Well, that certainly sucked. I can't figure out how a lineup with Haydar, Dupuis, Durno, Willsie, etc. can get shut out in the home opener with only 16 shots. 16 shots? Really?

A few other thoughts:

* Burki said it during a between-periods interview and he's right: The Monsters have GOT to figure out a way to put more pucks on net. Granted, Rockford was very, very good at blocking shots and keeping shots from getting all the way to the net. But still...16 shots ain't gonna get it done most nights.

* Ray Macias and Wes O'Neill have never impressed me during their Monsters careers, and neither one did anything tonight to change that impression.

* Willsie looked...I don't know, disinterested? Is that the word? The impression I have is that the guy is a consummate pro who always works hard, but tonight he just didn't seem to have it (not that anyone else did). I imagine it might be hard to get especially motivated for an AHL season at this stage of his career, but I expect more from the captain.

* Tyler Weiman did everything he could to keep us in that game. There isn't much more he really has to prove down here, but Colorado doesn't seem especially interested in giving him a shot. He can't be any worse than Peter Budaj as an NHL back-up.

* Good PK tonight. That was a plus.


Oh well, it IS only one game. But I just had this horrible feeling after watching it that we're in for ANOTHER season of offensive struggles and general mediocrity. I really hope I'm wrong.

That first goal was garbage, it didn't take that much work to put it in. PK still gave up two goals but other than that, you're right they looked good. We struggled getting shots ON GOAL for sure. Rockford was really good at blocking shots as you said. I am hoping with you that this doesn't go on all year. Rocky River native Nathan Davis with 2 goals and first star of the game.

quote:

Originally posted by monstersfan:
That first goal was garbage, it didn't take that much work to put it in. PK still gave up two goals but other than that, you're right they looked good.

Agreed. That garbage goal was officially a power-play goal, so I don't count that one so much. Really, in my mind the Monsters gave up 1 PP goal in nine chances. I'll take that percentage any time.

I'll take it. Overall, we just looked sloppy. Breakouts, passing, everything. That 5-on-3 towards the end of the game was when I thought they might be able to get themselves back into it. Oh well.

that game was horrendous.
it's hard to WIN a game when you're killing off penalties for most of the game (even though some of those calls were questionable at best).
i am hoping that this team can get better quick, if they don't i'm thinking this is going to be a VERY long season.

I have to admit, I liked the new intro. They used the fire too!

home opener..shouldnt them apart....yet

This by far was the worst game I have been too in 3 yrs. I think by the time this season is over with & they continue to play like this people will be crying to have Joe & Sly back. We played much better @ the end of last year with all the call ups. If this continues its going to a very long season.....lets all hope not !!!!!!!

tell one thing i was loving and that was the monster checks that Patrick Bordeleau #58 was giving out . man he was just lighting dudes up on the boards and just looking to lay someone out . he was up for a few games last year as #11 i think and he was very physical in those games as well. and if i remember right he got in a fight in each one of those games - kicking ***. a true hard hitter !

#61 Marshall was putting some good hits out there too, and seemed to always be involved. I agree some of the guys seemed uninterested. But is that because Rockfords' D was so good? How good is Rockford? Cause their D just seemed to out work and block or sheild alot of the lanes. I thought the Monster Intro was awesome! Does the guy cranking the horn have a name? Will he be there for all the intros? I cant wait for the glow in the dark eyeball T's! All in all it is still the greatist time in Cleveland! Sucks the Monsters lost but It'll be way more fun when they win next time!

The Monsters just seemed to be so-so, and thats dissapointing. The first few minutes of the game seemed really good and I was excited at the way this one could have turned out. That WAS a garbage goal in the first. Weiman did evervything he could last nite. Chicago's goalie had a pretty decent nite himself, he made some pretty good saves, but lets face it, just about any of us could win out there if we only faced 16 shots! The PK looked really good, but the PP, that needs some work! It is just the first game, though, let's not get too worked up over it.

Oh well, we had a good time. As a STH it was nice being able to get in early. We got in the team shop, bought some t-shirts, and got food, and never had to wait in line, we were in our seats before the doors even opened up. The intro was pretty cool too. Hopefully the on-ice product gets better. I don't know if I can handle a long season.

Just got done watching the game.
Seems many have been ill and maybe a flu bug going through the team.
The first period they looked quick and were riding high then, just like everyone else said, seemed disinterested.

quote:

Oh well, we had a good time. As a STH it was nice being able to get in early. We got in the team shop, bought some t-shirts, and got food, and never had to wait in line, we were in our seats before the doors even opened up.

I hope for your STH that they continue that practice. I suggested that 2 years ago. It's not fair for the ones that support the team with full season or partial plans and full price seats to have to stand in those lines on premium nights.
GOOD FOR THE MONSTERS and GOOD FOR YOU! Don't have the seats anymore and are a single gamer but you probably won't see me on a premium night anyways so I am very glad they did that for the STH!

At first I thought the game was all bad and maybe the worst I have seen in 3 years, but after I think about it, this was only game 1 at home (heard rumors of a flu bug killing the team) and they scored 1 empty net and 1 bad bounce goal, could have been worse lets's just get back at it Tuesday

i was just expecting more than what i saw.
new coach some more new players, some great veterans and they looked like they didnt even want to play, the only highlight was seeing wilson plant petiot.
yes two of rockford's goals were garbage but sometimes that's what wins games, those bad bounce goals.
i'm hoping for a better performance tuesday night.

In my opinion, the Monsters struggle because they have not spent enough time together with each other. The first season we had all new players who never played together. The second season, we had tons of call-ups and injuries. And now, into the third season, we have a lot of guys who just don't know each other that well, and it'll take a lot of games and a lot of time to know who is going to be where they should be.

Other teams haven't had to face as much drama as the LEM, so they form a more solid barrier.

Plus, now we have a new coach, and he has to learn who is reliable out on the ice, and who is hot/cold.

It'll be a long season of ups and downs again. I just hope there will be more ups than downs.

all i know is they HAVE TO STAY OUT OF THE BOX, it was ridiculous.
hopefully tuesday i will see a much better team out on that ice ready to play and win.

quote:

Originally posted by tha hansons!:
all i know is they HAVE TO STAY OUT OF THE BOX, it was ridiculous.
hopefully tuesday i will see a much better team out on that ice ready to play and win.

For sure. If the PK is struggling, stop getting stupid penalties. I know some times you get questionable calls and such, but lazy penalties such as some tripping and hooking penalties are just unnecessary.

Perfect title, because that team was D.O.A.