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Post by ricardo on Jan 28, 2023 22:41:06 GMT -5
Well, what can be said about tonight's game? Sarnia was so much faster than the Spirit in every phase of the game. You're never going to win when your defense leaves the goalies out to dry. It's a shame that this performance was in front a big crowd.
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Post by donjohnson on Jan 29, 2023 8:53:45 GMT -5
Last night was abysmal... People can point to the mintyukov trade but I refuse to believe that one player can affect a team this much in a sport like hockey because you're only on the ice for a third of a game.
There's one way to get out of this bad streak and it's by out-working and being more physical than the other team. If you're not willing to throw your body around, it's time to sit. Guys like Phillips, Moore and Stewart seem ready to do that and they should be in the lineup and getting major minutes ahead of some of the guys who'd rather turn it over with a fancy pass than finish a check. I guarantee that Lennox and Oke would be hitting everything that moves if they could because they have to be sick of what they're watching in front of them.
It's gut check time for the Spirit and sure, we're playing great teams but if they're not going to show some toughness (mental and physical) we may not win a game this half.
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Post by farmgirl62 on Jan 29, 2023 9:20:47 GMT -5
Last night was abysmal... People can point to the mintyukov trade but I refuse to believe that one player can affect a team this much in a sport like hockey because you're only on the ice for a third of a game. There's one way to get out of this bad streak and it's by out-working and being more physical than the other team. If you're not willing to throw your body around, it's time to sit. Guys like Phillips, Moore and Stewart seem ready to do that and they should be in the lineup and getting major minutes ahead of some of the guys who'd rather turn it over with a fancy pass than finish a check. I guarantee that Lennox and Oke would be hitting everything that moves if they could because they have to be sick of what they're watching in front of them. It's gut check time for the Spirit and sure, we're playing great teams but if they're not going to show some toughness (mental and physical) we may not win a game this half. I couldn't agree with you more! The team literally shut down halfway through the second period. They stopped checking and just let Sarnia skate over them. Don't know why the team went back to the "pass the puck until we lose it" game. Let's hope this was the butt kicking they needed to get their game back. Otherwise, this is going to be a very looooong second half of the season. |
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Post by MidlandSpiritFan on Jan 29, 2023 11:51:41 GMT -5
They basically quit after Sarnia scored their 4th goal.
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Post by eric8199 on Jan 29, 2023 13:09:40 GMT -5
Last night was abysmal... People can point to the mintyukov trade but I refuse to believe that one player can affect a team this much in a sport like hockey because you're only on the ice for a third of a game. There's one way to get out of this bad streak and it's by out-working and being more physical than the other team. If you're not willing to throw your body around, it's time to sit. Guys like Phillips, Moore and Stewart seem ready to do that and they should be in the lineup and getting major minutes ahead of some of the guys who'd rather turn it over with a fancy pass than finish a check. I guarantee that Lennox and Oke would be hitting everything that moves if they could because they have to be sick of what they're watching in front of them. It's gut check time for the Spirit and sure, we're playing great teams but if they're not going to show some toughness (mental and physical) we may not win a game this half. Couldn't have said it any better myself. It's such a relief to come here over the "Fan" nation and talk with people who actually understand the game. lol. I think the boys need to get out of their own heads personally. A win would go a long ways, because I think they believe they can't win right now. Losing Mintyukov was going to have an effect on us, but come on, he's not the only reason we were winning. I did joke yesterday wondering if the Sarnia started its basketball team last night instead of its hockey team. Dang those were some big kids. Need to bounce back tonight. Would be nice to get a W before Pavel comes back next weekend, as that won't help the mindgames. |
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Post by swoopster on Jan 29, 2023 14:32:28 GMT -5
In total agreement with what is being said. Listened to the game last night and turned off thinking that, the team collectively, fell into the mindset that Pavel was their training wheels, and were confident of the success they were having while he was here.
The reality is that they are shortchanging themselves and need a boot in the arse. He was not the team, but a part... a special part, but other players here were mighty important. The road ahead is daunting, some really tough road trips. Now is not the time to start feeling sorry for yourselves.
