That was a brutal game. Really disappointed in our effort in the first period and then we just couldn’t finish our chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods. This was a game we should have won and now we have a tough road trip coming up. We may be lucky to win one game. Things could get ugly fast.
Sure was tough to watch, 4Caps.
The last two games of a five game home stand, with no back to backs, plenty of rest, and they just go flat. Go figure, but it’s starting to smell familiar!
I just realized that I was feeling about the same way, at this exact time, last year, at approx. the 15-16 game mark. I believe we were just over .500, and there seemed to be not just one thing, but MANY issues that were affecting the team. So many different, underperforming facets of the game, that it was hard to determine where to start with correction.
The similarities are almost uncanny. Bad D, 5 on 5 goal production was extremely low, PK and PP not doing well, and less quality goal tending. (Yes, Holtz is underperforming right now, and he’d be the first to tell you, regardless of some decent game saving saves! He’s also been Swiss cheese on a few, too)! So much is eerily similar to this time last year, IMO.
Anyway, plenty of blame to go around. With the two earlier wins this week, I was hoping it was an early indicator that Rierden was moving the team in the right direction. Obviously, not yet! I’m not discarding the idea, but I’ve shifted back to the neutral, wait and see mode.
Nearly everyone on the ice looked like they were very FLAT. Both physically and mentally. Appearing not very interested in hustling. Again, wasn’t this also similar to last year!! Then we heard in the media, that Trotz had handed the entire locker room a good ass chewing, that was unusually heavy!!
If memory serves me right, we then went on a VERY successful road trip, bringing back some good standings points, and a winning attitude! This took place around games 18-20 or so, or certainly within the first quarter of the season. It went from hopeless, to hopeful quite quickly I recall!
Mind you, I’m not attempting a pep rally style post here. Also not going gloom and doom either. Rather, pointing out the similarities, and noting what a potential litmus test this upcoming road trip actually IS!
A real potential eye opener type of litmus test! Especially on the coaching staff. These next games will be approaching the infamous 20 game mark!
Will Rierden have the ability to lift this teams attitude? Can he get the boys to start buying in? What about the goaltending, moving forward, without Mitch Korn anymore? My honest answer is “I don’t know, yet!”The waiting to see part SUCKS, for sure, as it’s an unknown! I guess it’s only a notch better than had we returned already from this road trip with a real bad showing!!
Well 4CAPS, there’s My two cents!
Rush