Another
factor the coach attributes to his team's great start is, the fact that
the experienced players on his team have bought into his system.
"I
have a veteran group of defenseman, that can go out and play that style
of hockey that, as a coach, you're trying to promote," said Cronin. "What
better learning tool, than to be able to sit on the bench, and see a Brandon
Smith or Alain Nasreddine fighting to get into good defensive position."
As the
calendar page flipped to 2004, Bridgeport led all rivals in several key
defensive departments, including goals allowed, penalty killing, and
lead protection.
"Everything
comes from our defense," said Left Wing Derek Bekar. "We've got
the best defense in the league, and everyone's chipping in. Everyone's buying
into the system and doing their job. They're not worried about getting points
or scoring goals. Guys are committed to the system. That's where it starts."
Actually,
it started once they got some early season yips out of the way.
Bridgeport's
start to the season was decidedly mediocre. It took them six games to record
their first win, and by that time they had already suffered three regulation
losses.
Then it
all clicked.
The team that couldn't win now couldn't lose, or at least they didn't for
a string of 20 straight games.
From October
24 to December 17, 2003, the Sound Tigers did not feel the agony of defeat
after a single game.
Bridgeport's
franchise-record 20 game unbeaten streak was the best the AHL had seen since
1995, and fell only 7 games shy of the league's all-time record, set in
1948 by Cleveland.
The Sound
Tigers also set a team record with a 12 game road unbeaten streak, going
10-0-2 during that time.
"The
difference between the top teams and the bottom teams is not very much,"
said Forward Martin Kariya. "So you've got to have a lot of luck. There
are a few (of those) 20 that we should have lost. But we got some breaks."
