Game Thread ..... @ Washington, 12/28/09 [Archive]

livingthelife59

12-28-2009, 08:52 AM

This game could see us either turning the corner or be a disaster.

Loved Sutter all year – kid is fast becoming the star player everyone thought he might be

Thought the Cullen/Staal/Jussi line looked great in the third period Saturday – hope that keep going tonight

Why in the heck is Aaron Ward still playing? I’d much rather see Rodney (who can carry the puck out of our end) or Harrison playing. We keep hearing there’s going to be changes, well, put A Ward in the press box and play someone who doesn’t take stupid penalties. (ie – Carson in 10 games has ‘0’ penalty minutes, Sutter in 20 games has ‘2’ penalty minutes – why is that?)

Keep Timmy away from Ovechkin, please.

Go Canes and I hope they surprise everyone

c-girl

12-28-2009, 09:15 AM

Keep Timmy away from Ovechkin, please.

Actually I want Timmy all over Ovechkin without getting hurt again.

superdave

12-28-2009, 09:17 AM

Anyone smell a road win?

I smell something, but I'm not sure it's a win.

KaniacFever

12-28-2009, 10:16 AM

Why in the heck is Aaron Ward still playing? I’d much rather see Rodney (who can carry the puck out of our end) or Harrison playing. We keep hearing there’s going to be changes, well, put A Ward in the press box and play someone who doesn’t take stupid penalties. (ie – Carson in 10 games has ‘0’ penalty minutes, Sutter in 20 games has ‘2’ penalty minutes – why is that?)

Easier said then done. There's a thing called the cap and we are right up against it. Without moving someone, we can't sit the worthless vets in the pressbox and play the kids.

However, the trade freeze is over, teams have injuries, hopefully JR can get something done so we can bring in the kids and start getting them accustomed to NHL play.

MoBigRed

12-28-2009, 10:35 AM

At the beginning of the season, i was looking at the schedule for potential road games to check out, and looking at tonight's game, i actually thought to myself "that could be the battle for the Southeast right there".

Heh. Well, i never claimed to be the brightest such-and-such around...

livingthelife59

12-28-2009, 10:49 AM

Easier said then done. There's a thing called the cap and we are right up against it. Without moving someone, we can't sit the worthless vets in the pressbox and play the kids.

However, the trade freeze is over, teams have injuries, hopefully JR can get something done so we can bring in the kids and start getting them accustomed to NHL play.

While I agree - Ward did clear waivers and we have gotten rid of Leighton and Cole and Rosey are on IR - we actually do have about 2 million in cap space right now -- so one of the kids for 550K could be called up -- I'd rather see their mistakes than Wards - AWard has so disappointed me this year

livingthelife59

12-28-2009, 10:50 AM

Sorry - The figures I was looking at didn't include Cam. So we are against the cap -- Send AWard to Albany and call someone up

Jay

12-28-2009, 11:03 AM

While I agree - Ward did clear waivers and we have gotten rid of Leighton and Cole and Rosey are on IR - we actually do have about 2 million in cap space right now -- so one of the kids for 550K could be called up -- I'd rather see their mistakes than Wards - AWard has so disappointed me this year

Players on the IR still count toward the cap, at least until they're moved to long term IR, which is something like 24 days and/or 10 games.

KaniacFever

12-28-2009, 12:31 PM

Players on the IR still count toward the cap, at least until they're moved to long term IR, which is something like 24 days and/or 10 games.

Speaking of which, anyone hear any updates on Cole and LaRose. From what LaRose told me at the STH party, he ain't coming back anytime soon and they are considering surgery. Why not put him on Long term IR? I'm sure he's gonna miss the 24 days and/or 10 games.

puck_it

12-28-2009, 04:02 PM

LTIR can be retroactive.

c-girl

12-28-2009, 04:11 PM

Wow. Tweet from Bob McKenzie:

Jurcina and Chris Clark from Washington to Columbus for Jason Chimera. Done deal.

Flanman

12-28-2009, 04:13 PM

Man... I hate losing.

Hockey Gods... Please be gentle and if you dared to share the winning light with us, we would be very grateful.

nccanes

12-28-2009, 04:13 PM

Wasn't Clark their Captain?

Tough to get traded, but to go from the Caps @ #1 in the East to the BJs at #14 (barely) in the West. That's tough.

Maybe it'll **** them up tonight? :lol:

c-girl

12-28-2009, 04:16 PM

^Yep. For four years. Been with the Caps for five.

Comment from the article on tsn.ca:

long overdue, Clark was a pawn that needed to be traded to allow Ovechkin to blossom

Good lord, as if the "Great Eight" needs to blossom any more.

