"Never going to let you down"
If last night wasn't a wakeup call for you then your not paying attention. If last night didn't make your blood boil as you watched our entire team fall asleep and then proceed to crap it's pants to a bad team for periods of time, then your not seeing the problem. If at any point last night you felt, like I did, that this game was in the bag, then you're part of the issue.
Now I can hear it now, "nick, we won the game. We out shot them. There goalie was really good. Game wasn't as close as the score shows...yada...yada...yada..blah...blah" To that I say shut up. What are you watching out there? All of that doesn't matter.
Do you know why this team, our team, always seems to fail in the end?
Some would say we fail because we don't practice. Others would say its the length of their stick or the turf under their feet. But those are,relatively speaking, non factors. They're minor quibbles or just plain old weak excuses for just not being good enough.
Others seem to pin our struggles on something within, something deeper. They place the failures on immeasurable qualities such as "balls" or even a supposed lack of the winning "quality, attitude or spirit." Crackpot theories that sound interesting but don't really hold much substance. Ladies and gentleman, those are a great example of a grasping of straws.
It's true that some weeks we are just beat. We were not the better team on that night. That happens. Or at least that's the perception I'm left with after the game. That feeling of, "what more could we have realistically expected out us?"
But then this week happened and I had epiphany or something.
Effort.
Everyone knows the importance of effort, that's obvious. The realization is that the lapse of our effort is our biggest detriment. It's our downfall in the games we win and lose. We lost two weeks ago because of both mental and physical effort issues. We were the better team. The little things matter. Unnoticed until they're not done right.
The non dropping of the stick penalty was weak. The lack of even trying to block a shot is almost distasteful. Anyone can stink up the rink with bad shots and bad passes, but is it really asking too much to put your shin pads in front of a shot? Really? REALLY???
But the issue is team wide.
When was the last time we played a full 30 minutes?
That's why I felt frustrated. If the effort is there to start it disappears as soon as we see a lead. On the other side of it, if the effort is missing from the start of the game, it doesn't show until the other team already has the game in hand. That has to change. Full effort. No excuses like I didn't get my shots in. Make it work. Mistakes will happen, but effort should never be in question.
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The issue isn't deep rooted. We're not cursed. It's not even that hard to fix.
We just have to avoid the let downs within the game itself. I challenge myself and everyone..a full effort next week, that means 30 minutes. No let downs.
37 comments:
More of a rant than a recap...but it's something!
4-30-12
Punches and Elbow Pads
3 Eric – I think people around here have come to expect WPR to be filled out with only the top scorers of the night. Not so this week. And maybe Eric gets this spot because he was 100 times better than he was last week even while using a knee brace as an elbow pad, but he along with everyone else got robbed of a couple goals. Most encouraging sign was his ability to control the zone and create glorious chances (mostly for himself). Still want him to shoot as soon as he creates the opportunity for himself to shoot. But who am I to question Eric’s decision making? I’m just a casual observer.
2 Nick – Another real encouraging game from him. Not only did he get back on track defensively last week and this week, his shots were dare I say good (JB could’ve learned a thing or two about hitting the net from Nick). Showed great recovery speed and even adjusted his go to “up the boards” play and went up the middle when the board were jammed, showing more confidence in his ability to make quick, hard decisions.
1 Griff – I don’t know where to start when it comes to things that Griff did right this past Monday. The discipline he showed in the first period was more than I think anyone else on the team would have shown. Not to be forgotten was his second goal of the game, which wasn’t the game winner, but was definitely a game saver. It shot down the momentum the Black Bears had going the last 7 minutes of the third as they came within a goal of making the Alliance look like them old selves.
Honorable Mention: Line 1
Controlled the play every shift they were out there. I mean every shift. Going to be tough not to re-unite that line next week or even in Montreal.
