Send 'em, Daley, Again

For Howell, a key component has become all too common this season--blowing late leads. For a team that is widely considered one of the better public teams in the state, and in games against opponents of higher divisions, losing a late third period lead is not an acceptable habit.

Saturday night's let-down was the sixth this season for Howell and on a team that has the expectations to repeat as Shore Conference Tournament champions, the light at the end of the tunnel seems quite bleak at the moment.

Still, these breakdowns are clearly not due to a lack of talent. The Howell Rebels do have enough talent to win on talent alone. Howell consists of two talented lines, including Dave Ramos and Eddie Pyskaty, who can score from literally anywhere on the ice. Those two scorers are complimented well by Billy Acquaviva and Mike Liero.

Instead, there's something much worse that has been the result of these late-game nightmares for the Rebs.

To be a successful team in any sport, there are two things you must have:
Talent & Heart.

For Howell, I see just one.

On last season's magical season run, there was something very vivid--a confidence a swagger among the players, coaches, and fans--a feeling that they had a strong opportunity to win every game they played.

This year, that swagger has disappeared as it is evident within the body language of all the players and coaches that they can't win every game they play and the second that goes through the mind of a player, a chance to win the game is gone. Confidence is a funny thing--its contagious and can lead a team through almost any situation.

But it's not all the players fault for the sub-par performance displayed by Howell this season.

Howell head coach Bill Daley made conscious decision back in December that he would once again play two lines--and the fans understand that is the best move.

But, Mr. Daley, let me pose a few questions to you?

When's the last time you demanded suicides of your players that wasn't a punishment? When's the last time you had them run extensively on the track? When's the last time you scheduled a weight lifting day for your Rebels?

Mr. Daley, if you want to play two lines, fine, that's the smart move, but you better be sure those two lines could play 45 minutes of a hockey game. Clearly, they cannot. For the sixth time, you've watched your boys chasing pucks, scrambling in the defensive zone late in the third period, only to watch them lose a late lead or even lose the game.

As a writer, but most importantly, as a fan, that's not something any of us can witness to watch.

Players, if we take the time to come to every game, if I take the time to take notes on your games, do us all a favor and take the time to prepare yourselves as athletes and care about what you work* for.

Yes, you know why the asterisk is there.