Wednesday, April 26, 2006

R.I.P. John Graham, 2005 - 2006

The major concern for the Tampa Bay Lightning coming into this series was the lackluster play of their goalies. Gone were the glory days of the Bulin wall and on was the horror show of the John Graham / Sean Burke tandem. What’s nice about the playoffs is that it gives you a chance to re-write the script if you have had an off year. According to Tortorella, he was confident that Graham would turn the page and start fresh – how wrong he was.

Graham has let in a staggering 12 goals in 2.5 games played for a GAA over 4. He was chased from the net early in the second last night after surrendering his fifth goal and allowing the Sens to shoot 33%. To further prove that he can’t handle the tough shot, the Sens are a whopping 42% on the pp. – unheard of in the NHL.

Dear old Torts claimed last night that they found the Sens weakest link – Ray Emery. I think you better look in your own house old man – Your goaltending situation is dire – Emery has outplayed Graham in every game series (Granted, Goto with two couch cushions taped to his legs could probably outplay him). Emery has made the tough save and although he may not have been spectacular – he has been close. Although John Graham will start next game, I am confident in saying – RIP, your living on borrowed time and your career is, for all intents and purposes, over.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

powerful. I agree that there is a major irony that Torts is saying Ottawa's weak link is Emery and that they "got to him in the third period" when his goalies are fighting to NOT get icetime. Torts, your weak link just got weaker and this series is over. Good call, Willis

Anonymous said...

Who is GOTO? good call. Maybe a bit early though.

Anonymous said...

To answer Bill K, Goto is a lackluster hockey player that hits the bottle a little to regularly. Emery makes the saves that he needs to make and John Graham makes swiss cheese look like a better option.

Anonymous said...

When is Tampa going to get the dreaded RIP? Go Sens Go

Anonymous said...

Where is Gratton? Can't win the cup without him.

Anonymous said...

Where did this 'Goto' Play?

Anonymous said...

Justin ‘Goose’ Goto had a promising career in the Japanese Pro league with the Komodo Bandits untill a freak accident claimed his leg in 1986. Goose, who was drunk at the time, wandered into a local bar and was violently attacked by a local thug after Goto refused to stop air-saxing. A brawl ensued and Goto got his left leg cut off by a large sword. After the accident, Goose returned to Canada where he know runs a comic stand in a local mall in Pembroke, ON.