Midget MD Black, 2012-2013, BB (London Bandits)

The stats for each player have now been updated. If you want to see even more detailed stats, go to http://ballcharts.com/BanditsMidgetHockey; all the pages on my website are now unblocked.

Perhaps no statistic tells the story of this evening's game as well as this one: over the course of this season, the Bandits have averaged roughly 17 shots per game against opposing goalies; in tonight's game, they took 22 shots... in the second period ALONE. In fact, after two periods, the shot totals were 28 shots for, and just 10 against; and the final game tally was 37 to 21.

It was a night when the Bandits had trouble finding the net, and yet it didn't matter.  In a tight, fast game in which there were numerous chances both ways, it seemed that the Bandits consistently shot high or wide (or both), except for a single laser shot from slick-skating AP defenseman Justin C. in the first that would end up being the game winner.

Bummer. The Bandits came out on the short end of the stick again last night, in a game that truly was determined by bad bounces and a late whistle.  I'm sure even North was laughing a bit over their first goal, which bounced off at least three people before bouncing up and over Dylan into the net. To that point, the Bandits actually were outplaying North, who did not look sharp. Testament to this is that it was a few minutes into the second period, and North was scoring its first goal on just its sixth shot.

The question is: How do you stop a train? The answer is: Before it starts moving? The Bandits had every incentive to win last Monday's game against Oakridge. First... it was Oakridge. Second, it would have restored the Bandits to first place in the division, albeit having played several more games than the others. And third, it would have stopped a two-game skid. To be fair, the Bandits WOULD have won that game, having outplayed Oakridge much of the time... but for three mistakes.