what i don't understand is why we look tired because panthers played as well on wednesday and they did'nt look tired.this could be a long season as in terms of sheffield,belfast we are not anywhere near them which on paper we should be.we've got quality imports and a decent brit pack and yet we still suck on times.
Panthers Vs Devils - League - 2nd Nov 24 - FO 19:00
- Thread starter James
- Start date
Unfortunately we have a very good team on paper, but it ain’t happening on the ice which is a great shame. I do now believe and I don’t want to that my opinion on this team far exceeded what it really is. This has nothing to do with spending so long on the bus, Fife do that every time they come here and they don’t have the luxury our lads have. It’s like initially we wanted to impress, then when we did then that’s job done, we have too many part time players, and they really are part time players, we are surely missing Shinkaruk . Play like we have lately and tomorrow we are in for a bloody hiding, I hate talking like this as I was blinded by the light in what I saw weeks ago, but sorry to say that was weeks ago, and you can only live in La La land for so long. So now it is what it is, if we win then thats what it is if we lose then that’s what it is. One thing is for certain and that is that we don’t have a exceptional team, we have a team that will entertain and please some times, but we also have a team that will disappoint and piss us off some times, and championship teams don’t exactly play like that.So it is what it is, yes it’s early days but we have too many passengers, and believe me these are passengers. Same old gags unfortunately and it’s getting mighty boring. Sorry to rabbit on, but if I didn’t give a shit I would say Jack all.
Weird game for us. Considering the circumstances coming into the game (6hr + coach trip, missed half the warmup etc) it wasn’t THAT bad of a performance.
I don’t know what it is about us in that arena. Surely now it’s a mental block that’s clearly getting to them. Already beat before the games even started?
Individual errors cost us that game (MacDonald on the first, Bowns on the second, and a combination between Richie and Fourns on the third).
Can’t remember who said this but our goal wasn’t a fluke by any means. Good cycling of the puck in the O-Zone creates space for Perlini to get a clear shot, and a brilliant screen by Duke which is the main reason we score, getting players to the net.
Something the Panthers were able to do the whole game. Everytime I’ve watched us play in their rink we’ve always struggled clearing the crease and allowing out netminder to see the shot.
Also recently it seems we’re unable to create sustained pressure when going forward, wanting to dump it in and try and win the back. I’m not against dump and chase but when you’re forechecking unit haven’t been able to set up yet it’ll be hard to win it back.
Just hope the guys have a better trip back home and are able to rest up ahead of a crucial match tomorrow. I’ve seen Watling was injured tonight and won’t be in the lineup tomorrow so that’s a boost for us.
I don’t know what it is about us in that arena. Surely now it’s a mental block that’s clearly getting to them. Already beat before the games even started?
Individual errors cost us that game (MacDonald on the first, Bowns on the second, and a combination between Richie and Fourns on the third).
Can’t remember who said this but our goal wasn’t a fluke by any means. Good cycling of the puck in the O-Zone creates space for Perlini to get a clear shot, and a brilliant screen by Duke which is the main reason we score, getting players to the net.
Something the Panthers were able to do the whole game. Everytime I’ve watched us play in their rink we’ve always struggled clearing the crease and allowing out netminder to see the shot.
Also recently it seems we’re unable to create sustained pressure when going forward, wanting to dump it in and try and win the back. I’m not against dump and chase but when you’re forechecking unit haven’t been able to set up yet it’ll be hard to win it back.
Just hope the guys have a better trip back home and are able to rest up ahead of a crucial match tomorrow. I’ve seen Watling was injured tonight and won’t be in the lineup tomorrow so that’s a boost for us.
To me it seems like devils got 1 eye on the continental cup against the teams that are in it they know we got a better chance of silverware this season. To me there's other teams gonna win the lge the way we are playing nothing clicking at all. As it stands I think it's a 3rd 4th place finish I'm afraid unless we dramatically turn this poor form into wins and others start failing. One or 2 changes needed just to get back on track...just saying
Hard to disagree with that. The team looks so promising at times but just can't seem to get it together. & we really need to figure out playing Nottingham away. Sheffield will go there and brush them aside most of the time. No matter how good a run the Devils are on something always goes wrong in Nottingham.
I would like to see us addressing the Nottingham curse urgently in the off season. Nottingham away preventing us getting over the line in the league and cup and no amount of re-jigging our lines is working. I think we need to be seriously looking to recruit a voodoo shaman.
Without the impact of Panthers leeching points off us in regulation regardless of their form or injury issues, we would be better placed to challenge Belfast and Sheffield. Additionally there’s plenty of space in the gantry if chickens need to be sacrificed to get our power play firing again.
Without the impact of Panthers leeching points off us in regulation regardless of their form or injury issues, we would be better placed to challenge Belfast and Sheffield. Additionally there’s plenty of space in the gantry if chickens need to be sacrificed to get our power play firing again.
Personally given we see the same cycle year on year going into November with different coaches and players involved then you look at the other factors around what could affect it. It seems Devils culturally suffer with settling into the grind and cannot maintain momentum. This could mean they get snake bit with expectations or get to comfortable but safe to say something affects the compete level. Personally I don’t rate Devils pre season. It’s too long and at least on ice never quite produces the result in performance it should. It also puts the cliff edge in form in the same spot in the calendar. I would like to see some serious on ice leadership on display in this period. Players to put the team on their back. Difference makers. Henbrandt torched Devils last night. Someone either has to play better than him or get in his kitchen but just to watch and admire him make plays is not how championships are won. If there is one thing I actually detest about hearing referred to is about sticking to the process. If your aim is to win the play offs then by all means but let’s not disregard you can kill your league aspirations in November so get some urgency about you. Steelers lost 8 games in regulation all last season. Night off in November are as costly as a march so the process is actually get some character about you that you understand what level is required to win in this league consistently rather than being on a constant learning curve.
Pre season was bunk tbh and GB had effect on it once the real games started we won 5 out of first 6 with some delightful play and clicking as if we played 12 months together..I know we had injuries but they were covered . The hockey not been the same since unfortunately. We need a win tonight to boost morale going into very important games coming up...just saying
We are back to old ways in so much as players merely going through the motions with one or two exceptions working their guts out. It’s no good having a ‘good team on paper’ if they don’t put in the effort on ice as many seem to be in that bracket. Yes, it’s only the start of November, but if they continue to play in such lacklustre and at times totally boring hockey style we are in for 5 months of watching average players who don’t seem to play for the badge on their shirts, and I simply don’t believe we have any chance of winning an argument let alone a trophy.