Last Friday I missed the first three periods of Game 2. It killed me to not be able to watch it, but I had a game of my own. If you play men’s league hockey, you understand the draw to hit the ice no matter what’s going on…
Alas! I did make it home to catch both OT periods and a fantastic Marchand double-OT game winner. Talk about relief!
Missing the majority of the game, I don’t really have a ton of notes to convey. It’s been such a fun/entertaining/stressful series after only two games that I assume Game 3 will bring more of the same.
Both teams match up so well against one another. It’s like…when one gets going offensively, the other responds. When the defense/goaltending comes up big on one side, the other locks it down just the same. These pace of these games is wild. The back-and-forth action is a blast.
That being said, can this high level continue? I’m wondering if at some point this series breaks open and we see one side take over.
If this were to happen, I believe it only would only happen due to injuries - allowing one side to take advantage of a banged up foe. Both teams healthy (or as healthy as you can be this time of year) are just so good.
Heading into tonight, my two big hopes are nothing new:
1. Stay out of the box.
2. Keep the heavy forecheck going.
In a game of will, it’s the team that keeps the foot on the gas that ends up winning.
There was an awesome piece on the great runningback Earl Campbell from a few years ago. In it, Jerome Bettie talked about how Campbell’s relentless style of play would win the physical battle, but more importantly, beat opponents psychologically. He explained that every time the defense made a stop and saw Campbell lining up again for a carry, they would exhaustively think to themselves, “here we go again…” He keeps coming back again and again…what does it take to stop him?
Florida has to continue being relentless. That is the path to victory.
______________________
Go Panthers!
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»