February 13: Bus Texts with Stothers

After every Reign road game I’ll try to catch up with head coach Mike Stothers from the bus to get some texts and his assessment of the game. Here’s what he had to say after Saturday’s 3-0 loss in Stockton. Nic Dowd was injured in the first period on a hit by Garnet Hathaway but did return and Adrian Kempe took a few hard slashes, which is also addressed.

Heat 3, Reign 0
The Reign fell for a third straight game after giving up two first period goals by Mason Raymond and Drew Shore. Kevin Poulin posted a shutout despite the Reign firing 36 shots on the Heat netminder. For a complete breakdown of the game, go here.

BUS TEXTS WITH STOTHERS
ORI: What happened with Dowd and what did you think of the game’s physicality overall?
Stothers: Dowd was hit from behind and his head hit the glass. He left the game for protocol requirements and was able to return. There was no penalty on the play as it was deemed he turned into it?? Physical is one thing, but I was more concerned with the stick work to the point I had to look up in the rule book to see if slashing is still in there? It is by the way, Rule 61. At times there was so much chopping out there it sounded like a Lumberjack building a log cabin.
ORI: Was wondering if you would bring up the slashing with what happened to Kempe. Just four goals the last three games despite averaging over 40 shots a game. Are you happy with the chances and what can the team do better?
Stothers: Yeah Kempe came back to the bench for repairs as his finger was bleeding, and yes his glove was on at the time? I thought we worked hard, and once again no one gave up an inch but I thought the previous two games we did a better job getting in front of the goalie. The only thing you can do is remain positive and keep pushing forward.
ORI: It seemed like the team fell back into old ways of penalty trouble. Your thoughts on that, particularly in the first half of the third. Seemed to kill any momentum for a comeback.
Stothers: Frustration sets in when only one team is being penalized and the other team is polishing the Lady Byng Trophy on the bench. They did not get a penalty until the latter stages of the third period and neither were for slashing Rule 61, Page 121.

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