The game last night against Texas was very disappointing.
Certainly not in the fact that the Komets put together a great comeback, but just in the idea that they had to in order to salvage a point in the standings.
It's always interesting to me how some people look at the game one way, and I look at it totally opposite. Whole_n_one, in an earlier post, commented about the Texas team by indicating he thought they were smaller and slower than the K's. We both watched the same game and I thought they seemed to be a big, quick, physical team. I'm not saying I am correct and he is wrong, I'm just saying how we watched the same game and both came away with totally different thoughts.
In a league where it seems every point is going to be important, the Komets played the first two periods like they were confused.
I think, to a degree, that these teams are pretty similar when analyzing what they want to do on the ice. Texas played their "trap" much more successfully than the Komets did. They clogged up the neutral ice, and for the most part, disrupted the komets by not allowing the K's easy entry into the attacking zone. Does that sound familiar, Fort Wayne fans? Just exactly the same as the Komets do when they are on their game.
Texas was always hustling and seemed to get to every loose puck before the Komets could. They seemed to get every face-off in critical times ( remember the power play goal scored three seconds in by #19, Woollard). Those are the things teams have to do to win. For two periods, the Brahmas committed to their game. The Komets didn't.
The third period was just the opposite. The Komets woke up, started skating and absolutely took the play to Texas. The Komets outplayed Texas in the overtime, not only at full strength but had better scoring chances when they were shorthanded when Henley went to the box. Quite an accomplishment when, just a few minutes earlier, they looked like they had no idea how to kill off a power play.
I am not one who usually criticizes the officiating. However, this guy was hard to believe! Smith gets pulled down closing in on Silverthorn, another Komet gets hit from behind into the boards (really dangerous) and NOTHING is called. Zac Blazic did have an effect on the outcome of the game and it wasn't good for the Komets.
Earlier, Brandon posted, "Even still I think this game shows the difference between last year's team and this year's team. Last year's team would've rolled over and died, this year's team fought back." Two big differences I see here. 1) last season's team didn't have near the talent of this year's team, and 2), last year they played at Texas and won in overtime on a goal by Curadeau.
I must've made a big mistake a month ago by stating that I thought the K's would do real well in shootouts this year. I have jinxed them. The Komets have at least ten players ( when the roster is healthy) to throw on the ice for shootouts. I know that stats would tell you that whatever team shoots first has a big advantage to win, but I would rather give the opposing team the first shot. Then I know what I have to do.
Congratulations to Leo Thomas on his goal. My daughter told me that Brett Smith retrieved the puck for him. He can give that puck to his new son, and someday, they can relive the moment together.
I still am of the belief that the Komets need more help. Something has changed defensively and I'm not necessarily blaming the defensemen. But something has changed. I realize that the K's played short last night without Rizk and Auger, but I still believe this team needs another scorer. A veteran forward and a veteran defenseman may be the first to go.
One thing for sure is that the Komets cannot take anything for granted. They have shown that they need to play a full 60 minutes of hockey.
I suppose I shouldn't really worry because Christmas is almost here and everything gets better after Christmas, right?
Blake Sebring
Thu, 12/22/2011 - 2:13pm
Maybe we should consider giving Texas credit for being a pretty good hockey team.
Blake Sebring
Thu, 12/22/2011 - 2:52pm
Didn't realize Texas had played four games in five nights. ;)
Comments
The game last night against Texas was very disappointing.
Certainly not in the fact that the Komets put together a great comeback, but just in the idea that they had to in order to salvage a point in the standings.
It's always interesting to me how some people look at the game one way, and I look at it totally opposite. Whole_n_one, in an earlier post, commented about the Texas team by indicating he thought they were smaller and slower than the K's. We both watched the same game and I thought they seemed to be a big, quick, physical team. I'm not saying I am correct and he is wrong, I'm just saying how we watched the same game and both came away with totally different thoughts.
In a league where it seems every point is going to be important, the Komets played the first two periods like they were confused.
I think, to a degree, that these teams are pretty similar when analyzing what they want to do on the ice. Texas played their "trap" much more successfully than the Komets did. They clogged up the neutral ice, and for the most part, disrupted the komets by not allowing the K's easy entry into the attacking zone. Does that sound familiar, Fort Wayne fans? Just exactly the same as the Komets do when they are on their game.
Texas was always hustling and seemed to get to every loose puck before the Komets could. They seemed to get every face-off in critical times ( remember the power play goal scored three seconds in by #19, Woollard). Those are the things teams have to do to win. For two periods, the Brahmas committed to their game. The Komets didn't.
The third period was just the opposite. The Komets woke up, started skating and absolutely took the play to Texas. The Komets outplayed Texas in the overtime, not only at full strength but had better scoring chances when they were shorthanded when Henley went to the box. Quite an accomplishment when, just a few minutes earlier, they looked like they had no idea how to kill off a power play.
I am not one who usually criticizes the officiating. However, this guy was hard to believe! Smith gets pulled down closing in on Silverthorn, another Komet gets hit from behind into the boards (really dangerous) and NOTHING is called. Zac Blazic did have an effect on the outcome of the game and it wasn't good for the Komets.
Earlier, Brandon posted, "Even still I think this game shows the difference between last year's team and this year's team. Last year's team would've rolled over and died, this year's team fought back." Two big differences I see here. 1) last season's team didn't have near the talent of this year's team, and 2), last year they played at Texas and won in overtime on a goal by Curadeau.
I must've made a big mistake a month ago by stating that I thought the K's would do real well in shootouts this year. I have jinxed them. The Komets have at least ten players ( when the roster is healthy) to throw on the ice for shootouts. I know that stats would tell you that whatever team shoots first has a big advantage to win, but I would rather give the opposing team the first shot. Then I know what I have to do.
Congratulations to Leo Thomas on his goal. My daughter told me that Brett Smith retrieved the puck for him. He can give that puck to his new son, and someday, they can relive the moment together.
I still am of the belief that the Komets need more help. Something has changed defensively and I'm not necessarily blaming the defensemen. But something has changed. I realize that the K's played short last night without Rizk and Auger, but I still believe this team needs another scorer. A veteran forward and a veteran defenseman may be the first to go.
One thing for sure is that the Komets cannot take anything for granted. They have shown that they need to play a full 60 minutes of hockey.
I suppose I shouldn't really worry because Christmas is almost here and everything gets better after Christmas, right?
Maybe we should consider giving Texas credit for being a pretty good hockey team.
Didn't realize Texas had played four games in five nights. ;)