Why are we so bad 2nd nights of doubleheaders?

[bgsufalcon24]

Here's an interesting stat. Bowling Green is 8-3 on first nights of doubleheaders in the CCHA this year. That record includes a victory over the Miami Redhawks, by far our best of the season. We also should have beaten Michigan, we had them on the ropes that first game in BG. However, we're only 3-8 on 2nd nights of doubleheaders. In 5 of our 11 CCHA series this season, we've won the first night only to lose the second. 3 have been sweeps for us, 3 sweeps for the opposition. Never have we won the second day after losing the first. Our second day losses after winning day one are Northern Michigan, Miami, Lake Superior, Ohio State, and Alaska Fairbanks. With the exception of Miami, these teams are all ranked 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th in the CCHA. In the case of the last two weeks against OSU and UAF, you could see a noticeable difference in energy from the team the 2nd night, and it was not for the better. That 3rd period vs OSU, it seriously looked like we were playing for a tie instead of going for the win. Not surprisingly, we lost. It's almost like we're saying to ourselves, "ah, well, we won last night, so tonight doesn't matter as much."

Our inability to finish bad teams off makes me wonder about our team heading into the postseason. Paluch is 0-10 all time in postseason CCHA play as a head coach. That has to change this year, or I want him gone.

[AZIce]

It seems this team is just a .500 hockey team. Now, I know coming from where we have been recently, this in itself is a real accomplishment. However, I had higher hopes for this team when they played so well early in the season against ND and Ferris. Inconsistent effort from night-to-night is the trademark of .500 teams, one day they look great, they next they look very average.....that's why they are a .500 teams.

I just need to keep reminding myself that they were a well below .500 team before, with poor efforts most every night....so we are making progress, just not there yet I guess. Maybe we can put it together fully by playoff time....when it matters.

[JoeFalcon]

Why are we so good on the first night of CCHA doubleheaders?

[Falconboy]

It seems rather odd but we seemed to have played high ranked competition better last year as we got wins over Michigan and several other ranked opponents when we where even worse record wise. This year we've only beaten Miami once and thats it the rest of our wins have come against the lower end of the league.

[falcons86]

I know last nights game was frustrating. But if you were there and really watched, the puck was definately eluding us all night. The passes that were there on Friday night, were about 6 inches off last night. You also have to remember that we ended up outshooting Alaska last night 47-28, and 22-7 in the 3rd period alone. Wylie Rogers won that game for them last night, plain and simple. He stood on his head. We had one goal disallowed, and we rang at least one off the post. It was just one of those nights. Sometimes the puck just eludes you all night and there's not much you can do it about it. This team is still finiding their identity after years of losing. I think you're expecting too much, too soon. The Falcons have done great things this year, but it isn't going to happen overnight. They'll only get better. I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect them to win the CCHA this year. It's a hell of alot more fun watching them this year than in previous years, wouldn't you agree? I know for a fact that one of the AR's last night said that most likely the third goal was kicked in, but Hall couldn't see conclusive evidence on the video replay to overturn it. Again, it was just one of those nights. They happen. As this team matures and gets even better, those nights will happen less and less. Give them some time.

GO FALCONS!!!!!

[pdt1081]

I know for a fact that one of the AR's last night said that most likely the third goal was kicked in, but Hall couldn't see conclusive evidence on the video replay to overturn it. Again, it was just one of those nights. They happen. As this team matures and gets even better, those nights will happen less and less. Give them some time.

GO FALCONS!!!!!

Yeah, just like he couldn't see Solway get ran from behind into the boards 10 feet in front of him....

If Alaska's the least penalized team in the CCHA, it sure as heck didn't show Saturday night. Hall isn't the reason we didn't win, he just sucks. The desire to win just wasn't there.

[Bleeding Orange]

We were talking about this in the chat room last night - what effect does not having a clear starter in net have on this team's consistency? I really have to wonder, especially because many weeks we will get great play from Spratt or Eno on Friday night, only to have a less-than-stellar performance on Saturday night. To my (limited) knowledge, most teams don't use a platoon in the goalie position, so I have to wonder why BG is using one? Granted, we have two outstanding tenders in Spratt and Eno, and I think either one would do well as a full-time starter.

The only thing I can think of, as I said last night, is that there is a bit of politics being played in the decision making process of who starts and when. Nick is a Freshman who has already gone in the NHL entry draft, so he is liable to leave at any time. Spratt, of course, is an upperclassman who has earned his playing time. I can see the quandry that the coaching staff has, but at some point, and certainly before the playoffs roll around, I would think they would have to settle on one or the other, regardless of feelings or ramifications. One of these guys has to be allowed to get into some type of rhythm before we get into an elimination series.

[jgeyer]

Conditioning (BG played like they were out of gas Sat. night).
Effort (Alaska wanted it more Sat. night).

