Al Sims isn't raising the roof yet, but he was not too happy with tonight's performance, a 4-1 loss to Dayton. Despite 45 shots, the Komets could only manage Sean O'Connor's first goal of the season, and that came when the score was already 3-0.
``It's just the same old struggle to score,'' Sims said. ``We made some bad mistakes defensively that cost us a couple of goals.''
Did his team have good chances to score? ``Yes. We had four power plays in the third period and only scored on one of them.''
``Reiter played really well, stopped a penalty shot and a breakway. He didn't have a chance on the three goals.''
Asked what Dayton looked like, Sims said, ``Small and fast just like we saw in the exhibition games. Nothing really surprised us.''
The Komets play at Evansviille on friday
Comments
Congrats to Brian!
I'm just curious, for those who are saying "it's still early, let the boys and coach Sims figure this out"...when do you feel like it would be the time to start asking questions about the current roster (10-15-20 games into the season???). This is not meant to start another blog war, I'm just curious to find out how some of you think... We all see these games, rosters, etc... differently.
Paging Colin Chaulk....Paging Colin Chaulk...has anyone seen Colin Chaulk?...
Chaulk is gone, it's time to move on people...
Colin Chaulks gone? Really? He doesnt play for the Komets anymore?...Sarcassm
Well, I guess the only positive is it's not like they haven't been through this before and turned it around.
The other problem is that everyone seems to think of different players who should be released to make room on the roster for new players. There never seems to be a consensus, and then everyone argues over defending their favorites.
As an example, everyone wanted to torch Guy early on, but he's been the most consistent D-man the last couple of weeks and has cut way back on the penalties.
When I talked to Chaulker this week, he seemed determined to stick it out in Italy.
"stick it out"?
That doesn't sound like he's loving it...
Let the conjecture begin.
time to question was a few games earlier IMO... Frankes know it. Some blogers may not yet. We have already begun to see people being brought in. It will pick up even more from here if things don't turn around fast. Many things about the Frankes I will gladly complain about, but putting together a team and finding players willing to put forth the effort is something they are darn good at.
Saying the season is still early and "give them time" is asking to be booted from the play-offs. We are far enough into the season to were our so called top players should be performing. If they are not doing their job get rid of them. These next 2 games are huge.. anything less than 4 points should result in personnel change. period. if we collect 4, then wait another 3 games to weight it out.
"The other problem is that everyone seems to think of different players who should be released to make room on the roster for new players. There never seems to be a consensus, and then everyone argues over defending their favorites."
Spot on... i agree with this statement.. this is IMO where the argument would be.. Guy is not one of them.. Our new "chualk" is IMO... hate to that, b/c I was excited beyond belief when we signed him.. but either produce or leave..
What is Chaulk's Price? I think they should pay it. Work something out so that he is set for a long time in town with youth hockey, a player for the Komets until he wants to move onto being the coach. He should have been taken care of this summer. But no, we had to let him go.
Although I think the Komets are missing Chaulk.....
It is more than just him.
Guy is no more than just an average D-Man in this league at his age. Cescon plays top-notch defense.
It is some of the other guys on the D that need to step it up. We read all summer about this juggernaut pairing of Warner and Deangelis. When are they planning on playing hockey this year? I don't know about you guys, but why can't they get the puck at of their end, and why aren't they producing some offense?
We have no offense on the Blue Line.....and the shots are cpoming from mostly the blue line. No offense is being generated in front of the net. We need someone to pay the price and crash the net.
i miss the healthy Hukalo too.
I think this will get better. I have faith in this team. Right now, at this point, this team stinks.
I loved Chaulk; but I think everyone has forgotten how he played.....stick in the midsection of the opposing player to slow down, move around, or knock them off the puck... He would be Captain Hook of the CHL...lol
I agree most of his other intangibles are sorely needed at this point; but I believe he would be having just as hard a time adjusting as the others...
JR - with chaulk i agree and disagree. After reading your post i think you are right.. His past style of play would get called a lot in this league.. captain hook for sure... However I think he would adjust very quickly and be able to perform at the same level.
Dupuis IMO has adjusted his game already.. is he a stud in this league?? no.. he is avg.. slightly above.. To me that is good enough from him. Locker room attributes should make up for on ice deficiencies...
Bah.. depending on how you look at the team you could pick many different angles to pick it apart from... Hard to say what needs fixed. Scoring for sure IMO though.. lack of offense is killing us.
Komets123: I think the place to start is the defense and work out... 7 of our 8 D-men are former IHL'ers and only one, IMO, has made the transition seamlessly to the no clutch and grab league and that is Cescon.
Right now I like Cescon, Cianfrinni, Phillips and Dupuis (he can think offense while on PP)
JR, I responded to your questions, sorry I didn't see them sooner.
Poor shots in my opinion. Alot of skate to the blue line and throw it wildly on net with not a single skater with you and no one able to get set-up in the offensive zone.
That is problem 1.
#2....we are not winning faceoffs. I know Chaulk isn't here, won't be here and so on, but this is where we miss him the most. No one can win a faceoff...and when you don't win faceoffs, you cannot ever get into good position within your systems to setup any organized offense. We are on the fly non-stop playing run and gun, first guy with the puck across the blueline fires it and the opposition gathers it up easily, we line change, and they are setting up their offense, and pressuring us in the zone. It seems we never have control.
#3......Defense gives the puck to the opposition way too often. Coughing it up in the neutral zone constantly, and alot in the defensive zone too.
