bob_sauve28

From today’s News article: "The biggest thing for me down here is now that I’m playing more, I’m a lot more patient," Mittelstadt said. "When I was in Buff, I’m sure I forced things more with fewer minutes and trying to do more than what’s given. I’m learning to be more patient. … Sometimes live to fight another day. "When you’re playing a lot and you make one mistake it’s not a huge deal. You go back out and kind of make up for that. Obviously playing less minutes in Buffalo, if you make a mistake you’re usually not going back out for a while. That’s been new. It’s been different for me. And the more you play the better you’re going to get and less mistakes happen." Mittelstadt has logged more than 20 minutes in games with the Amerks, including time on the power play and penalty kill. The latter is helping him improve defensively at even strength -- Rochester used a similar plan with Victor Olofsson and Tage Thompson -- which is earning Taylor's trust. Mittelstadt took defensive-zone faceoffs with the opposing net empty in the final moments of Rochester's 4-2 win Wednesday in Cleveland. The improvement is part of a thorough plan to help Mittelstadt return to Buffalo. The Amerks' coaching staff works with its forwards after practice on nuances such as winning battles along the wall, an area in which Mittelstadt needed to improve. Video study has also taught him the value of patience. Rather than trying to stick-handle around defenders when there isn't an open passing lane -- a common occurrence during his 114 games in the NHL -- Mittelstadt is learning to use his shot to create chances in front of the net. He has 19 shots over his last seven games, compared to 10 in seven games from Jan. 4-19. "He’s got the vision to make plays and it’s great to see him generate off of shots," Rochester assistant coach Toby Petersen said. "It’s something we’re trying to point out to him a lot through video – how much shooting the puck can break up a good defense. Guys will have good structure and they’ll have good positions, but all of a sudden the puck gets to the net and you see that’s when mistakes are made. … It’s good to see him start to shoot the puck and play the sort of good, selfish hockey we’re looking for."

Is there some sort of official NHL definition of what a "Hit" is? A lot of these terms as so subjective. Like face offs are always scored a win or loss, but that's absurd. Many face offs just end up in a scramble or something.

I kind of liked Skinner and Lazar together, thought they compliment each other well with their disruptive styles, if that makes any sense. They both go out and cause turn overs.

Alright! Fun win, good jobs boys. Maybe playing on the road is better now.

That’s bull!!!

Oh come on boys, don’t blow this one

Jimmy!!!!

Short shifts

I’d try and lock up Lazar for five or six years, 2million a year, see if he takes it.

How long is Lazar signed for? Please tell me he is staying for awhile

Beautiful back hander

Hutton is great when we don’t give up any shots

Miller has another nice assist

Grigs!!! Beautiful goal

Oh, Hutton, ?

Seriously! How in the hell does he not see the ice in OT?

No Skinner in OT?? Seriously?

Yes!!!! Wonderful!!! Our boys have pluck!

Nice save

That’s what I like about you, you are so easy, lol

Wilson!!! Woooo hoooo!!

Jacks gonna run out of sticks!!!

I hope Skinner gets one tonight

Yes! Jimmy!!

No Skinner 4-4??