Team defense was terrible. The reason the offense was so good was they played very little defense. Defense pinching at the wrong times or turning the puck over in our own zone. We out shot the opposition most nights but I doubt we out chanced them except on a few nights. Joey's record with the griffins was 11-14 does that tell you anything? After the initial 5-0 start, Where Fraser implored the team to protect Conklin, He was 3-4. Smith was a better defensive player last year than this year. There has been zero improvement. He actually played better with Detroit than with the griffs.
This team had the talent but not the coaching. When they wanted to they beat Ok twice in 8 days, then turn around and play like crap again against lesser teams. If you saw them in person you would see the whle picture. Guys floating back to the bench on line changes. No hussle on the back check. This is coaching. All you hear from Fraser is well we scored 4 we should win. If that was strictly true every one would play 5 forwards. You do have to play defense and not leave the goalies out to dry. MacDonald made the comment when he got to the wings that he could play more aggressive up there because he could trust his defense. No more routine back door plays, guys wide open in the slot, breakaways or odd man rushes, That is standard fare in GR.



