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Whaddya say after an 8-2 loss?
Posted by Les Lazaruk on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 02:10:00 PM.
Well, in this case, I'll let an e-mail sent to me say it from one fan's perspective...
"This is brutal...
I think I feel sorry for ya Les, having to call last night's game on the radio. Bet it was pretty tough to see the Blades get humiliated, just thank goodness it wasn't a home game but having said that, the loss has really turned me off and I cant stand this crap anymore really. All I hear now are guys running guys, gloves being dropped, Reich has been in the penalty box to a lot from what I've heard. Makes me wonder if Molleken is putting up a UFC team or something.
Kinda sad when one of the only bright spots on the team is a sixteen year old. Thank goodness Elliot was part of the Seto deal. Fiala would be another.
To hear Molleken say before that the team should finish in the top four in the division is laughable, no way that will happen now unless they go underfeated the rest of the year.
Maybe I'm overreacting here, I'm just tired of seeing this.
What are your thoughts and what should the Blades do? Bringing in some new younger players shouldn't hurt them at this point."
The writer goes by the handle "Trav" on the message boards. I responded to him like this...
" You sound like George Steinbrenner, lol, it's okay. Sure, 8-2 is bad and for the 4th time this season, there was little to no effort...especially from the veteran players. But, it is only one loss...it doesn't count as 2 or 3 losses because they gave up 8 goals!
First, Lethbridge is the best team I've seen in the league...the acquisitions of Sceviour, Hotson and Alexiuk from Portland have solidified their team. They have two dangerous lines, with Fadden on one and Boychuk on the other. Last night, between the Blades not showing up and Lethbridge's skill playing "keep away", it was tough to watch.
Second, since the U.S. road trip, the Blades have played .500 hockey...seven wins, seven losses. It's going to take a little more than that to get to the playoffs, but I've seen more positives in the last 14 games than I saw in the first 14 when they went 3-10-1! The goaltending has been better (except for last night), the efforts have been better (except for last night) and following the game plan...skating with the opponent, limiting their time and space and finishing all checks with physicality...has been much better (except for last night, lol!) The games against Prince Albert were tremendous. Outside of last night, the Blades are gaining a reputation as being a tough team to play against because of their size, physicality and (big surprise here) how well they seem to skate and keep up, despite their size advantage. If they could only score a little more, they'd be right there with Moose Jaw for 8th spot. But, the slow start in the first 14 games and not scoring enough in the losses during the just-completed 14 games...has them in the hole they are in!
I've said it before, the goal of finishing in the top four was a little far-fetched to me...but, making the playoffs is reasonable. The acquisitions of Flatters, Fiala and Reich have given them skill, grit and experience. Elliott has been beyond expectations...no matter what his "plus-minus" might say. Now, they need McCrae, Hulak, Gillies to step up a little bit more on offence. Holtby has been phenomenal since the U-S trip...his goals against in that time is well under 3 and his save percentage is better than .915! However, with the trade deadline of January 10th just 14 games away, the Blades need to make a strong, positive run towards a playoff spot or else I'll agree with you that the time comes to make some moves and load up with next season in mind! But, I'm not doing anything (unless it is unbelievably good!) before then!
Like I said Travis, teams lose 8-2 sometimes...it's only one game! All will be forgotten if they win tonight in Edmonton...as they should...and continue on by beating Kootenay at home on Tuesday!"
A little while ago, I had someone suggest that I'm too negative. I think I sit pretty much in the middle. For every person who thinks I'm too negative, there's at least one person who thinks I'm not negative enough! Check out the first comment to the last post I made before this one. "Cory" responded after the Lethbridge game. So did "Trav". To me, "Trav" is a very sensible fan. He is not related to a player, coach or someone in the office, is not a billet, is not a corporate sponsor. He is someone who pays his hard-earned money to go to games and wants to be entertained. For the most part he is, but he also wants to see the Blades win a championship. At least he still goes to games, many folks have chosen to spend their disposable income elsewhere.
I'm here to tell you that I think the Blades are heading in the right direction. I think the entertainment value is very good! I understand how those close to the team, the players, the coaches and the office staff want the fans...those potential and existing...to see the bigger picture. But, I also understand how the casual fan, with no connection whatsoever to the Blades, is frustrated with the lack of a championship and disappointing ends to seasons!
It is a thin line, indeed!
4 Comment(s) | Leave a Comment
Comments
| Drafting |
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| from Russ on Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 08:44:14 PM |
| All I hear about is how Molleken taking complete control of drafting players will be great for our hockey club. How can we draft 4th overall and pick a guy who has 7 points in midget, there are three 15 year olds on the contacts that have more points then this player. The saskatchewan midget hockey league points leader is Jaden Schwartz who is averaging nearly 3 points a game yet Molleken passed him up 8 times before he went to the Vancouver Giants who really don't need more scoring but they really do know how to draft hockey players. Molleken has way too much control in this hockey club and this needs to change. As for the hitting and fighting you have to change sports if you don't find that entertaining, when you lose as often as we do you need to entertain the fans somehow.Klotz should be on the ice for the opening faceoff every game. Regardless win or lose all 6 of my family truly BLEED BLUE!!! |
| (no subject) |
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| from Trent on Monday, December 3, 2007 at 07:29:57 AM |
| I agree with Russ about Klotz starting every game. I also think this organization need's to change coaching staff. Lorne had to of known coming in to this year he would not have many scorers and they would have to win the close one's but he still tries to play a free wheeling game. Since Lorne has came back, the blades have not had a forcheck and they give the other team half the ice to break out. Its NOT hard to beat a team standing still in the neutral zone or when you dump the puck in you watch if the blades dump it in ever player goes for a line change and there is no forecheck at all. the blades need to start playing ever game liek they did against PA to be successfull or else they will be having a top 2 pick and this organization doesn't draft well so it will be another dissapointment. I think they have to clean house from ownership to doaching staff to scouting staff and then we will have a serious contender. I truely do bleed blue and all but I'm sick of not making the play-offs and when we do thats not good enough we need to atleast make second round consistently. How does a team in 42 years or how ever many NEVER win the league. Chilliwack in it second year has more promise to win then the Blades. Also, as for Edmonton how do they beat a team when everyone of there players are players no team wanted. I will always support the Blades but it would be nice to have a contender just one year or to try and make playoffs and to second round in back to back years.
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| Very Disapointed |
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| from Steve on Monday, December 3, 2007 at 02:45:12 PM |
| This team is going no where with Lorne as our head coach. Were way too big and sluggesh and im really getting sick of or lack of scoring. I bet Manchester United scores more goals per game than the Blades do and thats soccer for peat sake.
Might as well get a bunch more jason Christy type players that actually have speed and that can score some goals and bring more fans too the game with how exciting they can be. Ever since Belyk has been playing more he's been sounding really good out there smallish type player he is Hmmm. |
| Schwartz |
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| from Alan on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 09:26:43 AM |
| I'm puzzled how anyone can criticize their team for not using their first round pick on a guy who was picked in the 8th round. Every single team in the league passed on Schwartz multiple times, not just Saskatoon.
Schwartz fell so low not because he isn't skilled, which he is, but because he's not committed to taking the WHL route. His older brother has gone NCAA and WHL teams obviously fear that he will too. It is not smart drafting to use a high pick on a kid you genuinely don't think will ever play for you. Oh, and Schwartz was picked by Tri-City, not Vancouver. |