We could’ve very well beat London last night. They had great goaltending, we didn’t. Montgomery had a pair of really nice shots, and the Spits were unable to capitalize on their chances… however, I think they had more chances.
I didn’t count them, I dont want to debate what’s a “chance”, but the spits had control for the better part of the first 2 1/2 periods. Lots of control, keeping London deep in their zone, while putting lots of shots on. Just couldn’t score. London whacks a puck forward, gets a break away, and they score.
Joey wasn’t awful. He did make some big saves, but not seeing a puck go in-happens, and not moving on a 2 on 1, is… odd to say the least.
My concern isn’t with Joey last night. 5 goals against, best team in the CHL, etc.
My concern is the last stretch of what 4-5 games? Ever since the Soo.
4GA vs Flint, nearly blowing a 5-0 lead
5GA vs Guelph, letting them stay in the game (5-3) after a 4-0 lead
3GA vs Erie, giving them up within 5:32 and getting pulled on 7 shots
5GA vs London, giving up 4 of the Goals on 15 shots in the last 21 minutes.
yes, some of this is on the team. We shouldn’t be collapsing once we have these leads. Love MCDC on the Lions mentality, keep your foot on the gas, you never know what will happen. Who cares about your opponents feelings in a blow out, this isn’t Rec Sports.
But, at the same time, if another team gets 2 goals in a row, as a goalie, you gotta be ready to make that big save on the next one. One big save, one stolen attempt can quickly swing momentum and stop the bleeding. If the other team gets 3 key attempts, as a goalie, you gotta stop one of them. That hasn’t happened in his last 4 outings.
I like this team coming back from behind more than I do with the lead, and that’s a scary place to be. We have to be able to close out games we have control of. That’s been an issue this year, not last night.
London waited for the mistakes and took advantage. That will be their strategy vs an offensive minded spits team. Wait for us to cough up the puck, get Joey on an odd-man rush and capitalize. Do it 2-3 times and they have the d core to shut us down. We have to be conservative with our offense vs them to not let them in behind us alone