The pre-season games serve to test the fitness levels of players, practice tactics and formations and for the coaches to look at line combinations/chemistry. It's such early days - the new guys have been practising and playing with the rest of the team for less than a week. They will have learnt a few things to fix already.
GOAT is being rested because of a niggle but when he is fit to play, the lines will settle down. Would like to see the emergence of a true sniper type of player to take chances buzzing around the nets. Some other teams seem to have one. Last night it was refreshing to see our face-off success rate (McNamee is already a worthy Ulmer replacement) but the players didn't seem to be able to keep the puck for long and spent a lot of time chasing to win back possession. Ferhevar played a clever game... everytime the Devils forechecked, the opposition simply passed the puck back through their ranks to recommence their attack. They were more successful with their chances.
Look forward to the Panthers next weekend. One or two markers put down? Anyone think Thomas Murdy might get some icetime?