Time to pick it up: Johnny a.k.a. Josh Beckett
Since when did we start saying Johnny had a “good game” when he didn’t score (or do much else)? That’s his bread and butter. He’s afraid to hurt his shin pads so he avoids blocking shots like the plague. He’s not the speediest player. Shows spurts of determination but far from consistent. His passes are telegraphed. He swung and missed a slow rolling ball last week!!! Let’s go Johnny!! It’s been way too long since you’ve been impressive (please don’t say you’ve been focusing on defense). And all these things IMHO add up to why Johnny isn’t going to Montreal (don’t think its cause of your DC. There are other Playon tournaments the Alliance could’ve chosen to go to that worked for everyone). I know this is probably an old topic but if Johnny can get going it adds another huge dimension to the Alliance’s attack. That’s what the Alliance aspire to be, an offensive juggernaut, trying to overwhelm other teams with goals (even if the defense has been miles better this past month or so…..how long ago did Bob quit?). Johnny needs to be a part of that. Whatever you need to start doing Johnny, do it. Your slump (at least we hope it’s only a slump) is all on you Johnny and no one else. Get there early! Upgrade your stick from an intermediate to a senior. Do something!! The Alliance need you (for Dracut anyway).
I loved when griff tossed his elbow pads in the air after the game...awesome
The guy that "told" was the lazy kid who cherry picked all night...still didn't score. Tehhe.
i bought elbow pads today
i hope the kid who punched griff gets more than just 3 games
woah.. griff got punched? sheesh... when does milk street start up
woah.. griff got punched? sheesh... when does milk street start up
got slashed shoved and punched and still walked away
got slashed shoved and punched and still walked away
Hey "WPR"...I played well this week whether you thought so or not. My line did NOT get scored against, and we had constant pressure all night long which I was in the middle of. The only shot I want back is the two on one that you passed to me that the goalie robbed me on. And even then, I put it mostly where I wanted it, the goalie just made a good save. Overall I passed the puck well, I setup guys up numerous times with good chances. Save for Eric's one-timer pass where I hit the post the only other passes I received in the offensive zone all night where from Billy up by the point. So again, it's make my own offense.
Did I whiff on the pass last week? Yep. I'm the only one to whiff or have a bad shot this year I guess.
As for the Montreal angle, you can go screw. I was one of the top scorers last year in MTL, but you guys can take whoever you want. Yes, I was not going to miss my DC in order to go play hockey, but you guys can make that type of call for yourselves. I knew it was pretty much a numbers games from the start, and you handled the whole thing like a bunch of punks. But whatever. I show up to play hockey simply because I love playing hockey - that's it. I'm not missing out on anything association-wise. I have far more going on in my life then worrying about what some tool(s) think.
Johnny how did we handle it like punks, jb and griff are going to our district and you asked me to skip my district to play in another tourney...what's the difference? we told you immediately that weekend and asked if you were in. No big deal we obviously understand why you can't go so we got nick.
Not missing out on anything association wise? Nice dig there Johnny we'll remember not to bore you with our association in the future cuz you are bringing a lot socially to the table being last one there and first to leave at every game!
And wpr was actually being nice hes just saying we know you can be a better offensive player, and I hope you agree.
"screw'em!!!"
Just like the little kid...lol
Jared, that's not how it happened. You said all along it was Hamilton and then the Monday night before you booked you said "Oh, I don't know if it's Hamilton, it might be Montreal can you skip your assembly?" To which I said no. And that's it - I had no idea that Montreal had even happened until Brett said that he registered everyone two days later. No one said that Montreal was definite, it was just booked.
As much as I like playing in the tourney, it wasn't a big deal to me that I couldn't go on that weekend...primarily just the way it happened. Of course, as WPR said above you could have done a different tourney, but you didn't care enough to have me go, so whatever.
And sorry if the "association" comment offended you Jared. To be honest, only real reason I don't go out most nights after we play is simply to get home and spend time with Jamie and the baby. But now, yeah, I have realized I don't really care to go out in the first place.
And Nick, the B's were missing that kid before Game 7.
Oh the drama!!
I'm here at the airport waiting to leave, drinking a few beers.....reading these posts. I will say its very entertaining reading. TY for helping pass the time.
Nick, good recap. A wee bit overboard, but accurate. I dont think that game was ever in question, but I do agree with your point that we need to not let up during these games. If everyone shows up and we all give our best effort, I truly believe we can be a really good team.
since when did WPR start playing hockey with us? who's line was he on?
