Well, that was dreadful. The only positive is that we managed to get the bears on the ice.
From front to back I'm not sure anyone can be happy with how they played. PP was predictable and slow. Transition was scrappy and disjointed. It was like watching us in our post-CHL slump.
Having taken a few months to judge its simple: the recruitment has not worked. We only have Dixon as an effective center. Our D-core doesn't have the ability or will to step up when our forwards are not producing. For me at this moment (still a long way to go this year) I wouldn't retain BOC, Du Pont, Lammon, or Davies. When we are 3 guys down we can't afford to carry 4 more. With 3 line hockey there are no places for players to hide and no-one stepped up to try and win that game tonight.
Unrealistic I know but if you replace those 4 above with Fournier, Martin, Haddad and Myers....what a side that would be.
There was zero fluidity or chemistry tonight; zero fight or desire to right it and we made a poor Stars team look...well just as bad as us. I would be interested to see what bar sales were like tonight as that may have driven some to drink.
I usually try and bring a friend to a game every couple weeks - the seat next to me as a ST holder is sometimes vacant - I'm so glad I didn't take anyone to their first game tonight as that was boring and nothing like I have come to love at the Devils.
As many have said I don't mind losing entertaining games, or even scrappy games as long as there is fight in the team, but we were just mediocre at best tonight. This side doesn't have the ability to win games when it plays badly, and it very rarely grinds out victories. Unfortunately the silverware won't be coming to Cardiff this season.
McNulty may have been only a Devil since last night but he looked pretty awful tonight - needs to improve exponentially if he wants a deal after 3 weeks. For a big guy (6'7") he doesn't throw his weight and gets bullied of the puck to easily. He looks like a tall skater as it takes longer for the messages from his brain reach his feet and hands - a liability tonight. Josh Batch had to work twice as hard as his D-partner.
On a final note it's a shame that the league format (3 line hockey with spares) appears to have pushed Dugan to the periphery of the side which can't be good for his development. The Brit line tonight was not effective - as it wasn't earlier in the season.
