Frustration Got the Best of the Shockers

Final Score
La Rapace 6
Shockers 2

Let's face it, on paper the Shockers should have easily walked by La Rapace without even breaking a sweat...well maybe that is a bit much but it is for sure that the Shockers should have won. However, what you see on paper and what actually happens in real life don't always match up as expected.

At the beginning of the game, the Shockers knew they had to stay out of the box; a repeat of the game against Hellas and they would be laughing their way down the golden victory road. Unfortunately, the Shockers could not resist the devious temptations of the penalty box and instead picked up more shots in the box than an Asian-style bukake marathon.

Andrew Stevens, who was still out with an injury but was behind the bench throughout the game commented, "it is hard to win games and keep the team motivated when you have guys in and out of the penalty box."

Even in the second and third period you can see the frustration on the faces of the Shockers as another penalty racked up against them.

"You can blame the refs all you want, but when you slash someone or punch someone and start bitching at the ref for not seeing the play before, the ref isn't going to turn around and say 'You know what? You right! I'll take away your penalty and give it to the other guy,' instead he is going to remember you and your team and he's going to put a black mark on us all," added Stevens.

Aside from the penalties, the Shockers looked rather stagnant on the floor, understandably so considering being down two guys from the start and then playing 5-on-3 or 5-on-4 the whole game, it really takes a toll on the team.

On most of the goals against, the Shockers were seen standing around. During some plays, La Rapace's forwards had as many as three rebounds to choose from before scoring. Some forwards were setting up camp beyond the center red line while the rest of the team was still trapped in their own zone.

"It's a different game out there, it is not like at Le Rinque where a normal pass in half the length of the surface. Some of our guys are just way to far ahead of the play that it is hurting the team," said Stevens on the matter.

The Shockers have just one more game left in the regular season and would be a good thing to end the season on a winning note. They take on the Hawks next Tuesday at 6:30pm. The Hawks are just above the Shockers in the standings but where they pose the biggest threat is their speed. Shockers will have to deal with smaller guys that can fly and will have to find a method to slow them down while staying out of the penalty box. Positioning will be the Shockers best friend if they can hold a strong man-to-man coverage and as for the forwards, they should not be expecting the long breakout pass this game as the speedy Hawks' defense will surely breakdown those attempts. The Shockers will also see a different face in nets as Giancarlo Capaz will be taking a much needed break before the playoffs. It has been rumored that the ref's favorite, Chris Diabo, will be between the pipes.

If the Shockers plan on winning, they will need to follow this:

1) Take the hit, don't retaliate and no mouthing off to the ref will cut down a lot of the time on the penalty kill and will keep the team motivated.

2) Positioning, positioning, positioning. Play man-to-man and forwards come back in the zone to help the defense get the ball will decrease goals against and open up the game for an offensive attack.

3) Run. Even if the shifts are 20 seconds, give it 150% and get off. There is no point to loaf around for 5 minutes if you are not going to be effective.