The hockey monkeys were shining on us tonight
The Balance in the Bank:
Final Score: Ottawa wins 3-2 (Ottawa leads series 3-1)
Ottawa Goals: Alfredsson, Heatley, Fisher (GW)
Making Sens: Alfredsson, Fisher, Neil
Lacking Sens: Redden, Meszaros, Emery
It was over when: The Fisher goal that gave us the lead by two was going to be enough considering the backchecking we’ve had combined with their inability to pinch in.
It was definitely over when: We forechecked the hell out of them until the final buzzer.
Message in a Molson bottle: Both goalies were weak tonight, Emery giving up huge rebounds and Brodeur giving up two soft goals. The difference in this one was that our top players outplayed their top players. Not out best game, but still a very solid effort in knocking down their defence and pouring more shots through to Brodeur. We need to show that killer instinct again on Saturday because we haven’t won anything yet.
Courtesy Boxscore: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=270502014
Grab a Timmy’s double double and listen to what really happened:
Optimistic Ophelia
The pizza line continues to dominate in all ends of the rink, whether it is a Heatley backcheck, Spezza carrying through the neutral zone, or Alfredsson being Alfredsson, these guys are playing their best hockey. I think you can honestly say that after nine playoff games, our best player each and every game has been our captain. The effort and emotion has rubbed off on his linemates and trickled down to the rest. The pizza line is playing great hockey right now and if you don’t agree with me, I will fight you. That’s no lie (turn on Afternoon Delight and eat a ruben sandwich while you’re at it, Papa Burgundy)
Pessimistic Patty
I don’t mean to agree with Marty Brodeur’s post-game comments (“we showed that if we shoot pucks at Emery, he doesn’t look very good”), but Rayzer needs to be a tad sharper with his rebound control going forward. Besides the two shots that got past him and rang off the post in the first, he is still looking a bit out of position on some saves and letting out rebounds that we’ve been back to clean up. I also find that some of his saves look all 1980’s Andy Moog-ish where he just kicks a leg out while standing up. He stole a game for us in the first round and he might have to do it again on Saturday in the Meadowlands.
Upbeat Ursula
Chris Neil’s best game of the playoffs and Fisher’s first goal of the playoffs. Both positives for those that are counting on effort and scoring from our lower lines. I still want to see Kelly and Vermette start potting a few more, but its great to see the winner come off a secondary stick and its great to see Neil finally playing a bit smarter and being in the play and hitting the shite out of things. How sweet would it have been to see him score on the inside out, how’s she going, move he pulled in the third?
Debbie Downer
We had Brodeur on an off night and still had to play to the final buzzer. There were long periods of play in the second period and in the third period where we were stuck playing Devils hockey. I know that we can do it successfully, but I thought we let them dictate the pace a few times, the first time they’ve really done that in this series. I want to come out balls hard on Saturday and scare them into realizing that we’re not keen on playing a sixth game.
Keys to the next game
- Screen the goalie
- Rebound control
- Shoot glove side, for pete’s sake.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
rd2 gm3 - New Jersey @ Ottawa - 4.30.2007
In terms of oversight from officials, we’re even now.
The Balance in the Bank:
Final Score: Ottawa wins 2-0 (Ottawa leads series 2-1)
Ottawa Goals: Preissing (GW), Spezza
Making Sens: Alfredsson, Volchenkov, Comrie
Lacking Sens: Schaefer, Gerber
It was over when: The Preissing goal ignited this time to a level to which the Devils couldn’t match
It was definitely over when: Killed off the Phillips penalty and went into total shutdown mode for the final four minutes
Message in a Molson bottle: The better team won this game, no doubt about it. Just like in the first round, we have outplayed our opponents and are in a 2-1 series lead. The only difference is that the guy in the other net is standing on his head. Brodeur was amazing and it took a funky goal to win it. However, we were the team that was able to roll four lines, saw the role guys like Neil and McAmmond, Saprykin and Schubert play their precious little hearts out. Oh yeah, and Phillips and Volchenkov continue to cold-cock people as they enter the zone, which helps. Great team win. Enjoy it tonight and come back to work tomorrow to get ready for the next one.
Courtesy Boxscore: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=270430014
Grab a Timmy’s double double and listen to what really happened:
Optimistic Ophelia
The second line was our best line tonight, finally. For the first time in this series, Mike Comrie showed the Tasmanian devil in him, Mike Fisher played out of this world, and Peter Schaefer recognized that there was a game being played and he was a part of it (expectations in check with that fella). This is a scoring line for us, but it is also an energy line and needs to forecheck hard and get the dirty goals. The game-winning goal tonight was a result of their solid play. Good to see. Third and fourth lines looked great tonight, too. They’ll need to keep it up if we’re to win this series.
Pessimistic Patty
Make no mistake, Romans, we’re facing the absolute best goaltender in the wonderful world of men’s ice hockey. Game One was an anomaly, games two and three are what we can expect from him for the rest of the round so it will take continued traffic to the net to crank out another two wins. We’ve never beaten an elite level goaltender and this is the toughest one yet. Luckily, our team is playing with a different vision and if anyone can do it, it’s the guys we dress right now.
