Well, it wasn't what the few Wrangler fans that attended Sunday afternoon's game wanted, a thorough thumpin' by the River City Jaguars. The game started out bad for the Wranglers with an almost immediate score right after the start of the game, which then happened again and again and again and again. First period score 5-0. The Wranglers had no defense and no offense. River City was allowed to skate in and almost shoot at will. I have no complaint with Jared Secondo's net minding, I do have complaints with the Wrangler defense and offense.The second period starts out with a "bang" for the Wranglers. Newcomer Paul Blase shoots and scores just 2:36 in an the Wranglers are on the board. Sam Jossie got the assist. The Wranglers were fired up. The coach must have said something. The 2nd period "was" the Wrangler game, although losing the period 2-1. The Wranglers played with some passion and enthusiasm; shooting the puck 13 times at the net. Unfortunately, the Jags scored twice, leaving the score at 7-1 at the end of the second.
In between periods the Zamboni "ate a puck" which delayed the 3rd period by 15 or more minutes. Finally curing the Zamboni issue, the ice was cut and the game started again. Unfortunately, the 1st period Wranglers showed up instead of the 2nd period Wranglers. The Wranglers on power plays made dumb mistakes enabling the Jaguars to score TWO short handed goals. The Wranglers could not seem to get the puck out of their zone. Finally, at 4:27 DJ Giguere fired from the slot and hit the back of the net. Too little too late. Final score, River City 10 Rogue Valley 2.
The Wranglers seemed to lack focus and drive right from the start of the game. The forwards were in the neutral zone endlessly waiting for the "D" to bring it out of the zone, but couldn't through the determined fore-checking of the Jaguars. This frustrated the defense which had to skate it out of the Wrangler zone to pass it off to a forward who usually didn't catch the pass or the pass was just out of reach. If the Wranglers did make it to the Jaguar's zone, the Jags were quick to pursue the puck. Never was the puck really passed around or the points used. All the Jags "D" needed to do was move the puck to the bottom or center of the circle to a waiting forward who then moved the puck up the ice. While you'd probably want to start blaming the coaches for the Wrangler losses, I think the players need to take the heat. They're just not working together as a team. C'mon Wranglers let's get it together!
The Wranglers play an odd Monday night game against Eugene tonight. The hope is the same, put the puck on net and hope it goes in. However, I hope tonight the Wranglers play with passion and as a team.
