Peter Goulet will be preaching discipline heading into his team's opening round series against the Cornwall Colts.
The Nepean Raiders head coach and general manager wasn't pleased as he watched his team parade to the penalty box in 9-6 and 6-0 losses to the Pembroke Lumber Kings and Colts to start off the last weekend, a trend that he says can't continue in the postseason.
"We took some undisciplined penalties on Friday night and Saturday," he said. "It's hard to get any flow going when that happens."
In total the Raiders took 10 minor penalties in Friday's game, plus a tripping major by captain Corey Domenico. In Saturday's contest 11 Nepean players served two minutes or less, with an additional four fighting majors.
Goulet did find some solace in his team's composure in their season finale against the Kemptville 73's last Sunday though.
"We've been struggling down the stretch, it's no secret," he said. "Sunday we were able to battle back. We were down 3-1 and scored two goals in the last 10 minutes and won in a shootout.
"We were a little more disciplined in that game so it made a difference."
After four games in five days to close out the season, the Raiders were given both yesterday and today off from the practice ice.
The players will now be preparing for tomorrow night at 7:30 in Cornwall.
The Raiders were 1-4 against Cornwall this year, but Goulet believes if his team stays focused, they have a good chance to come out on top.
"It should be a great series," he said. "They've got a great hockey team. We've got a good team.
"The team that wants in more and can be disciplined will win I think. It should be interesting."
While Goulet cited the goaltending match up -- and solving Cornwall's Doug Carr -- as a critical point in the series, when push comes to shove it all comes down to the D-word.
"At the end of the day, we've got to be disciplined," he said.
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