Just got home at 1120 from an icy drive back from ACA. Not sure, but I think the mood on the SFX bus may be a bit colder.
I haven't seen ACA play like that in years. They were way more physical than SFX and a lot more engaged. Several solid open ice hits, again which I haven't seen since the days of Mike Dawson. Everyone blocking shots, doing whatever it took for the win. I've said in the past how ACA may not be the most skilled team but they work hard. Tonight was a perfect example of the work ethic. With all the banging out there I did see a few players limping off the ice after a big hit. Hopefully, they'll be ready to roll Wednesday.
I know I'll get a text over this, but to me, SFX looked disinterested. I normally say a team doesn't look good because the other team is making them look bad, but I had a different feeling about SFX tonight.
On their 5-3 PPs they didn't do much, partly because of the ACA PK but they just sucked. McCollum was very solid in goal while Raaymakers got beat on a couple of nifty dekes. SFX was not without their own chances, hitting the post 2 or 3 times, but in the end they managed 1 goal on the PP.
I could go on about how "amazed" I was, but then I'd sound like a UNB fanboy. Suffice to say ACA were full marks for the win over what a lot of people (including me) thought would be a contender.
I don't want to say it, but there are times when I wonder if there is some kind of "dysfunction" in the SFX room. They should be better than they showed. But, that's why they play the games.
Congrats to ACA with a convincing win tonight.