Game Results
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The team worked hard in the third period to get this game to overtime, but gave up a power play goal during a four on three kill. We could complain that horrible officiating cost us at least two goals in the game, but the bottom line is our inability to play defense in our zone is what's really hurting us. Too often we lose the 50/50 puck battles, and too often are slow getting to loose pucks, and both of those deficiencies are causing our goaltenders to see far too many shots against. Four of the five goals against came from within three feet of the crease, so we are obviously having trouble clearing pucks from down low. Too often we are out-muscled in front of our own net, or try to stickhandle in a crowd and lose possession. Another issue that is hurting our team is an inability to make and receive passes cleanly. Too often in our defensive zone when trying to activate the breakout we mishandle a pass and the puck is jammed right back down low by our opponent. The one benefit I believe that we gain from playing these Elite league games right now is making the players realize how fast they need to think and move the puck to be successful. These high tempo games will help us be better prepared for our AYHL games as the season moves along. Once again, playing shorthanded isn't helping us be successful, and in this game when Kaechelin got hurt we were down to just eight forwards. The boys sucked it up on the bench and played hard to get the two late goals in the third period to tie the score. In OT, we had a breakaway by McArthur and he was clearly tripped, which should have given us either a penalty shot or power play, but the referee didn't make a call. He told me that Ryan tripped on his own skate! A minute later he calls Mackey for charging, on what looked to be a good clean hard hit. The game winning goal happened right in front of me and it just caught the inside of the post and behind Cain. If that puck was one inch left it would have gone off the post into the corner. Tough loos, but we played hard and had our chances to win the game. .
Date: September 27, 2014
Time: 6:00pm
Venue: Island Sports Center
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