Desparation + Timely Goals = Hurricanes Tie Series at 1-1
The Carolina Hurricanes did something last night that the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim should have done in their Game 2 a night earlier: play with desparation.
The 'Canes came out like a house on fire last night, and did something to Buffalo that has only happened one other time during the Sabres post season run.
Carolina got the first goal. Simple as that.
After withstanding the first 10 minutes of consistant Sabres pressure, Carolina started taking the body, which ultimately in hockey, leads to the other team taking stupid penalties. Hence, Ales Kotalik goes to the box and feels shame for his interference penalty, and Carolina capatilizes.
If I've said it once, I've said it at least three times in my posts- if you don't score on the power play, the likelihood of winning the series is none to negative 1,000,000. Carolina did just that.
Not without a scare though. The 'Canes started taking their fair share of stupid penalties in the third period, and allowed Buffalo back in the game. Granted, it wasn't enough for the Sabres to overcome, but the fact is Carolina needs to be more responsible in thier own end towards the end of the game. It's called shutdown mode. Defense won't kill you.
But good for the 'Canes. And this series is no doubt going to seven games. It's extremely fun to watch these teams go speeding up and down the ice. It's a shame no one is watching.
What was Stillman Thinking?
Probably the funniest moment during the game last night was Cory Stillman's breakaway. Most hockey fans love the breakaway- it is one of the most exciting moments during a hockey game, although I'm sure some will argue with me that the penalty shot is THE most exciting moment during a game.
The long outlet pass to Stillman, who was behind the Sabres' defense, was a beautiful pass. Once in all alone on Ryan Miller, Stillman decided to stickhandle just one too many times, never got the shot off, jammed his stick into Miller's pads, and Miller made the stop.
Thank god for the DVR. After that happened, I had to go back and look at it again. Stillman never lost the handle, nor did he really run out of room. He deked, like many do on the breakaway. Except he actually managed to out-deke himself. If you can, go back and look at the replay. He deked about 6 times while about 10 feet from the goal crease. To make matters worse, he fell on his face. Ouch.
Note to all forwards: Unless you are Jussi Jokinen of the Dallas Stars, just shoot the puck. If you score, great. But dekeing all the way to the goal crease just makes you look fancy. Stillman is a good player to be sure, but lets face facts here- he isn't exactly known for his stick handling abilities or is known as a pure goal-scorer a la Teemu Selanne and those types. If you get the breakaway, just put the puck on the net. If the goalie stops it, well, that's his job. But don't get all fancy like. It's not your thing.
And finally...
I ran across this little tidbit of information on Sportsnet.ca, citing that Neil Smith has been receiving much interest from the Pittsburgh Penguins organization about their vacant GM position.
I am imploring upon the Penguins upper management to please, please, PLEASE hire Smith. Not because I think he is a spectacular GM (I do not entirely blame him for all of his indiscretions in NY; James Dolan and MSG are much more to blame than Smith), but because Smith needs to get off my television. Most recently playing the role of color commentator during the playoffs, I find myself wanting to hit the mute button every time he makes a comment. Color commentators are supposed to provide analysis of the play. Smith, however, points out the obvious. He even * GASP* points out things that aren't true. He has obvious biases in his commentating, and overall, makes really lame jokes.
So, from one hockey fan who actually gets OLN to Penguins management: I am begging you to hire this man for your organization. Please to the hockey fans a favor and get him off the television. Put him to good use.
Of course, there may not be a Penguins team long if they can't find a buyer. Or get a new arena. But that is a different matter for a different day.
AnOther read that draws, captivates and lures this reader in every single time you post it adds to this blog like each line of fine art. Can I write like you? I wish.
The Sabres encountered something they have not seen throughout the playoffs, a bump in the road.How they deal with the way they were dominated last night should determine if this team has a legit shot at winning the Cup
The penalty shot is not the most exciting play in hockey. Glen Wesley stopping the puck on the goal line and plays like that are the most exciting plays this game has to offer.
That DVR sounds nice, I was up until 2:30am watching the Suns/Clippers game last night.
Neil Smith sounds like a good fit for the Pens and your description of his colour work makes me thankful that TSN and CBC do hockey up here.
As your Ducks are taking on the Oilers tonight, sorry but JINX JINX JINX JINX JINX!!!(I'm obligated to root for the last remaining Canadian team):)
Lots of great points in that article. The other thing the Sabres sure looked to have difficulties with was line matchups. I don't think it was a coincidence that they played their worst period of the playoffs in the 2nd period on the road. Carolina really seemed to exploit the thin blue line, the sabres compounded it by trapping guys on the ice with icings.
I can't believe leafnation made it through to the end of the suns games. I was dead to the world, remote still in hand, by half time. Beer and the mav's game had done me in.
Good call on Wesley's play to save that goal. Now that is what I call the definition of heart and desparation.
I was up watching the Suns/Clippers too, but since I live on the left coast, it ended here around 10:30
Smith wasn't a bad GM. He had enough of money to spend, as as we've all seen w/the New York Knicks, and formerly the Rangers, Jim Dolan thinks he's George Steinbrenner. He can spend all the money in the world and manages to put his teams in the basement. Smith was a victim there, as are most in NY in MSG. It is the abomination that is James Dolan owning those teams. If it weren't for the salary cap in hockey, the Rangers would have been in the same spot as the last 9 years- mired in mediocrity.
Be thankful you are in Canada. Since I subscribe to NHL Center (oops, that's Centre for you Canadian folk), I get all CBC broadcasts on Saturday nights, as well as some TSN broadcasts. As annoying as Pierre McGuire and Greg Millen can be, at least they are entertaining and explain what is going on. Smith is just, well, lame. At least the Eastern Conference Finals on OLN have Doc Emerick and JD. It will be my last time hearing JD on the TV (since he will most likely be the pres. of the Blues next year), but at least he explains stuff.
NO JINXING!!! I know by law you have to root for the lone Canadian team left, but please, let us win one game in Rexall...
Hey sabres: you didn't miss much with PHX/LAC last night. It started well, but by the 3rd quarter, the Clippers essentially stopped playing defense.
4 shots on goal during the second period + playing the trap= bad news for the sabres. One thing I will say about Lindy Ruff is that he and his coaching staff have made adjustments in game all season long, and did so in the third period. But being the road team last night didn't work in their favor, to be sure, and the thin d made everyone else seem sluggish. I just hope they have enough in the tank at this point.
While Pierre MacGuire may be a little bit annoying, there is no one as exciting when commenting on a game.Be it his "monster of the game" or one of his tirades on compostite sticks. I don't know what's put in his coffee but its worth it. As for Greg Millen, I just pretend that it's Bob Cole calling the game and it's ALL RIGHT.
Hell of a 3rd period last night, one of thye few where I saw that many goals during a playoff game( in one period at least).It will be tough for any team to win at Rexall Place with the way the crowd is nowadays,heck I was a little distracted while watching it.
Fortunatly the game ended at 12:30am here at the far east of the western world, so the wife wasn't in the mood to kill me last night. :)
Last edited by leafnation709 on May 24th at 1:10 PM.
A woman with a love and passion for all things hockey, baseball and writing. Ergo, here I am. I will primarily be focusing on hockey and baseball, but if another sport so warrants my attention, I will put my thoughts and opinions here, in this space. Well, it would actually be in the space to the left, but you know what I mean.
Allow me to apologize up front if some of my blogs are long...I'm working on that. For the record, should you see any slanted articles towards the following teams: New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Orange County of Southern California of the United States of America, or the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, that would be cause those are the teams I'm truly a fan of. But I will try to be as fair and unbiased as possible.Than ks in advance for reading!
