I won't throw the baby out with the bath water because of one awful display, making an average Steelers side look decent. I always try and stay level headed, but boy do I hate those Orange (there's no polite word I can use here).
We had better batter Flames tomorrow.
1st period was a great period of hockey from both sides and Bowns played a blinder.
What the hell happened after that?!
Yes PP was ineffective, again (get Lord on Zoom ffs, it's not hard). We had some OK play at times at it felt like the desire was there until it all fell apart after the penalty shot.
Whilst I hate them I have to say the Orange were worth the points - they are always dangerous on the counter or PP. Few typical Orange scummy things to do - the usual away day "oh my NM helmet has come off" type BS and the random 1 in 100 amazing pass from D to set up the penalty shot.
(Is it just me who hates Orange trilby hats? It's an away match, Sharon, not a hen party!)
I think I could respect the Orange team if it wasn't for their fans, arrogant, whoosh its behind you, bringing your own goalhorn....
I won't comment on the stripes. Friend of mine spotted that we were called for having too many men when we had pulled Bowns on a delayed penalty....stripe spots 6, arm goes up. FML. Would be funny but these people are the best we have got?! Maybe Dubeau had the right idea.
As others have said we'll see if this roster has the ability to put a consistent league run together - we are now 1-1 with the Orange. The time for judging the coaching is at the end of the season - or when it's clear we are just another participant, rather than a contender. This team have shown ONCE AGAIN (that like under Skalde) they obviously think that turning up at the end of the season is enough.
There are no nights off in the UK. We are on the verge of being eliminated from a cup competition we have consistently done well In for god knows how long; and 3rd or 4th in the league is not good enough. It's all well and good celebrating sticking 8 or 6 passed lower league sides, but it still only gets you 2 points.
It's early days this season - but a lot of these guys haven't learned from last year. Playoff winning is great, love it, but let's not paper over the cracks.
Beat a terrible Clan, a few decent wins here and there, and get stuffed routinely in the cup - to then turn up and not care for 2 periods against the Orange. Have a word. I'm sure Kelman will. Only fella that seems to earn his wage this season is Brandt - if only he'd take a few Orange heads off.
That level of performance and result against a rival is not acceptable. Being beaten by an impressive rival is one thing - but capitulating to the Orange is another. Twitter will be full of their over inflated egos until the next PR disaster that comes their way.
No point saying that Giants will walk the league yet. An unproductive CHL campaign mixed with walking a CC group filled with the Scots sides....long way to go.
On another note, we seem to have gone from having 2 top lines last season (Sandford,Cougler,Cox; Crandall,Dixon,Reid) to mixing Cox, Sandford and one of Cougler/Martin....
Crandall and Reid have disappeared and seem to miss Mr Dixon.
Overall, I started by saying that I wouldn't overreact - well I have. I just hate those orange [people] so much.
Hopefully it's a blip. But last season's performance coupled with our 'could t care less' attitude about the cup, doesn't fill me with confidence.
Sort it out Devils