A Poor Outing

Was Alexandre Giroux even on the ice last night? He managed to get an assist so it looks like a solid night for a guy but considering what he has done the past month he had an off night. He only managed 2 shots the entire game which is very unlike him. Did I miss an injury or something??

But that really just shows how limited the Bears secondary scoring is. Guys like Andrew Gordon and Chris Bourque have played better of late but the consistency isn't there. Giroux isn't going to be able to score every night. Other players HAVE to step up.

The rookie line of Oskar Osala, Mathieu Perreault, and Francois Bouchard has been quiet for over a month now. Perreault has been the most consistent of the three with 3 goals and 6 assists in 2009. But he only has 4 points in his last 9 games. The other two are worse. Bouchard and Osala have COMBINED for 8 goals and 9 assists SINCE NOVEMBER!! Neither of them have come up on the score sheet since January 16th.

And just in case you were curious, Bouchard and Osala had combined for 23 goals and 16 assists in October and November. So it is a HUGE drop off.

There are other players that need to step up too. Andrew Joudrey has done okay with 4 goals this season but he scored 11 in 61 games last year. So only 4 in 45 is a slower output. Jay Beagle missed substantial time due to a concussion but last year he had 19 goals and 18 assists in 64 games, in 25 game this season......he has 2 goals and 3 assists.

Giroux, Keith Aucoin, and Kyle Wilson have been the most consistent players this season. Other guys like Graham Mink, Bourque, and Gordon have been solid but inconsistent. Consistency is critical late in the season.

The secondary scoring (or lack there of) for this team of late is worrisome. Sure the team is still in first place and probably will stay there. BUT this team is in trouble come playoff time if the other players don't step up.

And lets be totally honest here. The Bears don't have a goaltender that can win a bunch of games in the playoffs. Simeon Varlamov COULD be that player but injury concerns and a looming call up to Washington affect that thought.

So the scoring NEEDS to come. The scoring is what will win the Cup this year. And the lack of secondary scoring is a significant problem that must be addressed. Whether it is done through switching up the lines or sitting certain players when they don't perform. Anyway you look at it, it needs to get better.


My Three Stars of the Game:

1. John DeCaro - 37 saves in only his 3rd career AHL game
2. Nathan Gerbe - Lead the Pirates in shots with 5 and added an assist
3. Jay Beagle - Surprisingly the team leader in shots with 6 but he hustled all game long and almost came up with a goal or two

Grading the Performance:

• Offense - C - I am tired of seeing upper 30s or low 40s in shot totals and thinking that the offense must be performing good. The top lines last night just didn't have the energy it seemed. Sure DeCaro played great and what not. But how many times have people said the Bears faced a hot goalie and lost. Eventually the team has to beat those goaltenders!
• Defense - C - I don't like the Sloan/Arsene pairing. Neither of the two are puck movers which you need at least one of in the leagues anymore. They were on the ice for the final two Portland goals as well. All teams have nights when their offense struggles and the defense has to help carry the team to a victory, except Hershey's.
• Goaltending - C - Neuvirth hadn't played in a while and this was supposed to be a game to keep him fresh for the Caps but there is no way Boudreau watched that game and feels confident that Neuvirth can win in the NHL right now.
• Power Play - B+ - I thought this was the one positive of the night. They had 3 chances and converted on 1 which isn't great but good enough. They started getting the puck down low and moving it from there instead of focusing on the blue line.
• Penalty Kill - ? - They were only out there for 1 chance and they killed it off.
• Overall - C - Not enough effort. Some of the players didn't even seem to be there. Portland controlled the play from the get go. It wouldn't be so bothersome but Portland had LOST 10 of their last 12 road games!! And Hershey is supposedly the best team in the league.....I didn't see it last night.
  

COME ON BEARS!!!