Game at Midland

An early morning game in Midland today was a reminder of just how patient you have to be as a coach, and how you sometimes have to say nothing to let a point sink in with a team.

End of first period: Midland 4, Saginaw 0.
End of second period: Midland 6, Saginaw 1.
End of third period: Midland 7, Saginaw 3

Head coach put the kids on the bench after the first period ended, called me out to join him. We stood there about 15 feet away from the bench on the blue line just letting the team sit there and reflect on the situation for a minute. Neither of us are the type of coach to jump on a team about being down four goals, but you sometimes have to make a point. To their credit the team seemed to get it after the game.

I’m one of the first to admit that I’m not a morning person at all. So, part of me gets the teenage response to an early morning game. But, when you step onto that ice for warmups, you have to be ready to work hard.

Hopefully tomorrow’s playoff game #2 will be better.