Hounds' Skid-Snapping Win Generates More Questions Than Answers

[Gretzky didnt lift da puck 53]

MISSISSAUGA, ONT – After the Mississauga Hounds snapped their nine-game losing skid with a win last night, the attitude in the dressing room was anything but jubilant.

The Hounds defeated the Las Vegas Aces 4-3 to break their streak, but as the horn sounded, there was no on-ice celebration as per the norm with a victorious club.

 

Instead, nearly half of the Hounds roster reacted as if the game had resulted in a defeat, quickly turning and walking down the tunnel to the dressing room.

The move left many in the stands and in the commentary booth perplexed.

 

“Now, this is a first for me folks,” expressed Terry Borne perplexedly on the CBC broadcast. “I get that there isn’t much to celebrate at this point, but this is just bizarre. I have never seen anything like this in 31 years of broadcasting this sport.”

 

The CBC crew, not getting the on-ice images that they were hoping for, cut to the camera that is mounted in the visiting tunnel in hopes of getting a different reaction, but they only saw the same filing of players to the dressing room.

 

The one expression of emotion came just before the awaiting door to the Hounds’ room as winger Mikhail Lospenov gestured with a twirling-finger motion and let out a sarcastic “whoopty-doo” before crossing the door’s threshold.

 

“Mikhail Lospenov’s reaction, especially without the knowledge that there was a camera trained on the tunnel, tells you everything you need to know about the mood in Mississauga,” said VSN Tonight’s Pierre Tuteau following the game. “The only people seeing that gesture and hearing the sarcastic remarks are those on the team and on the staff. He’s trying to send a message. He is trying to get a point across that something has to change.”

 

Mississauga is now 16 points behind the Miami Marauders for last place in the Eastern Conference and third from the bottom in the entire league. With half of the season gone, there is almost no chance, barring a “Miracle on Ice“ level event.

 

In most situations, teams would be dealing away veterans in order to stockpile picks for the future, but in the case of the Hounds, there are no veterans to trade away.

“The best chance for the Hounds to try and improve by the draft is to start shipping out late picks and get into on round higher,” said VSN writer Dan Martin.

 

Mississauga has a pair of 4^th round picks to accompany a full slate of sections in the upcoming draft. One of those 4^th round picks could be used as leverage, if not both, to move up to an early 3^rd round or even a 2^nd round spot if the situation is right.

 

The issue with the higher pick approach is that it could leave the Hounds in a similar situation like they are currently in.

 

As an alternative, Mississauga could dump a 4^th rounder for a 5^th and a 6^th round pick or even another 4^th and a player if their pick is high enough.

 

At the end of the day, there is clearly concern amongst all involved with the Mississauga Hounds, and it will take a serious overhaul to try and right the ship.