Unc.: good speed, you beat me to several observations: 5F PP where I just about lost my mind wondering if Stanley had lost his; Korpialho goal; CC35 turnovers, etc., etc. I would like to give Coach some kudos related to NK8. As pointed out above, he made an own zone turnover that led directly to a goal. And then scored about 30-40 seconds later to get it back. But the key, for me, was Coach didn’t have the 4th line hook out after giving up a bad one. He let them take the faceoff at centre and all involved were rewarded with the redemption goal, good on both parties. Just 1 game, I admit, but Nick Grima can play on my team.
Entertainment value was high and you don’t mind a loss to a superior and more talented team if the effort and results (almost) are there. If this team could deliver this quality of effort and play on a consistent basis, they can play with, and sometimes defeat, teams in their own neighbourhood, i.e. mid-pack and lower. Small consolation, yes, but maybe 18-20 overall isn’t necessarily automatic. I really liked the crowd’s reaction after the game, they gave lots of encouragement to the players after a tough loss.
The only real negatory observation concerns David Campbell, and more specifically Kyle Jackson (who had some 2nd unit PP time tonight). What gives with these 2 players?
Just out of curiosity, I wonder what the GM found so compelling in M.H. Has at 29 in the import draft that it was worth passing over Oliver Suni.
