Post by GeoffUm...no kidding...can't a guy have a little fun? Even if it is just a lark?
We all know the rule here in the zoo: Do Not Feed The Troll. In this
case, just substitute "Troll" for "Blowhard"...
But Adam has no room to talk...his battles with Jefferson have denied
him that right. Sorry Adam...
As for our Hurricanes, I'm afraid the true weakness of the streak
finally showed itself tonight. Too many times the pretty boys don't
work hard enough to keep the puck out of their own net. In Florida,
it was Justin William's laziness as he handed the Panthers the puck in
the offensive zone, glided behind the third forward as they pushed the
puck up ice, then watched as that forward scored the second goal
against Grahame.
Tonight, it was Eric Staal's turn to show us what lazy play can do for
your team as he coasted from the faceoff circle down with Pominville
right in front of him, only to watch as #29 stuffed in an easy rebound
for the first goal of the night. He even went so far as to make a
movement like he was going to veer *away* from the front of the net
just before the puck ended up on Pominville's stick, as if we needed
any further proof that defense was the furthest thing from his mind.
I'm tired of watching the "skill" players on the Hurricanes lolly-gag
back to the bench for a line change, lolly-gag out of the zone when
the opposing team gets the puck out, and lolly-gag back down as after
their own scoring chance just misses. What does that make them? A
bunch of lolly-gaggers...that's what! The team has more skill now
that Stillman is back, but that has never been the issue with the
post-lockout Hurricanes...it's always been about desire, and wanting
it more than the guy closest to you. Save for a coupla guys, they've
lost it.
I can count on one hand the number of games where I've been impressed
by the effort level for more than 20 minutes. After they're down by 2
goals? Sure...that's easy. After they've lost 3 in a row? Of
course. After Rutherford has a come-to-jesus meeting with them? Damn
straight.
But hey, I should keep my perspective...this was only Buffalo, right?