0-5-1 over their last six games. Before today's game the Falcons coach kept saying a short bench was the reason they were facing adversity. Well today they had a full lineup and still came up empty. Plus, the Falls recently lost starting goalie Joseph Murdaca(OHL), and played today without their best player(Johnny Curran).
Every team deals with a short bench at times, it's time for the Falcons coaching staff to admit things simply aren't going well for them right now instead of looking for reasons why their opponent had an edge in the game.
A thing that might be a major concern for the Falcons is goaltending. Nobody would've ever said that just a few weeks ago, but things have drastically changed in recent weeks. Starter Joel Horodziejczyk had a red hot start to his season. He's easily been the best goaltender in the Shoe, posting 5 shutouts and being next to impossible to beat.
But over his last 4 games he's surrendered a whopping 12 goals.
This is down right shocking when you consider he only surrendered 21 goals over his first 17 starts. Everyone must be getting nervous about that, nobody more than himself. He hasn't had a overly large work load during the first half. So I doubt it's fatigue. I think he'll bounce back, but what if he doesn't? Backup Cameron Gray hasn't exactly been stellar this season. His 4-5-1 record, along with his 2.91 GAA & .898 SV% is very respectable. But not exactly number one stuff on a contending team either.
The Falcons now sit in 3rd place, trailing Ancaster by 3 points. The Falcons have 4 games in hand, but if they keep dropping games, the spread will get wider. They could potentially drop to 4th place by the end of the season.
Canucks keep rising
After their 5-3 win today, the Canucks now sit only 3 points behind the Falcons for 3rd place. The Falcons have 3 games in hand. But if they keep up their strong play, passing the Falcons isn't out of the question.
Niagara Falls is on fire, having won their last 6 games. They've gone 8-1-1 over their last 10 games, including a 4-3 win over Caledonia.
Forward Johnny Curran who put up 23 points in 12 games(10-13), is leaving for college. It will be a big hole to fill but they showed today that they can still soldier on without him in the lineup.
Goalie Adam Dentico has been a pleasant surprise for Niagara Falls this season going 9-3-1 with a sparkling 2.32 GAA & .923 SV%. After a bit of a rough go in the past, nobody was expecting such a drastic turnaround.
Looks like we might have a four team race.
