BLOOMFIELD, Colo – One word can be used to describe the end of the 2007-08 season and the start of the 2008-09 season for the Rocky Mountain Rage. That word, unfortunately, is disappointing. The season ended last year with the Rage missing the playoffs by a single point. They had the goaltending, and they had the offensive firepower that made them a contender. They only needed to improve their defensive play. During the off season, they addressed the defensive needs, and they also brought back 10 players from last season. All was looking promising for the Rage and the 2008-09 campaign. But the season has started with the same feeling that last season ended with, and that feeling is disappointment. They opened the season on the road in Laredo. The first period looked good for the Rage, and they ended the period down 2 to 1. But the second period saw the Rage looking flustered and confused while giving up 5 goals. The third period saw neither team score, and the bottom line was a 7-1 Rage loss. The following night saw the Rage taking on the Killer Bees again on the road. Again, the Rage looked fairly solid the first period, trailing 1-0, but gave up 4 goals during the second. Both teams scored 2 during the third period, and the Rage fell for the second time of the season 7-2. The Rage came home for their home opener facing the Colorado Eagles. This game saw Colorado take the lead in the first period 4-1. They added another score during the second, and neither team scored during the third. The end result, Rage fall for the third time this season 5-1. Their first home opening loss in the teams short history. But the real story was goaltender Marty Magers, who racked up 32 minutes worth of penalty minutes and received a one game suspension. The Rage looked totally frustrated and at times, totally inept. The Wichita Thunder came to Broomfield to face the Rage in a battle of winless teams. The Rage came out strong and had a 2-1 lead at the first intermission. But Wichita came into the second period with renewed energy, and the Rage found themselves trailing 4-2 going into the third. During the third period, the Rage just seemed to run out of gas, and were outscored 2-1 for the period. Final result, a 6-3 loss, another disappointment, and another loss, and still no win. A third straight home game had the Arizona Sundogs, the defending CHL champions, taking on the Rage. But the Rage put together their best game of the season, and they kept it together for all three periods. A scoreless first period ended with both teams looking good and playing hard. The second period had the Rage scoring 3 and allowing 1, but remained a highly completive and well played game for both teams. The Rage scored 1 in the third, and were able to shutdown the Sundogs, giving them their first win of the season with a 4-1 win. The Rage are last in the Northwest Division, and will be going to Wichita for a Halloween night game. It is early in the season, and by no means is it a time to panic, This is a solid team. They have played extremely well for short periods of time in every game, but, they have allowed frustration to control them and take them out of other games, particularly during the first three games. But they managed to put together a full game against the Sundogs, and they played the type of hockey that they are capable of. Once they settle in and play together, put mistakes behind them, work on the basics a little harder, they will be in the hunt for a playoff berth.
Contact the author at: bpettry@prohockeynews.com
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