Day 4: ROV@SOC review

Ok, tinkering time has arrived.

While I was correct in thinking that this lineup was capable of putting a lot of shots on goal, you still win games by putting some of those shots behind the goaltender... and doing that once in two games isn't good enough.

First, a review.
- The top line generated eight shots on goal and Draper was excellent in the faceoff circle, but they were on the ice for the Sockeyes opening goal in the first and their empty netter in the dying seconds while they were trying to tie the game.
- The second line, in their first real action of the season, didn't accomplish a lot. Korolyuk and Ekman produced three shots apiece and Jokinen, while 6 of 10 in the circle, only made 6 pass attempts (completing 4). In fact, Korolyuk and Ekman were each much better at passing the puck than their centerman, who was supposed to be the one feeding them.
- The third line didn't see much icetime apart from Halpern, who was killing penalties all night (more on that later). Normally good on the draw, Jeff wasn't very good on this evening.
- The fourth line provided a spark and the only Rover goal, with Ryan Malone and Kim Johnsson setting up Eric Brewer's blast from the right point. Isbister in particular had a good game, getting on the ice for only five minutes but accumulating 4 shots on goal and a +1. He'll likely stay in the lineup for Tuesday night.
- Again, I've no complaints about the defense or goaltending. The TOI was allocated well and they generated a lot of shots on net. Brewer and Johnsson were outmuscled a few times in the corners, but they passed well and blocked four shots. Gerber was solid again, stopping 21 of 23 shots. That said, it may be time for a change and a home game against the Wicked Ale may be the perfect time to break Chris Mason into the league. These two losses, though, clearly can't be pinned on Marty.

Now, what to do. First order of business on the off-day is to skate 'em, and skate 'em hard. You can say that they were essentially two one-goal losses (minus the empty netter), but two losses are two too many to start the year. Then it will be to focus on positional play, as the Sockeyes drew a number of hooking penalties - eight to two were the PP chances in favour of S.Edm. Finally we'll have to look at line combinations. One thing is known for sure, Kris Draper is coming off the top line. Perhaps Alex Frolov will go up there, or perhaps someone else, and Draper may find himself back between Korky and Ek, where he had success in the pre-season. These are decisions to ponder overnight and set tomorrow. Hopefully the Wicked Ale will be the right vintage for the Rovers to kick their early funk.