Sunday, November 22, 2009

"Weak sauce on top of chicken shit"

Title courtesy of Spokant, pretty much sums it up.

"I think we are used to it going our way, and when it didn't, we had a tough time dealing with it. We pouted," said Tri-City coach Jim Hiller. "There are nights when bounces go your way and things are easy. Tonight it didn't and we responded with a spoiled-child attitude. Now we have to respond -- that's the next challenge."

Tri-City had ample opportunities to score, outshooting the Pats 36-24, but errant passes and missed chances around the net had the Americans' offense in disarray throughout the game. And their vaunted power play, ranked third in the league, was booed by the fans as they finished 0-for-9. (Herald)
I don't really have a ton to add. I didn't think they played especially terrible, but like coach said, they didn't respond well. Any attempts to respond were half-assed and just didn't happen. No puck luck. At all. At one point I tweeted "There could be no one in a white jersey on the ice including the goalie and AMS still wouldn't be able to get a goal tonight" *

Poor Drew. Like most of their other losses so far this season, it's not one you could pin solely on goaltending. He had no help, neither did Marty when he went in.

I wasn't unimpressed with the effort of Brooks Macek last night, thought he was working pretty hard. Jarrett Toll was the only AMS player to earn a star, probably as the lone goal scorer (yay no shutout for the Pats!) but he played well, as usual. His style has never been flashy or anything, just goes out there and does his job. You don't notice him because he's not making mistakes, but you overlook him because he's just so steady and reliable. Yay Captain Toller!

Look, I get it, there's 25 guys on the roster and coach (and probably Bob) wants to make sure they get some playing time to ensure their development and so on. But holy shit, Spencer Asuchak needs to be on the ice. Period. I don't know what that would involve as far as decided who to then rotate into the lineup or to sit, I don't care. Make it happen coach. He's a big, punishing body who can play. And he should not be sitting in the stands.

I'm torn on Zach Yuen. He's got potential oozing out of his little rookie pores. But he's easily rattled and makes rookie mistakes--not a good combo. I understand getting him playing time to get him to develop, but at the same time, I hate to see Sutherland (or Dow) sitting in the stands. Hell, I hate to see any of them sitting in the stands, even if they look lovely in suits.

So much for not having much to add, eh?

*yep, I'm on twitter, I have protected posts, but just ask and I'll add you, I keep it locked to keep the spambots away :)

8 comments:

spokant November 22, 2009 9:08 AM  

The only players whose minds made it to the rink along with their bodies:

Plouffe
Prokop
Macek


Hiller summed it up well. Spoiled children indeed. Like I posted on Kim's status, they need to revisit penalty kill and passing 101. It was like they just expected fate to step in and keep the puck out of their net. How many times did Regina use the SAME backdoor pass to score on the PP?

The SOG count is deceiving because like you said, most of it was half-assed.

I'm glad Toll got an assist, but I didn't think he had a stellar night either. I can't rag on the guy though considering he's the most consistent player on the team.

IMHO the liabilities last night were Yuen, Feser and Schmidt. I like Dow a lot and don't see him as a liability, but at the same time why would Hiller sit two veterans (Riley & Suds) to play two rookies? It's even worse to have the rookies in a game where the other team gets a few quick goals because they usually don't have the mental maturity to come back from that.

Right now, I'm not convinced that keeping Yuen over Humps was the best decision, but then I'm just a fan. I don't see what goes on at practice. I'm sure Yuen gets nervous and rattled pretty easily at this age.

If this were the first blowout it would be easier to forget about, but three games of this against teams they should beat... This team has to find consistency or the people on the *shudder* message boards are right. They're going to get dumped out of the playoffs early.

Wangler November 22, 2009 9:10 AM  

That was a pretty ugly loss for the Americans.

What a pretty power-play cycle the Pats would run. Apparently Hiller didn't have an answer for it...too bad.

I always enjoy watching good hockey, it's just more painful when it's the other team putting on the clinic.

I've always liked Yuen, but it seems to me that we have poorer defensive outcomes with him on the ice. I think we should send him back down.

I am getting really sick of seeing Asuchak in a suit up in the stands, like everyone else, I guess.

I am a bit worried that we seem to have a Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde thing going on here....does not bode well if it continues!

Wangler November 22, 2009 9:14 AM  

Oh, and Stoli got the lone goali.

IMHO, Pats should've got all three stars.

"Dave Schultz" November 22, 2009 9:24 AM  

@spokant--I refuse to admit people on the message board could ever be right about anything LOL

@Wangler--I thought it was announced as Toll at the game with the goal, I'll change it :)

normalooking November 22, 2009 2:28 PM  

I agree with y'all except I'd like to add that Feser also worked his butt off, at least in our half of the rink.

dennis November 22, 2009 6:54 PM  

First off as far as Yuen being out there I agree he hasn't played to his potential BUT as a 16 year old he has to suit up for like half of the games (not sure the exact number but it's at least half). So Hiller has to play him and Moser at least every other game.

As far as people saying Toll had a good game, look at the stats he was out there for all 3 even strength goals and probably half of the powerplay goals. He definitely had an off night.

Thumper B November 23, 2009 12:29 AM  

Feser DID work hard! Macek just can't seem to finish his efforts lately. He gets there, stays in the mix, but misses the pass, shoots wide, or leaves the puck behind! I have much faith that he (and Shinny) will come back around soon! Asuchak please!

bkblades November 23, 2009 11:50 PM  

Long-ish posts enable excellent comments as well. As such, I approve of any post that says, "So much for not having much to add".

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