I took a hiatus from writing after my Wings lost in the Western Conference Semifinals and am now ready to write in regards to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I devoted enough time into watching last nights triple overtime thriller so I have to speak on it.
Game 1 of the Cup Finals had just about everything you can ask for...two Original Six teams, hard hitting, 117 combined shots on goal, amazing display of saves by Rask and Crawford and 5+ periods of great hockey! Boston came out with two quick goals going up 2-0 and then it went back and forth into the third period to 3-2. All 5 goals up to this point were legitimate and when Chicago needed a huge break they got it when Oduya slapped one from the point and the puck bounced off the left skate of a Boston player which trickled in behind Rask to even up the game at three goals a piece. No team could put one past their opposing net-minders in the remaining minutes of the third period forcing overtime.
OT was a roller coaster ride of a game with both teams having great chances but Boston dominated in the area of SOLID scoring chances in my mind. With both teams completely gassed and playing on pure adrenaline, both goalies stepped up making huge saves as well. Rask with 59 saves on 63 shots and Crawford saving 51 of 54 shots on goal.
The Hawks got a bit greedy with Boston's Horton injured in the locker room and decided to cheat a bit. With Boston's bench a man down Chicago tried not only once to skate with an extra player, but used the 6 on 5 man strategy THREE times only being caught twice. These penalties gave Boston great power play chances to put them away but couldn't capitalize...maybe Boston deserved the third penalty call that the Hawks got away with.
Boston nearly ended the game with 9 seconds to go in double overtime when Chara sent a puck flying directly off the right post, saving Crawford's behind and pushing this game into a third overtime. I know that Boston may be upset but if their is anyone who wants to end his life it is Daugavins. At the half way point of 3OT Tyler Seguin put a beautiful pass on the tape of Daugavin's stick where all he had to do was open up the blade of his stick and deflect the puck into the wide open net. But NO, why make it easy on yourself in triple OT, when you are exhausted and playing away at the United Center in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals!! Instead, he took the pass and tried to deke his way across the sprawling Crawford and go to his backhand which sounds a lot easier right? NO, Daugavins you tried to make a highlight reel goal and now your team is paying for it. You are not only physically drained after nearly 2 games of hockey in one night, but you are now emotional disoriented and screwed after missing on the greatest opportunity of this game! (In case you missed it, here is the replay)
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=258915
Just over two minutes later Chicago took advantage of this missed opportunity by Daugavins and scored the game winner when Rozsival's slap shot was deflected twice by Bolland and Shaw with Shaw getting credit for the goal. Hawks ended up winning in triple overtime taking a 1-0 series lead. Overall, great game by both teams and for hockey fans around the world, we have already cashed in on extra hockey.
