Monsters Take Inspiration from Indians; Drop the Ball Against Hamilton

For those of you who were confused or angry about my recent profile change to the Steelers' logo, please calm down and look at the date. April Fools!

Well, I'm still angry about the loss. I'm sure the 12,407 (plus a few dogs) in attendance were too. I was seeking solace from the piss-poor play I witnessed this afternoon against the Chicago White Sox, seeking a trouncing and battling Lake Erie Monsters team to regain steam from the deflating loss. Sealing with an empty netter, the Bulldogs won 4-1. (and subsequently passed the Monsters in the standings)

Nothing was noteworthy from the Monsters tonight except Ben Walter's wake up call to the rest of the team late into the 2nd period. The likes of which I'd expect to see from someone like Rick Nash or Alex Ovechkin, Walter battled through 3 Bulldogs to swivel the puck around Hamilton's netminder on his right side. Unfortunately, the Monsters refused to wake up from their slumber. Passes were going every which way, centering swipes and rebounds were falling on invisible Monsters. However, I find it comes down to maybe a cliche  sports analyzers use too often, in that our special teams lost us the game. (Again)

I was excited to see that Patrick Bordeleau was up to his old tricks early on in the game. He drew a retaliation penalty and I was certain the Monsters would get their groove on and make some decent moves early.

But, in all of their might and muster from just a few games ago, the Monsters returned to their previous, more docile powerplay. Locked into their plan of waiting for a chance to take a shot and then quickly passing the puck away. I think they executed maybe 3 or 4 shots on their 4-5 powerplay tries. However, my biggest disappointment was with the penalty kill.

Usually our bread and butter, the PK has broken down twice in as many games at the most crucial moments of a game. This one put the game 2 goals out of reach and basically shut the Monsters down.

sigh...

Well, we're not out of the race yet. (Though I'm convinced they're not going to win one more game playing like this). Thankfully, the Moose also dropped a game against the Rochester Americans today, so 1st place is still only a win away. However, because of the loss, Hamilton is 1 point ahead of us. We're safe; for now and maybe for the rest of the season.

Let's say the Monsters do indeed lose out. (Roll with it, I'm feeling pessimistic today).
They will finish with 88 points. Now! The Toronto Marlies (who we play tomorrow) are sitting at 81 points. If they win 4 out of their next 5 (Which to be honest is not likely. But, again, roll with it.) the Monsters would be eliminated from the Calder Cup run.

With 2 more wins (out of the next 5 games) the Monsters can clinch a playoff spot. Should they wake up and win out, they might still have a shot at the divisional title. (We lead both series between Manitoba and Hamilton).

It's a headache. It really is. Cheer against the guys around us but more for the boys in Wine and Black.

Sorry if the style was different tonight. I'm struggling to stay sane thinking about the Indians and Monsters (and to some extent the CBJ).
Leave a comment if you agree, disagree, or whatever.
Go Monsters.
~Brett