Everybody needs to calm down, and step away from the ledge. Is this the ideal way to start the season?? Of course not, but let's take a closer look at the 0-2 start.
Loss #1 was to Mahoning Valley, a team that finished 2nd at the Robertson Cup in April, and has 14 guys on the roster with at least 1 year of junior hockey experience. Mahoning Valley could be the best team in the league this season with all the veterans on the roster. Loss #2 was to Team USA, a team comprised of 20 of the best 16 year old hockey players in the entire country. The Express held leads at one point in both games, and have shown some signs of being able to compete in this league.
Most importantly, these first two games were against the 2 best teams the Express will face all year long. Let me repeat that so it sinks in: Mahoning Valley and Team USA are the 2 best teams the Express will play this year. Yes, that is just my opinion, but look at the rest of the schedule. From what I've seen this far, and granted it's a small sample size, nobody in the Central Division scares me. Once the showcase is done, the only non division games are against St. Louis and Springfield, who both are rebuilding this year.
Lastly, look at the past performances for the Express at the NAHL Showcase. All-time in Blaine, the Express have a record of 3 wins and 9 losses, with one of the wins being an easy victory over a cobbled together NAHL At-Large team 2 years ago. The Express have historically struggled out of the gate, and then gotten better as the season progresses.
Basically what I'm saying is this, it is way to early to hit the panic button. There is nothing to worry about until there is something to worry about. Don't jump off the bandwagon based on two losses to two really good teams. This team has plenty of talent, and good coaching. Give them some time to put it all together. The Alexandria Blizzard started the 2007/08 season with a record of 3-16, and look where they ended up by the end of the year.
Friday's Game Preview:
6:30pm face-off versus the Marquette Rangers. Marquette is 0-2 so far, losing 5-4 to North Iowa, and getting spanked yesterday by Topeka 8-2. Marquette finished in last place in the North Division last year, but brought in a good coach in the offseason in Kenny Miller.
Big Kahuna's Prediction: Owatonna Express 4 - Marquette Rangers 3
Yes, that's right, I'm predicting a win for the Express today. I think the guys will come out with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove today after yesterday's blowout loss. The rookies have a couple of games under their belt, and the lines should be starting to work better together. There are no easy games or easy opponents, but Marquette is not the daunting opponent that Mahoning Valley and Team USA were. The Express should be able to put a little more together on offense today. Go get 'em guys.
Predictions for the other games today: (I was 6-4 on yesterday's picks, 14-6 overall)
St. Louis over Wenatchee
USNTDP over Alaska
Kenai River over Alpena
Mahoning Valley over Springfield
Traverse City over Bismarck
Wichita Falls over Albert Lea
Topeka over North Iowa
Fairbanks over Motor City
USNTDP over Alexandria
See you at the rink.
--BK
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32 comments:
You are one out of 4 today on the game predictions.
Better bring a win tonight!
BK, come home. You are bad luck for the team.
Coach Pat???????
We are a horrible new team.
I am so upset. To think that we gave money for this weak team.
I want my money back.
Loss of 6-2 is an improvement over yesterday.
Too many shots against our goalies. The Defense are all over the ice. Half the time they are not in position or trying to take it up or join in rushing.
They need to focus and stay put. Fink and Cullen are not getting their message accross.
So is Marquette not a good team? Let me say it again, is Marquette not a good team? Cause if they are not, then what are we?
"So is Marquette not a good team? Let me say it again, is Marquette not a good team? Cause if they are not, then what are we?"
- At no point did I say Marquette was not a good team. I was basically saying they weren't as good as our first 2 opponents.
--BK
"BK, come home. You are bad luck for the team."
- I was thinking the same thing on the drive home. I must be bad luck, so I will take one for the team tomorrow and stay home.
--BK
Hey, at least the Twins looked good tonight. Oh wait.......
--BK
By the way, I rejected one of the comments left by an anonymous poster. The post singled out one of the Express players for playing a bad game. At this point I'm not comfortable with posting that kind of comment. It's fine to speak in general about the offense or defense or whatever, but don't single out individual players. Everybody needs to play better, no sense piling on.
--BK
BK, you have more class running this blog than that of last year and for that we all thank you.
What happens if we lose or win tomorrow? Is that it?
BK:
What are your game projections for today?
Yesterday you were 4/9.
