Sam Hitchcock: Bolts Collapse Against Canes

This was a great read

Great write-up as always, Sam!

There were a few things at play last night...
1) Carolina is a hell of a team.
2) As Stamkos said, post-game... this thinking you can "skill" into a win is a loser mentality.
3) Cooper...Cooper...Cooper.

Flat out, we got outworked by a team who also has a good amount of skill players. Poor decision making, undisciplined play... we're lucky we didn't get smashed 7-1. McBackup was the only bright spot, here.

The boys better be careful... if this kind of dogbleep play continues... nice-guy Cooper will be gone and I would bet dollars-to-donuts a behind the bench terror is coming.


Hey CBJ... Torts getting fired soon?
Please?

Great write-up as always, Sam!

There were a few things at play last night...
1) Carolina is a hell of a team.
2) As Stamkos said, post-game... this thinking you can "skill" into a win is a loser mentality.
3) Cooper...Cooper...Cooper.

Flat out, we got outworked by a team who also has a good amount of skill players. Poor decision making, undisciplined play... we're lucky we didn't get smashed 7-1. McBackup was the only bright spot, here.

The boys better be careful... if this kind of dogbleep play continues... nice-guy Cooper will be gone and I would bet dollars-to-donuts a behind the bench terror is coming.


Hey CBJ... Torts getting fired soon?
Please?
- OzBolts

I was stunned by how little structure there was to Tampa's game. Lots of free wheeling.

I was stunned by how little structure there was to Tampa's game. Lots of free wheeling.
- BINGO!

I feel like it's been getting worse every year... yet our roster keeps getting better.

I feel like it's been getting worse every year... yet our roster keeps getting better.
- OzBolts

Cooper's been there for 6 years now and the core hasn't changed all that much in that time. Maybe some players have gotten a little too comfortable.

Cooper's been there for 6 years now and the core hasn't changed all that much in that time. Maybe some players have gotten a little too comfortable.
- BINGO!

100% that.

In fact, after the brutal collapse last year, I'm starting to think Cooper may be on borrowed time.

But as we were saying in the other thread... who the hell do we hire, at this point?

Anyways, 'grats Canes. You guys have a great program in place.

100% that.

In fact, after the brutal collapse last year, I'm starting to think Cooper may be on borrowed time.

But as we were saying in the other thread... who the hell do we hire, at this point?

Anyways, 'grats Canes. You guys have a great program in place.
- OzBolts

Mike Keenan's still breathing

Mike Keenan's still breathing
- AdamFrench

I actually suggested that in the other thread

Hey, Iron Mike will give us a hell of a season... beyond that...blegh.

Cotton: “The Lightning decided not to shot the puck for the final 45 minutes of the game.”
Pepper: “It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for them.”

It didn't pay off for them. 2 shots in the final 45 minutes.. how the hell does that happen in a NHL game? Lightning have no structure and continue to just turn the puck over so far in this early season of games.

Cooper's been there for 6 years now and the core hasn't changed all that much in that time. Maybe some players have gotten a little too comfortable.
- BINGO!

yes I agree on the comfies. Somebody should have been moved out up front. But, where has the team gotten better? Shattenkirk n Maroon do not make this team better. Mcdonagh has been awful two playoffs in a row

I actually suggested that in the other thread

Hey, Iron Mike will give us a hell of a season... beyond that...blegh.
- OzBolts

Iron Mike?! Really? This isn’t the 1990’s. Tampa whiffed on Trotz n Q. Now be patient.

I actually suggested that in the other thread

Hey, Iron Mike will give us a hell of a season... beyond that...blegh.
- OzBolts

Bob Hartley would whip these guys into shape!

Hopefully Shattenkirk plays himself out of the Top-2 and Top-4, because Cooper is too stupid to stick him on the 3rd pairing where belongs.

I blame 90% on Cooper. Sure, players can get too comfortable, but that's on the coach also. Cooper has forgotten how to construct proper lines. His choices are head-scratchers. Shattenkirk on PK? Really?

It was apparent after those 3 goals, the Bolts were hanging on for dear life. Taking bad penalities doesn't help either.

Sure, Point being on the shelf hurts, but it doesn't explain this rudder-less play.

Hopefully Shattenkirk plays himself out of the Top-2 and Top-4, because Cooper is too stupid to stick him on the 3rd pairing where belongs.

I blame 90% on Cooper. Sure, players can get too comfortable, but that's on the coach also. Cooper has forgotten how to construct proper lines. His choices are head-scratchers. Shattenkirk on PK? Really?

It was apparent after those 3 goals, the Bolts were hanging on for dear life. Taking bad penalities doesn't help either.

Sure, Point being on the shelf hurts, but it doesn't explain this rudder-less play.
- GalacticStone

New season, same discipline issues

New season, same discipline issues
- jvar17

This... I am glad Stamkos said something to the media about it. Let's see how the first quarter of the season goes to see if they can fix that.

This... I am glad Stamkos said something to the media about it. Let's see how the first quarter of the season goes to see if they can fix that.
- stammerman

Yes Stammer said something but him and Kuch in overtime not caring about anything but themselves. Pushed off puck and left in Carolinas end watching the team lose