Game Results
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Coming out of the first period I thought that even though we had been outplayed badly, we could make this a game if we just worked a little harder in our own zone. Cain was keeping the game close with his play and building player confidence that he would clean up their mistakes. Before the game I was concerned that we would be sluggish after a late Friday game followed by a six hour car ride, and I think that played a part in the first period. We played a better second period on the offensive side, but too many mistakes in the Dzone allowed Buffalo to build their lead to 4-0 after two periods. Our biggest problem seemed to be that all the 50/50 pucks were won by Buffalo and they beat us to all the loose pucks. Team speed from Buffalo through all four of their lines was very hard to match with only three lines on our side. In the locker room we challenged the players to play better defense and to compete harder for the loose pucks. I think we did a better job in the third period, but their speed just didn't allow us to get any open ice to work our offense from. Cain did an excellent job keeping us in the game, with save after save from in close. The Elite league teams play at a much higher pace and skill level, than we are used to, so the boys will need to pick up their play as the season moves along. Speaking with the Buffalo coach after the game, he told me that his entire team is hand picked prior to try-outs and play together all summer long to get ready for the winter season. They showed us why they are always one of the top U16 teams in the nation. .
Date: September 13, 2014
Time: 6:00pm
Venue: First Niagra Center
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