The visitors’ locker room looked like a funeral home. We haven’t seen that often this season at the Bell Centre. When the doors opened, there were a dozen Sabers players staring at their feet or staring into space.
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The poor. They have not won in their last 11 games. In addition, the visit of their owner, who came to encourage or lecture them, had the effect of a sword in the water.
“We were dominated in terms of competitiveness and battles for the puck. We were bad on the penalty kill. We had a terrible start,” said Connor Clifton.
The Sabers defenseman couldn’t be clearer in his description of the game.
“We had no legs, no explosion, no energy. We were humiliated. You tell yourself that with yesterday’s meeting and this streak of 10 defeats, it will give you legs and energy…” he continued.
A lack of pride
And no! It seemed quite the opposite. Quite the opposite of what one might expect following a visit from an owner to wonder if the players don’t want to see a change take place within the organization.
“Change must happen in this locker room,” insisted Alex Tuch. It is up to us, both individually and as a group. This is our responsibility and no one else’s. »
Clifton, who was a few meters from Patrik Laine for two of his three goals, agreed.
“We need to show more pride. You have to look in the mirror, he said. Right now it’s like we’re looking around and waiting for someone else to react and create something. We have to find a way out of this. That’s 11 in a row. »
A dizzying fall
Until that happens, the Sabers are sinking deeper and deeper. On November 24, the day after its last victory, Lindy Ruff’s troop occupied third place in the Atlantic Division. Here she is now at the bottom of the Eastern Association standings, seven points from the last place giving access to the playoffs.
“It’s horrible,” Tuch said simply.
We couldn’t have said it better.
