We've forgotten how to win

[Tecno]

So many games this year we are doing great or keeping close near the end, or at least until the 4th Q.  But then we find a way to lose.  We're kind of like OTT sometimes is this year, and EDM was in '25.  We just can't finish.

Remember in '21-'23 when we'd win almost every close one?  Or we'd be the team taking over in the 4th?  I don't think this "will to win" is as much a talent issue (though we were better in '21) as it is a mental issue.

SSK reached deep down and willed themselves to a win.  We did what we've done most of the year and rolled over.  I'm not saying it's every player, but enough of our team is thinking "we're never gonna win" vs "we've got them right where we want them".  Did you see the SSK OL and RECs and RB step up for their OT drive?  And their smash-mouth D?  Where were our guys?

And the coaching staff is clearly letting us down by not having special things planned for important situations.  You're going to tell me our OT O drive was "scripted"?  It was beyond useless.  Why not smack them in the mouth when we had them on the ropes by going for 2?

Pulling out the win is a learned behavior, and we've completely lost it.  We're now EDM '25, finding a way to lose most close ones.  And most of the team is missing the will to win.  If our current team was playing the '19 WSF vs CGY, down slightly at halftime, we probably just roll over and die.

What's the solution?  If we can't solve it we're going to miss the playoffs, or be 1 & done in a winnable game like the '25 ESF.