Random Thoughts - November 26, 2007
Howard Dolgon - President & CEO
Monday, November 26, 2007
Some random thoughts following last weekend's games:
I was at Friday's game against Manitoba. Once again, real disappointing that we fell behind early (2-0), but encouraging that we battled hard to take a 4-2 lead. No doubt we have to find a way to score more even strength goals, although our power plays have improved dramatically.
Adam Pineault's goal and Joakim Lindstom's second score that evening reinforced what I've believed the last 14 years: if you put the puck on net, anything can happen.
Goalies at the AHL level are here for a reason. For the most part, they are not quite ready to be regulars at the NHL level. They will make the glaring mistake, give up a bad rebound or just misplay a puck. It happens all of the time at our level.
So instead of trying to take the perfect shot, just get the puck on goal and good things can happen. Pineault and Lindstrom's goals weren't pretty, but they count just the same.
When our team plays with an urgency, we are a difficult team to play against. Especially in our barn.
Alexandre Picard's return and play gave us that boost on Friday. And I wouldn't be surprised if he plays that way night in and night out for the remainder of the season. He's certainly capable of doing so.
If you appreciate hardworking players then you've got to love Andrew Murray. Nobody deserved an easy, open net goal more than the one he scored Friday, because he works his tail off every shift. In my opinion he has really picked his game up and is a real force every time he is on the ice.
Jon Mirasty continues to prove that he can compete at the AHL level. The guy keeps it simple out there and makes his presence felt during his shifts. Even though he has yet to find a willing dance partner, you can be sure opposing teams know he is around.
I remember in our first Crunch season, Vancouver thought that we needed a little more toughness so they signed a defenseman named Mark LaForge. George McPhee called him a "nuclear deterent," meaning that his presence alone would ensure that other teams wouldn't be taking liberties with our skill players. He was right.
The next 20 games will be crucial for our team. Word on Zenon Konopka's return is encouraging. Once Kris Beech gets the green light to play (and that could be any day) I believe we'll see him back in Syracuse. Derick Brassard's surgery was a success and before you know it he'll be back in a Crunch uniform and hopefully picking up where he left off.
I believe if we can get to game 40 around the .500 mark, we will be a team to reckon with down the stretch.