Archive for May 30th, 2007

30
May

Feels Like the First Time

By Daniel 3 Comments
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Ducks, Game Reviews, Hockey and Stanley Cup Finals

This doesn’t look good for all those people picking Ottawa in six, hell, even seven. Much like the previous series the Ducks have played in, the opposing goalie has stood on his head to keep his team close, only to break his teams heart when something goes in, like it’s Emery’s fault. The goal was not the best to let in, but he did bail his team out of about nine other times. Sure Ottawa came out and banged some more, the hit on Scott Niedermayer was solid, but you know it only riled the Ducks up. I think Ottawa has this whole thing twisted, they aren’t really playing their tempo and then they try to match the Ducks. Cute. You don’t bang with this team, it does not work like that. The Senators were tired at the end of the second and third and it was easy to see. Goes to show you how rolling four tired lines doesn’t match up well against a team that takes away your will and actually wants to go in to corners to get pucks when it counts.

On to Saturday, where we can have some real ice and then stop all these complaints about how bad it is in Anaheim and that is why Ottawa can’t get going. And the refs, yea they were absolutely horrible. Both sides of the ice fellahs. Score on the 5 on 3, then you have nothing to complain about.

30
May

Whine & Cheese - More of the Same

By Daniel 1 Comment
Categories: 07 Playoffs, Ducks, Hockey, Players and Stanley Cup Finals

I think there were a couple of times last night where Ray Emery had the puck covered and there were two or three extra hacks at him… - Brian Murray

You know how you stop a player from sniffing around your net, poking your goalie? The same way you teach a cat to not claw your furniture or piss on your carpet, you smack it on the nose and give a stern NO! It is no different in this situation, if you want the Ducks to stop crashing the net, smack them on the nose, make it uncomfortable for them to be there. The referees will let you pound someone a little more in front of the net after the whistle or during a scramble for a loose puck. 

   

Where is the puck? Pahlsson and Niedermayer are both roaming around the net without a stick across their hands or a glove in their face. How many Senators does it take to not clear a puck? You leave Andy McDonald, all 5-11, 185lbs of him, untouched in front of the net. A guy can not score a goal if he is planted in the ice or has a glove in his face. If anyone comes around the Ducks net, they learn very quickly that they are not welcome and it will not be tolerated. Either you are going to sit in there and take the punishment or you are going to move. Tomas Holmstrom gave the Ducks fits in front of the net, that guy has some balls to stand in and take that, he was always causing a problem. That is a good example of what needs to be done.

The Senators were regularly out of position in game one, the Ducks seemed to always be behind them when it came to crease mayhem. What exactly were the Senators doing for eleven days? This was no secret in the three previous rounds, every goalie complained and commented on the traffic as did the coaches. The game plan is simple every time, get shots through and clean up anything that needs to be cleaned up. While none of the Ducks goals in game one were of this variety, you know it is coming some time down the line. Though Mike Comrie did get a goal like this, kind of, standing off to the side of the net.

We’re going hard to the net and we’re going to go try and score goals, we’re definitely not trying to do anything to provoke him or injure him, by any means. - Ryan Getzlaf

Why do I envision a smirk on Getzlaf’s face when he said that? I don’t think they are trying to injure anyone, but provoke, yes. You know that is part of the plan, to take the goalie out of his comfort zone, to make him think traffic is coming and I need to watch out for that. Less than 100% focus on the puck. The Ducks play until the whistle blows, maybe one extra poke or whack. You don’t like it, read the first paragraph. Ottawa doesn’t give it back, maybe they should try it out. Then again, we all saw what happened when you take a slapshot after the whistle blows. Either play tougher or turn the other cheek, but being bullied around figures to only help the Ducks. Seven more hours…