Those ugly losses at home

[coreyapple]

Not sure why this is happening, but seems that all Rocket losses at home this year have been ugly affairs.

I wouldn't mind if the Rocket lost an exciting, well-played, hard-fought game by a goal or two, but that hasn't been happening this year.

The first two home losses, against Halifax and Saint John, were dreadful affairs.

Oh sure, the loss against Cape Breton was a close game, but it was a third-period collapse by the Rocket that allowed it - CB scored 4 goals in the last 7 minutes of the game.....still, that was the only loss in which the Rocket was in the game throughout, and they did play two good periods in Coach Guy's first game with the team.

Then, on October 26th, there was that monumental bore of a game against the Fog Devils, a shutout loss in which the Rocket showed no life at all.

Last Sunday, Rocket fell behind 5-1 in the second period, and played only the last 10 minutes of the game or so, to make it close.

Then there was the latest disaster, Saturday night against BC, the worst Rocket game I've seen in years.

So it seems to be all-or-nothing with this team - a well-played game and a win, or a no-show and a very boring loss...no in-between stuff at all.

What's with this?

Why is this team neglecting to show up in about half the home games?

We can't blame this one on Jean any more, but it does seem that some nights, the boys just aren't very interested in playing, right from the outset.

Fans wouldn't mind the occasional loss, but this year's losses, without any exceptions, have been very painful to watch.

Not easy to miss the playoffs in this league, but we may just yet do it, the way things are going.

[rockon]

I'll post some of my reasons again, as it would appear that some people are more interested in discussing other topics unrelated to Rocket Hockey ;D. These disasters cannot be blamed on individual players, when the whole team plays poorly.


How can an entire hockey team consistently play so lousy?
1. Lack of talent. (rated too high)
2. Poor coaching - (already addressed, we think?)
3. Players not buying into a system. (do we have a system?)
4. Lack of motivation. (players not happy or getting along with others?)
5. Too much time off between games. (2 games in 13 day spread?)

[coreyapple]

I agree with your reasons for the losses, but still, of the six losses at home, the only one in which the Rocket played relatively well was the one against Cape Breton, a game the Rocket should have won....the other losses weren't just bad, they were God-awful displays of virtually unwatchable hockey.

There were also good and winning efforts against Val d'Or, Rimouski, and Québec - those were good games, fun to watch.

None of your reasons, however, explain the terrible inconsistency we've seen this year - the team played better last Saturday in Moncton, of all places, than it has in home games against Hali, BC, FD's and Bathurst.

It's depressing.

I wouldn't mind a close, well-played and exciting game ending up in a one-goal loss, but that never seems to happen....the kind of game where, as you're exiting the rink, you'd be saying "Great game, too bad they lost!"

These days, it's almost as if you know that if the Rocket lost, it was a rotten game.

All the Rocket losses at home, except one, were shoddy, boring efforts, the kind of performances that infuriate even the most loyal fans and that undermine the team's popularity.

I'll tell you something - if I didn't already have tickets for this Wednesday's game, there's no way I'd be going......pointing out, indirectly, the importance of selling as many season tickets and flex-paks before the season starts.

It's gotta get better....it just HAS to get better....cuz it can hardly get any worse.

[rockon]

Individually they don't explain it, but any combination of those reasons could. The motivation factor is sometimes influenced by how poorly the games are started. The poor starts are then influenced by other factors like too much time between games, poor defensive coverage and/or mediocre goaltending.

[coreyapple]

rockon said:

Individually they don't explain it, but any combination of those reasons could. The motivation factor is sometimes influenced by how poorly the games are started. The poor starts are then influenced by other factors like too much time between games, poor defensive coverage and/or mediocre goaltending.

The fact that the team has come out so flat so often, and fallen behind early, suggests to me that it isn't the coaching, it's the players.

It was happening with Jean, and it's still happening.

After what I saw the other night, I wouldn't be against a massive shakeup at Christmas.

Unload and build for the future - there's really no other choice at this point, it seems.

I'd expect Guy to be wanting to hire his own assistant coach(es) and draft and trade for his own younger players.

This'll all happen between now and next September.....hope there are still fans left by then.

