What the Hell is Going On around Here?

[ricardo]

Could Drinkell look at making another move this week. Certainly, the goaltending is weak at the moment with Oke out of the lineup. They're not getting much production from the fourth line. Right now this team appears to lack confidence, which will happen when they're struggling. Something needs to change soon before they fall further in the standings. Two of the losses this week were to teams ahead of them in the standings which doesn't help.

[eric8199]

Let me preface by saying I agree that they are struggling right now and something needs to be done to increase shots and scoring chances, because the lack of shots isn't going to win games, and the lack of offense doesn't draw penalties, which is why we are getting no powerplays.

Now that being said, I do not believe we've lost a game that wasn't a 1-goal game before empty net goals. So it's not like we're getting blown out. They're still losses, I get that, but maybe things aren't as off as they appear on paper.

I've said all along the team we have now is not the team we'll have in January. More moves are coming.

[donjohnson]

It's really frustrating but when you look at the statistics, it gets even more frustrating. We are #1 in penalty kill and 2nd lowest in penalty minutes so we're not giving up points on special teams. We're also #1 by a large margin on the power play which tells me we have the talent and guns to make people pay when they're shorthanded. That means we're getting beat in 5on5 and from what I've seen it's defense because I think that Lalonde is playing solid while Oke is out. There is just not enough speed and talent on defense and I'm getting sick of forwards making Mancini and Forgione look foolish. They don't have the defensive speed or instincts to keep up with the talent in the OHL and then they clutch and grab and make us have to kill penalties. It would be one thing if those guys were punishing hitters but neither of them throw the body and I'd rather see Glavin out there being physical than the hooks and holds that 53 and 27 do.

I think an upgrade on defense is necessary now and maybe a new forward...I know Kitchener is in first place but it might be time for that mega-blockbuster Rehkopf/Bruzustewicz trade that was talked about last year to come to reality. We can ship out McNamara, Young (hate to see him go) and Forgione plus a slew of picks.

It will also be nice to get Oke back in goal at some point, hopefully he's making progress on a return, remember Lennox was out for quite a long time a couple of years ago so hopefully we're not in that boat. Oke has been really solid this year and is giving up under 3 a game so that would be winning a lot of these close games that we're losing. I think Lalonde is doing fine but this is Oke's team this year and he seemed like he was ready for the challenge before the injury.

[swoopster]

Agreed,both of them have 16 and 19 minutes in penalties leading the team... but Parekh who has 12 points, is minus 11 and you don't get a lot of defense from him.

[donjohnson]

Swoopster I don't disagree with that at all but Zayne brings offensive skill and superior skating to the team so I'm willing to accept his lack of defense at times.

Like I said, if Forgione and Mancini brought a huge physical intimidating presence I wouldn't be complaining about their play at all but you have to bring something to the table and right now it's just average play which isn't the formula to win hockey games.

[eric8199]

Forgione has been hitting this year. But it gets him put in the penalty box. Both he and Mancini I think have custom seats in there they've been in there so many times the last few years. lol.

[MidlandSpiritFan]

Make it 1-6-0-1 in their last 8 games. Lost 6-5 at home to Erie tonight. Now tied for last place in the Western Conference with a 4-7-0-1 record. 4-2-0-1 at home, 0-5-0-0 on the road. Lazary sounded defeated tonight on the post game radio show. Saginaw actually had the lead a good portion of the 1st period after taking 1-0 and 2-1 leads. However, Erie led 3-2 after 1 period and never surrendered the lead again. Not sure what the answer is right now.

[aj0512]

I had a longer post about my thoughts on the team so far this season, but decided it's not time to panic just yet. We had a nice win against a really good Mississauga team last night. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall in the locker room during the first intermission. Hopefully that will spark the team and we can go on a run here.

[eric8199]

I don't know, I realize we trailed at the end of the first, but I thought the entire game was one of the better ones we've played all season, especially since the slump began. I think we had more shots just in the first than we've had some total games, so the offensive production was nice. Can't score goals if you don't put the puck on the net, and you aren't going to get powerplay opportunities when you don't have scoring chances. This whole pass six times before we take a shot thing is great when it works, but sometimes it's better to just put the puck on goal and get a bounce.

[frankenlust]

I agree. A couple things I noticed. After the first few minutes down 2 Laz rolled only 3 lines the rest of the game. I watch online so in the second intermission interview Mancini said the messaging from the coaches and leadership in the room was to stay with the plan and keep doing the little things right and a all-in for the team mentality. Hopefully this is turning point. Laz said in the post-game interview this is one of the tightest group of players he's ever coached. tomorrow and the next day in flint will be huge.

[bpfox]

Mark this down and remember it. I'm not worried at all. There, now you can all rest easy. You're welcome.

[MidlandSpiritFan]

Nov 7, 2023 7:32:59 GMT -5 bpfox said:

Mark this down and remember it. I'm not worried at all. There, now you can all rest easy. You're welcome.

😃😃😃

[donjohnson]

Thanks bpfox...I was worried when I saw your post that it was going to be about "buying and selling"

Good win for the Spirit yesterday against Sarnia in one of those morning "education games." I tuned into the video for a little bit at work and man, I forgot how loud those games are...the kids just don't stop yelling. From what I saw and looking at the highlights, Oke played really well and we had a ton of chances that the Sarnia goalie turned away. I doubt he was a star in a 3-2 loss but he was the one who kept them in the game.

Anyone else surprised that McNamara hasn't been in the lineup? I've predicted since the end of last season that he will be packaged as part of a trade and maybe something is in the works. He doesn't seem to produce near at his potential but it's still surprising that he's not even on a 4th line.

I know Glavin is playing because Guo is out of the lineup but man, the little bit I watched yesterday, I saw a time or two where he has a bit of a mean streak in front of the net. I haven't watched enough of his defensive play but if he can be solid on D, I'd love to have his toughness in the lineup.

[aj0512]

Yes, I believe that's four straight games he hasn't been in the lineup. I wondered if another trade might have been coming following the Ethan Hay move, but not yet I guess. I also noticed Dean Loukus was moved to the third line yesterday. Good to see him get on the scoresheet yesterday, but his numbers are way down this year and he's another player I could see being moved at some point if the team wants to switch up the OAs. I like Dean and hope he can get things going.

[donjohnson]

There's a lot of scuttlebutt on the HF forums about defenseman Roman Schmidt getting returned to Kitchener. He's a 6'5" 215lb overager who I'd love to see on our blue line. With the needs we have defensively and toughness-wise, I'd much rather have him as an OA than Loukus on the 3rd line.

We talked before the season and I thought T-Bone was going to be the odd-man out but he's got 5pts in 7 games in the ECHL and Loukus is at 5pts in 14 games in the OHL. Loukus seems like a good team guy but we're chasing titles this year and need upgrades wherever we can find them.