The Wranglers lost to the Seattle Totems last night 2-10. First period the game was close with the score 1-2, but immediately into the 2nd period the Totems scored along with two more making the score 1-5. In the 3rd period, the Wranglers added one more goal and then the Totems added 5 more goals making it 2-10. The Wranglers first period score was by Paul Blase with an assist by Chance Robison. The Wranglers 3rd period score was by Grant Long (assists McCormack, Losey). Wrangler shots for the game were 27 (8-9-10), and 52 shots for Seattle, (20-16-16).The first period was a tough fought period. I believe Seattle was startled at the hustle and the intencity of the Wranglers. There were some big hits made by both sides making it clear that the Wranglers were not going to be pushed around for an easy win. Seattle was definitely testing the Wranglers by pounding them with 20 shots and for the most part keeping the puck in the Wranglers zone. Jared Blanton defended the goal tough, the defense played up, and the forwards played strong. The game seemed close and possibly winnable for the Wranglers.
Ten seconds in to the 2nd period the Totems scored which "stung" the Wranglers. It definitely took some of the "wind out of the Wrangler sails." And the goal made a statement, that the Wranglers have got to play tough. Again the Totems pounded the Wranglers with 16 shots for the period. After the 5th goal by Seattle, Wrangler Head Coach McLain pulled Blanton and replaced him with Christian Kramer-Johnson hoping that he could better defend the Wrangler net and possibly salvage the game for the Wranglers. Both goalies made some amazing saves - some with luck, some with definite skill. In the 2nd period "CKJ"only let one goal in. My opinion was that the 2nd period was owned by the Totems. The Wranglers managed 9 shots, but they couldn't seem to get an offense going against the hard hitting and pressing Totems.
The 3rd period was at the start better for the Wranglers in that they got a goal making the score 2-5, but then that was it, Seattle slammed the door shut by coming back with 5 goals in the last 10 minutes burying the Wranglers. The most embarrassing point came on the final Totem goal, when the new Wrangler defensman Losey on a 5 on 3 Wrangler power play inadvertedly, or accidentally, or poorly, passed the puck to the Totem who took it in for a score. OUCH! The Totems did an excellent job at fore-checking whenever the Wranglers were on a power play. By doing that, it kept the puck in the Wrangler zone eating up valuable power play time and enabled the Totems to potentially score. Something the Wranglers could learn from.
What I noticed about the Totems was TENACITY. Tenacity is defined as: "persistent in maintaining, or seeking something valued or desired" and in hockey that is the puck which in turn will lead you to a goal. The Totems players were full of tenacity for the puck and the desire to score. Many times I noticed Totem players desperately fighting for the puck and most of the time winning the battle. If the Wranglers practiced this tenacity it probably would lead to holding on to pucks passed, not getting the puck stolen, hustling to the puck, and the most important - GOALS. Wranglers have got to learn what it takes to be tenacious. C'mon Wranglers get that passion for the puck, learn to be tenacious. If you can do that then I do believe you can beat any team you face, especially the Totems. INTENSITY, TENACITY, GO WRANGLERS!
