The Phantoms may have been trying to do too much on an individual level rather than focusing on teamwork. It seemed as though the boys were attempting to get the job done as individuals and it resulted in a very erratic effort. There was no fluidity to the game and it was very much individual efforts that ruled the day. There was much less positional play than usual which resulted in more than the average scoring chances against. Fortunately, William, the goalie, was up for the extra work and excelled. The boys acknowledged after the game that it was just an OK effort on their part, and the fact that they could recognize this bodes well for the next game.
The defence was able to find a scoring touch today as two rushes from different defencemen resulted in goals for each. They recognized they had open ice and both took off from their own blue line. Both finished the job in different ways. One picked up his own rebound and put it in on the second effort while the other scored on a laser of a wrist shot from the edge of the circle. Congratulations to both of them for knowing the proper time to go and not take unnecessary chances.
The Phantoms were in penalty trouble in the 1st and 3rd periods. They were down four minutes in each period but credit to the forwards who didn't get caught two men deep in the opposition end. They not only killed off 8 minutes of penalties, they were able to sneak in a short handed goal as a bonus. The boys have been taught that they can overcome penalties whether they perceive them as deserved or not. Good thing this lesson was taught early on in the season.