[BGDrew]

The only thing I can think of, as I said last night, is that there is a bit of politics being played in the decision making process of who starts and when. Nick is a Freshman who has already gone in the NHL entry draft, so he is liable to leave at any time. Spratt, of course, is an upperclassman who has earned his playing time. I can see the quandry that the coaching staff has, but at some point, and certainly before the playoffs roll around, I would think they would have to settle on one or the other, regardless of feelings or ramifications. One of these guys has to be allowed to get into some type of rhythm before we get into an elimination series.

Not to throw a wrench into your logic, but Spratt's rights belong to the Calgary Flames. He could leave tomorrow if the Flames wanted him to.

Something to keep in mind:

Spratt gets an average of 2.36 goal help/game. Eno gets an average of 3.27 goal help/game. That's pretty decisive in hockey.

[pdt1081]

We were talking about this in the chat room last night - what effect does not having a clear starter in net have on this team's consistency? I really have to wonder, especially because many weeks we will get great play from Spratt or Eno on Friday night, only to have a less-than-stellar performance on Saturday night. To my (limited) knowledge, most teams don't use a platoon in the goalie position, so I have to wonder why BG is using one? Granted, we have two outstanding tenders in Spratt and Eno, and I think either one would do well as a full-time starter.

The only thing I can think of, as I said last night, is that there is a bit of politics being played in the decision making process of who starts and when. Nick is a Freshman who has already gone in the NHL entry draft, so he is liable to leave at any time. Spratt, of course, is an upperclassman who has earned his playing time. I can see the quandry that the coaching staff has, but at some point, and certainly before the playoffs roll around, I would think they would have to settle on one or the other, regardless of feelings or ramifications. One of these guys has to be allowed to get into some type of rhythm before we get into an elimination series.

Neither goaltender has stepped up and turned in an absolutely stellar performance, and backed it up his next game. Right now, there is no reason to only let one goaltender have all the playing time. Either tender can play any game. One is not clearly better than the other.

[BGSUE]

Either goaltender is the last person to see the puck before the red light comes on. I know I played tender for the Women's Communirty team when the Women's Club team was started. Other teams have used a tandem system & been all right. What happens in front of the goalie before a score? Is someone out of position or heading up ice because he wants to score at the other end? It takes all the players to play defense. Effort & conditioning is key. Paluch usually stays with his winning line-up for the most part the second night. The goalie rotation has changed-up because both Eno & Spratt have played multiple games in a row.

[MACMAN]

Well my thought is this. Im a big fan of our new Goalie Eno. Hes real good and developing faster than Jimmy did. Jimmy has proven to me at this point in the season however that is stronger and has an edge on nick. i believe that for the betterment of this team, and for making the best run on the playoffs in attempt on the Joe, we should run with Jimmy.
In opposition to this i can say we have had a very good year, Damn good in fact with the two of them, and I feel the move could only be done if both goalies are for it in an open conversation where the end result was all parties agreeable in doing what ever they decide is best for this team, right now.
so proud of this team right now, such a believer in this team, so happy to see all the hard work paying off after the all the adversary they have overcome.
Great group of players.


* and yet it was pointed out that our game still needs to be picked up out in front of the net each night by not allowing the opposition to have the quality chances and repetitive chances in the crease. Strong goal tending starts with a strong d the team is doing well, but if we can find to match and or keep our energy level up night to night well be in great shape.

[bgsufalcon24]

Conditioning (BG played like they were out of gas Sat. night).
Effort (Alaska wanted it more Sat. night).

My initial thought was that effort had more to do with it, but you bring up a good point. Maybe the guys aren't properly conditioned, or maybe the other teams have more physical endurance and leave us in the dust the second night of doubleheaders. I really don't think that's it, but its something to ponder.

As for the goaltender issue, the GAA stat can be a bit misleading, especially when you consider this weekend's action. Both of the goals that Spratt allowed Friday night were pretty soft, while Eno twice got hung out to dry by poor defense. The defenders allowed Alaska to get right into the slot for a centering pass on both of the first two goals. Not many goalies will make that save, certainly not with any type of consistency.

[BGFan]

Conditioning (BG played like they were out of gas Sat. night).
Effort (Alaska wanted it more Sat. night).

My initial thought was that effort had more to do with it, but you bring up a good point. Maybe the guys aren't properly conditioned, or maybe the other teams have more physical endurance and leave us in the dust the second night of doubleheaders. I really don't think that's it, but its something to ponder.

As for the goaltender issue, the GAA stat can be a bit misleading, especially when you consider this weekend's action. Both of the goals that Spratt allowed Friday night were pretty soft, while Eno twice got hung out to dry by poor defense. The defenders allowed Alaska to get right into the slot for a centering pass on both of the first two goals. Not many goalies will make that save, certainly not with any type of consistency.

You don't outshoot a team 47-28 with poor conditioning NOR with poor effort. This comment is assinine. We did everything right to win the game. And, for the record, we had 3 shots hit the bars. Rogers stoned us, and when he didn't, the cross bar and posts did. If we struggled in one area Saturday night it was in front of our own net.

[bgsufalcon24]

There's a part of me that's okay with us losing tonight vs UNO, because now we'll actually have to play with some urgency on a 2nd night of a doubleheader, unlike the last two weeks.