Caps 1, Flyers 5
Semin was roughed up in the 1st by Braydon Coburn and Maxi Pads Talbot. Ugh. In the second the whole team, all four lines and d-men were losing their battles one on one. This is where a great Coach would make some changes, take control, didn't happen and Flyers scored the 2nd goal. After that all hell broke lose. Everything was going in for the Flyers tonight, but Caps still were outcoached and outplayed again. One should assume that it takes time for a new coach, especially from the juniour's league, to learn and adjust and it sounds like the adjustment is going way beyond this season.
I think for the first time in his career Ovi was outhit, this is the area where Ovi always dominated. Tonight every hit he gave or received was according to Newton's third law of motion: it was returned or given with an equal and opposite force. His second -1 (plus/minus) was embarasing, he lost the battle to Coburn at their blue line, Flyers countered and scored. Ugh.
Still Ovi was present, he tried, but it got out of control quickly.
Ovechkin stats:
1st period:
total ice time 7:52, 7 shifts, average 01:07, PP 02:28, even 05:24, 1 missed shot, 1 hit, 1 takeaway
after 2nd:
total ice time 13:24, 13 shifts, average 01:01, PP 02:28, even 10:56, 2 missed shots, 1 hit, 1 takeaway, 1 blocked shot.
2nd period:
-2, total ice time 5:32, 6 shifts, average 01:01, PP 02:28, even 05:32, 1 missed shot, 1 blocked shot
3rd period:
total ice time 5:32, 6 shifts, average 01:01, PP 03:44, even 04:46, 3 shots on goal, 1 giveaway
Total:
-2, total ice time 19:26, 19 shifts, average 01:01, PP 03:44, even 15:42, 3 shots on goal, 2 missed shots, 2 hits, 1 giveaway, 1 takeaway, 1 blocked shot
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7 comments:
I really liked your blog when you weren't making negative, biased comments about the coach.
@bpthomas Sorry to disappoint you. I'd love to like Dale Hunter, but so far it is a disappointment. I don't see defense first team, the worst game was vs. Pens, they could do what ever they wanted passing thru the neutral zone with ease, where is Dale's 1-2-2 trap? On paper?
I really hope myself that you will hear something positive about Hunter here, or we're all doomed. At least this season.
@O: I asked on the Morning Skate 12-12-11 thread but I repeat here. What do you like about Hunter and Johnson in practices that could possibly translate to success in games?
I ask because while disappointed with the results so far after the coaching change, I remain hopeful things will turn around for the Caps and especially for Ovie. But in the meantime...
If there's a morning after pill to help forget games like last night's fiasco, please let me know, somebody, please.
Ovie continues to confound me. The two worst moments from last night were when he collided with Semin, and when he coughed up the puck resulting in a goal scored by UGH MaxiPad Talbot. A Philly goal is bad enough but not Talbot. :(
I was disappointed with Hunter from the beginning. I was expecting someone more like... nah, I don't even dare to say his name.
I still have some hope that he will manage to turn up things in our way.
Anyways, I almost died when I saw my two babies collide T-T That was horrible! And Talbot's goal ugh!!! X( That's one of those moments when you wish you could be a Cap just to kick that guys... behind!!!! X(
Well, the saying goes like this:
There's always next season!
But I'd love to eat crow because I have a hope Hunter will turn around this team. Hope, but not faith.
If Hunter will fail to deliver, both him and GMGM will be gone, because it will be GMGM's fault for bringing Hunter.
Since Hunter is the legend in DC, imagine how hard it will be to fire him!
This is where the owner will have to step up and fire both at the same time.
I agree with bpthomas. The Hunter bashing is over the top and it started only after his 1st or 2nd game. TJ hasn't given him a fair chance. THe Caps have been playing badly for a while and new systems have to be learned. That takes time. NOt all turnarounds are miraculous like Bruce's arrival. Look how many teams have changed coaches this year. Nearly all of them are still struggling and the Caps have shown more hope than most of them.
@BobbyG,
Sorry I didn't see your message earlier.
As for the new coaches, I like their communication, calm, and the personal attention both of them are giving to those players who are struggling to fit in the new systems.
Several players have even commented on how many fewer words they have to listen to. They find it easier to know what is important because there is little filler. The messages are clearer.
I like how the PP and PK drills are tied together into one drill and begin with a faceoff simulation. I like the speed of the drills and how one drill flows faster into the next. I like the different man-on-man combinations being practiced. I like how both coaches pull aside players immediately after a drill and give them individual feedback and suggestions.
That Hunter is still looking at different combinations for lines and defensive pairings is apparent, but I feel his line changes have more reason behind them than Bruce's switching for switching's sake.
I also like that he has communicated that solid play will get rewarded with more ice time or movement up a line.
I like that the team looks happier and more confident and hopeful in practice.
Whether he turns out to be the right fit for this team remains to be seen, but he has successfully coached some of the top players in the league. The Caps will be richer for the opportunity even if it doesn't work out.
The energy is back at Kettler.
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