Martinson Post Game Comments - 1/11/13

Photo by www.ScenebyKimberly.com

The seven game winning streak came to an end last night with an uninspiring 4-3 loss to Ft. Worth. It wasn't a typical Americans kind of night as they were out shot (28-27) and the best power play in the league was held scoreless on five attempts. Especially disappointing because the Brahmas have struggled over the years at the Allen Event Center (AEC). Last night was only their second victory at the AEC ever in 19 games. The good news is Wichita lost so the Americans still have a five point lead with four games in hand. There is now a logjam for third place with Missouri, Denver & Ft. Worth all ten points back.

Here is what Coach Martinson had to say after the game:

- We didn't compete very hard the first half of the game, we were soft going to the net, we were soft on turnovers.

- We are not an end to end team. We will get those goals once in a while but we are a puck support, puck deep, get turnover type team.

- We didn't have enough players willing to go to the front of the net and when they did go to the front of the net they were being pushed to the side by 180 lb defenseman. We will show the video to the players and hopefully things will change.

- Every goal we had was a pucks to the net, guys in front type goal.

- Ft. Worth forwards have outplayed our forwards for most of the last two games.

- The small rink with the small corners tomorrow night in Ft. Worth will help the Americans.

- Kale Kerbashian will be in the line up Saturday and his speed and play making ability should help. He has looked good in practice. He may play with Maiani and Bootland.

- If you don't compete anyone can beat you. We might have been thinking too much about our winning streak.

- I had to challenge a couple of guys to play a little grittier.

- After a loss like tonight I think the players will learn what they have to do to be successful. It is good to be able to play the same team again 24 hours later to see what the players learn from the loss.

- Coach Martinson acknowledged Mike Montgomery struggled in his first game back. He was cleared to play a week ago after having a concussion but he is not at 100%. They may rethink whether he should play tonight (Saturday).

-  We are not in first place because we are a fancy team. We are in first place because we have to pay the price. We have to out work the other team, go to the tough areas, be smart and be patient. Our cycling was not good tonight.

- Several readers of the blog have asked me why Garrett Clarke played last Saturday after I reported in the post game comments by Coach Martinson on Friday he would be get an automatic one game suspension for a fighting instigator game misconduct penalty. I had a chance to ask Coach about that after the press conference last night. The ECHL, where he coached last year, has the automatic suspension rule but the CHL does not have that rule.

As I listened to Martinson talk about the game last night I was struck by how consistent his message is every time I hear him speak. His message is so clear and so consistent there is no doubt in my mind the players know what is expected.  I don't think understanding the message is a problem but translating that message to action on the ice is obviously more difficult than it sounds.