[rockon]

You have to keep in mind that these players are still teenagers with the same challenges as any other teenager plus more. This is also a development league and that means developing mentally as well as physically and I'm not so sure a wholesale change will fix that problem. If we have the talent then I think it's up to the coaching staff to teach these kids how to play and win on a consistent basis.

[North Shore]

coreyapple said:

The fact that the team has come out so flat so often, and fallen behind early, suggests to me that it isn't the coaching, it's the players.

I agree and if you look at who has been coming out flat its the top two lines. On Saturday we played lines 2 - 1- 2 ending in a quick goal for the Drakar.

I say shake things up, start the 3rd or 4th line and give them equal ice time until the top 2 lines demonstrate they deserve more time or the chance to start.

I'd also consider taking a look at who has the C. If the decision were solely based on his on ice leadership I'd make a change. I'd sooner see someone like Gervais who plays with more intensity wear the C, but Lessard may be a good role model and leader off ice and very deserving of the C.

[rockon]

I like the idea of shaking things up. How about moving some of the so-called talent around. Move Walker and Morrison to other lines and see what chemistry may develop. I also hear the same old story about the dressing room differences between the English and the French-speaking players. This problem has haunted the Rocket team since they moved here

[wallee]

the language card has been played over and over. if it is a problem why are other teams not in the same position?

changing things around? lol...everyone was bitching at Coach Jean for changing guys around.

spreading out ice time for all lines? lol.. again everyone said Coach Jean was not doing that. are you telling me Coach Guy is now not doing that?

not playing enough games each week is the reason for slow starts? give me a breal. if anyting they should be like caged animals waiting to get out there and do their job.

rockon has a couple of them....

the big one! lack of talent....

lack of motivation. very apparent on the ice....why is anyones guess.

how you solve this, it seems that maybe our scouts need changing to draft better skilled players. and maybe Guy will do some wonder deals to get rid of lack of talent and bring in some talent.

lack of motivation....work the boys balls off in practice day after day, minute after minute with rewards WHEN they perform.

other than that, your guess is as good as mine... or maybe even better . lol

[rocketlauncher]

OK....Lack of Talent. Thats an interesting one so lets look at that:

Forgetting about who could be brought in to make the team better, who do y'all think is not good enough to play in this league? (Rocket players only)

[Score]

rocketlauncher said:

OK....Lack of Talent. Thats an interesting one so lets look at that:

Forgetting about who could be brought in to make the team better, who do y'all think is not good enough to play in this league? (Rocket players only)

I personally think that all the Rocket roster are capable of playing in this league.........but it seems as this team has a lot of average 3rd/4th line players...too much.

Cliche
Locke
MacKinley
Gallant
DesRoches
MacLean
Lachaine
Coon-Come
Locke
Paynter

Are all average 3rd/4th line talent right now...,.....the Rocket need to upgrade on this area.


Not to mention the young D they have.
Clow
Malouin
Southy
Deighan
All 17 yrs of age.

I think that Southy and Deighan will turn into solid players in this league, but I really can't see Malouin even lasting here past the deadline.

Clow needs to see more ice time, as I think his game will improve a lot.

[rocketlauncher]

I don't think that any of the 17 year old D have proven they can play in the league with except for Southorn. Deighan IMO has been getting weaker after a decent start. Mally's feet and hands will keep him from being a solid Q guy I think (Hope I am wrong cause hes a great kid). Clow....well being 7th behind the other 2 says it all. I don't think his style is suited to the Q. Not mean enough.

There is definately too much 4th line talent on the team too. If Cliche was good enough to play here he would have shown us something by now. LaChaine, and Gallant and McKinley are good enough now. MacLean and Coon Come will be next season.

[Score]

rocketlauncher said:

I don't think that any of the 17 year old D have proven they can play in the league with except for Southorn. Deighan IMO has been getting weaker after a decent start.

I disagree on Parker.

For a 17yr old Dman, in his first year in the Q, IMO he is playing well.

As good as is expected anyhow....

[rocketlauncher]

I would have agreed with you 100% until about 3 weeks ago. Started seeing him getting beat badly and often inhis own zone. His breakouts are good, but D zone is hurting bad.

[Stuck in a Loop...]

Umm what about Kana He isnt Doing much as of late too....... seems very familiar