(Didn't read Part 1? Just scroll down or click here)
What did I see? What did you see?
Did you see the aggressive team that played against the same team Saturday?
Did you see a team that brought out the and grit of every teammate to fight to the end?
Did you see the intensity by the team to energize each other and the fans?
Did you see the hustle going back and forth on the ice?
Did you see a team that Drake Berehowsky, would be proud of?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you clearly didn't see the same game I saw.
A team, who on Saturday, went from nothing but hustle, played a game that was anything but hustle. Many fans noticed, and they made sure that this team knew it. I understand that not every possession is to set up a slapshot, but going around in circles, always making passing the puck like a game of hot potato doesn't set you up for anything but a turnover. I get it, teams have bad days, goalies get (shudder) cold streaks, and the other team used the past two games as motivation and laid a powerful offensive on this team.
If this team is to become successful and live up to the legacy that the name on the front of their sweaters hold, then they got to use games like Tuesday night, and make it their rock bottom. They got to go and find a way to instill mental toughness that lasts not 20 minutes, but 60. They need to rectify the flaws that have been killing them all season now that other teams know how to capitalize on that flaw, and capitalize big on it. They need to do this now. The next weeks will be on the road, one against the league's best record, and the other against the defending Western Conference champions and then to California.
"We want to win now!" The management does, Coach Berehowsky does, I'm pretty sure the players do. Now to show it on the ice, then we can all be thankful to have team we can support and not let us down like that again.
(Note: I did type this up before Tuesday's pitiful game, Part 2 of this will be up later.)
What a difference a few days off from constant games does to a team. After going 2-4-1-0 in the month of November before this past Saturday, the Solar Bears came out with the intensity and fire that fans have been waiting to see since the home opener.
In Saturday's game, the Solar Bears came out swinging against Kalamazoo, converting two power plays into goals and out-shooting the Wings 42-27. The team as a whole was very intense and continuously put pressure on Kalamazoo. Olivier Fortier scored two goals and almost got the hat trick, but that goal was waved off. The Solar Bears ended up winning 4-2.
Sunday was a bit more of a conservative game play than that of Saturday, despite still making 36 shots. John Curry was given the day off, so Hannu Toivonen was given the nod to start in the net. Toivonen impressed many in his first start with 38 saves, including some that came off rebounds and high pucks. Olivier Fortier followed up his two-goal game with another one, scoring one off a pass from Tanski and another one with the puck slowly sliding between the goalie's legs. The Solar Bears took their second straight from the Wings 2-1.
Last week, the Solar Bears signed current Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman, B.J. Crombeen, although he didn't make as big a splash as fan hoped, Crombeen still tallied 11 shots and 2 PIM in his two games with the Solar Bears. But with the return of Nick Petersen and Ryan Ginand, Crombeen, along with USAF hero Derrick Burnett and local celebrity Edward Levens were cut for now. Crombeen may return if the Houston Aeros need a call up (acutally, WHEN) while Levens and Burnett could be brought back to cover injuries.
To all the fans out there who may be wondering, a team official told me that yes, you can indeed, throw your hat onto the ice should a Solar Bear get a hat trick and not get thrown out.
This past week lead to a visit to the remaining venues the Solar Bears had yet to visit. Starting in South Carolina, Gwinnett, Greenville, then back to South Carolina. It felt like the Solar Bears were taken away from us again with how long it's been since their last home, but it's going to be like that a lot so don't panic. In case you couldn't listen in or watch the games, well here it goes: the good news, they were able to win two out of the four games they played last week. The bad news, the two games that they lost, they got beat pretty bad and the two games they did won, both went past regulation and were not pretty.
I could give you a recap of those four games, but you can read that up anywhere. In those four games, in fact, in just about all the games this season, was one common flaw that could be seen by most with even the slightest amount knowledge of hockey. Although I have already mentioned this, I will repeat it again. The Solar Bears need to get better in offensive transitions. If you were able to see any of the those four games, you would know how badly it hurt to see how many times the Solar Bears turned it over in their own zone or allowed the other team to get the rebound. I noticed that the players seem to want to make the fanciest or the fastest pass, which the opponent intercepts it or gets it off a loose puck because the guy can't handle the hard pass. Three goals on Thursday, two on Friday, and one on Saturday came from rebounded shots or possessions where they gave it up in transition.
The offense isn't bad at all, when there is a breakaway, as rare as one is, they're great moving with the puck and they create their own shots and get good looks. In all four games last week, the Solar Bears lead in shots on goal. Only difference is the other team doesn't let them get another chance until they get theirs. With the Bears, it's "stop the possession, but let's give you two or three more chances." No matter how good you think John Curry is or how bad you think Mike Brodeur is, they can't make them work as hard as they are so far this season.
Another glaring issue now our defensive depth chart. Unfortunately, our rival-turned-friends up in the AHL have had some injuries to their roster. Mikael Granlund, Jonas Brodin, and Jason Zucker were all out with injuries. Although Zucker is back, the Houston Aeros have called up defenseman Corbin Baldwin to fill in the gap. To make matters worse, Kyle Medvec is also hurt. Though the Solar Bears acquired Mike Liambas last week, they are still need of defensemen to give the other guys a breather.
This week, the Solar Bears will play four games in six days, though this time on home ice. Also, get used to the goalie rotation, every team in the ECHL does it. And in case you haven't heard, per Micheal Russo, Corbin Baldwin is NOT a goon, that's Josh Caron. It sucks since neither have impressed us with their fighting skills so far (see Wednesday Videos)
