Watch Joe Sacco interviewed after  being named coach of the Monsters in May Coach Sacco reports from Training Camp

We started the pre-season in Milwaukee with a 4-2 win. After a long day of travel, the team got off to a sluggish start in the first period. We trailed 2-1 after the first period but if not for the strong play of our goalie Mike Wall it could have easily been 5-1. The second period we found our skating legs, which helped us sustain our forecheck and play in their end most of the period. That type of pressure allowed us to take a 3-2 lead by the end of the second.

Defensively in the third period we did a nice job of shutting down Milwaukee's attack, limiting their scoring chances. An empty net goal with one minute remaining gave us a two-goal lead and helped us gain our first pre-season victory! The players responded well after being behind and never stopped working until the final buzzer went off.

The next night we faced the Chicago Wolves, and again saw us fall behind 3-0 after the first period. We took two penalties in the first eight minutes and they were able to capitalize on both of them. Unlike the the previous night we had some quality chances later in the period but were just unable to finish them off. Six unanswered goals in the second and third periods, behind a balanced attack, gave us a victory in our final pre-season game.

As a coaching staff, those two games gave us an opportunity to watch some of our younger players get into their first pro games and to see how they would respond to the challenge. Overall, we were very pleased with their effort and I thought they showed a lot of determination both nights coming from behind to win.

Now it's time for the real action. Next up, Opening Night! See you there!

Watch Joe Sacco interviewed after  being named coach of the Monsters in May Coach Sacco reports from Training Camp

We started the pre-season in Milwaukee with a 4-2 win. After a long day of travel, the team got off to a sluggish start in the first period. We trailed 2-1 after the first period but if not for the strong play of our goalie Mike Wall it could have easily been 5-1. The second period we found our skating legs, which helped us sustain our forecheck and play in their end most of the period. That type of pressure allowed us to take a 3-2 lead by the end of the second.

Defensively in the third period we did a nice job of shutting down Milwaukee's attack, limiting their scoring chances. An empty net goal with one minute remaining gave us a two-goal lead and helped us gain our first pre-season victory! The players responded well after being behind and never stopped working until the final buzzer went off.

The next night we faced the Chicago Wolves, and again saw us fall behind 3-0 after the first period. We took two penalties in the first eight minutes and they were able to capitalize on both of them. Unlike the the previous night we had some quality chances later in the period but were just unable to finish them off. Six unanswered goals in the second and third periods, behind a balanced attack, gave us a victory in our final pre-season game.

As a coaching staff, those two games gave us an opportunity to watch some of our younger players get into their first pro games and to see how they would respond to the challenge. Overall, we were very pleased with their effort and I thought they showed a lot of determination both nights coming from behind to win.

Now it's time for the real action. Next up, Opening Night! See you there!