So, what more needs to be said about no passing and no offense? The first period I thought the Wranglers had made the necessary adjustments (putting somebody in front of the net, cycling the puck, passing to the points, and more) and were going to come out winning the game, but then starting with the second period and the rest of the game it went sour. Lets look at the stats... first period 10 shots to CDA's 10. Grant Long scores with an assist by Zach Miller. CDA fires back with 3 unanswered goals. First period score CDA 3, Wranglers 1. However, there was optimism that the Wranglers could do it. Next period, the Wranglers start off with a goalie change putting "CKJ" back in net. The Lakers thinking they're going to have easy pickings, fire 20 shots and get two goals. Again Christian keeps the Wranglers in the game (3.6 GAA, 0.914% Save). The Wranglers eke out 4 shots on the Lakers. 2nd period score, CDA 5, Wranglers 1. Optimism is fading. The final 3rd period is ugly with no goals scored but not a lot of shots either - 7 for CDA and 6 for the Wranglers. I figured that by this time both teams are pretty much gassed. Optimism gone. Final tally on shots, Wranglers 20, Lakers 37. Another game out shot by almost 2-1.What I did notice is that the Lakers consistently spread their offense across the ice and made good crisp passes - either short or cross ice. By spreading their offense out and passing the puck it frustrated and tired the Wranglers. In fact, most of the second period was played in the Wrangler zone. Wow, 20 shots for one period - that's a lot of shots. How does a team get so many shots? By spreading the offense out and passing from player to player. I saw cycling behind the net, passes to the points, then down deep, then back out, it was classic hockey. To me CDA put on a clinic in the second period on how to set up an offense. And the score proved it.
The Wranglers definitely had hustle, tenacity, and talent but again no offense and poor passing. So many mistakes were made by all Wrangler players - veterans and rookies. I spoke with fans around me during the game and in between periods and their comments were, "It's obvious, there's no team chemistry." Or, "There's no team work. Looks like each Wrangler player is playing for himself." And, "I don't think there's any trust between players that's why the passing is so bad and why you find 2 or 3 Wranglers bunched up." Now I recognize they're just fans like me with no real hockey experience, but they were thinking what I was thinking - "There's no team chemistry." Perhaps the problem of poor offense and passing is because they don't trust each other or want to work together as a team. Whatever it is there's some bad Wrangler "Mojo" going around.
How do you build team chemistry? I'll apply what I know - although it's not with hockey but I believe it works with hockey - and that is leadership. Leadership builds trust, respect, cameraderie, a shared work ethic, and a "one for all and all for one" mentality. Its been demonstrated many times in sports that good leadership works and can achieve results. I believe the Wranglers have the talent and hustle to compete and beat any team in the league. I believe it. I see it. What's missing is the leadership, the glue, that brings it all together to create that winning form.
The Wranglers play a third game today against the Lakers at 3:35 PM. I hope the Wranglers can pull one win out of this series, they so desperately need it. The fans need it. Hey! I need it. Go Wranglers.
