Game 5
Well, this one was similar to game 4 in that the 'Canes came out of the gate fast and the Habs could not recover. Again, with the notes:
- This time the special teams were the difference. Carolina bagged a couple of PP goals and were 2/5. Montreal was 0/5, and it was the ugliest 0/5 I've seen in a long time. The Habs PP was just getting outworked.
- On the flipside, Montreal's PK was typically passive. Cullen's 2nd period goal used a formation that confused Begin and Bonk. Cullen was on the blueline in the middle of the ice with passing options on both boards about ten feet inside the line. Both high PKers committed halfheartedly to Cullen, the shot got through and that was the ball game.
- Especially early on, it seemed like the Habs were losing all the battles. That's another thing Saku always does.
- The officiating in the game, like game 4, was leaning toward the "let 'em play" school. Hrudey said it was the best game of the playoffs, which may or may not be true. I really liked a couple of early TB/Ott games. Plus it's hard to be objective when the Habs are concerned.
- Tuesday, the Habs have to come out flying. The last couple of games, a slow start has been their undoing. With the predictable early 'tone-setting' penalties, it helps to be the team controlling the play in the offensive zone.
~~~
Channel flipping
During commercials, I watched the San Jose - Nashville game. Say what you want about the hockey knowledge of Nashville fans, but they know their 5-on-3s. Fans seated behind the Preds' penalty box had a couple of great signs up against the glass:
and
This afternoon, I watched the NBC broadcasts. Don't like all the graphics. It's like watching Pop-Up Video. Is that still on?
~~~
Other stuff
- Here is a sparkling review of The Rocket.
- Ah, the Buffalo sports bar experience.
- According to the latest print issue of THN, Huet is pronounced Hu-ETT. Almost like (Foster) Hewitt, but with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
- VCOE continues it's hazing of the playoff teams. It's the Habs turn today.
- Dave Stubbs has discovered Brind'amour's weakness:
- This time the special teams were the difference. Carolina bagged a couple of PP goals and were 2/5. Montreal was 0/5, and it was the ugliest 0/5 I've seen in a long time. The Habs PP was just getting outworked.
- On the flipside, Montreal's PK was typically passive. Cullen's 2nd period goal used a formation that confused Begin and Bonk. Cullen was on the blueline in the middle of the ice with passing options on both boards about ten feet inside the line. Both high PKers committed halfheartedly to Cullen, the shot got through and that was the ball game.
- Especially early on, it seemed like the Habs were losing all the battles. That's another thing Saku always does.
- The officiating in the game, like game 4, was leaning toward the "let 'em play" school. Hrudey said it was the best game of the playoffs, which may or may not be true. I really liked a couple of early TB/Ott games. Plus it's hard to be objective when the Habs are concerned.
- Tuesday, the Habs have to come out flying. The last couple of games, a slow start has been their undoing. With the predictable early 'tone-setting' penalties, it helps to be the team controlling the play in the offensive zone.
~~~
Channel flipping
During commercials, I watched the San Jose - Nashville game. Say what you want about the hockey knowledge of Nashville fans, but they know their 5-on-3s. Fans seated behind the Preds' penalty box had a couple of great signs up against the glass:
"Maximum Occupancy: 1"
and
"No Vacancy!"
This afternoon, I watched the NBC broadcasts. Don't like all the graphics. It's like watching Pop-Up Video. Is that still on?
~~~
Other stuff
- Here is a sparkling review of The Rocket.
- Ah, the Buffalo sports bar experience.
- According to the latest print issue of THN, Huet is pronounced Hu-ETT. Almost like (Foster) Hewitt, but with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
- VCOE continues it's hazing of the playoff teams. It's the Habs turn today.
- Dave Stubbs has discovered Brind'amour's weakness:
"It's ice cream. And cookies. And pretty much any other snack food or leftover his three kids leave within his reach... His 205-pound frame forgives his occasional sweet tooth, given his religious devotion to fitness.The buckets of Häagen-Dazs in the visitors' dressing room at the Bell centre Tusday night will be compliments of Sisu Hockey.
"Broccoli is for dinner," he said with a grin. "You don't reach for it late at night as a snack. Hey, with three kids in the house, you can't not eat crap. My next goal is to cut out that vice. My diet can be better."
posted by Jeff J at 11:47 p.m.
2 Comments:
tonight's game was an ugly on for the Habs (sigh--again), except for a bit towards the end of the 2nd period and some of the third where the players seemed to wake up from whatever haze they're into right now. hopefully the Bell Centre will wake them up.
last night's game was quite difficult to watch. UGLY.
I will contribute to the buckets for the visitor's dressing room tomorrow night.
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