If ever you needed evidence of how significant Myers is to our team, and how he was probably the difference between us winning the league, and losing it, last season, tonight was it.
Am I frustrated? You bet. However, I'm just glad it wasn't a league fixture. Would have taken winning at Belfast over winning this one every time. Still think we will beat the Blaze in our group, and still think the league should be our priority this year.
As with our loss at Nottingham, I also didn't think the Panthers, whilst obviously a really good team, were overly impressive. Better than us tonight for sure, but not to such an extent that any alarms bells are ringing. Lawrence is their top scorer at the moment, and he usually loses his head at some point.
As for the McGratten/Bordeleau debate? The former may have outscored our 58, but with Bordy moving up the lines, we witnessed more of his skill tonight, with some great passes. McGratten, with his comic Ray Charles esque tinted vizor, looked menacing, but I sense we may have the more enthusiastic team player. Especially further into the season.
My only real concern at this early stage is the lack of scoring from Doucet. Not through a lack of effort, but if I was to put Lord on the ice, he would be the man to make way against Coventry in favour of some extra clout. On the other hand, if Doucet scores, I think that will kick start his season.