| 18 February 2010
When I sat down to watch this game, I had an idea in my head for how I would write this blog up. I was expecting Canada to dominate this game but boy was I wrong. If you were looking for a blowout, this wasn't the game for you. If you wanted an edge of your seat type of game, this was it. The Swiss played a much more aggressive, confident game then I was expecting from them. They really put the pressure on Canada and were able to earn a point.
This is just an amazing composition.
What this game really came down to was the tremendous goal tending. On Canada's end was Martin Brodeur, with MAF riding the pine. Thankfully, MAF was not needed. Although I did suggest he serve as the goalie for the shootout but that's another blog. On the other end of the ice was Jonas Hiller.
VERSUS
In regulation, Brodeur faced 20 shots and saved 18 (90.0 save percentage) while Hiller stopped 43 of 45 shots (95.6 save percentage). Both goalies had amazing glove saves during regulation. Both goalies played so well the game was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation. OT started and neither team could put one past either goalie. The game was finally decided in a shootout, with Crosby netting the only goal.
The Swiss needed a revolving door on their penalty box. They had seven penalties to Canada's one. The Swiss were holding, hooking and delaying the game. But they only let one powerplay goal in. Patrick Marleau had the lone PP goal, with assists coming from Heatly and Weber. The Swiss were able to make a huge kill at the end of the third. The pressure was on with about 30 seconds left and they were able to hold off the Canadians in order to take the game to overtime.
The Swiss were very aggressive throughout the entire game. They were controlling the puck much more then I thought they would. They were showing great confidence, especially Hiller. The Swiss were very aggressive in front of the net. Their d would shoot from the point while the forwards would rush in and try to stuff in the rebound.
During the first, the line of Nash-Crosby-Iginla seemed to be quite active. They were really moving the puck and taking shots. They also had some great speed. In the third Babcock switched up some of the lines, putting Iginla with Richards and Morrow and they really got the hits going. Canada seemed to have another skater on the ice with Brodeur really controlling his rebounds and getting them to areas where his teammates could make plays.
Besides the Canadians power play goal, they had another one during regulation. Dany Heatly started it off in the first. Assists: Marleau and Toews. Marleau got his PP goal early on in the second. The Swiss answered with their own goal by Ivo Ruthemann from Martin Pluss. At the end of the second the Swiss are able to tie it up with a goal from Patrick Von Gunten when Pronger was called for a delayed penalty which allowed the Swiss to get the extra attacker out on the ice. There was no scoring in the third, so on to overtime we go!
Another amazing picture!
In overtime the Swiss continued to put on the pressure but it seemed Canada was dominating. Hiller was really working hard to keep his team in the game. He was even ran over by Nash but was able to keep playing. He was just a little shaken up. There were no goals in overtime, on to the shootout.
The line-up for the shootout:
Hnat Domenichelli
Sidney Crosby
Lemm Romano
Jonathan Toews
Roman Wick
Ryan Getzlaf
Sidney Crosby
Martin Pluss
Only Sidney Crosby was able to score (on his second attempt). After the first six shooters, both teams were able to repeat shooters. The strategy worked for Mike Babcock when he put Crosby in again. The only thing I didn't get (along with others and I didn't hear an explanation) was why Canada shot twice in a row. I don't think it would have made a difference, I just have never seen that before.
Random thoughts:
I actually liked hearing from JR during the first intermission. He really knows what he is talking about and seems comfortable in front of the camera. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more JR-ness. I was expecting something more, more controversial, more outspoken. He just kind of seemed censored.
NBC Complaint! I started out watching the online feed. There was no play-by-play on it. It was kind of weird watching hockey with no play-by-play. It was like being there but you aren't there. It was eerie. I'm not sure why they didn't have the play-by-play online. The US game I watched the other day did.
Another NBC complaint! When I finally found it on tv, they switched channels in the middle of the game with no warning! It looked like they were just going to commercial but instead of returning to the game, it went into some stupid program. I then had to flip through the channels in order to find the game, thus ensuring that I missed part of the first. Why was there no announcement or wording on the screen to alert you to the fact that this program was moving to such-and-such channel? Not good NBC, not good.
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