Panthers Hockey Live · @NPHockeyLive
8th Sep 2012 from Twitlonger
Rob Pacey's (@pacey11) Player Focus
#4 Jason Beckett
08 September 2012: Hull Stingrays 2-4 Nottingham Panthers
Stats: 0G 1A 6PIM +3
The first thing to note about one of Panthers new defenceman is his size. Standing at around 6'4", he is also built like a defenceman should be. Corey Neilson partnered himself up with Steve Lee as the first pairing, meaning Beckett and Weaver joined up as a second defensive unit. Beckett playing the right side and being right handed, Weaver being the opposite in both aspects.
It was either Beckett’s size, but more likely nerves, that led to him being slow-footed several times (especially in the first period). This resulted in a interference minor being called in his first shift. He was purely beaten for speed as a Stingray rushed to the net. Another mental lapse at the defensive blueline resulted in Beckett coughing the puck up to allow the Stingrays in, however playing in front of a netminder of Craig Kowalski's quality will rarely result in a goal against.
The Stingrays had an extended phase where they were on the powerplay multiple times and it was then that Beckett seemed to erase the mental lapses from his game as iced for the second minute of each instance (excluding the penalty called on himself).
After the first goal had been scored, Beckett’s nerves seemingly lessened and he was more eager to join and start rushes. He was on the ice for the first three Panthers goals (leading to his +3 rating overall) and assisted on 1. The assist was a primary assist, an impeccable pass to Graham who was able to slap the puck past Ben Bowns in the Stingrays net. His confidence appearing to grow, he was often given the puck behind Kowalski's net to start moves, including one instance where he powered with the puck down the right wing and took a wicked slapshot that Bowns did well to handle.
Beckett’s nerves defensively won't have been helped by some suspect refereeing. Of his 3 minor penalties, only 1 was a true infraction. This probably would have reduced his intensity on the backcheck, fearing further penalties.
It was when Panthers were tied 2-2 in the final period that Beckett showed where he will be truly valuable. He and Corey were the defensive paring going into the final 10mins, and instead of the usual Panthers dump and chase style, Beckett rushed the puck into the offensive zone, laying it back to a trailing player, then heading for the net. On one instance he beautifully avoided an incoming hit, taking a Stingray out of the play completely. He screened incredibly well and seemed immovable. And it was this action that lead to the Panthers 3rd (and game-winning goal). Bowns spilled a point shot which Beckett and Francis were ready to pounce on. The latter being the lucky one the puck fell to.
After a shaky start, Beckett was trusted to see out the majority of the final minute with Werner, saying a lot about how highly Neilson must rate him at both ends of the ice. This also meant Beckett was able to ice with all of the other defenceman on the team, excluding Steve Lee – which should be good experience for possible future line changes.
I'm unsure if tonight was a real reflection of Beckett, especially as we are still awaiting Tuma's inclusion into the roster who should take on more defensive responsibility, allowing Beckett to do what he seems to do best - carry the puck forward and transition the play from defence to offence. With more match sharpness, Beckett will do an effective but unattractive job at Panthers. I predict he'll receive some criticism from fans as his skating is slow off the mark so may result in some hooking/holding penalties as he tries to catch up.
Summary: coughed up the puck several times, and looked generally slow and shaky at the beginning of the match. Improved greatly throughout the game and played a part in 3 goals. 6/10.