FinFan

12-28-2009, 04:20 PM

Oh crap... the rumor is AO will get the C. Timmay needs to wear the mask AND the cage tonight to keep from getting an eye taken out. AO is probably going to be playing even harder with that C on his chest.

FinFan

12-28-2009, 04:21 PM

Hockey Gods... Please be gentle and if you dared to share the winning light with us, we would be very grateful.

Amen.

c-girl

12-28-2009, 04:22 PM

The Caps website now has three A's listed: Ovie, Knuble and Poti.

Canesluver

12-28-2009, 04:24 PM

Tough to get traded, but to go from the Caps @ #1 in the East to the BJs at #14 (barely) in the West. That's tough.

Oh.. I don't know.... there's probably lots of guys that wouldn't mind BJs when they were 14.....

:smoke:

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 04:32 PM

Wow, that Was trade? WTF? :crazy: I admit I've turned away anytime the Caps have been in my line of sight this year but Clark and Jurcina for Chimera? I don't get it. Did they need to shed salary?

FinFan

12-28-2009, 04:37 PM

Salary is my understanding, but I think it's to give AO's ego more room since he's already back up in the top 5 of points with 44 after being out for so long.

Has anyone heard how Tlusty's (I'm sure I misspelled that) visa is going, if he's back playing? Put Rosie on LTIR and bring him up as a replacement, if at all possible. Let's bring some life into this team!

c-girl

12-28-2009, 04:46 PM

According to the game report, Tlusty played in the Rats game last night against Wilkes-Barre.

puck_it

12-28-2009, 05:17 PM

Wow, that Was trade? WTF? :crazy: I admit I've turned away anytime the Caps have been in my line of sight this year but Clark and Jurcina for Chimera? I don't get it. Did they need to shed salary?

i'd bet cap, and am wondering if they're going to move for turco...

c-girl

12-28-2009, 05:22 PM

Another tweet from Bob McKenzie:

Caps will not decide on a new captain until after they return from their coming West Coast trip.

puck_it

12-28-2009, 05:23 PM

is there any question on whos getting it?

SoCalcaniac

12-28-2009, 05:30 PM

Kevin Allen's (USA Today Hockey Columnist) take on the WAS trade was that Jurcina was the person they were shedding, and Clark was collateral damage; Jurcina's move out clears the way for the Alzner kid to play up here instead of being in Hershey.

You have to feel horrible for Clark. He's a popular, guy, was there before the Caps became supposedly the sexy team, and has endured some JWill type bad luck, and this was clearly his best chance to win a Cup. Chimera, I'm not getting, but I do know he's a UFA after this season, and wasn't in the plan, but geez, he just friggin hit the lottery and moved into the penthouse suite all in one day. :crazy:

I have no doubt they'll name #8 their captain. they're just trying to not make it look so obvious, lol.

superdave

12-28-2009, 05:38 PM

Oh.. I don't know.... there's probably lots of guys that wouldn't mind BJs when they were 14.....

:smoke:

...or even at 45. Just sayin'

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 06:02 PM

is there any question on whos getting it?

Go for it. I don't believe for a second that having that MFer as captain would be good for a team. I look forward to it.

SoCalcaniac

12-28-2009, 06:16 PM

I follow Alan Walsh the Octagon super agent to lots of NHL guys, on Twitter. He's having an interesting back and forth with Larry Brooks of the NY Post on Twitter about the "after math of a trade". Walsh reps both Chimera and Jurcina. It's most definitely interesting conversation. Sounds like he's had an interesting 24 hours. Brooks of course is his usual prickly NY self, but managed to not be too jerky. :lol:

You can read his tweets here. (http://twitter.com/walsha)

On the captain naming; oh how I love to be right, heeehee:

Laich is one of several potential candidates to replace Clark as team captain. Alex Ovechkin and Mike Knuble would probably be the other most likely candidates. Both Bruce Boudreau and George McPhee said they will take their time before naming a new captain "out of respect for Clark."
I follow Corey Masisak, the WSH Times beat writer on Twitter and he just posted comments from Brooks Laich, who started his career with Clark as his captain the full blog post is here: Brooks Laich on Chris Clark. (http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/in-the-room/2009/dec/28/brooks-laich-on-chris-clark/)

Forslund said something interesting on his pregame spot on 99.9- talking about how Clark was respected and popular, and how this "could" be an opportunity as the team is now a little unsettled trading their Captain. I don't know if I buy it, but you don't really know.........

livinthedream

12-28-2009, 06:48 PM

LOL CL beat me to punch line. Still at in-laws can't get to ChuckK until later would appreciate texts and tweets!

