After watching this team the last two Saturdays, a little worried about our goal tending situation. Sam Brittain has had a strong rookie year, but these last two games I saw gave up some weak goals. Wonder if the coach plans on giving backup Branden Komm a shot in goal. Don't want Brittain to start getting frustrated and lose confidence. Also noticed something Saturday night. We are drawing over on offense to one side instead of staying spread out. Any opinions ?
I agree that the goal tending has been suspect especially late on Saturday. The thing that stood out to me the most was that we came out and played physical in the first and seemed to keep Reading off balance. In the second and third we quit throwing the body and Reading took over. I know we are not a physical team but it was working early so why not keep playing the body.
I think overall we are at a critical point in the season. We played weaker teams in January and didn't take advantage. The schedule is tougher from here on out.
Overall, this team is soft and incredibly average given the players on the roster. They allow teams to come through the nuetral zone with too much speed and defensively they allow the opposition to get bodies and the puck into the slot far to easily. They have improved in using the body to block shots since the start of the season so at least there's that. Next game you attend watch how easily the opponents get to the front of the net while the 'Clones have to constantly battle to get there, something that few guys seem willing to do.
The offensive scheme of overloading one side is common. The goal is to pull the weeakside defenders out of position, pass cross ice to either the point man who has slide down or to the weakside forward who has gotten lost in the schuffle. It does work but only when there are players capable of making the pass and guys willing to take a few lumps in front for rebounds. Far too often the 'Clones settle for bad angle shots from the strong side that get blocked.
Speaking of the roster, remember all those AHL guys that got sent down over the NHL/AHL All-Star breaks that caused us to release a slew of of players? Well all but 2 of those guys have been called back up.
There's still some decent talent on the roster and it's up to them to decide how good or bad they're going to be at this point.
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current Cyclones play
Posted - 02/02/2015 : 12:05:26 PM