Upbeat Ursula
Did you know that Alfredsson, Spezza, and Heatley have combined for 27 points in 8 games? Not too shabby for a has-been and a couple of never-will-be’s, eh? Actually, these three are playing great hockey in their own end right now, including the last minute of the game when we had all three of them backchecking hard enough to free up the puck and all record a point on Spezza’s empty netter. Your best players need to play like your best players, and guess what Scotty? We’re covered. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.
Debbie Downer
The Joe Corvo giveaway might have been the worst turnover recorded in post-War history, people. I love the guy and have defended him vehemently all season long, and even though he’s getting icetime and playing with lots of confidence, that one was bad. Redden and Spezza also had some bad turnovers in this one and if any team is going to make us pay for those, it’s the Sabres. But after the Sabres, the other team that will make us pay for those is the Devils. Can’t do it anymore from here until next preseason. That’s why we have goalies, though.
Keys to the next game
- Traffic in front of Brodeur.
- Keep pucks high – he’s too good with his pads and stick.
- Stay out of the penalty box
- No turnovers ever.
One final note, I'll say that I liked the way Sweet Lou responded to the media re: Fisher's tap on Brodeur on the game winning goal, but Brodeur WAS out of the crease and incidental contact is not a penalty. Sometimes you don't get the breaks (goals with 2.7 seconds left are impossible) and sometimes you do.
The Balance in the Bank:
Final Score: Ottawa wins 2-0 (Ottawa leads series 2-1)
Ottawa Goals: Preissing (GW), Spezza
Making Sens: Alfredsson, Volchenkov, Comrie
Lacking Sens: Schaefer, Gerber
It was over when: The Preissing goal ignited this time to a level to which the Devils couldn’t match
It was definitely over when: Killed off the Phillips penalty and went into total shutdown mode for the final four minutes
Message in a Molson bottle: The better team won this game, no doubt about it. Just like in the first round, we have outplayed our opponents and are in a 2-1 series lead. The only difference is that the guy in the other net is standing on his head. Brodeur was amazing and it took a funky goal to win it. However, we were the team that was able to roll four lines, saw the role guys like Neil and McAmmond, Saprykin and Schubert play their precious little hearts out. Oh yeah, and Phillips and Volchenkov continue to cold-cock people as they enter the zone, which helps. Great team win. Enjoy it tonight and come back to work tomorrow to get ready for the next one.
Courtesy Boxscore: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=270430014
Grab a Timmy’s double double and listen to what really happened:
Optimistic Ophelia
The second line was our best line tonight, finally. For the first time in this series, Mike Comrie showed the Tasmanian devil in him, Mike Fisher played out of this world, and Peter Schaefer recognized that there was a game being played and he was a part of it (expectations in check with that fella). This is a scoring line for us, but it is also an energy line and needs to forecheck hard and get the dirty goals. The game-winning goal tonight was a result of their solid play. Good to see. Third and fourth lines looked great tonight, too. They’ll need to keep it up if we’re to win this series.
Pessimistic Patty
Make no mistake, Romans, we’re facing the absolute best goaltender in the wonderful world of men’s ice hockey. Game One was an anomaly, games two and three are what we can expect from him for the rest of the round so it will take continued traffic to the net to crank out another two wins. We’ve never beaten an elite level goaltender and this is the toughest one yet. Luckily, our team is playing with a different vision and if anyone can do it, it’s the guys we dress right now.
Upbeat Ursula
Did you know that Alfredsson, Spezza, and Heatley have combined for 27 points in 8 games? Not too shabby for a has-been and a couple of never-will-be’s, eh? Actually, these three are playing great hockey in their own end right now, including the last minute of the game when we had all three of them backchecking hard enough to free up the puck and all record a point on Spezza’s empty netter. Your best players need to play like your best players, and guess what Scotty? We’re covered. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.
Debbie Downer
The Joe Corvo giveaway might have been the worst turnover recorded in post-War history, people. I love the guy and have defended him vehemently all season long, and even though he’s getting icetime and playing with lots of confidence, that one was bad. Redden and Spezza also had some bad turnovers in this one and if any team is going to make us pay for those, it’s the Sabres. But after the Sabres, the other team that will make us pay for those is the Devils. Can’t do it anymore from here until next preseason. That’s why we have goalies, though.
Keys to the next game
- Traffic in front of Brodeur.
- Keep pucks high – he’s too good with his pads and stick.
- Stay out of the penalty box
- No turnovers ever.
One final note, I'll say that I liked the way Sweet Lou responded to the media re: Fisher's tap on Brodeur on the game winning goal, but Brodeur WAS out of the crease and incidental contact is not a penalty. Sometimes you don't get the breaks (goals with 2.7 seconds left are impossible) and sometimes you do.
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