Effort Isn't There

After getting an early and lucky goal against Manchester last night the Bears thought they would take the rest of the night off. There was some sporadic effort and good play but nothing consistent until the last 5 minutes.

Apparently the team thought that one or two goals would win this game or that as long as they got to overtime they would be happy. But alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Josef Boumedienne scored about 90 seconds in on a shot that bounced off Manchester goalie Jonathan Quick and rolled in the net. Kyle Wilson scored a good goal off a great pass from Chris Bourque but in between those plays and a few others there was no cohesiveness. The power play was a joke. They even gave up a short handed goal. The Monarchs have the league's WORST penalty kill and the Bears couldn't even get set up in the offensive zone.

On a night when the two teams chasing the Bears lose in OT the Bears can't muster enough consistent play to get a point. Freddie Cassivi played good but he is not the answer any more in net. I know Daren Machesney hasn't been perfect as of late but Freddie can not move lateraly anymore. At least Cheese can do that.

Luckily for the Bears they still control their own destiny. There are 6 games left with 4 of them at home. The unlucky part for the Bears is that every team they play is either in the playoffs or right behind them.

To give the Bears a little bit of a break, they are playing with almost TWO full lines of guys that were in the ECHL a couple weeks ago. Some of those guys have been playing really well. Steve Pinizzoto had a great game last night. He had numerous chances and really hustled after every loose puck. Shawn Cullymore also had a good game.

I am not saying those guys aren't playing good but when you have as many injuries as the Bears have had it is tough to get any feel for the guys you are playing with. That seems to be one of the biggest problems, no one seems to be talking out there.

There is still time but this week these guys need to spend some quality time together. Up next is a trip to Binghamton on Friday before Bridgeport and Wilkes Barre come to Hershey on Saturday and Sunday.

Let's go Bears!! Get in and get healthy and make another run!!