Saturday, October 18, 2008

Seawolves 6 - Lakers 4

I suppose it is obvious that a bad win is better than a good loss. I am nothing but relieved. The Seawolves dug a stupidly deep hole going down 3-0 at one point in the 1st period (it was almost a nightmare). If Mercyhurst had scored on it's only 4 real chances then I'd be a little less concerned. But they didn't. They scored on 4 of their WAY TOO MANY CHANCES. The Seawolves looked flat in a lot of spots. Not to say they didn't look inspired and/or determined at other times. In any case, it was far from 60 minutes of 100% effort. The number of defensive errors was as high as any game I've witnessed over the past couple of years. Bryce Christianson was hung out to dry at times and it cost the team. I'm sure the guys are probably proud that they managed to come back and win a game that they almost gave away in the first period. Good on ya fellas. You perservered and got the job done. It's just that you did so in such an ugly way that bothers this fan.

There were many sections of the game where the Seawolves absolutely dominated and the ice was tilted hugely in their favor. The good cycling game down low led to serious puck possession time in the Mercyhurst zone. It didn't look like a close game. But honestly, the outcome was still in question until Brian Bales knocked home #6 on the power play with under a minute left in the game.

I guess there are lessons to be learned in such a game. The coaching staff is sure to be busy reviewing the game tape and finding the errors. There are defintely a number of things to work on. There was some lackadaisical puck clearing. And perhaps some over-confidence with the puck at times. I was surprised by how much line shuffling there was. Only the Selby, Haddad, Smith line seemed to be intact for the duration of the game. Did Tyler Moir take a hidden ding that I missed? I don't recall seeing him much in the 2nd or 3rd period (if at all). Jade Portwood caught a knee on what hopefully was his thigh with 4 minutes left in the game. It resulted in the 5 minute major power play where Bales tallied. With luck it's just a bruise. "Wings" had a strong game and works the Seawolf game plan down low like he's been doing so his whole life.

It's a good job that scores don't go in the Win/Loss column. Only the W matters eh? Sorta. I guarantee if the team plays tonight's game next weekend versus UMD that they won't come out with that W.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am thankful the pucks bounced our way. Last year the puck would bounce everywhere and anywhere but into the net. There was sloppy play but..to come back from a 3-0 deficit..good for them. Some players really had stellar games in both ends of the ice and that made the difference. All in all the team pulled together to win in the end. Keep it up boys.

Kris said...

Nobody had a stellar game. When you go down 3-0 to Mercyhurst in the first, stellar is nowhere to be found in that vocabulary. I am glad that they persevered their way back into the game but that game is not Seawolf hockey, the should be embarrassed that they can come out like that when people are paying for their education. I am being very critical but seriously it is time for this team to play sixty minutes and start to do something. Tenth just can't cut it anymore.

At least they still have a shot at revenge.

Kris said...

Sorry if I sounded angry. I was; I am growing tired of watching the team start with its characteristic lackluster attitude and dig themselves a hole. That is what they did against Northeastern and that is much closer to the quality we are about to start facing. Eventually they are going to have to figure out how to play all game and not wait. The WCHA will be tough again.

Anonymous said...

The players did come back from the 3-0 deficit early in the 1st to actually win this game, and yes, there were players that played stellar to achieve it. If they hadn't they would have lost the game. They didn't. I think lack of confidence gets them down early in the game. These games can only help prepare them for the regular season. But, if we're going game by game, yay, they won tonite. Good job team.

Kris said...

Well, congratulations to the Wolves!!! Way to give it back to the nookies and win their tournament.

Anonymous said...

You made this Seawolf fan very proud guys. Way to win the tournament! Congrats to everyone!

Jimjamesak said...

You know what? The great teams find ways to win games that they should lose. The guys found a way to win a game they maybe shouldn't have, that's a real positive sign of improvement.

Donald Dunlop said...

Quality comments on both perspectives guys. We saw both sides of the coin in that game and thankfully the positive side outweighed the negative.

Anonymous said...

Look Mercyhurst played great in the first period the shots were close to even and the main thing was to win ugly as this years team has already displayed traits that weren't present last year. But what is with the Slow starts there is no question that is a major issue.I got it start the forth line those guys play every shift. Smith is comeback player of the century flat our period. Simple stuff,making plays , playing great.

Anonymous said...

That line is kinda of a big story right now its really great to see

Anonymous said...

btw...it does look like Tyler Moir got knicked a bit...pulled groin it appears...hope he can get back soon...starting to look good...

Anonymous said...

Hey How about this... Were 3 and 1 with a big Win over Maine and played the potential Number 1 team in the Country Northeastern Tough. Eat that Doyle

Anonymous said...

The plus/minus on the boxscore is still all screwy.

Anonymous said...

Did anyone happen to notice how accurate the shots were this past weekend? Where does their shot keeper sit during the games?

Anonymous said...

and played the potential Number 1 team in the Country Northeastern
Huh?

Anonymous said...

Northeastern beat Boston College this weekend, as well as Providence. Northeastern, that same team that beat UAA last week

Anonymous said...

Northeastern beat Boston College this weekend, as well as Providence

I thought you meant they were ranked 1st or will be ranked 1st or you think they are the best team in the country... I like your logic though:

Northeastern beat BC and Providence.
UA(f) tied Northeastern.
Maine beat UA(f).
UAA beat Maine!!
UAA is the potential Number 1 team in the country!!1!

Anonymous said...

Ok ANon @ 741, what are u smoking can i get some? UAA didn't play tough against Northeastern, and there's no way in hell the wolves would be number 1.

Spoon

Anonymous said...

I was being facetious. Someone (you?) said NEern was the potential Number 1 team. The NEern team that finished 6th in HE last year; picked to finish 5th in HE by HE writers; picked to finish 6th in HE by HE coaches; unranked coming into this last weekend; and tied UA(f)...

I just thought NEern #1 at this point was laughable.

Anyways, I'll let it go. Feel free to take a parting shot; I won't rebut.

-Anon@7.41 (&@10/19 7.52)

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