#4......our forwards look lost. They don't get back on Defense at times, and they don't pressure the puck when it is in front of them. We have some guys that are just getting caught in between in the nuetral zone. Floating around alot. No one is taking the puck looking for ways to set-up their teammates for easy looks. Maybe they are some, but I see alot of times guys holding the puck way too long and they have lost the timing to catch the opposition off guard or out of position, and no one is going to the net or getting in front, or behind it for that matter. Alot of standing around the blue line or in the corners where there are no good angles to score. They need to get the puck low and in front where guys can cut behind the goalie and get easy looks.
Faceoffs, Playmaking, Passing, Decisions, Pressure, Aggressiveness, and Teamwork.
Just a few things to work on.
We really lack that go to Quarterback out there. The guy who can dish the puck, direct traffic, make a pass, win a faceoff, pressure the puck with his D, I don't need to tell you who this sounds like.
Who is going to step-up and be that guy?
The good thing is we have no where to go; but up really....
Everytime some one says that we lose again.....lol
It is painful, very painful to watch. It is even painful, very painful to listen to the games on the radio. Why are the Komets the only old IHL team that looks like this, and why has it gone on for this long without a major change?
I have a feeling if they lose tomorrow night, the wheels will literally come off this thing.
Guys need to step it up.
Some guys who are due:
Curdy, Leo, Naurato, Warner (0 pts, -4 +/-), Schrock (0g, 1A).......there are others that have to pick it up, although they might have more points.
Hit's Lines with current group:
Francis (Center), Curdy, Patrosso
Leo, PC, OC
Musselwhite, Schrock, Naurato
Rechlicz, Warner
Guy, Cescon
Frankie, Danko
Rodger, Phillips
So let me get this straight... The Komets had 19 shots in the third, and Dayton had 4. And the Komets scored 1 goal while Dayton got 2 in the period. Alrighty then.
Thoughts...
Gratz...can coach. Team seems to play a style that maximizes their skill level. They don't try to do too much and do just enough to win some games they should not win
Komets...changes will continue to come weekly. The danger is if they come too rapidly they will never gel as a team this year. But for now I will take that chance. Change is needed.
Chaulk...I don't want him back. Made it clear that I was happy he left and wish he would have take PC, Guy and a couple of others with him..BUT.... I believe he is smart enough a player to adjust his game to what is being called in this league...something others have yet to figure out.
No offense to anyone......Just an observation.
But if SuperFan is talking to Chaulk.....
So are the Komets.
If Curdy and Leo get right.....this team will explode. Those are the keys.
Remember Curdy 2 years ago, even when he was a rookie here.....he hit everything. At least a body check every shift. He is not doing it now.
He needs to go to the wing, get his scoring and hustling and toughness.....Mojo back, and this thing fixes itself people.
Leo needs to play back at that level where he is pi$%ed off....where he is playing me against the world hockey. Proving that he is a top line player. Let's put OC and PC back with him, give it a chance for the next couple of weeks, maybe all 3 start to come together.
Lastly, me and JR are in an agreement on this one.....Why do you put Francis on the Turd Line??? Seriously Al? He needs to be centering your best 2 scorers. He is being wasted on the line that has Rechlicz and Rodger fighting for playing time......Why is that?
This thing can be turned around.
Put Curadeau in the right situation to make him the scorer he is.....
No offense to him, but he is not a set-up guy, he is a finisher.....and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Not one thing at all.
Ouch. Evansville beats Arizona 8-1 tonight. Probably excited about getting the new arena. Komets are hoping they've gotten THAT out of their system.
No worries...at this pace, we'll be a solid 7-11-3 (hopefully)at Christmas when they, "turn it on/get it together"...we'll probably even have scored 30 goals by then!!! (current average 1.42 per game)
Legault leads in +/-...something to be said for not playing.
After last weekend, I said they needed to go 4-2 over he next six to keep this team intact and go for their fourth straight...anyone like the odds of going 4-1 the next 10 days?
Is Al a "Nellie" now?
If we don't see WHOLESALE changes...might be paper-bag-over-our-heads time by March...and with this many problems...there should be NO "sacred cows"...NONE! Time to stop blaming the schedule, the bus, no CC, too many fans at home games, Obama, foo-foo drinks, new rules, BP, or anything else...FIX IT!
Didn't see the game so I can't comment without making assumptions so Ill just throw out that if the K's don't get atleast 3 points out of these next 2 games I expect a big shakeup..atleast I hope for a big shakeup
Hit used the all-telling +/- statistic for the powers of evil... You took away the saving grace for a couple of the sponsored players on the team. Is there some other obscure, more meaningless stat that can be turned to to pick up the slack?
I frequently talk to Chaulk so I wouldn't read anything extra into that. You put Francis on the third line because if you'll notice, he never passes the puck anyway.
Was at the game last night and have a couple things I'd like to share. Seeing AL's comments about defensive errors, two turnovers by Cianfrini directly resulted in goals off odd man rushes against. No chance for Kevin......both nice plays. Our PP Looked anemic. The defense gives away the puck way too much. And let's not mention the lack of scoring, or "jam" in front of the net.
Ouch... Sebring calls out Francis.
Could be partly because he's so much faster than everyone that no one is keeping up. He'll learn and adjust. The kid's only 21.
Lack of speed and effort is what is lacking in the komets lineup. The frankes thought that if they signed a lot of players back from last season that they could easily compete. Well I think that they did not do their homework on the CHL. The CHL is a developemental league with young, talented, and hungry players, with is the complete opposite of what the ihl was the last two or three years. I feel that the frankes need to make 5 to 10 roster moves to get competative in the CHL. But I don't think there is enough CHL quality players available to sign. We will see.
You're so full of crap, and yes you can quote me. There's plenty of talent on this team, it just has to start producing. They go through this every year. I didn't think they would this year, but obviously they are. I'm still sticking by my 10-point prediction. And everybody on here spent the summer raving about all the signings. Guess we all must have been stupid then, but I don't think that was true.