I won't be making any friends with this post, but I'll give my opinion anyway.
The Terriers lost a game 4-3 that they had complete control of at the midway point of the game 100% because of having little to no discipline in Game 5. As a result, they trail the SJHL Final 3-2 to La Ronge, and have to win at home on Sunday in order to force a Game 7 back in La Ronge.
Craig Eisenhut opened the scoring in the final minute of the first period, Jeremy Boyer scored right off a face-off early in the second, and shortly after the Ice Wolves cut the deficit in half, Clarke Breitkreuz went end-to-end, and finished a magnificent individual effort with an unassisted goal, making it 3-1.
Then, for some reason, they lost their cool. In a game that meant so much, a few guys put personal retributions ahead of the bigger picture. Two-handers to the back of a leg after getting run over by clean hits, punches to the head away from the play, after the whistle, etc.
I don't think there's any question the Terriers lead this series right now if they cut their penalties in half... and they easily could have cut them in half in Game 5.
Did the Terriers deserve more than the 2 (first period) powerplays they got? Maybe. Keon Vick almost had his head put through the glass and they ended up evening it up. But retaliations and just selfish penalties killed the Terriers on Friday. They out-scored the Ice Wolves 3-0 at even strength, and were out-scored 4-0 on powerplays. That's the game.
Do I know what it takes to play at this level? Do I fully understand the emotions at ice level? No, and no. I played house league midget and haven't played ever since, and make a crappy living covering young men who play hockey better than I ever could. So it's not like I'm saying I could do better, or am telling these guys what to do.
The Terriers' top guys were phenomenal Friday night.
And the encouraging thing is that much of the area that did them in (special teams) was preventable. There's not much time for moral victories now (none, actually), but I absolutely think they'll correct that in Game 6 at home.
5-on-5, you could argue that the Terriers have been the better team in the series, they absolutely were in Game 5. But the powerplays are 30-18 for La Ronge in the series. It didn't hurt them in the first three games, but it's catching up to them now.
If the Terriers can mentally bounce back from a disappointing loss and keep their heads on straight on Sunday, there's no reason why they can't answer back and send this thing back to La Ronge for a Game 7 on Tuesday... and I'll be the first to rejoice on this blog!
See ya Sunday.
5:40 Pre Game Show, 6:00 start at Farrell Agencies Arena. Pack that place!
12 comments:
Ice wolves is like a bad rash Just won't go away,Have to bring their A game. Leave the bad penalties for last game.
Game on. Go Terriers Go she you all on Sunday.
ya they have to bring it on now or its all over for another year.they had a chance to wrap it up at home but you cant do that sitting in the penalty box for half the night and expect to win it doesnt happen that way.i dont know maybe they dont want to go to the rbc cup that bad i guess.they were played like that last night.there other teams out there that are putting it on the line to get to the big dance of the year and our team just like to throw away our chance of getting there.if we come back to win it would be a mircle.
The game should of been the Terriers and we should of had the 3-2 series led, but we don't. We can say all day long we should of or shouldn't of but that won't change the outcome. I have faith in the boys and all the confidence we can still do it. With a win in Yorkton then back to LA to win it on thier ice! GO TERRIERS!!!!!!!
Spot on Craig. I would add that the penalties were obviously one-sided. while there may have been a couple of calls that were iffy, my beef is not what was called against the Terriers, but what wasn't called against the Wolves.
As a spectator I watched the boys unravel as frustration set in. The prescription for this malady is good old fashioned coaching and leadership. Validate their frustration. They need to battle and grind it out, as they have in the past and which seems to be what works.
As a fan I know that the Terriers can win this series. I just hope that they can pull together, rather than turn on each other,find the leadership and self-discipline that it takes to be champions.
This kind of editorial is more what I have been looking for.
So glad I finally met your criteria.
No need for sarcasm Craig. Constructive critisism is good for the soul. Its okay to be critical of the boys but no one can give you their opinion without being stung by your whit? Hopefully it will make you a better reporter.
Well said, Craig. Great post. Great blog. Keep up the good objective work!
Wouldn't have been so sarcastic but that's the same commenter who told me I was favouring Kindersley when Yorkton was winning 7-0, because I didn't jump out of my seat when they made it 7-0.
yes, and i give credit where credit is due. I didnt like what i was hearing and reading before, but i did like what i read now and said so.
Cool, so when hockey's over is it ok if I tag along to your job for a few days and let you know how you're doing on a public site? Haha.
All kidding aside, thanks for reading and the feedback.
if you dont like the critisism, you dont have to allow the option for people to leave comments. just as no one in their right mind would let you tag along at their job. anyhow great game tonight for the terriers! back to la ronge! hopefully mackintosh won't be there
Every dog has its day.
Go Terriers, 1 more game to win.
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