Special Teams:
There were seven power plays on nine penalties in the game. Most expected a more finesse game as a result of younger less developed players playing a less physical game, combined with the experienced bruising leaders that have a higher discipline. Both teams have notable special teams statistics, the Raptors having the most lethal power play unit, operating at just above 24% efficiency, and the Outlaws’ penalty kill, neutralizing the oppositions extra attacker in 85% of attempts. Inversely, the Outlaws have almost a 20% power play, and the Raptors just below an 83% kill. Both power play units earned notches tonight (COL: 1 of 3, ANA: 3 of 4), and it all began after a Mathias Seger hooking minor 5 minutes in.


Goalie Play vs. Shot Volume:
Anaheim’s Tibuk Soonika and Colorado’s Yuri Ushakov allowed only one even-strength goal for the duration of the game.  Tibuk’s work was cut out for him by a stifling defense, lead by Osbert Whacker who churned out 23 minutes on the ice for his club, and Thomas Speardane who blocked two shots and registered 2 hits. The Outlaws’ defensive unit only allowed 17 shots to reach the cage, including on the power play. Across the Ice, Ushakov allowed only 4 goals on 22 shots. While the majority were registered during the power play, the statistics sheet is blind a ruthless as it notches Ushakov’s 6th loss of the season through just 7 games. The Raptor’s lead the league in shots allowed on net per game, and will likely need a strategy or goalie change if they hope to keep Ushakov mentally fresh for a potential playoff push.


Game Film is Never As Bad As You Think:
After any loss at any level, small battles that were lost in the contest will haunt a players mind. After a win, small victories are glorified as the dopamine rush mixes with the Budweiser, or whatever the rookies brought that day. Watching game film afterward is the most humanizing aspect of the game, as coaches point out “Yea, the score was bad, but look at what we did right” or “You think you’re hot shit? Look what would have happened if the other team hadn’t messed up”. It is truly humbling to know that no matter what the simulation churns out, both teams were a few big breaks away from the score sheet reading the opposite and the Budweiser tasting differently. A winner who will get bag skated: Slap McShotty for taking a diving penalty early in the first, neutralizing a holding minor. A loser who is moving in the right direction: Ja’Aj Coitus-Wagg for his efforts in the faceoff dot. While his turnover led to the only even-strength goal, one way to combat those protected minutes is by continuing to go 6 for 8 after frozen pucks.