Nov 10, 2021 | Brad Mitchell | 85 views
(Post-Game 2) Guelph Still in Search for their 1st Win of the 2021 Season
Guelph travelled to Milton to take on the "White" version of the Winterhawks and while the Gryphons managed to stick with the division leading Winterhawks for the first 2 periods, for the 2nd straight game, the wheels seemed to fall off after the flood leading into the 3rd period.
The Gryphons have 2 games under their belt this season and already we're starting to see a couple troubling trends that will require some addressing. In both games against the Milton Teams, Guelph started on time and skated will with their opponents. While team defense remains a component that could use some tightening up, both teams generated quality offensive opportunities over the first 2 periods.
In Game 1, Guelph lead the Milton Winterhawks (Blue) 1-0 after 2 periods of play. However, when they returned to the ice in the 3rd, Guelph was clearly slower than they were in the previous 2 periods and their quality of play and individual discipline seemed to be left in the dressing room. The same could not be said about Milton who scored 3 unanswered goals in the 3rd to win it 3-1.
In last night's game against the division leading Milton Winterhawks (white), Guelph hung tight with the more experienced team over the first 2 periods and went to the dressing room down 3-0, still in striking distance. After the flood, however, it was more of the same that we saw in the 1st game. Foot speed started to slow, individual discipline went out the window with Guelph taking several poorly timed and unnecessary penalties and the overall attitude seemed to shift from positivity and confidence to desperation as time ticked down with "0" still showing on the score board for our visiting Gryphons. Once again, however, Guelph opposing team came ready to lock down the game in the 3rd scoring another 5 unanswered goals and successfully eliminating any chance or hope for a Guelph comeback.
So far this season, Guelph has managed a combined goal differential of -1 in the first 2 periods of play. However, our Gryphons are a combined -8 in the 3rd period of both games. The boys are starting on time, however, don't appear to be equipped to maintain momentum and pace of play after the flood between the 2nd and 3rd periods.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY... while respecting any food allergies that may exist in the dressing room (I'm unsure if there are any) perhaps the boys need to ensure they're refueling in the dressing room with protein bar or some kind of energy supplement. When our Gryphons get tired, they appear less sharp, fundamentals are forgotten and so to do they seem less able to avoid retaliation penalties, especially after the whistle. If the spectators can see it, you can bet the opposing team can see it as well and will most certainly exploit any weakness they can identify. Our Gryphons allow themselves to be exploited (and for all the wrong reasons in my opinion).
"But the officiating was brutal". While I will not argue in support of the officiating of late, I will, however, continue to focus on what IS in our the team's control. Individual on ice discipline! How each player chooses to present themselves on the ice is entirely within their control. If we were to cut down on the post whistle nonsense and reduce the verbal attacks on the opposing players and officials, I wonder how many calls may start to fall in our team's favor? With a little more on ice respect demonstrated, perhaps asking a ref about a call or non-call would be rec'd in a more constructive way rather than the resulting knee jerk personal and bench penalties we're becoming used to.
I wonder?
Guelph has practice tonight and then heads back to Milton to participate in their first tournament of the season. Games include rematches against Milton White and Blue as well as Orangeville and the team's first look at the 2nd place Brampton 45's. Good Luck this weekend Gryphons! I encourage the team to use this opportunity to build on some chemistry that we've seen in period's one and two and see if the boys can finally break through on the scoring front and figure out a way to maintain momentum in the 3rd period.