'Twas the Wednesday After Christmas

Happy Holidays everyone. I got to spend some time with family, received pretty much everything I asked for, and I hope you did as well. Well, what then do the Phantoms need for Christmas?

Later this week, I will be putting out an article with some of the best reasons why Mahoning Valley is primed to make another run at the Robertson Cup Championship. I thought it would be a good idea to look at the things that would help even a bit more.

Not being here during last year’s magical run, I wasn’t privy to the character and attitude it took to make it to the championship game in Alaska. Although, having been on a number of championship teams throughout my playing career, I do have a pretty good idea of the sacrifices it takes to do it.

One of the things that I have only seen glimpses of this season, is a win-at-all costs attitude. The teams that I have played for and been around that ended up doing the best are the ones that absolutely hated to lose.

It’s one thing to be disappointed after a loss, but it’s quite another to go home and think about it, learn from it, push yourself to the limit all week, motivate your teammates to do the same, and then come game time, refuse to let it ever happen again. Whether you had a four goal game or a zero point game and went -3 didn’t matter… it only mattered whether you won or lost, because you wouldn’t be able to sleep until you tasted victory again.

Don’t get me wrong, the Phantoms have shown this win-at-all-costs attitude from game to game, but I have yet to see it on a consistent basis. There is no magical recipe for success that is fail-proof every time, but there are key ingredients. There is structure, discipline, work ethic, execution, talent, and attitude. All the ingredients are there, but the attitude seems to be the only inconsistency.

Last weekend against the Under-17s was somewhat of a microcosm of the season thus far. Friday night, the boys got down early, showed their offensive explosiveness to battle back and tie the game a number of times, and then just gave the Americans a bit too much room and paid. A team as skilled as that one cannot be given that kind of room. Saturday night, the necessary adjustments were made, the boys showed that glimpse of win-at-all costs attitude, and dominated 6-1.

The Phantoms are 19-9-3, 10 games above .500 and in second place in the North – a great start. They have suffered through the toughest part of the season and are set up to succeed here in the second half. More than just all the road trips, have been the injuries that contributed to the first half being the “toughest part of the season.” There are 27 games left to set the tone for the playoffs, and come Jan. 11, hopefully, all but one player will be healthy again.

Being set-up to succeed is no guarantee, however. Every night will continue to be a test, and as soon as everyone buys into the system, this team will start sweeping nearly every weekend.

Those are my opinions… what are yours? Have a happy New Year.