In case you missed it, the Riders dropped a 37-34 decision to the B.C. Lions Saturday night, in front of a full house of 28,800 fans at Mosaic Stadium. The Lions scored the winning points on a 33 yard pass from Jarious Jackson to Geroy Simon with 34 seconds left in regulation time. The Leos faced a 3rd and 6 situation, however Simon ran through matador coverage by Rontarious Robinson, and past a completely baffled safety Tristan Clovis en route to an easy score.
So, now the Riders have lost three in a row, to drop to 7-5 and three points back of the Leos for top spot in the west. Once again, the defence was unable to come up with a key play in a critical situation, and the offense was unable to move the ball in the late stages of the game. Any of this starting to sound familiar?
As Rider coach Kent Austin has repeatedly said, there are a handful of plays in the course of a game that make the difference between winning and losing. I counted three:
- Clovis' aforementioned brain cramp on the winning touchdown;
- Sean Lucas' inability to snare a gift-wrapped interception, with nothing but open field between him and the end zone; and,
- Kerry Joseph's inability to hit a wide-open Andy Fantuz on a corner route late in the fourth quarter.
Had any of the players in question made the plays above when given the chance, the Riders would have won the game, and the season series with B.C. It didn't happen, and the freefall continues.
On a much brighter note, the Regina Pats improved their record to 2-0 on the WHL season with a 5-1 pasting of the Prince Albert Raiders Sunday afternoon. The Pats braintrust spoke of the need for balanced scoring in the pre-season, and five different players scored for the winners today. So far, so good.
4 comments:
Morning Pete - That was a debacle on Sturday to be sure. Look for the common thread in our last 8 yrs of defense and you will find the answer.
The Pats looked OK on Sunday, pretty much like a first week club. I have never felt you can read too much good or bad into the the first few weeks. The Raiders apparently forgot to show up. Gauthier does play bigger with no Stoez, doesn't he?
Eberle is a gem and Pyett looks mid season form. I do think they are missing a 20 yr old of the Ross, Robinson, Festerling ilk. They will have to address that. Our young 16-18 yr olds are talented but championship teams need 19-20 yr old scoring. To be playing in April we will need to find some 19 yr old scoring. I relly like Sauletis don't think they can keep a 20 yr old spot open for 3 months of recovery and then rehab after that. I sure hope Stoez comes back.
Brandon and Edmonton are making a statement. Tri-cities are humming early. Even the Hat has 3 out of 4 points. There will be some stiff tests ahead. Champs like Brandon and the Hat do not go quietly into that good night. It scares the hell out of me when teams are coronated in the pre-season because everybody is gunning for you. If the Pats hope win first in the division, they will have have to bring their "A" game every night because everybody wants a piece of you.
Hey Pete - just read the LP and there were a few gems in it. Buono was quoted as saying his team was not going to have its tail tucked between its legs anymore. Basically conceeding they were looking for trouble and going to stand up and take care of business. I say "bring it on'.
To Tillman and Austin: Nate Davis would not have let that crap take place!. Maybe Murphy can slap Chick around but he wouldn't have tried that with Nate. If your getting sand kicked in your face, you gotta kick back. Maybe get a Joe Wieder kit. We have no tough guys anymore.
I have said before that we are not big enough, not tough enough, and not talented enough!! Harold Ballard once said if you can't beat them in the alley, you can't beat them on the ice!! The same thing applies to football.
To Scott Schulz - instead of running around crying like a baby, you should have gone after the moron who tore your helmet off. Reach down between your legs and see whats there. Even if a bench brawl occurred, who bloody cares!! It was war and our warriors didn't show up. A big dust up would have been good for morale.
At least Tillman stood up and was counted. His players haven't been for a few games now.
If you read Bob Hughes article in the LP, it is good and he speaks the truth and what the average fan realizes. We are not good enough and look like whiners. I hate that.
On my way to tape my show last night, I was thinking "maybe that's what the Riders need. A couple of guys who aren't hesitant to slug somebody in the mouth once in a while."
I don't for a second condone the actions of Murphy and Haji-Rassouli, but - if the intention was to fire up their team - I do envy the results.
Having all the skill players in the world won't help you much if you're losing the physical battles. And right now, I'd say we are - losing, that is.
Oh, and it was Punch Imlach who came up with gem about beating 'em in the alley. Never, ever give that bastard Ballard credit for anything! I sure don't.
Your absolutely right, it was Punch Imlach!
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