data.3news-bydate.test.rec.sport.hockey.53823 Maven / Gradle / Ivy
From: [email protected]
Subject: Leafs versus Wings
Lines: 46
Organization: Memorial University. St.John's Nfld, Canada
How long can the Leafs play short-handed and still be expected to
score? They did some fine penely-killing in the first (2 men down
for a couple of minutes at one point) but they just couldn't keep it
up. They spent virtually the entire game either short-handed or
just coming off a penelty -- as soon as they'd get re-grouped, they're
penalized again!
Sheesh -- like Gilmour said after the 1st -- you can't go calling
every little push an shove in a game like that. And if you're going
to, you have to do it for both teams.
Pearson (one of my four favorite Leafs) played like a bonehead -- I
saw him personally screw up at least 2 good scoring opportunities, and
then he got that *bonehead* 5-minute major high-sticking penalty.
Cullen has gotten stronger since his return from injury a hand-full of
games ago and he played a good game. If the other players on his line
can smarten up, that line should do okay. Clark's got to get tough --
he's got to intimidate and go for the net. Send Clark up the left
wing over the blue line a couple times... his patented wrist shot will
put some numbers on the board... and Pearson... heck, maybe he should
be benched.
I hate to repeat Grapes, but where the heck was Foligno? Zezel can't
do all the checking himself -- and get MacLlwain on the move... we
need some speed out there! Keep Potvin in net, he did okay
considering... although (like I said a couple weeks ago) Potvin
messed up in a couple games in the AHL playoffs last year -- he can
easily do it again.
My prediction last week was Toronto in 7 -- that the games DET wins
will be blow-outs and the game TOR wins will be close -- I still stand
by that.
Don't fret, Leafs fans, in order to win in 7, the other team has to
win 3! :-)
Burns is going to make some magic -- he'll mix up some lines. Match
the Wings line-per-line. He'll have his team checking hard, and he'll
never let them get out-numbered in their own end. The Leafs will win
Wednesday night... and will take 1 or their home games (probably the
first one).
Stephen LEAF Legge
[email protected]