Rays look for better results in Game 2
Posted 03:49 p.m., May 10, 2008
As I said earlier in the Kelly Cup Playoffs – one game does not a series make.
It’s hard to tell from watching a game on the B2 Network on your computer how well or poorly a team played in a game. After talking with South Carolina coach Jared Bednar this morning, it seems the Stingrays were not as bad as the 6-2 loss against Cincinnati in Game 1 of the American Conference finals would indicate.
During his post-game radio comments and again this morning, Bedsy said the Rays were playing well for the first 30 minutes of the game. The score would seem to back-up Bedsy’s claim. .. The Stingrays were trailing 2-1 after 35 minutes in the game. While the shots on goal were a little lop-sided, Bedsy felt that the Rays were still generating scoring chances and playing well defensively. The major problem he had with the Rays offensively was they were passing up on shots. That should change tonight.
“It was a hard-fought game up until about 10-minute mark of the second period,” Bedsy said this morning. “We were trying to be too fancy instead of getting pucks to the net.”
Then the wheels fell off.
In a 2:08 span, the game went from hard-fought to a blow out as the Cyclones scored three unanswered goals. (After Trent Campbell tied the game on his penalty shot, the Cyclones scored four straight goals). Much like Gwinnett teams of the past, when the Cyclones get it going, they can score in bunches.
“Everyone told me they’re a team that once they score, they can get on a roll,” Bedsy said. “So, when they score, we’ve got to really clamp down defensively and not let them get another opportunity. One thing about Cincinnati, they finish their chances as well as any team we’ve seen this season.”
The first and third periods were relatively even I thought. Despite getting outshot in the first period, 13-7, the Rays had the better scoring chances in the first period and had a lot of puck possession. The third period, the Rays outshot the Cyclones, 15-7, but a lot of that was because the Cyclones had stopped looking for scoring chances. That’s something to build on.
One area the Rays must improve upon will be their power play. 0 for 7 won’t get it done against a team like Cincinnati.
Despite giving up six goals, Davis Parley will be back in net for the Rays tonight in Game 2. However, Bedsy said he is going to make some lineup changes. It’ll be interesting to see who is in and out of the lineup.
One player that will miss the game will be D man Grant McNeill, who was suspended for tonight’s game by the ECHL. Game 1 ended with scrum and some fighting. Cincinnati’s Chad Starling was suspended as well for instigating in the last two minutes of the game. McNeill was suspended for the same reason, despite not receiving a penalty at the end of the game. According to Bedsy, the ECHL looked at the tape of the game and ruled McNeill was also an instigator. That’s strange that he was suspended and did not receive a penalty, but Nate Kiser did get a game misconduct and didn’t get suspended.
Tim Judy will not fly up for tonight’s game as the Rays will play with 5 D-men.
See you at the Rink,
APM
Comments
Posted by Hockeyfan2629 on May 10 at 7:22 p.m.
Lets Go Rays! Just Shoot the puck good things will happen!
Posted by cte on May 10 at 9:55 p.m.
we were up 3-0 and now it's tied. man...Cincy can score quick. Come on Rays! don't blow this game!
wait..while I was writing this we scored! good. I can't listen to the game...for some reason it's not working. and I am out of town so the radio is out. oh well. Go Rays!
Posted by Hockeyfan2629 on May 10 at 10:39 p.m.
We going to have to win all three at home! Cause it will be very hard to take two in cincy if we dont!
Posted by stingrays01 on May 10 at 10:48 p.m.
The Stingrays don't have a chance at winning this series. The league office is going to make sure of it, through the refs. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of the refs locker room when Nissen got the call from the league office during the 2nd intermission.
Posted by Hockeyfan2629 on May 10 at 10:51 p.m.
Safe Trip back Rays Fan!
Posted by theballsiam on May 11 at 2:11 a.m.
Stick a fork in 'em. Painful to say, but no team is going to win crap after losing 8 straight road playoff games (regardless of the 9-0 home record).