Overboard? Isn't that a staple on this site?
I do agree with Johnny that we aren't worthy of his association. the less time he spends with us the better.
and I also understand where Johnny's coming from, being a father myself. we tend to get the most quality familty time together at 11 pm after hockey games.
Johnny why would a bunch of guys who you don't like to hang with anyway, go all the way to hamilton just so you could be on the team?
I'm disappointed that no one has pointed out my one hit wonder 80s references..sigh.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0
Rickrolld!!!!!!
Nick just cause we don't comment on it doesn't mean we don't get it. u know that redhead really didn't sing the song right?
I just wanted it pointed out...
What do you mean? Are you one of those people who think its a black guy?
Jb what r the lines for next game?
Wow! ajust read the sight. Been sick with stomach bug. Didnt even have the strength to read!
First off good game the other night. I know nick thinks we gave up but we were running pretty good out there. They got a couple goals on nice shots. Tough to cover those.
Now as for the whole Jonny thing goes I think Brett was just saying that we all know how effective you can be when your shot is on and your playing at the top of your game. He just wants to see that again, we all do. If your hot come the playoffs it gives us a huge advantage. Brett likes to motivate by lighting a fire under you! Thats what he does.
As for Canada goes, I personally wasnt a fan of Hamilton. We wouldnt of had darren or Eric and it was far. Mostly for me I wanted montreal so Ashley and Arron could go. Since its a long weekend she could go. With her being a school teacher she only gets off school vacations and the summer. So she never gets to come to the tournament with me. This was perfect for us. I asked you the day I found out about it. You were always on the team but you said you couldnt and i understood your reasons that you told me. Ddn't know you thought we were being punks. But we weren't.
And you definetly wanted Jared to go to Ottowa with us and come to our DC instead so don't go all self righteous about that.
OK now that I coverd that lets all skip the meeting monday for hockey. J/K
Im trying to switch the game time to 9 or 10. Should be able to. I'll let everyone know so dont count on 7 for monday night!
Oh yeah and as for the lines Brett. I think the Griff ,Jonny, Eric line way very effective monday. They had as many goals as we did and had a lot of chances. I also loved our line. It all depends on who's there obviously and I want to get ron more involved in the offense. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Ron was too hidden back there on D. Don't know if it was cause Billy and Nick took monster shifts and didn't let him get enough ice time, but i personally think he'd be more useful upfront. I think he wants to play offense more too and he'd be more motivated.
Ever think of putting me on D JB?
does john realize he just ruined himself for any future tournaments?
Well, if the game does get moved (any word on that?) the defensive rotation and pairings will be interesting. Billy is out this week, I think, so who moves back?
Greetings from Italy!!
I'm in Rome right now. At a bar. Having a drink. (What else is new?) This place has free Wi-fi (very rare here), so I can check up on you guys.
I know you guys will put up a great effort, assuming you play. I think Nick, Brett, and JB would make a good D rotation. Ron should play wing, IMO.
I will check in later, so Nick, you better do a recap!!
Fun fact: There is a 6 hour time difference between Italy and the us.
And now u know.
I always liked playing d with jb but playing with Brett could be interesting.
I always liked the idea of Brett at the point during a power play so he could quarterback it...but what about 5 on 5? His passing skills might be really nice to have on breakouts.
Hope your having fun Billy! With him out this week we need to pick up his slack on offense...
I think miked is in so he'll be back on defense. And if griff is technically our defenseman in mtl maybe he should get a game or two back there. Brett is a winger and I tend to agree Ron should play wing too.
who said Griff is d in Montreal?
I think it's safe to say tonight will be a let down nick...do we even have 5 guys?
What an awful team we played yesterday.
and we only won by three goals
Things that make you go hmmm.
Johnny those times I hung back to talk with you after games was nothing more then taking quality time away from your family? lol
I think you might be hanging out with girls too much... to me, it sure looks like their PMS cycles are rubbing off on you.
Don't be so uptight loosen up kid, loosen up
Check your stats Brett, we won 6-2
i thought so but i could only remember 5. 6 still isn't enough vs that team
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