Dog's didn't play Good!

That's right. Paul Good missed his first game of the season and it was evident. The first place Mad Dogs came out with a short bench and completely flat. For the first time this season they were shut out with a final score 4-0 for the Mayhem. It was obvious that the Mayhem wanted to win. Captain Brian Loehr chalked it up to the fact that the Mayhem were out to revenge their last season playoff loss to the Mad Dogs.

The tide was turned in a chili game at SPA's Drake arena. The Mayhem controlled most of the game by winning virtually every race to the puck, playing smart position, and passing the puck very well. They looked good. The Dogs's were unable to connect on any passes, struggled with positioning, didn't shoot too often and were unable to capitalize on 3 power play opportunites.

If the 1st period was a sign of what was to come the Mad Dogs were outshot 15-3. Goaltender Larry Amundson was pumped up and only let in one in the first period. The Mayhem continued to shoot and put pressure on Larry. They had a total of 39 shots compared to the Mad Dogs 26. Larry kept his cool and was doing everything in his power to get the team fired up.

Despite all his efforts the Dog's never caught their spark and suffered a difficult defeat agains the then 2 and 4 Mayhem. First year captain caught some flak from the bench for his line combinations and for not calling a much needed time out late during third period. During the post game press conference Captain Loehr blamed the difficulties of injuries and the abscence of second year Paul Good for the unusual line combinations. He also noted that the shattering of rookie Sean Gervais skate in the third period was the icing on the cake.

The Mad Dogs maintian their first place position with a 1 point lead over the Hawks and the Falcons. The Venom and the Mudflaps are tied closely behind by 2 points. As the Dogs eneter mid-season it's critical that they fine tune a few things.

1. Hustle! They have to skate their ass off their entire shift. Skate to the puck. Put pressure on the other team. And when their legs are no longer moving... time to get off.

2. Passing. The Mad Dogs had no passing game going on. No break-outs, nothing in the neutral zone and no break-ins.

3. Shoot! We've said it before. A team needs shots to win. This was the Dogs second loss and the second time they were out shot... badly. Players don't always have time for big wind-ups when the other team is all over them in the offensive zone. They have to quit trying to make pretty plays and fire that puck on net. And when that's happening, someone needs to be in the goalies face screening and distracting him and someone else needs to be ready for the rebounds because there are a lot of them.

4. TALK! Is anyone out there? The Dog's need to start communicating out there. Let each other know when they are open, or not, or yell when someone else is. It's gotta be loud though. Defense needs to hollar if they are wide open on the blue line. More often then not they are. Forwards, keep your heads up and look around for the opportunities. They are there as well.

Just a few simple things the Mad Dogs can take into consideration as the enter mid season. If they can take anything positive out of the loss it's that they now remember losing sucks and that a team with any record in this B2 division is capable of playing a strong, smart hockey game like the Mayhem did. Next up is the Lumberjax in a primetime game, Sunday night the 21st, 9:35 at Saint Louis Park East. The Lumberjax are a .500 team that moved up from the C1 division this year. All reports indicate they are a very strong team that is capable of beating any team in this B2 division. Fire up Mad Dogs.