Gutted last night and still today. It didn't start very well with the people directly behind me in Block 7 kicking over a pint which spilled down my seat (wet rear for the whole game) onto the floor, wrecking my vape which was underneath my seat and trainers, as I had to sit in a pool of lager for the whole game. Thanks. I wasn't happy. These games do bring out the nuggets.
The game - Coventry REALLY wanted to spoil the party. They battled like their lives depended on it. And fair play to them. It was a physical game, made scrappy by Coventry's doggedness and really good stick play, clogging up the neutral zone. As soon as we put a couple of quick passes together, we sliced them open and Duggan scores. The rest of the game seemed to be a battle of attrition. We had ridiculous zone time in the 2nd and especially the third, but shots were from distance, they blocked tonnes, and when we did get to the paint, the bounces just didn't seem to go our way. It wasn't for any lack of effort on the Devils' parts, it was just one of those nights where we got no puck-luck.
As for their fans chanting "you are number 2" - I thought it was hilarious irony.
All in all, we weren't quite good enough, and if we're all honest with ourselves, Belfast looked better than us from Christmas onwards.
It's a bitter pill to swallow, and as other people have said, I'm hoping that we go for a few younger guys up front with a bit more presence, to compliment the skill players. I would love to see Steven Dixon back next season, as for me, he's been the stand-out player of the season, in terms of those recruited in 2018. I wouldn't be doing much about the D and certainly not Bownsy, who has been immense down the stretch (he got a horrible board bounce in Dundee and you can't legislate for those types of things).
We'll be in Sheffield. The boys need to show some heart and resilience. Buckle that lid on tighter - and bite down on that gumshield.