As time moved on from when we last talked, a number of things have happened. The Flyers lost 4 in a row including a bad OCN road trip where they showed terrible discipline and lost those two games mostly because they where in the box for over half of the time. Now I know that when things are not going well and the pressure is on like it is this season, every little thing seems like the biggest deal ever. I mean do you think anybody wanted to start the season 3-5.
Lets just assume for a second that the Flyers lost their most recent game against the Saints (which they won 5-1 by the way). What would the questions have been? Cause there does come a time when you stop saying that it’s early in the season so let’s just let them figure it out. When I was watching that game against the Saints I saw a much different team then I did during that four game skid. They seemed to dominate the game from start to finish and they were able to take advantage of the opportunities that they needed to. And most of all the stayed disciplined. I am not just talking about staying out of the penalty box but also doing what they have been taught from day one and throughout everyday in practice.
As I am writing this entry I am stumped about what to talk about. I am watching the Toronto vs Montreal game and all of a sudden an idea popped into my head. The Toronto Maple Leafs are like the Winkler Flyers. Now before you start to think that I am crazy just listen for a second. Why do teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Portage Terriers, New England Patriots, and The L.A. Lakers compete for championships year after year? Is it because they always have the best players or spend the most money or have the best coaches…No! Its about culture. The second you walk into to one of those stadiums or arenas you see the trophies sitting in the trophy case and you see those banners hanging in the rafters and before the team even comes on the playing surface you know you are about to watch a good team.
Now if you are a Toronto Maple Leafs fan or not you have to admit that the culture of the team has changed for the better. And it will take a few years to get to the end goal but it is getting better. The Flyers have won a championship more recently then the Leafs so it should be easier to change the culture of the Flyers.
So to wrap up this rambling mess of an entry you have to figure out a few things if you want to be a member of a team that needs a culture change.
Do you want to do whatever it takes to win? Will you sacrifice your individual goals or stats for the greater good of the team? Just remember what you are playing for……the crest on the front and not the name on the back.
Lets just assume for a second that the Flyers lost their most recent game against the Saints (which they won 5-1 by the way). What would the questions have been? Cause there does come a time when you stop saying that it’s early in the season so let’s just let them figure it out. When I was watching that game against the Saints I saw a much different team then I did during that four game skid. They seemed to dominate the game from start to finish and they were able to take advantage of the opportunities that they needed to. And most of all the stayed disciplined. I am not just talking about staying out of the penalty box but also doing what they have been taught from day one and throughout everyday in practice.
As I am writing this entry I am stumped about what to talk about. I am watching the Toronto vs Montreal game and all of a sudden an idea popped into my head. The Toronto Maple Leafs are like the Winkler Flyers. Now before you start to think that I am crazy just listen for a second. Why do teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Portage Terriers, New England Patriots, and The L.A. Lakers compete for championships year after year? Is it because they always have the best players or spend the most money or have the best coaches…No! Its about culture. The second you walk into to one of those stadiums or arenas you see the trophies sitting in the trophy case and you see those banners hanging in the rafters and before the team even comes on the playing surface you know you are about to watch a good team.
Now if you are a Toronto Maple Leafs fan or not you have to admit that the culture of the team has changed for the better. And it will take a few years to get to the end goal but it is getting better. The Flyers have won a championship more recently then the Leafs so it should be easier to change the culture of the Flyers.
So to wrap up this rambling mess of an entry you have to figure out a few things if you want to be a member of a team that needs a culture change.
Do you want to do whatever it takes to win? Will you sacrifice your individual goals or stats for the greater good of the team? Just remember what you are playing for……the crest on the front and not the name on the back.
Great blog Matt. Me being the world's number 1 Leafs fan I have to say you hit the nail on the head. I also watched that Leafs Habs game and the Leafs so dominated the Habs and still lost. Gotta give Jonas the ball and let him run with it. Go Flyers and Go Leafs.
ReplyDeleteEven though don't watch a lot of NHL games i get what u r saying and my family being great supporters of the Winkler Flyers isay LETS GO FLYErS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteA team needs to want to PLAY for their coaches, their fans, and themselves AS a team! It takes motivation, team spirit and positive talk within them and around them...not much of this coming from the benches upper and lower levels. Let's learn to run a team, learn to coach, and learn to be a team, get back to wanting to play for the right reasons. Teamwork, pride and excellence. Go hard or go home, everyone.
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