Disappointment

A showdown of the first and second place teams. We're in second, at 10-2, they're in first, at 11-1, their only loss is to us. Good game in the first period. Fast, everyone's skating hard, end-to-end action. Their goaltender is unbelievably weak, but they don't allow many shots on goal. In the second period, we pick up a goal for the 1-0 lead. But we start getting into penalty trouble (see post below), and their good skaters start dictating the pace of the game (they have a stable of good players, which, I guess, makes up for their goaltender).

In the third period, despite over 4 minutes of powerplay time for us, we're getting killed. We just can't mount any pressure, and even when we are on the power play, they are keeping the puck in our zone. With 5 minutes remaining, they finally score to tie it at 1.

Less than a minute later, they get a shot on goal, our netminder covers up, and there is the usual pile up. Three guys go down, two of ours, one of theirs. And they call our guy for interference. An awfully tight call to make in a tie game with under five minutes to play (if it was even correct, and I'm not sure that it was). 20 seconds into their power play, they score to make it 2-1.

Not more than a minute after a very tight call for interference in a tight spot in a close game, there is another shot on our net, our goalie covers, and one of their forwards charges in, attempting to bowl over our defenseman in the process. Clearly interference, as they had just called moments before against us. No call. Naturally.

We pull the goalie with under 2 minutes to play, but they freeze the puck against the boards, leading to a frustration induced checking from behind penalty against us. Nonetheless, with our goalie on the bench, we're even strength, 5-5, and finally generate a couple of chances, but don't convert. A 2-1 loss. We were outplayed, but leading most of the game, it was tough to swallow.

Making it even tougher, their goaltender is probably the worst in the league. A funny thing to say about a team that is in first place, has only lost once, and is now tied (with us) for the lowest goals against in the league. But true. He's awful. But the team in front of him is very good, and prevents the opposition (at least us) from getting many shots off.

Losing a one-goal game for first place, you think about the chances you just missed on. We had several. But, the fact is they outplayed us. They deserved the win.

We're now 1-1 against each other. I look forward to seeing them again in the playoffs.