.500 Hockey Arrives in Everett

Well, Leo mentioned it in his previous post, but we've arrived: .500 hockey. The Tips, after losing to the Americans on the road tonight, are 16-16 on the season. What went wrong?

Nick Patterson bring statistics to something loyal fans have noticed since about game ten or so of the season...the Power Play disaster. (By the way, Nick's blog is an excellent read for Silvertips fans.)

During those first few games of the season, the Silvertips looked bad. I mean REALLY bad. But despite the early challenges, they did have an effective power play that gave them some key wins and forced opponents to avoid penalties. It gave fans some hope that the other cylinders would start firing too...sadly, that hasn't been the case.

But wait, are you worried this is just another complaint? Fear not, dear reader! This blog is written by two guys who know what they are talking about (at least, that's what I keep asking my wife to tell me each night). Passion for the game does overwhelm reason from time to time, but I'm pleased to present the first Tips Talking Points FAQs from HockeyTom.

Q: What's this?
A: It's a clever way of presenting information, shamelessly plagiarized (or creatively researched, depending on your perspective) from Dean BArnett.

Q: Who?
A: A columnist for TownHall.com. Never you mind.

Q: Okay, so what now?
A: Now I tell you how the Tips will solve all their problems. Well, maybe not all their problems, but the problems related to winning games on the ice.

Q: Ha, ha. Tell me you're joking.
A: This is a list of Frequently Asked QUESTIONS. Does your last statement look like a question? (Hint: this last sentence does.) But, no, I'm not joking.

Q: Okay, Barry Melrose. What's the plan?
A: Please. If I'm going to channel someone, I'm going with Kevin Constantine. Here you go:

1. Stable Lineups: Becanic has to stop his consant line experimentation for a stretch of three to five games. Or at least limit it to a substitution or two on the 2nd and 3rd lines ONLY when we're down late in the game and he really sees a spark on the ice. That's it. Let the kids gel.
2. Consistent Defense: Spend the next week focusing on defense in practice, in film review, on the bus ride to the next game, during morning skates, during meals, in hypnosis sessions, everywhere! The Tips have played atrociously in their own zone this year never giving Leland a chance to establish the rythymn he needs in net. This becomes critical when Barrie starts games because he's a young goalie who desperately needs some big defensive plays to win.
3. One Offensive Strategy: Pick a strategy for scoring. Are we a finesse team that's trying to cycle the puck down low and dump to the slot? Are we trying to take shots from the point and have Bauer bang the garbage rebound in for a goal? These guys aren't getting the puck in the net, plain and simple. Drop the complex schemes and different looks for each line/game situation. We've got some role players out there who don't know their role or at least don't see it in the big picture. Make it simple. Use it over and over.
4. Play the Other Team, Not the Ref. We've gone from first to worst for penalties and I'm sad to say it's NOT because of the crappy refereeing of Chris Savage. It's undisciplined hockey from start to finish. Guess where that blame lands? Coach B. Dumb penalties = Healthy scratch for the next game.

Q: That's it? It seems stupidly obvious.
A: Hockey is a great game because you can create luck. Good things happen when you throw the puck at the net. Sometimes the simplest strategy is best, especially when you need to get back to the fundamentals.

Q: Golly, this was fun. Can we do FAQs again, Mister?
A: Sure, as long as you dump the Leave it to Beaver routine.