Game 7
It’s game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals and the announcers have quotes from famous people at the ready - it seemed a little rehearsed and awkward to me but I suppose credit should be given for the effort. And again the puck begins bouncing in the Edmonton zone within the FIRST MINUTE of the game, I swear the visitor ice in Raleigh had been intentionally fatigued. Carolina resumed their strong fore checking with Edmonton less so, this was how they lost most of the other times in this series.
I was greatly impressed with Smyth’s stick handling, it was downright globetrotter-like. I also noticed the Edmonton defense firmed up after the first goal, they, like me, refuse to let the game be decided by the first 2 minutes. And again there was a funny bounce behind the Edmonton net, the evidence builds in my conspiracy theory. The ‘Stall’ puns are fun, if a little overdone. And again, first 2 minutes of the second period with Carolina in the visitor’s end the puck starts bouncing for no reason!
As the game progressed the announcers moved on to quoting Shakespeare…something about that seems very Canadian to me. I can’t believe the passes to no one that Edmonton keeps perpetrating; what was a silver platter not available to present the cup to Carolina on?
Also what was the deal with the waving of random nations’ flags in the crowd? Unless I was mistaken I saw the same guy wave first a Czech Republic and then Brazilian flag, is this a World Cup thing? If so, you’re at the wrong event buddy. Maybe it had something to do with the nationality of certain players? I dunno, it’s hockey - keep your grabs for attention simple! Most people watching have had a few after all…
It was as if at the beginning and end of the 2nd period Edmonton woke up and realized they were playing for the cup, sadly they seemed to forget throughout much of the rest of the game. I mean, if they had tried their best and lost that I could accept but this is just sad. Right after Pisani scored they cut to a shot of his parents in the crowd - they looked scared for their lives! Not that I can blame them, if my kid had just scored against the home team in game 7 of the Stanley cup finals I’d be watching my back too.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Edmonton needs to fore check more and with more intensity. It looks to me as if Edmonton saved their energy for the 3rd period but then slowed down about half way through, just as Caroline sped up.
Sigh.
