Another Bad Loss

Hershey didn't seem to know what to do with the Phantoms last night. For a period and a half, maybe even 2 full periods, the Bears played pretty good hockey. They managed the penalty kill well and played better defense.

But then the third period came and they seemingly fell apart. They started rushing shots and making bad passes and stopped focusing on the TEAM game they had played earlier in the season.

They jumped out to a 1-0 lead with Kyle Wilson scoring his first of the season early in the 1st period. Philly tied it up with Boyd Kane's 1st of 3 goals before Jay Beagle added his first of the year midway through the second on a deflection.

After that though it fell apart. Kane added his 2nd 3 minutes later and 3 minutes after that he scored what ended up being the game winner for the Phantoms.

For the second time in 3 games the Bears ran into a goalie that they just couldn't solve. It doesn't help though when your power play fails you yet again, going 0 for 6 in the game.

I believe they are now 0 for about 18 or 19 in their last three games. Not good. Especially for a team that has allowed MORE GOALS THAN ANY OTHER TEAM HAS SCORED through 11 games.

There are many issues that need addressed in the immediate future. But first is the second game of this home and home with Philly. Tonight at the Spectrum the Bears can partially redeem themselves with a W.


My Three Stars of the Game

1. Boyd Kane
2. Danny Syvret
3. Jean-Sebastien Aubin

Grading the Performance:

• Power Play - F - Easily the worst performance of the season for this unit. They couldn't get set up much in the zone and when they did they made more passes and tried to get too much. They played VERY poorly and the unit I think needs a shake up.
• Penalty Kill - C+ - Not good but really not as bad as it looks. It shows 3 for 6 for Philly but I thought they did some things that did work, Philly just got the bounces they needed. This unit still needs to get better but I honestly thought they played better than they had been...but that isn't saying too much.
• Even Strength - C - For the first half of the game they played well. They scored 2 goals and thought they did okay. After that they stopped playing defense. The 2nd goal was a HUGE rebound by Cheese and while that shouldn't happen there is no reason the D can't cover the extra guy coming in.
• Overall - F - In my opinion this is worse than the Hamilton game because OF the Hamilton game. After getting beaten up earlier in the week you would expect your leaders to take over and NOT LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN, especially this soon. But it did and that is bad. Machesney hasn't played well and in my opinion doesn't deserve to get the nod tonight. Goepfert won his game and only allowed 3 goals....put him in and see what he can do.

COME ON BEARS~~~GET IT TOGETHER!!!