That, in somewhat simplified language, was the message Guelph Storm coach George Burnett had for his team following a 4-1 loss to the Kitchener Rangers at The Aud Friday night.
“We didn’t shoot nearly enough and were trying to make something pretty happen when we didn’t need to,” said Storm coach George Burnett, whose team was outshot 31-29 on the night.
“I don’t think we tested their goaltender nearly enough tonight.”
“We’ve got behind in two of the last three games now,” said Burnett. “We can’t give the other team three goals and claw back.
“We can’t play uphill all night, especially when we’re undermanned.”
The Storm played the game without three top forwards, with Zach Poirier (suspension), Givani Smith (ankle) and Isaac Ratcliffe (illness) all on the sidelines.
But Burnett wasn’t using that as an excuse and said he expects more from some of the veterans that were in the lineup.
“We need all hands on deck and if we don’t, we need to see a little more from the other guys. I’d like to see a little more from our older guys as far as results and having a bigger impact on the game,” the Storm coach said.
On a puck-possession level, the Storm owned the second period, but came away with nothing to show for it.
That included a 66-second five-on-three power play that Burnett teed up by calling a timeout just before it commenced.
But despite great puck possession,
“We’re hanging on to the puck too long. When we move the puck quickly and everybody’s moving and finding space, we have success,” Burnett said.
The Storm left immediately after the game for
Next Friday they host the North Bay Battalion.
