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Day After Game Report: First 20 As Important As The Last 40, Maybe Even More February 23, 2025 | ||||||
Posted by: Bob Howard Credit: Binghamton Hockey.net | ||||||
February 23, 2025 - by Bob Howard - BinghamtonHockey.net
In the first 10 minutes of the game, the Rockers played a smart and controlling game. They were winning the battles they needed and for the first two goals and a couple other break outs later in the game they won the battle at the blue-line in Binghamton’s defensive zone. Winning those turn overs and being basically alone with Connor McAnanama allowed them clean shots and beating one of the best net-minders in the FPHL. The Black Bears struggled at times not turning over the puck and when they do their opponents have to take advantage because the Black Bears don’t allow other teams to control the puck for long. Instead you see what they did after the first 10 minutes of the game. They work. They put their tool chest down, pick up their sticks and skate hard. Controlling the pace of the game, the puck possession, the Black Bears then dominate the next 45 minutes. After the first two goals the leaders of this team, the veterans of the team start to take over the game. From Gavin Yates first goal and CJ Stubbs next two goals, Donald Olivieri and Austin Thompson’s goals all just take over the game and the Rockers just didn’t have an answer. Along with goals from Josh Fletcher and Chris Mott, the Black Bears scored 7 unanswered goals in a game they decided not to lose after the first 10 minutes concluded.
CJ Stubbs is starting to heat up. He has now 6 goals in his last 8 games. This after scoring 7 goals in 6 straight games as well in January. His experience and tools that he has brought to this team is one of the reasons why the team has won 15 in a row. He doesn’t wear a letter, he may not be the guy talking in practice but he leads on the ice, with his actions and if you watch closely, CJ does a lot of the little things right and that is why he is so successful. Next weekend might be the toughest two games of this home stretch for the Black Bears. The Dashers Hockey Club come into the Arena with a 1-34-3 record and yes I know it seems odd to say this will be the toughest two games. But that record can get into fans, players and media members heads that the games will be easy and that the Black Bears will just roll over the Dashers. That’s the perfect recipe to have a long winning streak end and a much longer losing streak be broken. The Black Bears cannot look past 1 weekend, 1 game, 1 period or 1 shift with the Dashers. They will be challenged and though physically maybe the Black Bears out match the Dashers, the mental game is so important here. They need to play like the Dashers are second in the Division and only 2 points behind them in the standings. If they do that, they won’t get tripped up and will take the winning streak a little father.
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