CrashingTheGoalie

by desertdawg

St. Louis sent us down the toilet on that mind boggling losing streak. If you recall, the St Lou game about a month ago was a fer-sure gimme, at least that’s the way we played it. We scored pretty much at will and we didn’t have to work for it. And the game was well in hand…until it wasn’t. Oh well, everyone has a stinker now and then. We’ll be back better and stronger next game.
Except we weren’t back better and stronger. The lack of work ethic, the easy goals that night, infested us like some kind of medieval plague. It took the boys a couple of weeks before they realized that even the skill guys have to bring their lunch bucket. And not the Miley Cyrus ones, either. You need to bring the matte-black lunch bucket, on every shift, in every game, if you want to win in today’s capped NHL.
And I used to think that when we scored the first goal, all we had to do was have Lou close the door and we win. Automatic. Thinking shut out in the first period? Sure, why not. It’s not like Lou couldn’t do it…win with a one goal lead. But we haven’t seen that yet. Lou needs lots of games to get to that point where he’s in that particular zone…doing

the Grand Theft Luongo.
And we may need that GTL tonight, because the Blues are playing some fine hockey these days. Coach Andy Murray has always preached the tightly controlled game. He has his guys alternating brilliantly, from aggressive forecheck to the 1-2-2 trap. They are well-coached and well-motivated.

As are we. We need these games if we hope to be in the playoffs. And we need some GTL if we are going to make a serious run to be a contender. Some guys thrive on rest and relaxation. Me, for example. I have to get my nine-hours-a-day rest. Now, I’m not a deep thinker and I’m not a particularly productive person. When I was a boss I tried to work just a bit harder than the guy assigned community service. Think Steve Carrell. But I always hired a guy (or gal) who was a hardworking mother as my right-hand. Someone who felt guilty if they didn’t work all the time. Someone who didn’t have a well balanced up bringing.
Someone who thrived on work.

I’ve interview a few pretty good hockey players in my time and to a man, the most successful were the work-aholics. I think Luongo is like that. A guy who is happiest when he’s working. Who works even when he’s not working. We’ve seen him do it before. Two shut outs in a row? Yeah, he’s done that. Three in a row? Yeah, he’s done that a couple of times as well.
And I submit, that if we are to be successful over these next few games, we need some GTL.
But we didn’t see it in the first period. Our PP was miserable. Our D-zone coverage was bantam level. Our forwards were looking for the stretch pass instead of coming deep into our own zone to do the work. Looks like the boys started to read their press clippings the last couple of days.

Yep, the slump’s over…we are now to be feared. Who will we be trading for at the deadline so we can run for the cup..Yikes!
The only highlight was Kevin Bieksa adjusting the fine tuning knob on Dan Hinote. I’d like to see Kevin play with that edge more often.

You know, nuttier than squirrel poop.

And Lou wasn’t bad, but he didn’t close the door when we needed him to. So, down two after one period, it seems we have them right where we want them.
The second period is notable for our miserable PK and instead of GTL we are getting some MSG…yeah, I have no shame. Mats Goal Scoring. The problem with the PK is that we are running around without any apparent structure. And our best penalty killer needs to be the goaltender.
But besides Mats scoring, how about him standing up to the St Louis goonery after his first marker!

Have to go back to Pavel Bure sticking his elbow in Shane Churla’s ear since we’ve seen one of our superstars stand up for themselves. But we need more than MSG if we are going to win this.
But the third period proves me wrong. Mats doesn’t score, but man, he plays a good game. He is instrumental on Kesler’s goal by preventing the Blues from clearing the zone on our PP. Great pass by Demitra to Kesler, leaving me wishing that Mr. Enigma eventually starts to find the back of the net as well.
And Insight Alert here: The coach put Kesler into the top six rotation and it’s paid off big time. Kesler is one of the two hardest working guys on the Canucks and it made sense to put him up with Sundin and Demitra. The third period shows the line is still on fire. And then the Coach rewards the other hardest working guy in hockey by putting him with the Sedins. Why didn’t I think of this before? I could have told Coach AV…what a concept…put Burrows up with the Sedins!!!
Stupid Restraining Order.
And Janik Hansen, the third liner who worked so hard with Kesler and Burrows? Well, all he did was score the winner. And if you watch the replay, it was a goal scorers goal. This kid will be a big part of our future.
And the Coach puts Mats out for the final minute, hoping that hat-trick magic happens and the big Swede will score the winner. After Henrik does the Homer Simpson routine (Duough!!!!) Demitra finally finds the back of the net.
Next time he’ll do it with the goalie in net.

And as for Roberto…hey, he closed the door when we finally went up a goal.