Friday, April 09, 2004
Game 1 thoughts
It all happened after the switch.
Most people will point to the 5-on-3 PP as the turning point in Ottawa's 4-2 victory tonight. After all, the two goals scored on the power plays turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead. However, what you won't read in the papers tomorrow, and what you won't see in TSN or The Score's post game coverage, is what led to the shift in momentum. Mere moments before the 5-on-3, my wife an I switched Sens jerseys, thereby changing the team's luck. Although we're still working on assigning causation (was it the particular jerseys that brought the luck, or was it simply the switching of said jerseys that was the rally's catalyst) we're excited about this exciting breakthrough in playoff-luck technology.
Either way, you're welcome Sens fans.
As for the game, it was obvious from the opening faceoff that the Senators had come to play. They generated a few chances off the bat and rebounded from an early defensive breakdown, getting a fluke goal thanks to some puck luck. Although they could not convert on their early power plays, they looked strong, moving the puck well and getting some nice chances.
They finally broke through on the 5-on-3, and seemed to be in control from then on in, despite a few flurries from the Leafs. Hossa's highlight-reel goal early in the third put the final nail in the coffin.
One of the big questions coming into tonight's game was the readiness of Patrick Lalime in returning from a knee injury. He was solid in general, making some key saves when necessary. Lalime's most entertaining save of the night came in the third period when, obviously having watched some baseball during his recuperation, he did his best Graig Nettles/Brooks Robinson impression, grabbing a shot (undoubtedly headed down the line) with a diving catch.
Most people will point to the 5-on-3 PP as the turning point in Ottawa's 4-2 victory tonight. After all, the two goals scored on the power plays turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead. However, what you won't read in the papers tomorrow, and what you won't see in TSN or The Score's post game coverage, is what led to the shift in momentum. Mere moments before the 5-on-3, my wife an I switched Sens jerseys, thereby changing the team's luck. Although we're still working on assigning causation (was it the particular jerseys that brought the luck, or was it simply the switching of said jerseys that was the rally's catalyst) we're excited about this exciting breakthrough in playoff-luck technology.
Either way, you're welcome Sens fans.
As for the game, it was obvious from the opening faceoff that the Senators had come to play. They generated a few chances off the bat and rebounded from an early defensive breakdown, getting a fluke goal thanks to some puck luck. Although they could not convert on their early power plays, they looked strong, moving the puck well and getting some nice chances.
They finally broke through on the 5-on-3, and seemed to be in control from then on in, despite a few flurries from the Leafs. Hossa's highlight-reel goal early in the third put the final nail in the coffin.
One of the big questions coming into tonight's game was the readiness of Patrick Lalime in returning from a knee injury. He was solid in general, making some key saves when necessary. Lalime's most entertaining save of the night came in the third period when, obviously having watched some baseball during his recuperation, he did his best Graig Nettles/Brooks Robinson impression, grabbing a shot (undoubtedly headed down the line) with a diving catch.