Hey SoCal try not to get hurt reaching around to pat yourself on the back.

Sent from Blackberry

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 07:18 PM

FINALLY a 5 on 3 goal!! Geez!

I guess in the thing no one took into account regarding the "aftermath" of the trade would be Alzner's reaction. He seems to be fired up by the vote of confidence he just received.

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 07:22 PM

Staaly!!! And great play by Cullen!

Of course, we now have a good enough lead for Mo to order them to hang-back so we're going to get our a**es handed to us.

SC06

12-28-2009, 07:25 PM

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 07:35 PM

3-0. We're DEAD in the next two periods.

:lol:

Alicia

12-28-2009, 07:38 PM

3-0. We're DEAD in the next two periods.

:lol:
That's what I was thinking...uh-oh!

KaniacFever

12-28-2009, 07:38 PM

Who knew 3 centers on 1 line would be this dominate :lol:

I'm savoring this 1st cause we are so dead come the next 40 minutes.

kermelbar

12-28-2009, 07:42 PM

I was on hold and catching up on "Tough Love" so I haven't seen any of the game and now I feel like I can't, in case I become the jinx! :lol:

SoCalcaniac

12-28-2009, 07:53 PM

Well...... we're winning. 3-0 to boot. In WSH.

Hated that LATE penalty by #12, but that just means we need to kill the thing off.

The 36-8-12 line is looking pretty darn good. I'd pat the Coach on the back, but that would bother me so I won't. :lol:

Keep your composure Canes.

Canesluver

12-28-2009, 07:58 PM

Good start -- nice to see their heads up, and not hanging down, on the bench.

Now.... let's hope they don't have their typical Oreo 2nd period (soft in middle) :beatup:

puck_it

12-28-2009, 07:59 PM

The 36-8-12 line is looking pretty darn good. I'd pat the Coach on the back, but that would bother me so I won't. :lol:

dont give him credit. chemistry has a way of finding itself. I guess we can pat him on the back for not ****ing it up.

but that jokinen goal never happens if the pass to cullen didnt get thrown in his skates.

livinthedream

12-28-2009, 08:07 PM

Woooo Hoooo!!! Just got online in time to hear Sutter's score!

Thanks so much SoCal!!!!! for keeping me updated during the first period! Since I couldn't post in the thread here was our exchange:

SoCal: Your man 5 on 3 1-0 Canes

Me: AWESOME wasn't that our first 5-on-3 goal of the season? Awwwwwww I just love him LOL

SoCal: You are correct. Now give 12 some love, he just scored. 2-0 Canes

Me: LOL I LOVE HIM TOO!!!!!!!!!

SoCal: Love on the other Finn the Juice... 3-0 Canes

Me: Holy Sh!t! Oh hell yeah I love Jussi sooooooooooo sexxxxxxxxxxyyyyyyy

Best first period text exchange ever.

:D

SC06

12-28-2009, 08:09 PM

Woooo Hoooo!!! Just got online in time to hear Sutter's score!

Sutter almost ate the cross bar because he got cross checked right after he scored.

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 08:10 PM

Sutter almost ate the cross bar because he got cross checked right after he scored.

Yeah, it would have been nice of them to call that.

caveman

12-28-2009, 08:15 PM

First periods like that make me both happy (obviously it's fun to watch the team go up 3-0) and yet also supremely frustrated for how this year has gone. So readily showing we have the talent to score goals and the defense to shut down the explosive Caps (at least for 20 minutes).

Yeah we've blown this lead to the Caps before and may yet, every game we don't suck for long stretches makes me wonder what the hell happened to get us where we are.

livinthedream

12-28-2009, 08:15 PM

I'm still out of town so just ChuckandtheletterK over the internet unless someone has a video feed?

ETA: CRAP! Another penalty on Staaly?

Chuck says we're playing "exquisite" hockey.

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 08:32 PM

Hmm. Anyone else find themselves sitting here wondering when they might start calling any of the penalties the Caps are committing?

So, here comes the third period and the continuation of the parade to the penalty box and the miraculous come-back of the Caps.

KaniacFever

12-28-2009, 08:35 PM

Hmm. Anyone else find themselves sitting here wondering when they might start calling any of the penalties the Caps are committing?

They gave us a 5-on-3 earlier. We are done getting any PPs for the rest of the night.

Canesluver

12-28-2009, 08:35 PM

^^Yeah.... butt ****ers!

SoCalcaniac

12-28-2009, 08:41 PM

Hmm. Anyone else find themselves sitting here wondering when they might start calling any of the penalties the Caps are committing?

