame postpones induction gala to fall due to slow ticket sales, escalating costs
Christine Sinclair, Ray Ferraro, Jim Hughson and the other members of the 2025 B.C. Sports Hall of Fame induction class will have to wait a little longer for their official salute. The BCSHOF announced Thursday in a press release that the induction gala slated for June 4 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has been postponed until the fall, citing 'slower than anticipated ticket sales,' as well as 'escalating costs.' The plan is to have an induction ceremony in October. A date and venue hasn't been finalized yet. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We are disappointed to have to move this important event but know this is the right decision given the circumstances,' the press release stated. Soccer great Sinclair and Ferraro, who is fifth all-time among B.C. born players in NHL regular season goals with 408, are being inducted in the athlete category, along with mountain biking's Cindy Devine, rugby's Nathan Hirayama and para swimming's Walter Wu. Hughson, who was the longtime voice of Hockey Night in Canada, goes into the hall in the media category. For builder-coach, it's Saul Miller (sports psychology), Wes Woo (weightlifting) and the late Chandra Madhosingh (table tennis). The 2000 B.C. Lions (team), the Meraloma Club founders (pioneers) and Robert Wright (W.A.C. Bennett Award) are also being inducted. This year's class was unveiled in October. The BCSHOF has inducted 452 individuals and 69 teams since its first class in 1966. The hall is located at B.C. Place and is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
