When Chelios came out after game one and admitted that he essentially created the call against Laraque, then to see the refs still calling penalty after penalty against the Oilers (while Chelios continues to at the very best, embelish plays) just sickens me. The play with Hemsky, well, I feel pretty confident saying that I somehow doubt Ales was looking for the big hit
It's one thing to put your stick into the guys legs, but then to throw the shoulder in the danger zone, well, an aging veteran (nicest thing I can think to call him) could have ended a potentialy stellar career with that move. The sad part is that nobody on the Oilers will go after him because they haven't done it at all this season because MacT would rather bench Laraque then take an instigator earlier in the year to set a tone for this club. At the best you get Smith or Moreau coming in for a scrum afterwards and that's it.
As for the trap, I've stood by hating it the entire series. Our best play has come when we're not playing the trap, and if it wasn't for the fact that Roloson's game has rounded into form, this "system" wouldn't be working. The only caveat to this is that if MacT implemented this system because he doesn't trust his 4 lines to give him 60 minutes of work every night and figured they'd be better off coasting/trapping as a group rather than whenver they feel like it, then all going 110% (hopefully) when he tells them to. With this trap, they've caused very few turnovers, and if anything have taken away their own scoring chances by refusing to forecheck even when Detroit hasn't had full control of the puck. When they have decided to play a press forecheck is when they've made turnovers and potted a surprising number of their chances. If anything, that is the one area they've improved on thus far and what has gotten them to this point. During the season they never capitalized on as many chances as they are right now.
That all said, I feel it only fair to state that my all time favorite player is Yzerman, and I fear that his will alone will carry the Wings to a win tonight as I just can't fathom him sitting this one out.
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Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue
I don't disagree with any of this. Well, except two points.
1) I am not as big a critic of Edmonton using the trap as most Oilers fans are. The Wings' used that Left-Wing Lock system to great success. While it's more fun to watch open, run 'n gun hockey, if you can win by implementing the trap, the press, the Finish Center-Back Forecheck Reverse, or whatever, by all means, do it.
2) Chelios has been a rock! He's been one of the Wings best players. While he has drawn a few rather questionable penalties due to his excellent acting abilities and crafty veteraness, what else has he done? Why do the people of Edmonton hate him so? Don't mention that Hemsky thing. That little baby-faced kid was flying in for the big hit and Chelios just politely got out of his way. That's it! |