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View Full Version : Disapointing weekend



RunTheGoalie
02-14-2005, 06:43 PM
You had to know it would happen sooner or later. The Hitmen have been getting lucky for two weeks now, as they have made a habit of playing down to the level of the joke teams in this league.

While you can't be up for every game, simple fact is, a championship calibre team doesnt just squeak by the likes of Prince George, Regina, Swift Current and Kamloops. Sure, we won three of those games, but these are teams that should not be able to even skate with the Hitmen.

Eventually, it is going to bite you in the butt. And it did Saturday, when a thourougly uninterested Hitmen team lost to a throughouly uncompetitive Blazers team. A team that did nothing to deserve the win, aside from getting a couple of breaks, and having them turn into lucky goals.

But when you are matched up against a team like this year's Hitmen, good luck will usually beat a poor effort.

Watching this team the last few games has been like watching a trainwreck in slow motion. Every player on this team is starting to act like the two worst players to emulate: Konstantin Pushkarev, and Andrew Ladd.

Half the team is putting in half an effort. They just aren't committed and focussed. Drifting through the game as if their talent alone will accomplish anything. The Andrew Ladd wannabes.

And while Pushkarev is trying very hard on most nights, his "I gotta do it all myself" attitude is starting to rub off. How many times did any number of players try to skate around a check with some fancy stickwork, rather than make the pass and push forward like they were when this season started?

Neither of these traits will do this team any good.

Hell, even Justin Pogge, who has been a fantastic addition to this team, is starting to fall into the funk. He's kicking more rebounds up the middle, and you can almost just watch the confidence drain off of him. Three weeks ago, he doesnt cough up the puck that cost us the tying goal against the Broncos. Two weeks ago, that squibbler that lost us Saturday's game doesnt go in. Pogge was saved by the post four times this weekend, and his saves are starting to become adventures.

Really, the question must be asked: Where are the leaders? On the ice, it is becomming evident that Ladd and Landolt will never lead this team anywhere. Off the ice, Kisio and Evanson havent done much to inspire this team.

The real shame is, this team is very talented. Despite the mediocrity, we are very close to first in the division. That might as well be a pipe dream, however, as after our next two games - against teams that we should be burying - the schedule may well bury the Hitmen. Kootenay and Saskatoon next weekend. Red Deer and Lethbridge after that. Medicine Hat, Kootenay and Kelowna, etc.

We end the year against all of the best teams in the league, and if the Hitmen play with the same lack of intensity as it has the last two weeks, we are going to get crushed by these teams. The same teams that have made a habit of trouncing the Cougars and Blazers before they get a breather in Calgary.