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Post by swoopster on Jan 29, 2023 20:14:14 GMT -5
They are toast!
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Post by swoopster on Jan 29, 2023 20:14:32 GMT -5
And the schedule only gets more difficult.
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Post by kingpin794 on Jan 29, 2023 20:19:59 GMT -5
Last night was abysmal... People can point to the mintyukov trade but I refuse to believe that one player can affect a team this much in a sport like hockey because you're only on the ice for a third of a game. There's one way to get out of this bad streak and it's by out-working and being more physical than the other team. If you're not willing to throw your body around, it's time to sit. Guys like Phillips, Moore and Stewart seem ready to do that and they should be in the lineup and getting major minutes ahead of some of the guys who'd rather turn it over with a fancy pass than finish a check. I guarantee that Lennox and Oke would be hitting everything that moves if they could because they have to be sick of what they're watching in front of them. It's gut check time for the Spirit and sure, we're playing great teams but if they're not going to show some toughness (mental and physical) we may not win a game this half. Yeah I’m not a fan of the “we need to get physical” philosophy. That’s literally never been the case under Lazary. Our issue isn’t that we aren’t tough, it’s that we don’t have enough talent/the team is still very young. Misa is the only forward I would call a game changer. But he’s 15. Haight is close but consistency will be an issue. Rookies hit a wall this time of year. Sapovaliv is a great two way forward but he is not an offensive dynamo. Not even close. Mangone and Loukas are great but they are ideally complimentary pieces to better players. Willis has shown flashes but again, he’s young. The entire system is predicated on basically playing keep away and scoring a ton of goals. We can’t do that with this team at the moment. You aren’t going to out physical your way out of this. Coaches just have to go to the guys and tell them “hey we’re still in the top 5 here. We believe in you guys. Let’s get a W.” It’s gonna be rough until guys like McNamara, Gervais, Brown etc get moved for better players. |
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Post by ricardo on Jan 29, 2023 20:50:47 GMT -5
If you want a good laugh, go to the Fan page on Facebook. They just don't understand the reasoning for the trades or why Oke was pulled for the extra attacker tonight.
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Post by swoopster on Jan 29, 2023 21:15:36 GMT -5
Please, do not offer up a bid on the you know what.
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Post by donjohnson on Jan 29, 2023 21:18:20 GMT -5
If you want a good laugh, go to the Fan page on Facebook. They just don't understand the reasoning for the trades or why Oke was pulled for the extra attacker tonight. I typically stay away but my wife is a lurker on there and she said the same thing just before I read your post |
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Post by eric8199 on Jan 29, 2023 22:02:46 GMT -5
If you want a good laugh, go to the Fan page on Facebook. They just don't understand the reasoning for the trades or why Oke was pulled for the extra attacker tonight. I typically stay away but my wife is a lurker on there and she said the same thing just before I read your post I can't seem to stay away but really wish I could. My head explodes every time I go there. But remember, that's what people see when they search for stuff about our team on Facebook. |
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Post by farmgirl62 on Jan 30, 2023 7:19:17 GMT -5
I typically stay away but my wife is a lurker on there and she said the same thing just before I read your post I can't seem to stay away but really wish I could. My head explodes every time I go there. But remember, that's what people see when they search for stuff about our team on Facebook. It's like a car wreck that you can't stop looking at. They don't get it and seem to forget that the team was on top until Covid pulled the rug out from under it. |
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Post by spiritfan8 on Jan 30, 2023 10:00:45 GMT -5
Re: Sarnia. I wasnt sure what they were doing at the trade deadline. Now I know. This is a typical Hatcher Sarnia team in that they’re BIG, physical and not overly fast. The difference is they brought in skill before the trade deadline, and a number of them will be back next year. They are a totally different team than when the Spirit played them earlier in the season.
As for the Spirit, you guys have covered all the bases. The epidemic of turnovers is a nightmare. The PP has completely disintegrated (there were signs of this before Pavel left) They played pretty well for the most part against Barrie (especially Oke) but not well enough. Good to see Cardwell and Punnett wearing As, BTW.
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