By Hockey Guru
The Guru not only correctly predicted Chicago in Game 3, but by calling for the overtime, he earned a bonus from his editor. Not a financial bonus, mind you, but a hearty "Thumbs Up" and handwritten congratulatory note are just as good, sometimes. Aren't they?
Missing the correct final score (but still hitting the under) and the bold double-overtime prediction that fell short, must have been what cost the Guru the real cash bonus.
Anyhow, first some observations on last night's game (with double the YouTube Saturday linky goodness). The speed of Game 3 seemed to be much slower than it was in Games 1 & 2. The officiating got involved early and often, creating a hesitancy to the game and preventing a real flow from developing with the powerplays. The initial goaltender interference call on David Bolland just 1:16 into the game was called under a much different standard, as later Joe Pavelski (it was Joe, wasn't it?) essentially kicked Niemi and wasn't called. Additionally, the call on Hossa to create the 5-on-3 for San Jose was weak. If everything was called that tightly, there'd be almost continuous whistles and the game would be played at 4-on-4.
The pace of the game definitely favoured San Jose, who definitely played well. As mentioned in the post yesterday, a bounce, a break, a fluke and things could have been completely different. If Pavelski had managed to get his stick on the puck, and the first "no-goal" was allowed to count, everything would have been different. But the goal didn't count, and history was made - by Big Buff.
Chicago now has a 3-0 series lead and the Guru will have more to say about this series. But that will have to wait until tomorrow.
GAME FOUR
We have ourselves a series. The truth rings loudly. How quickly things can change! The Canadiens showed their colours on Thursday and continue to make history.
Also. What if 13 wasn't so lucky, and his crosscheck/interference on Matt Carle had been called, just prior to the goal?
Well the Guru doesn't think it would have mattered. Montreal was simply too much for the Flyers in Game 3 and now look to even up the series tonight - err - this afternoon.
A nastiness, an animosity has crept into this series. The Josh Georges crosscheck to Simon Gagne's face led to an apology from Georges?!?!? There's no apologizing in hockey!
Today is a game as anticipated in these playoffs as any before it. The Guru expects a Game 7-like intensity. The Flyers recognize that this is their opportunity to "win" the series and Montreal fans will make sure the team knows the critical importance of getting even in this series today.
In the end, the Flyers will prevail in this game 3-2 and keep the Guru's "revised" prediction of a five-game series alive.
No comments:
Post a Comment