Hair of the Dog

I don't mind losing, but I do mind a less than admirable effort. The first game of the weekend went well. We won, but we were outplayed in the second period. Everyone was happy about the win, but I wasn't all that impressed by the teamwork, or lack of it in the second period. We looked flat and made a lot of blind passes and too many butterfly shots. I call them Butterfly shots because the force used to move the puck wouldn’t hurt a butterfly. We need a solid effort from everyone. As the season has gone along we still seem to depend too heavily on the same players to perform beyond the call of duty to win games. Some teams may be complacent to rely on a few strong players, but I don’t think that really cuts it. It’s not developing all the players on the team. Where some teams feel the need to rely on a few, I prefer to rely on all. So what if it’s not easy. I never said it would be. Our team leaders now attract a lot of attention on the ice from the opponents we face. This is the point where other players need to step up. I want to see more speed, stronger puck handling, and better checking from next years returning bantams. This years veterans will move on, and this team will need a new group of leaders to keep the team competitive. Our game today was not as productive as our Saturday game, and once again the same group of players had to give 110% effort, but sadly it was not enough. What bothered me the most during the game was the break down of discipline. I was more than aware of the direction and coaching given to the players on the bench. Some players listened to the coaches and followed their direction, but a few did not. By the second period I went out of my way to test a few players to see if they would do what I asked them to do after each face off. Some did, some did not. When we work on certain things at practice, I expect to have players learn, listen, and try. I also expect them to make mistakes. I would rather have a player go after a puck than wait for another player to pick it up. We have worked hard at practice to learn how to play together as a team. The problem develops when some players aren't on the same page as the rest of the team and go about doing their own thing. Communication between the players’s broke down and situations that could work to our advantage turned into a disadvantage for us, and became an advantage for our opponents. I have very good coaches on the bench and at practices. I have usually been very fortunate to work with such great coaches. Yes I’ve had a few over the years that had me scratching my head sometimes, but for the last few years I’ve been very lucky. I want the players to listen to them. I listen to them, I expect the players to do the same. I always listen to good coaches because they have good ideas. I’ve been coaching a long time, but I still learn all I can from good coaches. That’s why I only work with those who are more interested in coaching players then wearing a warm up suit with a cute logo on it. This is a good team, and they are great kids, but we are all in this together and therefore we must all work together. Maybe I don’t speak loud enough, or maybe iPods really do damage hearing, but I’m always willing to repeat myself. I’m pretty good at that, or so I’m told. I can’t complain too much though because the team has done very well, but I’m not going to be happy until each player plays to his or her fullest potential. If I didn’t think you could do more, I wouldn’t ask, but I see a lot of potential in each player. Smart hockey takes some thinking, and some hustle. If you know where to go and where to put the puck, but only give a half hearted effort to get there than it doesn’t work very well. When you are on the bench, you watch the game. When you are on the ice, you play the game. Coaches don’t usually just make suggestions during the game. They usually try to get players to do something specific, or explain something pertinent to what is going on. I hear the coaches on each end of the bench, and I am hearing some great coaching. My advice to each player is to pay attention, listen, watch, and learn. When I say teamwork, I’m including the coaches. They are there for the team, and they are very sharp – so listen up. We lost by one goal, not a big deal, except that we should have won by four. Does that bother me? Yes it most definitely does, but I am more interested in the effort, and the teamwork. There are some lessons that you learn in hockey that may come in handy in life. One is effort, and another is teamwork. They are good concepts on and off the ice. The number one quality I believe in is heart. Whatever you do, and wherever you go, if your heart is not in it – it won’t be good. I am extremely pleased with most of the hockey I saw this season, there have been many spectacular moments. Saturday’s game was much better than today’s, and I guess that’s what bugged me the most. I know what this team can do. Anyways, we need to get everyone on the same page. 100% teamwork and effort are the goal. 95% is not bad, but I am looking for more. For those who gave their all this weekend, good job, for those who need to turn the wick up a little – I got faith in you. Now you need to believe in yourself, and listen up to your coaches and your teammates.

PS: Nazareth released "Hair of the Dog" in 1975 and it's still a great song.