This is one of those times the score doesn't reflect the game. I thought watching the game that the score was a lot closer. The Wranglers played hard and gave the Generals a run for their money. I thought the Wranglers suprised and frustrated the Generals. The game was filled with plenty of hard hitting and good play both offensively and defensively. The Generals did not as I had expected played their rookies, but instead to chose to play many of their veterans - Frei, Holder, Strahle, and others. I thought the 1st period was one of the best periods the Wranglers played all season. The Wrangler defense and team was in top form. The Generals fired 17 shots and CKJ and the Wrangler "D" kept the Generals from scoring. The Wranglers tied it up with a goal by Abera (assisted by Guzman & Summa) but then the Generals answered almost immediately ending the period 1-2. I think the Generals were surprised. The Wranglers fired 9 shots. The Wranglers made a statement that they were not going to be intimidated or manipulated.
The Wranglers continued to play tough in the 2nd period but Generals scored two more times. The Generals were aggressive with 17 shots as compared to 7 shots for the Wranglers. The Wrangler's made a few mistakes on which the Generals quickly capitalized on with goals. Again, by some defensive mistakes - letting some odd man rushes come through and not covering all the forwards. 2nd period score, 1 Wranglers, 4 Generals.
The 3rd period started off great for the Wranglers by Miller (unassisted) shooting and scoring from the right top circle, along with goals by Abera (assisted by Robison & Guzman) and Guzman (assisted by Blase & Miller). The Wrangler goals came as a result of a couple of nice break-aways. What was nice was that the Wranglers had several nice odd man rushes of their own. Wrangler shots were 11 for the period. What I enjoyed is that each Wrangler goal was met by surprise by the Generals. Unfortunately, the Generals scored 6 goals on 25 shots in the period to seal their win. Two of the goals coming within the last minute of the game. Again, many of the General's goals were the result of individual defensive breakdowns by the Wranglers. As I have said before, hockey is a game of mistakes. Analysis of +/- ratios would be an indicator on what to improve. CKJ played good and only made a few minor mistakes but those are the ones that hurt. Otherwise I felt CKJ "played as if he was on his head." A couple Wrangler "D" were agressive enough to fight for the puck in the Generals zone and make a few shots on goal too. Way to go.
As I said earlier the game had several big hits both by the Wranglers and by the Generals. In the 3rd period Grant Long sent a message to the Generals that the Wranglers were not rolling over and playing dead. The Generals tried to answer back with several of their own hits but none of them were so crushing. This is exactly the type of hockey the Wranglers need to play - big hits, good "D", passing, and finding the back of the net. I hope the Wranglers can find the same drive and determination again today when the play the Generals. GO WRANGLERS!
Some final notes: I am so very disappointed in the behavior of the Generals. The visitor's locker room was trashed - the mirror broken, the soap dispensers ripped of the wall, and trash everywhere. The Generals should be ashamed of themselves behaving as such. You know the story... breaking a mirror is 7 years of bad luck.
I heard through the rumor mill that this will be Micheal Frei's last game with the Generals as he is returning to his native Switzerland to play.
Wranlger players, Camden Mee & Matt Miglioretto will be sitting out tonight's game.
