Game 1 recap
well hrmm. Like Wazz said, the first 45 minutes were a warmup apparently.
"Tri-City is a good team, but it's frustrating for our guys when they embellish when we touch them," Habscheid said. "Our leading scorer gets speared and (Kevin) Sundher gets hit in the head and no call. It's a seven-game series -- we'll show up tomorrow."
The Bruins came out with a solid game plan, cutting off passing lanes, limiting second shots and playing physical hockey against the smaller Americans. And it was worked well in protecting their 1-0 lead until Kruise Reddick found an open net behind Chilliwack goalie Lucas Gore at 3:41 of the third.
"They played a very solid game from goalie out to the forwards," Reddick said. "Every shift was a battle. I don't think we were in the game at the start and they weren't letting us in. I think that goal may have gotten the monkey off our backs." (Herald)
Playing physical hockey--that's no understatement. The AMS were clearly frustrated the first half+ of the game and yeah, unfortunately, there was some embellishment going on. KNOCK THAT SHIT OFF. You look ridiculous. In addition, coach did indeed go with the risky 5-forwards on the power play, a move that did not, this time, pay off as they were 0-for-3. Meanwhile, my advice was ignored (go figure) and the AMS did not stay out of the box, which didn't work for them as Chilliwack was 2-for-2 on the power play.
When they woke up, however, they woke up. Goals by Reddick, Shinnimin, Prokop, and Drozd all in the 3rd to light up Gore. The line of Macek, Reddick, and Drozd were the most consistent as far as effort the whole night. Shinny had moments, but often looked like he was trying to do it all himself. Granted, they could have used *something* to get them going, but that's not it. The Todd Kennedy Experiment (new nickname) had all of 2 shifts so I guess so much for him being a physical presence and all that hoo-ha.
3 comments:
Agree that the first 45 minutes looked like warm up. Agree that Owsley was solid (and I was probably cheering louder than anyone when they announced he was starting).
Disagree that there was a lot of embellishment going on. I saw the guys once or twice look at the officials like they wanted a call, but not any diving or throwing their heads back like they'd just been high-sticked, etc. Besides, why would they want to try and draw a penalty? The PP is atrocious right now. The penalty kill is worse, imo, but other than the first PP, there wasn't much worth watching.
Kruise totally deserved the first star. Even if he hadn't gotten that first goal, he worked his ass off harder than anyone. Some of the boys came out looking like they were playing a mid-season game against Swift Current or something. Maybe nerves, I dunno, but I hope the third period reminded them of how good they are when they put forth 100% and play like EVERY SINGLE touch of the puck counts.
Dow was awesome. Suds was underwhelming (sorry, Brock). I hope Yuen plays tonight, but at least if he's out for awhile Schmidt is back.
I did see a couple times where guys looked like they were getting shot in the face, then looking back, but it wasn't an epidemic, per se.
That said, a lot of missed calls-- like with Drozd bleeding and not getting the four (even though they didn't do much with it) and maybe the Yuen hit, which looked borderline high.
While it's better than overcalling a game, there's a chance where undercalling could be bad for the series, one through whenever.
Just goes to show you how different your perspective is depending on where you sit!
I was wondering why they didn't call a double minor when Sergei was clearly bleeding all over the place. After they called the trip on Lazo, which was actually caused by the Bruins' own three players getting tangled up with each other, I was jaded about the officiating for the rest of the game. I'm sick to death of the shitty reffing in this league.
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