Raymond: 'I want to see more passion'
| Tuesday, Apr 20 2010 11:39 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Apr 20 2010 11:39 PM
Condors at Stockton
When: Tonight, 7
Where: Stockton Arena
Radio: KGEO (1230 AM), 7
Notes: Condors coach Marty Raymond said. J.P. Levasseur would be back in goal tonight. "We've been doing it all playoffs," Raymond said. "If a guy lost we came back with the other guy. Let's see what J.P. can do." ... The Condors have led for 42:29 of the two games played in this round so far. Stockton has led for 0:00. In each game, the only "lead" the Thunder had came via the game winning goal in overtime ... Winger Ryan Menei has scored a goal in both games of this series.
Play more physical and bury their chances.
That was the mantra coming from Condors practice Tuesday morning at Rabobank Arena.
Had the Condors done that Friday and Saturday nights, they might well be heading to Stockton for tonight's Game 3 with a 2-0 lead.
Instead, it is the Thunder who lead 2-0 in the ECHL National Conference semifinal series after posting back-to-back overtime wins.
"Any time you lose in overtime it bites a little harder and losing two in a row it stung a little bit," said Condors captain Andrew Ianiero. "But we just have to put that behind us. I think we've bounced back fairly well all year when people counted us out. We've always responded well and I think we'll do it again.
"We played pretty well. We just didn't bury our chances when we had them. If take advantage of our chances when we have them we'll be fine. We just need to be a little more physical."
Condors coach Marty Raymond has stressed the importance of playing a physical brand of hockey since the playoff series with Victoria, but has yet to see it on a consistent basis. The Condors were fairly physical Friday night but had little physical presence Saturday.
"Not everybody is finishing checks the way they should be for playoffs," Raymond said. "That's key. We have guys not going through people, especially in our zone finishing checks on their D. They (Stockton defensemen) feel comfortable in keeping the puck in or taking a shot on net and that accumulates. Instead of giving up 28 shots we give 40."
The Thunder has not been extremely physical in the series, but has appeared more willing to do dirtier work -- such as blocking shots -- than the Condors.
"We know a Matt Thomas-coached team is going to work hard, especially in front of their net, and we have to match that," Ianiero said. "We have to be a little tougher in front of our own net."
And a little less fancy, added Raymond.
"It's the same thing over and over -- the guys were too cute," Raymond said. "We gave the puck away too many times. We had 10-12 turnovers in the first period of the second game and six of them unforced.
"We need to elevate our game and be in unison. I want to see more passion."
