Calgary Chinook hit a sour note in Dayton, losing second straight game 5-4

DAYTON –There’s usually no need to worry when a team has only lost back-to-back games in regulation for the first time this season. But there is a little concern in the air after the Chinook lost their second straight game a 5-4 decision to the Musicmen on Sunday night.  Chinook were touted as the early favorite to win the cup this season.

It isn’t so much that the Chinook lost, but rather how they lost that is most unsettling to head coach Eugene Yip, who didn’t think enough of his players were fully buying into his system yet.
“My game is simple, defense first, the offense will come around,” said Yip. “We are letting other teams score too easily.  It’s not just about goaltending, it’s how everyone needs to buy into the defensive system.  The team need to turn up the intensity every game for the full 60 minutes”

Dayton scored 4 first period goals from Vanek, Guentzel, Aho and Irwin.  It pretty much sets the tone of the game.  “They (Musicmen) are a young and fast team.  “Said former Musicmen Pavelski.  “We had to play better than what we offer tonight. These are the type of games we have to win and this is not good enough. You have to give their goalie some credit, but we have to find a way to score. There are still a lot of games left and we all know the potential of this team, but this is not good enough.”

The Musicmen weren’t flashy, just workmanlike in building a 4-1 lead in the first period on an early goal from Thomas Vanek at 00:51.

 “Dayton plays a well-structured game and their goaltender had a really good night,” said Yip. 

NOTES:
Ex-Chinook Barkov scored the fifth goal and eventually become the game-winner.
Two defensemen Stuart and Jokipakka suffered injuries in the game and will be out an extended period of time.  

UP NEXT:
The Calgary Chinook will try to redeem themselves against the Dartmouth Lakers on Tuesday.