Posted by rayshockeynut on May 11 at 2:20 a.m.
Alright, lets stop with the negative crap!!!!! Win or lose, this team has played their hearts out and they deserve OUR support all the way to the end!!!!! Its not over until the fat lady sings, and although she is warming up, she has not started singing yet.
LETS GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by hattrik on May 11 at 7:52 a.m.
Until the fat lady sings????? Shoot.......she has such a critical case of laryngitis that she can't even open her big mouth like some doomsayer fans. You hit it right on the head, rayshockeynut, the guys have played their hearts out and deserve OUR support more than ever, NOW. RAYS IN SEVEN!
Posted by Slappa on May 11 at 8:47 a.m.
sweep ! Looks like the d needs Tim Judy ( 2nd best d next to P McNiel) back in the line up ? How does maxime freaking Daidenault win in OT when he was 0-11 in OT games for us a couple years ago ? Must have been those tricky shootouts ?
Posted by RaysFan34 on May 11 at 10:14 a.m.
You start by putting Cincy on a 2 man advantage, have them score a goal, and then immediately put them back up 2 men. The goal gives them momentum and this team can score in bunches, at least on their home ice.
Great job by the Cyclones staff to get the people in the building, and an even better job of getting those people into the game. We should try it some time, our arena is a morgue compared to this one (and most of the others I have visited)
We are home, not without incident, but we are all safely home, nevertheless. With the exception of a very few in Cincinnati, we were treated very well by everyone during our visit. There will be some Cincy fans visiting next weekend and hopefully we will show them the same courtesy and respect.
We can beat this team, and we can beat them on their own ice in front of a large hometown crowd. I have no doubt about it after the game I saw Saturday.
Posted by hattrik on May 11 at 1:12 p.m.
Andrew, is there a typing time limit when responding to a blog comment? My comments have been wiped out three times now before I finished. Maybe I am too long winded! I've been wanting to take exception to RF34's comments about the Coliseum being a morgue, but can't seem to finish. I wouldn't trade the Coliseum's atmosphere for the many other venues I've attended, US Bank Arena not included since I have not been there.
Posted by warpathaubbie on May 11 at 2:24 p.m.
Come on guys DON'T GIVE UP!!! I know things look bad but we have to stay positive, support the Rays, get that first win and take this series. All the guys need is that first win on the road and all the bad results will be forgotten. WHEN we get back to Cinn and WIN you will see what I mean.
I STILL BELIEVE!!!
Posted by theballsiam on May 11 at 7:06 p.m.
Why would it matter if we've given up? We the fans aren't the guys who play the game. I'll be absolutely ecstatic if we come back and pull a series win out of our asses, I just don't think it's likely when you can't even when 1 game on the road.
Posted by season_ticket_holder on May 11 at 7:54 p.m.
Hattrik,
I'm with you. I'd like to hear her rationale why she thinks we resemble a morgue. That way we can determine if she's slamming the organization or all of us faithful fans.
Posted by Gr8tfulRayFan on May 11 at 8:13 p.m.
All,
I was over in Cincinnati for both games. RF34 is right in the regard that the Cyclones seem to pack em in and they are a rowdy (and at times, obnoxious) crowd. Other than the first 2 rows on the glass, all seats are $10 bucks and Saturday night's game featured $1 hot dogs....now that means that alot of the people there knew little about hockey ("wow, our team is good?"..."I'm here for the fights!", etc.)...
Posted by rayshockeynut on May 11 at 10:37 p.m.
There is the problem with attendance numbers....It cost a fortune to Attend a Stingrays game at the NCC. Most w/ a medium to large family can not afford to go w/ out putting a 2nd morgage on their home. Probably not the fault of the Rays, but NCC is trying to pay for the building overnight thru concession sales alone.
Posted by InformedSportsFanatic on May 11 at 10:45 p.m.
