Monthly Archives: February 2011

On The Road Again

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We have let in 140 goals against. 140. That is 3rd best in the East; almost as little as the first place Flyers at 139; and we are both behind Boston at 135. I think 140 goals against translates to us being a top 6 or 7 defensive team in entire NHL right now. We are 3rd in the East.

That is quite the positive turnaround from the last few years.

But we have only scored 151 goals, tied for the least in the top 8 teams in the East right now with Montreal. And it is our power play that is struggling and hurting us the most in tough, intense, defense-oriented games. It is the power play that differentiates wins from losses. Our penalty kill is quite good right now. A top performer and another great turnaround compared to last season.

We need to continue to play defense like we are playing; kill penalties like we have; get terrific goaltending; and then break through on our power play. That has been my single disappointment this season. On Saturday’s loss we were zero for on the power play.

I know what you are asking: How can we have this much talent on the power play and NOT score more?

If we score on the power play, it will also give us more confidence on 5 on 5 play.

We are on a tough road trip. We are 8 points into a playoff spot with 2 games in hand over the 9th place team. There is lots of work to do and lots of opportunities to draw penalties by driving to the net and drawing power plays. Just score on the power play and I believe everything else will take care of itself. This season has been a grind. No one said it would be easy.

I Won’t Dance – Glad We Didn’t Dance Either

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The Dougie has jumped the shark. Regis is doing it. Justin Bieber is doing it. I need to find a new “act.” I want to have fun but don’t want to be passé.

I will say a public and humble thank you for being so patient with us a franchise.

There is no real reason to go 25 games without a win on the road yet that was the situation we found ourselves in.

Last night’s win was hard fought and we had huge mental and psychological barriers to overcome.

The team played hard and I was happy to see us counter attack the runs that came at us with calmness and professionalism. It was a team win and we can now all exhale as a franchise. The record consecutive road game losing streak is over. The work is just beginning though as I would like to see us approach the rest of the season – post All-Star Game – as a brand new season and one where we show progress and play to our capabilities. We all want to see upside and progress and promise. We need to break this season up into two halves and judge our progress and state of play.

I am also happy that we bounced back from such a tough game against a great team, San Antonio. Back to back games are hard to play when you are short-handed and we played the road end of that twin bill with diligence and intensity. Welcome back Josh Howard!

I am also proud of the team for not over celebrating or dancing and acting like the win was a big deal on another team’s home court. That was professional and showed common courtesy as Cleveland is having its own sets of problems as it sets course in its own rebuild.

Thank you. I slept just a little better last night after that win. Thank you for the good analysis written here.

Perspective

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The 80′s were all about cable television and satellite technology; “tear down that wall”. CNN gave the world transparency and helped the walls come down and end the Cold War. At its heart, the Cold War proved that if you rule and try to control you had better create an economy that works and is deep into the masses providing services and employment. The Cold War ended because people didn’t have jobs and didn’t believe in hope of a better day and the governments in place couldn’t stomp out resistance because cameras were showing what was happening around the world.

The good guys won. Justice was served. Capitalism and a new kind of people’s democracy bloomed.

We are seeing this cycle again in the Middle East.

Students and young people – without hope and jobs – are amassing to take their country back. The average age of an Egyptian is 24 years old.

It is a revolution about jobs. And hope. And promise and a people’s social movement. It is fueled by new technology and a retro pacifist Ghandi-like aura as a cherry on top.

And it is all about “Meet ups”; flash mobs; Facebook; Twitter; cell phones and texting; and cell phones taking photos and sharing everywhere. CNN has left the building. Citizen reporters are everywhere!

The young people. They sing. They joke. They believe in the power of unity. Might isn’t making right here.

They rope a dope.

They will win.

Revolution 2.0 – a next generation app off of a social media platform.

Awesome to see!

Howard Schultz – Starbucks CEO

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Is joining the Groupon board of directors.

Isn’t that terrific news?

I know Howard quite well and reached out to him to talk about Groupon.

He is a true leader and a person who has the hearts and minds and concerns of all consumers front and center.

We both hail from Brooklyn.

He is such a great thinker. This is so great for the company. I am thrilled. Welcome Howard to Groupon!