Nothing too major to cover today. In fact, I'm posting mainly to comment on the fact that Jason Spezza managed to embarass the Canadiens again last night (remember his hilight reel goal earlier in the season?). In fact, he managed to embarass the same Canadiens defender - Sheldon Souray. Unlike the earlier goal, which was simply slick stickhandling brilliance, last night's tally was more of the sneaky, duplicitous type. If you watch a replay, Souray's skating with the puck towards the corner behind his own net. Suddenly, and seemingly inexplicably, Souray drops the puck behind his back to a waiting Spezza, who walks out (almost casually) to deposit the puck behind a startled Garon. Of course, anyone who's played hockey knows that players talk to each other on the ice...meaning Souray probably heard a quick "back!" or "reverse!" from Spezza (posing as a teammate). Usually it's rookies who fall for those kind of ploys, but last night it was poor, poor Souray. Again.
Other issues of note:
- I should probably mention that Montreal ended up getting the last laugh last night, coming from 3 goals behind to defeat Ottawa in a SO, 4-3.
- Curtis Joesph got hammered by the Blues (of all teams) last night to the tune of 5 goals on 13 shots. Ouch. Even without Tkachuk, the Blues managed to go 3for4 on the PP, while Phoenix was a lousy 2for10. Not only did the 'Yotes lose to the lowly Blues, despite enjoying 6 more PP opportunities, but they lost to the lowly Blues backed by a 3rd string goalie, Jason Bacashihua. Double ouch.
- Eric Staal lead the Hurricanes past the Lightning last night with his league leading 24th goal. It's almost a crime if this guy doesn't make the Canadian Olympic team roster.
- Yup, today's the day they name Team Canada. And I just know Jovo's gonna be on there. And I just can't fathom why that is. Don't agree? Take a look at his stats compared to his teammates...here. He's a team worst -6, despite his 22 points (Salo has the same number of points, but is +10). Canada isn't going to need extra scoring punch from the blueline...they're going to need rock solid defense. If we're choosing d-men based on point production, Bryan McCabe is more deserving of a roster spot than Jovo, anyways. But, it looks like his presence at prior international tournaments is going to get Jovo into this one too...boooo is all I have to say. Boo.
- The New Jersey Devils, in a state of flux since the resignation of head coach Larry Robinson and the sudden retirement of Malakhov, have recently signed 40 year old d-man Tommy Albelin! I know...I didn't see that one coming either. And, despite all this drama, they still managed to beat the Rangers last night 3-1!
- That's about it for now aside from my semi-habitual game-day threat to the Flames, which is: WIN FLAMES...OR I WILL SICK FERNANDO PISANI ON YOU.
