Rolling Meadows, IL- After suffering their first loss last week ago during preseason, the Bulldogs should have been poised to bounce back against QQQQ this past Sunday night. Or were they? They were blown out 12-2 in a game they were out of within the first five minutes.

The ‘Dogs’ had a short bench, forcing them to utilize the talents of several farm team players called up earlier in the day to make up the absence of several star players. Furthermore they were facing an opponent they’ve never played before, and came in exhausted after playing three games the previous two days in the MDA Firefighter Face-Off Tournament.

As soon as the puck dropped, the Bulldogs displayed just how unconditioned, unfocused and disorganized they really were. “We lacked heart and motivation” said Maher Karim. We didn’t chase after loose pucks, we didn’t defend well, we passed blindly and we played like we were waiting for someone else to step up. I heard all kinds of excuses out there including how exhausted we were after the tournament. That’s no excuse at all. The season kicks off in a week and if we continue to play like this, we may as well forfeit the season.”

Goalie Alex Martinez faced over 40 shots on goal while the Bulldogs managed a meager 9. Without fundamental hockey the team looked like a bunch of kids on ice for the first time. They looked old, slow and confused.

This is only pre-season, the time to cut players, set lines and get in shape, the Bulldogs look as though they need more than that. They have plenty of players playing out of position and begin the season without proven Center. Was this just a minor bump in the road? Can the Bulldogs move past that loss?  Stay tuned.