MUSKEGON – If anyone wonders why the Reeths-Puffer hockey team suffered a 4-2 upset loss to West Ottawa on Wednesday, all they have to do is ask the guy in charge.
“It was effort,” said R-P head coach Dustin Langlois about his team's disappointing performance at Muskegon's Trinity Health Arena. “We just didn’t show up to play. It’s on them at that point. We had a plan coming in. If they don’t execute what we’re trying to do, you’re not going to win. It was a lot of lazy plays.”
The loss continued a troubling trend for the Rockets, who reached the Division 1 state semifinals last year and have big goals this season.
R-P Goalie Huck VanDyke makes a pad save. Photo/Jeremy Clark
R-P started off the season with a 5-1 record, with the only loss coming in overtime.
Since then, the Rockets have posted a 1-3-1 record and currently stand at 6-4-1. West Ottawa is now 7-7-1.
While Langlois was definitely disappointed with his team's effort, he thinks it can right the ship in the coming weeks, and expects the captains to lead the way.
“You don’t forget about it," the coach said about the loss. "We'll use tonight as fuel, and it’s on the guys. It’s about what they retain and want out of this. We put a lot on our captains. We can draw up the best plans, but they control the locker room, and it’s on them as players and teenagers to go out and compete every game.”
R-P's Trenton Hanks (8) tries to get the puck away from an opponent. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The game started out hopeful when the Rockets jumped out to a 1-0 lead midway through the first period on a goal by Hayden Taylor, assisted by Tyler Tindall.
The lead was short-lived, however, because West Ottawa’s Kyler Comment scored just 2:07 later, tying the game at 1-1.
The Panthers took the lead when Carson Arens scored with 37 seconds left in the first period.
The Rockets got even just eight seconds later when Connor Anderson scored with an assist from Taylor, and the game was knotted 2-2 heading into the second period.
R-P's Eli Cuti tries to get the puck past the West Ottawa goalie. Photo/Jeremy Clark
R-P had a 15-7 advantage in shots on goal in the first period.
The Rockets continued that trend in the second period, outshooting the Panthers 11-6, but neither team found the net and the scoreboard still said 2-2 headed into the third.
That's when West Ottawa took control for good.
With 10:40 remaining, Aidan Reidy scored with an assist from Eli Bean to make the score 3-2.
The Rockets celebrate after a goal. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The final nail in the Rockets' coffin came with 8:35 remaining when Krue Anderson scored on a penalty shot, making the score 4-2.
R-P had an 11-8 edge in shots in the third period, and ended the night with a 37-21 advantage, but Coach Langlois was not impressed.
“We had a lot of shots on net, but they weren’t quality," he said. "The effort just wasn’t there, especially in the corners.”
The Rockets will next take the ice on Friday when they play Birmingham Groves in the annual Stan Konrad Memorial Tournament.