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Post by CentreHice on May 9, 2004 21:57:38 GMT -5
Didn't see the third period...but the first two looked like a case of the same old same old....Tampa Bay bending but not breaking, Khabibulin in great position, and the forwards capitalizing on their few chances.
The first Tampa goal was scored after a long stretch of Flyer dominance. Much like their first goal in Game 3 against the Habs. Habs were doing all the work...then boom...a shorthanded breakaway goal.
Tampa certainly looks like a team of destiny so far. They've now won 8 games in a row.
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Post by CentreHice on May 10, 2004 21:24:50 GMT -5
Game 2: 6-2 Flyers. Full marks to the Philadelphia and Khabibulin had a human evening. If that had been Theo we would have been all over him. Kinda shaky on Leclair's early goal. Through the 5-hole on Recchi's tip. And going down early on Kapanen's goal....a great shot, but he gave him the upper part of the net.
Tampa's full of hot heads who get a little dirty when the game's out of reach. I guess every team looks for some way to show they're not giving up...but that's the part I hate about hockey. You're losing fair and square...and your response is cheap shots? I know of no other team sport that has that dynamic built into its culture.
EDIT: Tuesday morning's Toronto Star
And somebody please, find me one Theo quote EVER to match this one from Khabibulin:
The onslaught began when John LeClair — who's been castigated as a playoff pooch this spring — popped his first goal of the post-season just 1:53 after the opening faceoff, a shot that found daylight between Khabibulin's pads.
"I should have stopped that shot," Khabibulin said. "I've got to play better next time."
Arguably, until that game, the hottest goalie in the playoffs...and he makes a statement like that. Khudos to Khabi.
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Post by MC Habber on May 11, 2004 16:39:05 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure Theo has said pretty much the same thing on a few occaisions.
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Post by CentreHice on May 11, 2004 17:20:02 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure Theo has said pretty much the same thing on a few occaisions. In the regular season perhaps, but certainly not in this year's playoffs in which he had numerous opportunities to do so. The closest he got was after Game 3...."it wasn't my best game, for sure...but...what can you do...." Except for two games against Boston, and some great saves in Tampa Game 2, Theo was rather ordinary in the playoffs. If he was on top of his game, we arguably get past Boston quicker and extend Tampa to more than 4 games. Of course, I don't blame it all on him. I know our skaters gave up high quality scoring chances, failed attempts to clear the zone, etc....it's a team game. No arguing that Esche, Nabokov, Khabibulin, and Kiprusoff are getting better all-round efforts from their teammates. But all these goalies have been spectacular. Khabi had his first shaky game in 11, and he admits he has to be better. Theo would have said, "Well, I've been great up til that shot, so I just have to bounce back." Next year will be the litmus test re: Theo/Garon. Theo has to make it his best year yet if he intends to keep the #1 spot. Right now, he's in Jocelyn Thibeault territory after the 98 playoffs IMO. |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on May 11, 2004 17:35:07 GMT -5
"We didn't play well tonight."
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Post by Rimmer on May 12, 2004 1:54:42 GMT -5
OTOH, after he plays a great game, Theo usually says something along these lines: "WE played a good game today, the D did a good job of letting me see the shots clearly etc., etc. while he doesn't always say it clearly when he has a poor game, I have rarely, if ever, heard/read him taking the credit for the win after his stellar play.
R.
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Post by CentreHice on May 15, 2004 18:54:27 GMT -5
Game 4: Series tied 2-2 with a 3-2 Flyers win...and they looked good doing it. When Philly took a penalty with 1:32 left and that Tampa muffed pass went right to Lecavalier in full flight for their second goal, I thought...are you kidding me? A team of destiny or what. But the Flyers prevailed...Esche bounced back from his 2-soft-goal performance in Game 3. Keith Primeau is a machine...and why he was left off the Team Canada roster is beyond me.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2004 18:57:51 GMT -5
Flames/Flyers Stanley Cup Final.
The Flyers have really impressed me this year, and are performing beyond my expectations. I thought their goaltending would be their key weakness as usual, but Esche has looked good, it seems.
Lightning showing a little slip in their game...?
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Post by franko on May 15, 2004 19:56:05 GMT -5
Stinking Flyers! I loaded up on Red Wing and Lightning players for the playoff pool. Ah, well . . .
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Post by jkr on May 16, 2004 14:59:54 GMT -5
3. Keith Primeau is a machine...and why he was left off the Team Canada roster is beyond me. I don't understand it either. He has stepped it way up in the last two series. He is a far better pick than Brad Richards. |
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