Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
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The NFL network did a "Top 10" list on this very topic. I liked it as I do with many of their "Top 10s". It was funny, because we tend to remember those "Sportscenter" type of moments and forget the ones in between. Even in that segment there were people that couldn't remember who the one was that caught the game winning touchdown for the Giants in that Super Bowl with the Tyree helmet catch (it was Plaxico Burress). But that's just the thing, we forget big plays that are crucial to a team winning, especially when they are overshadowed. Here is one not on the list for the NFL top 10 before I go onto the NHL. Tom Brady very nearly was picked off in the end zone by the Falcons in the Super Bowl a couple years ago in overtime, one play before they ran it in. Watch it. That famous comeback, all the drama that ensued was almost squandered by an errant throw. Did Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson teach the Patriots nothing two years earlier? Anyway, no one remembers that. No one ever brings it up. Ever. But it happened. Here are the NHL's versions of forgotten plays.
Serge Savard 1979 - We all know Rick Middleton's skill level. Well, Game 7 overtime he is doing his thing and Boston is playing pretty good I thought in the overtime. Middleton is breaking down the right wing and tries to pull a between the legs move on Savard. He did this a million times and it almost worked this time and he'd have walked right in alone on a shaky Dryden (at least for that game). Savard picks the puck clean and throws it immediately to Rejean Houle who tips it to Mario Tremblay to Lambert and the rest is history. None of that happens without the Savard defensive play.
Scott Niedermayer 2010 Olympics - We all remember Crosby's goal. He rushes in, then shoots and loses it and we even remember Iginla's assist to him, just reaching as he is falling. What we forget - and believe me, I've tried to remind people of this - was Niedermayer almost becoming in the Steve Smith/Tommy Salo category by coughing the puck up right at the hashmark just SECONDS before the goal is scored. He is being chased by Joe Pavelski and I am not saying Pavelski is not quick, but Niedermayer is still faster, yet he makes a careless pass across the ice to what would have been his defensive partner in Shea Weber. It never got there, Pavelski intercepts it and immediately rifles the puck at Luongo who made a sharp save. 15 seconds later Canada scores. I have always said that Niedermayer made me nervous because as fast as he was he was always too laid back and never used it as much as he should have.
Serge Savard 1979 - We all know Rick Middleton's skill level. Well, Game 7 overtime he is doing his thing and Boston is playing pretty good I thought in the overtime. Middleton is breaking down the right wing and tries to pull a between the legs move on Savard. He did this a million times and it almost worked this time and he'd have walked right in alone on a shaky Dryden (at least for that game). Savard picks the puck clean and throws it immediately to Rejean Houle who tips it to Mario Tremblay to Lambert and the rest is history. None of that happens without the Savard defensive play.
Scott Niedermayer 2010 Olympics - We all remember Crosby's goal. He rushes in, then shoots and loses it and we even remember Iginla's assist to him, just reaching as he is falling. What we forget - and believe me, I've tried to remind people of this - was Niedermayer almost becoming in the Steve Smith/Tommy Salo category by coughing the puck up right at the hashmark just SECONDS before the goal is scored. He is being chased by Joe Pavelski and I am not saying Pavelski is not quick, but Niedermayer is still faster, yet he makes a careless pass across the ice to what would have been his defensive partner in Shea Weber. It never got there, Pavelski intercepts it and immediately rifles the puck at Luongo who made a sharp save. 15 seconds later Canada scores. I have always said that Niedermayer made me nervous because as fast as he was he was always too laid back and never used it as much as he should have.