Oct 20 2009

It was a tough weekend. Friday was won of the worst losses we have had since I have been here. The guys really started poorly and the Giants took advantage. I was proud of how they battled back to get it to be 4-2 but the Giants got a late goal in the first and really put the nail in the coffin. It reminded me a lot of our bad loss at Basingstoke my first year. Terrible day by everyone, including myself. Belfast scored their 7th goal with just over a minute left in the second. Cody Rudkowsky needed to be pulled and I figured I would let our back-up have the full intermission to warm up. I could not have foreseen what happened next but I wish I had pulled him a minute earlier.

Sunday was a different Capitals team. When our team plays responsible with the puck, we are in every game. The three times this season we lost that we got beat convincingly. The guys played their hearts out on Sunday and came up just short. I was disappointed to not get any points this weekend. The guys are working extremely hard and are really battling to get a good result.

There were a number of positives from the game Sunday. Jordan Steel played very well and is starting to come into his own as a player. He needs to continue to mature but his hockey sense is there. Ben O'Connor played great. He made a few mistakes trying to do too much but he won battles on the boards all night. Ben has always had offensive skill but needed work in his own zone. He is improving and will be one of Great Britain's top defenders soon.

One thing I would like to do, is have some personal interaction with the fans this week. I will be at the Murrayfield Hotel at 6:30 pm on Wednesday night. If anyone cares to join me to have a friendly chat about the Caps you are welcome to come. The first 5 fans who come, I have their first round. I look forward to seeing you Wednesday night.