Pity the poor Generals who were ousted in three games by the River City Jaguars. In the first two games in Beaverton the Jags out-hustled, out-manuevered, and out-played the Generals. Really, 7-4 and 10-2?! The Jags over the Gens? I betcha' the dirty birds didn't like the double heapin' helpin' dose and taste of "wup ass." In game 3 on Friday night I watched online and it was a close game, the Generals leading the game into the 3rd period, when the Jags came back. The shots showed it was a close game, although the Jags did come on strong in the 3rd. The last 6 minutes both teams couldn't do anything. Again, it was a good game. Then in overtime the Gens tried hard, very hard, posting 13 shots on Whitmore, but just couldn't do it when it counted. When late in overtime the Jags scored ending the Gens playoff hopes. Unfortunately I stepped away from my computer when the Jags scored, so I didn't see it, but I heard it. Dang!I think River City figured out the Gens game plan early on - the Gens play the Frei, Schlagel, Poulsen line only sticking in the 2nd line (McDonald, Bishop, Lehtola) to give the 1st line a breather, then play the 1st line again. You can only do this so long before it becomes obvious. All season long it was Coach Miller's game plan. He won with it so why change? Hey! It's the playoffs. If they're killing you then you've got to mix it up. The Jags varied their lines quite a bit always seeming to keep fresh legs on, and never letting the Gens figure out who's on and how to defend against them. The Jags also played the ice well, spreading the play out. Finally, I thought the Gens played with desperation. When another team smells 'blood' then the attack is on. Oh well, I guess it's "wait until next year" again for the Gens. Three games go by fast don't they?
Seattle easily manhandled the poor T-hawks last night. Although I didn't listen to the game and I only followed via the boxscore on Pointstreak. If it was like the previous games, I bet the T-hawks game plan was like the Gens. Put their 1st line out - Kaufman, Belorad, Tessin - a lot and give them breathers with their 2nd line of Roberts, Plonski, Rose. Then repeat it again and again. However, from what I saw the other night, the T-hawk's Olson mixed it up a bit more than the Gens' Jay Miller did by putting in some other forwards; but the T-Hawks don't have the talent that the Totems do. The Totes' have depth in talent. The other factor I believe is the ice. Olympic View ice is bigger than all other arenas so there's more to skate, which creates fatigue faster. As I noticed the other night, by the 3rd period the T-hawks appeared gassed. On bigger ice, I'm sure they were gassed again. At least they're trying to make a series of it beating the Totems at least once. To me it shows the Totems are vulnerable. I doubt the T-hawks can do it tonight, but who knows. The whole season comes down to one game tonight.
