Tips Lose to Swift Current

What a debacle. After starting out the first period with some real fire, especially with inspired play from Karamnov, the Tips lost to the Broncos 3 to 1 (including an empty net goal by the Broncos in the closing seconds of the game).

I won't get into too much of the players here, except to say the Euro Line (as Leo has affectionately called them) of Karamnov, Vartovnik, and Mistelbacher once again impressed. They play physically and the talent to score some beautiful goals is really there...we just haven't tapped into it yet.

Shayne Barrie also played well in net, though the second goal he gave up was one he probably should have saved. He's a young netminder so those goals are going to happen and the Tips have to realize they are going to have to put up more than one goal with a young goalie behind them.

Crowley was his usual self, playing solid defense and even breaking into the offensive play now and again...he's going to be a great addition to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Beach and Gendur both had good games in their own right, but they still don't "gel" as linemates and weren't able to get the puck in the net.

Which brings me to my favorite point and one you'll hear over and over again on this blog. Where is the coach? Coach Becanic is uninspiring and asleep at the wheel:

• His line changes are nonsensical (he called the entire offensive unit off the ice for a change while we were pressuring Swift Current in their zone with a few minutes in the game).
• His lineups are in a constant state of shift ("Guys, we're down a goal with a few minutes to go...why don't we experiment with new combinations?").
• His timeout philosophy is a mystery to all (I don't want to take a timeout with 2 minutes left and a faceoff deep in the Bronco zone...but I'll take it with one minute left and the faceoff in MY zone).

Most importantly, he hasn't been able to get the focus of his players squarely on playing a COMPLETE game of hockey. If you had to pick the one thing that has cost the Tips wins this season, it's sloppy defense. And it was on full display tonight: guys chasing the puck unable to clear the zone and taking penalties or giving up goals.

Becanic wanted to introduce a new brand of hockey to Everett and he did: Mediocre Hockey. Here's hoping we see better results on Saturday against the craptacular Winterhawks.