I agree with the issues related to costs. So far I believe we have the most expensive tickets for the playoffs and it hurts the pocket books when you have 4-6 in the family and you want to take the kids friends as well. The youth hockey special for the remainder of the playoffs may help but it is inconvenient the way it is being done. Why not just offer better kids prices. Cheaper tickets means more attendance which means more solds chicken strips, hot dogs and beer. I think the bottom line would end up better with a cheaper ticket.
Posted by RaysRsharp on May 12 at 7:33 a.m.
"I'd like to hear her rationale why she thinks we resemble a morgue."
You can get upset if you want, but it's a fair statement. Most fan bases are younger, louder, and more rowdy than ours. We have some great and loyal fans, but many of them want to watch a game like they're watching it on TV. It makes for a nice family atmosphere, but definitely reduces the excitement level. Like it or not.... it is what it is.
Posted by RaysFan34 on May 12 at 9:52 a.m.
There ya go in a nutshell. We need to crank up the music and play music that encourages people to get involved. I sat through the intermissions in Cincy and was amazed at the number of grown people that were up and dancing and participating in the events they were doing.
They were constantly encouraging the fans to get involved during the game, had a roving PA guy who interacted with fans throughout the game, etc. Kinda like is done in almost every other arena we have visited. While we are a great organization with a great team, we are sorely lacking in the game day environment and the excitement that could be create inside the rink. The closest I can remember us coming to what most teams do on a routine basis is Kelly Cup Sunday back in 2001. Truth is, even then, the FANS were the ones that caused a lot of it with a pre-game tailgate, organizing everyone to bring confetti, horns, and bells, etc.
Agree or disagree if you like, but our atmosphere is nowhere near as charged as most arenas I have visited. We don't make good use of our scoreboard, our music is comical most times, is usally played at a volume level appropriate at a churh service and our fans as a united group do not get involved in the games like other teams' fans do.
Posted by hattrik on May 12 at 1:13 p.m.
Right on, RF34. I misunderstood your original comment. I'd like to add get a mascot who can skate and encourage fan participation. Maybe bang a drum in the stands or bang on the glass....anything more than is done now!
Posted by season_ticket_holder on May 12 at 1:23 p.m.
Is anybody else having problems with the auto-refresh on these pages? I've typed the same damn message four times now and had it wiped out.....
Posted by hattrik on May 12 at 3:19 p.m.
I also, s_t_h. I asked Andrew about it and he has not yet responded.
Posted by RaysFan34 on May 12 at 4:35 p.m.
I have the same problem occasionally (like this afternoon). It has happened before, but them it cleared up. Not sure if it is based on the time spent typing an post or the number of characters, but it is really a pain!
Posted by RaysFan34 on May 12 at 4:53 p.m.
I obviously have a problem spelling too (them instead of then), but give me a break on this one please, the grandson is helping me type! LOL
Posted by rayshockeynut on May 12 at 10:36 p.m.
I agree 100% with the noise level and crowd participation at our home games. One start to renewing the spirit.....Get rid of the the boring guy on the PA system. He is awful and just about puts me to sleep.
Sorry Mr PA guy if this hurts your feelings, Maybe if you drink 5-6 Red Bulls b-4 the game, it might help your energy level.
Posted by apmiller24 ( Andrew Miller ) on May 13 at 11:41 a.m.
To all,
Not sure what the problem is with the "auto refresh". ... I've asked the tech guys about it. ... they are looking into. ... if i hear anything about the posting problems. ... I'll let you know.
APM
Posted by apmiller24 ( Andrew Miller ) on May 13 at 11:51 a.m.
To all,
Here's an update. Just got off the phone with the head Blog/Internet tech guru at the P & C and he noticed the problem with auto refreshing as well. ... according to head Blog/Internet P & C guru guy, the problem has been fixed and it shouldn't be an issue anymore. ... if there's a problem in the future, i'll be giving out head Blog/Internet P & C guru's cell phone and you guys can bug said individual on his day off! I think that's only fair!
APM
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