Well that's the first home game over and done with, and overall it wasn't too bad from a Bees point of view. Jim has made some good solid signings, and although the team work initially was a bit ragged there were enough signs that come the season proper we will have a TEAM and not a bunch of individuals which the Bison appear to be. We may not end up with the Superleague's most skillful players or the biggest defenders(!) but we will surely have the best TEAM in the league. All this talk about the huge players other teams' are bringing in is all very well but they have to prove themselves, and if the standard of the Bison's "big boys" is anything to go by then we or any other side for that matter will have little trouble. Fast break outs and accurate passes on Sunday showed that size does not matter, and when it came literally to the crunch a good little 'un (Pellers) knocked the stuffing out of a bigger guy (Little - by name and nature in this instance) - not that I'm advocating rough stuff, but if players react in the heat of the moment its good to know that we also have players who can well take care of themselves. The game itself was no classic but very exciting with the last period winner, but we really can't go giving three goals away and hope to pull back against other teams. I know there has been a bit of criticism for Brian Greer but if we look at it another way, if we consider the last period as the first and the first period as the last, he would have been within 8 minutes of a shutout - can't be that bad can it. After the shaky start he did very well to recover his form and pulled off a number of important saves so I don't think we will have too many problems with cover for Bernie.
I was impressed by all of our new signings although Tom Gomes looked a little lost - but considering this was his first sight of both players and rink and Jim played him as a forward - he acquitted himself well and even came close to scoring in the second period. We have an excellent player in Greg Burke he also looks good going forward, and not much got past him after those first shaky minutes. His brother Dennis will be an asset to the forward line with his fast breakouts and Todd Kelman allayed my fears about adjusting to Superleague standards from Collegiate Hockey. I can see why he was a draft pick for the St. Louis Blues - again he is a real find. Reggie Crawford was Reggie Crawford!!! Some good positional play - used his experience well to tie up the game during periods of pressure - got a very good assist - and got an "Unsportsmanlike" penalty for mouthing the Ref!!
Our returning players all played as we know they with last years first line clicking well and a good line of youngsters and experience of Joe, Jeff and Dennis - I can see this line gradually coming into the picture more as the season progresses. Despite the three early goals I am impressed by the defence and once they have clicked together we shouldn't see any more first periods like the one on Sunday.
We really do need at least two more forwards, if only to provide cover, but more importantly we need a "crease hugger" who will stick in there and tie up the opposition and also tip in the goals.
All in all a very heartening first home game. It will get better!!!!!!!!