Expressly Canadian (Gm 2)
May 19, 2010, by Homme De Sept-Iles
Thoughts while reviewing the game.
Montreal v Philadelphia, Game Two (Full Musing is here)
First Frame Thoughts Only (Brief San Jose-Chicago Thoughts Follow)
Pyatt’s chance with about twelve minutes left in the first period was one worth wishing for again. A certain puck but the sweep-in failed. Pyatt couldn’t get enough of it.
Turnovers. Bergeron’s pass to Subban goes awry as Subban had unexpectedly advanced from the point towards the left hash. Markov’s continued absence is the reason.
Montreal creates three good scoring chances to close the penalty and Leighton’s saves and resolve are magnificent. Cammalleri twice. Kostitsyn once. The setup comes from a faked Subban slapshot and cross-ice pass to the hash for an advancing Cammalleri. It’s not Markov to Kovalev but it’s just as effective.
Leighton is the difference-maker here as Biron was in 2008.
I contemplate offence and put aside what I already think I know.
The Flyers are robotic in their efficiency and purposeful entries. This is not the Flyers of the past three, four seasons. And neither, for that matter, are the 09-10 Leafs. Both teams are smarter, sharper and patient. Leafs are smaller and more skilled. Flyers are more patient and emotionally deliberate.
They are using their reputation as a playing card rather than a rancid, unwieldy burning brand. It’s devious. It’s clever. It’s unexpected. And my admiration for Laviolette grows.
Pyatt’s backchecking on a Flyer entry is excellent and the two supporting Montreal defencemen have the luxury of maintaining position and watching. Houde says that Pyatt has had a good period. This occurs at the twelve minute elapsed mark.
Montreal’s efforts at evening the game in the first period are impressive and are marked with forethought and urgency.
On just one shift, Subban drives well past the hash. Hamrlik advances to keep a puck alive and then produces a shot (which is blocked by a diving Flyer). Both Plekanec and Kostitsyn make plays at the circle or below to keep possession.
Watching the first, I keep reflecting on Laviolette’s post-game comments on the frame. They were made as a coach still coaching (who knows, one of our guys might hear this); the tonality was one of genuine worry but buttressed conviction. He says that Montreal took it to Philadelphia and that he doesn’t want to roll those kinds of dice too often.
His points are valid, of course but the team wasn’t in as much danger as he evinces. But reviewing this period convinces me that all was not well, either. This was Montreal’s best period of the series.
So far.
With just under five minutes left in the period, the numbers support Laviolette more than they do, say, uh, me. Montreal has a 14-4 shot advantage.
Both of Pronger’s biggest shots this series have been wide. This one is gloved by a reaching Halak. Pronger has always had a powerful, respected shot. But I find myself wondering if it’s the same as it used to be. In boxing, a popular maxim states that a knock-out punch is the last thing to go in an ageing fighter. Some say that it never goes. Foreman in his mid to late-forties is cited as a supporting example.
When does shot velocity leave a hockey player? Is it one of the last things to go?
Montreal’s game isn’t hitting. It’s skating. But the Flyers have their opponents looking for checks, initiating hostilities. They watch and ignore and avoid. And they play an economic, board-saving, time-killing patience game.
Mike Richards’ attempted take-out of Kostitsyn is an exception.
But Hartnell is one of the surprising converts. At this point, having convinced his team to adjust and apply techniques that led to their historic comeback win against Boston (from a 3-0 games deficit), Laviolette has his audience in thrall. And why not.
I’m paying attention, myself.
On the other bench, Martin has evinced much or most of the same sentiment. His team has seen that applying the Martin system has resulted in wins over two teams of hefty reputation if not matching skills.
But some answers for game three are to be found more on Muller’s offensive white board rather than Pearn’s defensive surface.
Thoughts Watching San Jose vs. Chicago (Gm 2)
My son can do no wrong.
Members of the San Jose crowd follow suit with a volley of boos as they watch team captain Joe Thornton vigorously argue a slashing call.
Thornton slashed Chicago forward Dave Bolland at the faceoff circle, an ugly, vicious gesture I’ve never seen before. Thornton made no attempt at the puck though his swinging gesture was made to look like a faceoff move. It’s a move only a mother could forgive.
Captains don’t just lead their teams but have an effect on how referees are treated. Thornton’s distasteful defence of his slash sees an already partisan crowd turn more deeply against the officials.
I try and imagine Joe Sakic or Paul Kariya yelling in such a fashion at a referee and the incongruity of the image is not only amusing but juxtaposed with Thornton’s attitude, disgusting. Neither Kariya nor Sakic did such a thing.
I think of the younger players watching this sort of display and cringe in sympathy for the referees and coaches that must deal with the inevitable imitative gestures from nine, twelve and fifteen-year olds.
Some quotes from related articles:
“Why would anybody try to intimidate a 13-year-old like that?”
Officials believe the incidents are part of a disturbing trend.
Rule 41 – Physical Abuse of Officials
The Star gained exclusive access to 122 such reports into the GTHL’s most serious on-ice incidents last year. They revealed a disturbing pattern of growing racism, hits to the head and referee abuse.
400 young officials quit over abuse annually: Hockey NB
Pierre McGuire, colour-man for the TSN telecast, was forgiving of Thornton; twice citing the word frustration in reference to Thornton’s actions. But a lesser gesture from a captain like Thornton is a gesture from a focal figure, to some an icon, and it has a ripple effect when added to similar such televised scenes. There is more at stake here than just a playoff outcome.
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