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Entries for December 01, 2007
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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!