Bad Bounces

When it rains, it pours. We started the season 10-1. Over our first 10 games, we averaged 5.3 goals per game. Then our best forward left, guys had to miss games for one reason or another, and we started losing . . . a lot. We've lost 6 of our last 7, averaging 2.1 goals per game in the second half (including our one win of late, a 7 goal outburst). Last night we played one of the better teams in our division (which has a very clear top half and bottom half -- we're still in the top half) and lost 4-2.

It was a close game, but we gave up two power play goals, and once again, struggled to put the puck in the net. Nonetheless, it was one of our better efforts of late. We just didn't catch any breaks. It was almost surreal. Some days, the puck bounces your way, others it doesn't. And when you're in the middle of a 7 game freefall, it often doesn't. Last night was a good example. I was swiping at a rebound last night when the puck took a funny hop over my stick. I was a tap away from a 1 on 0 breakaway, and the tap bounced right to their defenseman. Not twenty seconds later, a linemate had a the same thing happen. A clean face-off win in their zone, and the puck slid past our defenseman, who was lined up just a hair too far from the boards, out of the zone. The whole night, it just felt as though we couldn't catch a break. When we finally did -- a shot off the post bounced down into their net, it made the score 4-2 with 1:30 to play. Too little, too late.

Just the way it goes. 2 games left before the playoffs. Plenty of time to right the ship.