That's what happens when your system is built to stop pressing the play and turtle when you're up by one goal. How many points have we lost in the 3rd period this season so far? 4-6?
Well the system did serve us pretty well last year. Playing a well structured team game that tries to capitalize on the other team pressing especially when they may be more loaded with top talent doesnt seem on the surface a bad idea to me. But it also relys on great goaltending, the lack of which seemed more the cause of our last loss than any turtling.
Im unconvinced the system is a cause for our 3rd period losses yet. When it works it is lauded everywhere as great structure and team play. When the goalies let us down or the other team makes some good plays it is seen as turtling.
I suppose there are other possible systems that could work, and maybe we are getting skilled enough to adopt one, but its an old cliche that defense wins championships and it almost worked for us last year, i'd hope we can perfect it this year. Great teams can and do shut others down late in the game.