Well, a split of back to back games, after having almost a week off, is not a bad result -especially if you came into a contest riding a four game losing streak.
But for the Huntsville Otters, you're happy with .500 after a loss Saturday to Buffalo and a huge win today over the Terriers.
After Huntsville's defensive "Waterloo" - or lack of defense is more appropriate - one week ago today in a 10-4 shelling at the hands of the Aurora Tigers, the week off allowed Brian O'Leary and staff to refocus on their priority - get their blueline to remember how to play the game when their own end is 150 feet behind them.
Even though the Junior Sabres used two powerplay goals to score a 4-2 victory, there were some very positive signs: Joseph Lepara had a solid game in goal, making several big stops. The Otters D refused to be beaten by those long two line home run type passes that have been embarassing to watch the past several weeks. A solid effort - but too many trips to the penalty box did the home side in.
You would be excused if, as an Otters fan, you thought Sunday's contest against Couchching would turn into a rout in favour of the visitors. After all, Randy Salmon has his team playing very solid hockey in the last couple of weeks, entering todays game just two points back of the Blades for 3rd in the Division of 15.
What the home fans got was a very nice surprise: from the opening faceoff, the Otters took the game, on both sides of the puck - to the Terriers. Now Im not going to make excuses for Couchching, but perhaps their "hold on for dear life" shootout win Saturday night in Georgetown didnt leave much in the tank for Sunday's tilt. Besides, how many times can a team claim, at least in this season when Matt Smyth will win the scoring title, and likely the individual goals and assists crown, that number 29 was held off the scoring sheet as the former first round pick of the Battalion was today?
3-0 Otters after 1 period....
5-0 Huntsville and in complete control after 40 minutes...
What are those red spots and blotches on the skin of Otters fans? Ah, its people walking around pinching themselves!
"Is this our team," they ask one another, "or just a bunch of imposters?"
Guess time will tell...
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