A Loss in Cleveland

I have been a little under the weather since Sunday morning so I didn't get to see the whole game and am only now giving my opinion of it.

But I was not surprised by the outcome on Sunday and it wasn't because I thought Lake Erie was playing better than Hershey. It was because it was the classic letdown game scenario.

Hershey just got their number 1 goalie back and won a big road game 6-1 in Toronto. They were feeling good about themselves and they were going up against the 6th best team in the North Division. The 6th best team doesn't sound threatening and it causes you to lose a little focus sometimes.

It happens to all teams in all sports. You go to play a game against a team that isn't as good as you and you don't play your best. Well in most sports teams aren't that far apart in talent and ability. It is usually just a matter of who plays better on any given day.

That is what happened to Hershey. They didn't come out ready to play and never quite found their rhythm but Lake Erie did. They were ready to play and they showed it winning 6-3.

Now I don't think the Bears are in trouble cause of that loss. Yes they are tied with Bridgeport (and could trail them after tonight) but that doesn't mean Hershey is any worse then they were. All it means is that they have to focus on the team in front of them no matter what their record or place shows.

Tomorrow night the Bears get the Springfield Falcons at home. Springfield is in last place in the Atlantic division and hasn't been playing great lately. But you still have to play your best and not look forward.

If Hershey comes out Wednesday night and looks ahead to the weekend when they have critical games against both Wilkes Barre-Scranton and Bridgeport in Hershey then they could be in trouble against the Falcons.