Shockers Split in Double-Header Madness

Final Score
Rebels 2
Shockers 0

Rebels kept in the running for second place honors last night as they squeezed by the Shockers 2-0 in game one for the Shockers last night at Howie-Morenz. Shockers who kept neck-and-neck with the Rebels the whole game were only victims of their own demise in the end.

Chris Diabo got tossed late in the third for too many penalties and was kept off the scoresheet, a place where the Shockers needed him to be - in the scoring section, not the penalty section. Diabo was hounded by the Rebels and evidently the Rebels got what they wanted. It is no question that the refs have a target on him as well as they seem to be keeping a close check on his every move.

The major downfall for the Shockers was an internal shutdown. The team picked up way too many penalties, they had to play the PK pretty much the whole game which took a toll on some of the players' drive to play. Near the end, some players were so discouraged with what was going on that it looked like they gave up on the team early in the third until the rest of the game. Regardless of the situation, the Shockers need to pick up their socks, deal with the given situation, and learn to play a full 3 periods.

However, a positive thing occurred after the game, in the dressing room the team started to talk to each other and really discuss what needed to be done for game two of the night.


Final Score
Shockers 5
Hellas 1

Well if a team showed up at a hockey game just to be there and another team actually showed up to play hockey this was how the Shockers could be described last night. Game one, they were the team that showed up at a hockey game with little conviction to play hockey. Game two, on the other hand, the Shockers actually looked like a team that showed up to play hockey and be a contender.

Point one - the defense stood strong and held the blueline and covered each other fairly well. There was also more of a presence of urgency and aggressivity in front of their own net, a place where they have been pushed around for the most part of the season.

Point two - which is probably more important that point one but this is how I wrote it, less penalties. Chris Diabo was limited to just one penalty, imagine that!

Point three - If Chris Millar is scoring goals, the Shockers are on the right road to victory! Yes, despite being in a scoring drought, this new-comer to the Shockers found mesh for the first time this season. Unfortunately for him, if hitting the posts counted as goals then he'd be right up there with linemate Chris Diabo in the stats column.

All in all, the Shockers looked a lot more organized and comfortable out of the floor. The only goal against came by a lucky shot that rang of the two posts but never officially went to the back of the net so the goal is a little debatable.

On the bench during the game against the Hellas, there was no complaining and no talks about giving up but this should be a lesson to the Shockers that they have to learn to cope with the sticky situations if they plan on making an impression in the playoffs when the gameplay is going to heat up.

Next game is tonight @ 7:30pm against La Rapace, a team struggling to find their step and should be a good game for the Shockers to continue their new found touch at teamwork, less penalities and more Chris Millar goals. Out of the line-up once against will be Frankie Ortuso who is taking a few games off for some R&R and captain Andrew Stevens who is out with a contusion to the sternum. Stevens has not determined how long he'll be out but hopes to make a return for next week's game against the speedy Hawks, in the meantime he assumed the position as coach.