Dec 09, 2012 | rswigger | 327 views
Dogs Take a Bath at the Lake
Sunday's showdown in Shallow Lake was, well, tough to take. When the buzzer went to end the game, everyone in the stands had to do a double-take at the clock. Was it really a 5-0 loss? Really?
No question the Lakers outscored us, but a 5-0 deficit seemed a little harsh for the fairly even play and zone control. But there was one notable difference...the Lakers finished on their chances while the Ice Dogs...well, the Ice Dogs kind of lingered on theirs. In the end, we didn't get a lot of scoring chances off of a number of good opportunities.
So, it wasn't all bad at the Lake. Does anyone like being on the losing end of a 5-0 shutout? Of course not. But did this first place team really dominate? No. Could we play with them? Absolutely. The best thing about playing the first place team, and realizing they're not really out of reach, is that you can see what we need to be better at. And there are really just a few things that need to be better this time of year, if the Dogs want to beat the Lakers. For example, most times, the Lakers didn't try to carry the puck out of their own end. (Write that down, Ice Dogs--the boards are your friends!) With a couple of exceptions, the Lakers don't hesitate to fire the puck. (Note, forwards--be in position, use your 'quick sticks'.) And, while both teams had some mental breakdowns, ours seem to be mainly in avoidable off-sides; keep your head up, but be aware of that blue line. Because, when you think about it, there are SO many things to celebrate in terms of the team's overall improvement. On this night, you would have to note Emmett's more aggressive play (and determination to get the puck out of his zone); Logan burning up the ice with a strong desire to score; and Kendrew's speed up the wing and good short passes.
So, as we face the tough schedule going forward, keep working Ice Dogs. Listen carefully to Todd, and keep striving to improve your own game for the benefit of the whole team. Let's bring our determination to Paisley tomorrow night to face the Lakers 1 team. Go Dogs!