So what in the world is going on with the Manitoba Moose?
In light of a demoralizing four-game losing skid with disastrous results, the question is the easy part.
Finding answers might prove to be a bit more difficult.
After getting smoked 8-3 and 8-2 by the league-leading Hershey Bears on Friday and Saturday to open a six-game road trip, the Moose must now attempt to pick themselves up off the mat as they get set for the Worcester Sharks tomorrow night.
A pair of losses to start the losing streak -- 6-2 and 7-2 to the Milwaukee Admirals -- have the Moose barely over .500 (23-19-4-1) and clinging to third place in the North Division standings.
The only good news for the Moose during this record-setting stretch is that they've received some help on the out-of-town scoreboard -- otherwise the Moose might already find themselves on the outside looking in.
When a team gets blown out four games in a row, it's natural for people to assume that goaltending must be an issue.
While it's true that Cory Schneider hasn't been on top of his game during the stretch (he's given up 18 goals and been pulled once), holding the third-year netminder responsible would be unfair.
For the most part, Schneider has held his team in games this season and stolen his share, so the blame must go elsewhere.
Work ethic has been a staple for the four seasons Scott Arniel has been the head coach and the failure to compete until the final buzzer must be driving him crazy right now.
It's not that the Moose are afraid to put on their work boots, they just don't seem to be able to do it for an entire game on a consistent basis.
Arniel reached into his bag of tricks the other day, sitting down third-year winger Pierre-Cedric Labrie in favour of ECHL call-up Evan Rankin, who scored a goal in his AHL debut.
A lack of scoring remains a an issue for the Moose, who have only 113 goals in 47 games (2.40 per game, which is second-to-last in the 29-team league).
This is not to suggest they don't have players capable of filling the role, but those players aren't producing at a high enough pace right now.
That, too, must change for the Moose to reverse their fortunes.
Getting veterans Marty Murray and Matt Pettinger back from groin injuries would be a good start, but the Moose will need offence from all four lines, not just one or two guys.
Perhaps the most troubling thing the Moose endured during this stretch is their dreadful play in their own zone.
Giving up 29 goals in four games is unheard of for a team that prides itself on team defence.
Cleaning up their play without the puck is priority No. 1 when it comes to trying to turn things around.
Injuries have also been a factor during the recent struggles, but roster fluctuation is a fact of life at this level and the Moose can't use that as a crutch as the stretch drive approaches.
For whatever reason, they seem to be more than a tad fragile right now after falling behind.
Finding a way to cure that won't be easy, but it's paramount if the Moose want to keep their invitation to the post-season party.
ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca
