There was a strange atmosphere in the building tonight. Obviously there's a tremendous feel good factor around the club at the moment and we've won numerous trophies. Yet Todd, clearly sensing the subdued mood, was eventually forced to ask for more noise from the crowd. I don't think the crowd can be blamed though - that was an incredibly boring game. Both teams were clearly in 'charity match' mode and it really was a poor spectacle. Some players, for example, Louis and Lord had shockers compared to their normal performances. I guess the players are trying to prevent themselves getting any injuries before the play offs but it's not a good idea for them to become too used to this half-hearted hockey because going from that to 100% play off hockey is not an easy transition to make. I was there when we were not just beaten, but absolutely humiliated, at the play offs last year and I don't want to see a repeat this year because the team haven't kept their normal intensity up.
I was also in Belfast for the double header and I'm amazed nobody tried to sort a few things out after what happened at the end of the second match. Vandermeer should have been reminded that he can't get away with what he did to Fournier; I have no idea why our players seemed scared of Nickerson; and with the league wrapped up, tonight would have been a good idea to let Walser know what we thought of his actions. The Devils have had an extremely successful season but there's no doubt that the team has very little toughness. I watch plenty of NHL these days and even with the reduction in the number of fights over the last 10 years, players aren't afraid to step in when something unacceptable happens, especially if a key player has been targeted (as we've seen with Martin and A. Hotham this season). I bet Martinelli couldn't believe his luck when nobody made him pay for what he did tonight - then again, if he's watched the Devils this season, he shouldn't be surprised at the lack of retribution. It can't all be down to Bordy - but Louis has only seemed interested in the physical stuff on occasions and as for Batch, he's not seemed interest at all.
As a side point, Terry Hunt, please stop accusing every new member of being a different person. I possibly don't see all of your posts but literally the only ones I see, you're accusing members of being certain people. Very often, you're accusing the same member of being a different person each time! Either start contributing, and stop trolling, or just get off the forum.