Perfect --- that is the OCN Blizzards record after three games a perfect 3-0.
I mentioned in my quick pre-game posting of the rosters that the game would be tighter than most would expect, for the first 20 minutes it was.
The Wolverines were playing back well and keeping their positions, the Blizzard had a hard time breaking through the neutral zone trap and it seemed to be frustrating the Blizzard.
Waywayseecappo scored the first goal of the game early on off a bad defensive collapse by the Blizzard. Multiple times in the first period and then sporadically throughout the rest of the game OCN completely broke down defensively. It's something that they will have to work on... and I interviewed Head Coach Jim Mollard after the game, he agrees that the defense needs some work.
They were lucky that Alex Henry stood on his head again tonight.
This team can score, and in bunches. Once they learn how to tighten up defensively they will be very, very scary.
Players who stood out tonight - Elmes, Dumais, TJ Constant, Gray, Kavanaugh, Henry, Cochrane. Everyone played a good game but those seven were very impressive.
The captain had a big night, and I chatted with him after the win as well.
Here is how the scoring broke down.
Period 1
WAYWAY 4:02- Cody Koskimaki (1) - Assists; Brett Lafond
OCN 15:14 - TJ Constant (1) - Assists; Brady Constant and Wilson Dumais
Period 2
OCN 2:36 - Tyler Grove (2) - Assists; Garick Gray and Ralph Cochrane
OCN 5:41 (SH) - Nathan Bruyere (2) - Assists; Ralph Cochrane and Kirk Chief
OCN 15:38 - Kolton Baptiste (1) - Asissts; Darien Cardinal
WAYWAY 18:57 - Jean-Michel Neud - Assists; Robert Briem and Dylan Bowerman
Period 3
OCN 6:23 - TJ Constant (2) - Assists; Tim Kavanaugh
Shots
OCN - 43
WAYWAY - 41
Some might say that I'm nitpicking on the defensive coverage tonight especially since they only allowed two goals and won by three. I feel it's fair considering this teams goal of a championship this year, and I think that goal is valid and well placed in reality. However you can't run and gun against every team, there will be times that the Blizzard will have to lock down the Winnipeg Blues come to mind. Once they sort things out defensively they will be a serious contender in this league. I expect a lot from this team, and we all should because they're very good.
It's early, but this is a great start.
Team bus leaves early Friday morning, this weekend is the real test.
-Brad-
Great job boys! Hope this weekend brings you more success. Go Blizz Go!
ReplyDeleteYes a win is a win. It wasn't the best game we've played. I attribute that to WW's play as well. We haven't see this high of shots on net for a few years. It is great to see, a lot of these shots were the result of our defensive core rushing the puck and creating scoring opportunities. Good to see....
ReplyDeleteHaving said that when we do rush the puck it leaves a hole that potentially can hurt us. Henry did a fantastic job in stopping a break away, and a couple 2 on 1's. He made some key saves and looks strong early in the season. Love seeing the battle between McDonal and Henry. It bodes for great tending.
Defensively we lacked as commented on already. It's not a bad thing having our D rush the puck, but timing is everything. We lost the puck a few times due to a rush by our D. We had 43 shots on their net, but we also had 41 shots on our net. If Henry was playing as well as he did, then the end result may very well have been different.
Again a win is a win, but our our puck management has to be better.
Congrats on the Win. Go bliz
Sorry folks. I guess I should have listened to the interviews first before providing my 2 cents!
ReplyDeleteWe'll see what this weekend brings. If they work hard they'll be okay, but they can't take a period off like they've done early on this season.
ReplyDeleteyes this weekend is the real test! hopefully the boys do alright
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