How soon we forget --------If I'm not mistaken, I don't think we've ever one a game at the "Showcase" in the last 3 years, and maybe 4. Results, Year 1,went to Robertson Cup, year 2,went to Robertson Cup, year 3,in the playoffs. Don't forget, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep the faith, and keep supporting
The Motor City Machine look good. Glad we will not being playing them this season. Maybe in the playoffs?
First the team needs to improve and get some wins under our belts.
Sucks not having a win yet.
Better bring a win tonight or I am not going to attend the opener. :(
I have to agree with you B.K. I watched the game on the B2 network last night and was a little disappointed in the overall play, but we must consider that our team has been playing together for 2 weeks. They need to learn each other's style, the coach's system, and probably even each other's names! Many are straight out of high school and it will take a while for them to adjust to the speed and physical play of the league.Right now, they need everyone's support. When they did score last night, the applause sounded great. Let's back them and give them some confidence.
Pappy
The amount of points on our losses are a huge differnce than the last 3 years. We are lucky to get a goal or two a game, before at least we did better and had some OTL.
Get real, this new team is weak.
"What are your game projections for today?"
- I forgot they were starting early today.
Predictions:
WF over Marquette
Fairbanks over Traverse City
Topeka over USNTDP
Alex over St Louis
MVP over Bizzy
USNTDP over NI
Springy over Alaska
MCM over AL
Express prediction coming later.
--BK
"What happens if we lose or win tomorrow? Is that it?"
- What happens is they take Sunday off, and report for practice Monday. 54 games to go which is 93.1% of the season.
--BK
imo defense is struggling. 2 many shot opportunities being given to opponents.
forwards need to pass the puck.
"Right now, they need everyone's support. When they did score last night, the applause sounded great. Let's back them and give them some confidence."
- Well said Pappy.
--BK
The team will need to stir up its own confidence. I am at work today so I wont see them until game opener unless I have to work.
I am disappointed in their beginning.
I am a new parent to the team and would also like to thank Pappy! The team has the talent but need to work hard and bond most importantly they need your support. I have faith in the coach which is why our son is there. Everyone wants to win. But to learn grow and win in the long run when it really matters takes time and again support.
2 out of 3 so far BK.
New parents fear not.
The season is very very long!
Coach Pat and Fink are working hard to get the spirit back up and running for the players. They will improve and they come in last place who cares.
Express lets get a W.....
I believe Pappy made a good point earlier in his comment about the team needing our support and stuff like that. Below is my take on this:
This is not a time in which we as fans are suppposed to give up on this team, it is a long, long season and anything can happen yet. Cullen very well knows what he's doing with this team and does not need to be second-guessed any more than anyone else. We are fortunate to have him and Fink back as coaches. They will get this figured out and the team will gel together. Those of us who are the true fans of this team know it will take time for everything to come together. In the mean time, we all need to support our team regardless of what happens.
We are very lucky to have another Junior A team back in town and it is our own team this time! No matter if they win or lose....we all win because this is our team and we get to watch hockey here again.
GO EXPRESS!!!!
If they do improve, then things around here will be better.
Right now, its a big disappointment.
I put in enough money to buy our season tickets for a couple of years for a family of 4. I hope that I did not make a mistake. For the past 3 years I was a loyal fan.
I was never a huge fan of any of the coaches that we have had, I just enjoyed watching hockey without having to go far from home.
Regards,
Mr. Regrets.
Everyone needs to calm down! If we win today, we are only 3 points out of first place. If we lose today, we will be only 5 points back. This is a new team and are still learning to play together. If they go 0-58, then we can panic. If we win both games next weekend we could be in first place. We are starting the year the same as all the other years. See you loyal fans at the rink!
Eric:
Not correct. This year we expect MORE from the team.
This is NOT like the past year.
The difference is, we funded it and THAT my good friend is the difference.Give us some credit where credit is due.
Dear BK:
Any predictions about our game today?
FMC
"Any predictions about our game today?"
- I just published a new post about today's game, including predictions. I am also kind of blogging along with the game today in the comments on the most recent post.
--BK
I put my money in for this team and I'm not panicing. Some of you fans want this team to go 58-0. I'm just happy that there is hockey back in Owatonna. I'm a HUGH fan and I'll support them win or lose. Can you?
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