Yeah, have totally been wondering that.

That said, Aaron Ward better not be on this team by the end of the week.

1) Screens his goalie on Caps goal #2, while trying to be an NBA player and play man to man defense while totally not paying any attention to positional play- He still had no clue that we had scored since he was trying to have a stare down with his "man".

2) That horrid attempt at a pass to Cullen which was 10 feet in front of Cullen, and #8 for WSH pounces on it and creates a freakin' scoring chance.

3) That stupid-ass penalty to end the period, and then he's arguing with the ref??????? :ticked::ticked::ticked: You hooked, held the stick, whatever you did Ward, so go to the box, and STFU, because they've not called this game evenly, and your yapping isn't necessary.

I feel pretty confident that AWard won't play a minute in the 3rd period. If he is, I will blow a gasket.

nccanes

12-28-2009, 08:48 PM

1) Screens his goalie on Caps goal #2, while trying to be an NBA player and play man to man defense while totally not paying any attention to positional play- He still had no clue that we had scored since he was trying to have a stare down with his "man".

To be fair, it was sent in by his own teammate and you don't typically have to play defense on your own team right? :lol: His man didn't score....so there's that. :lol:

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 08:52 PM

Just realized Gleason was shield-less tonight.....BEFORE Tripp said it, dammit.

WTF are they calling?!??! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?:crazy: NOTHING on them?

Whatever. I won't even blame the guys when they blow it.

nccanes

12-28-2009, 08:55 PM

WTF are they calling?!??! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?:crazy: NOTHING on them?

Whatever. I won't even blame the guys when they blow it.

Yeah - it looked (to me) like one of the Caps went in direct to Cam late and they just 'extricated him' and the typical shoving pursued.

KaniacFever

12-28-2009, 08:58 PM

Just realized Gleason was shield-less tonight.....BEFORE Tripp said it, dammit.

And he gets a puck to the face again. Atleast this one didn't break his face.

WTF are they calling?!??! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?:crazy: NOTHING on them?

Whatever. I won't even blame the guys when they blow it.

Me either. The guys are actually playing a really good game. I don't complain about the refs much cause they suck every game, but they are extra sucky tonight.

livinthedream

12-28-2009, 08:59 PM

And he gets a puck to the face again. Atleast this one didn't break his face.

WTF happened? I'm only marginally able to listen (keep losing my radio feed :()

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 09:03 PM

Yeah we've blown this lead to the Caps before and may yet, every game we don't suck for long stretches makes me wonder what the hell happened to get us where we are.

You're seeing a good illustration of it here in the third. Now that they've shown up, we see how much better they are.

KaniacFever

12-28-2009, 09:04 PM

Wow, i'm surprised they are calling the slashing on a caps player. It could easily be disputed that our guy slashed since the caps guy stick broke...LOL

KaniacFever

12-28-2009, 09:05 PM

WTF happened? I'm only marginally able to listen (keep losing my radio feed :()

Puck deflected and jumped into his face. Atleast it wasn't a slapshot and he didn't miss a shift.

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 09:07 PM

YEEEESSS!!!

THAT was the kind of movement you need on the PP!

livinthedream

12-28-2009, 09:07 PM

Sammy!!!!!

And Staaly gets his FOURTH point of the night.

nccanes

12-28-2009, 09:12 PM

You wonder if the whole "Staal to the Wing" was actually Eric's idea since he knew that's the only place for him on Team Canada. :lol: So far so good.

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 09:13 PM

To the people in Verizon Center:

OMG, will you STOP with the "ref you suck" bullsh*t already?!?! They've sucked the entire game in your favor. Give it up! You're just making it obvious that you're used to biased reffing!

KThnx

KaniacFever

12-28-2009, 09:18 PM

Alright so we are doing the 5 minute dump the puck and hold your breath now.

nccanes

12-28-2009, 09:20 PM

Alright so we are doing the 5 minute dump the puck and hold your breath now.

It's also because the Caps are trying like hell to score....they've got nothing to lose so they go to a helluva forecheck and pinch....and we're hanging on for dear life.

livinthedream

12-28-2009, 09:23 PM

Wooo Hoooo!!!! Five points for Staaly with the empty netter!

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 09:24 PM

OMG. 5 points for Staal! Oh, but that was an empty netter so....guess that doesn't mean anything.

6-3 with minute 20 something left. I wish I felt like we had this one sewn-up. :lol::(

KaniacFever

12-28-2009, 09:26 PM

Wonder how many people will call into 99.9 and beatch about Staal tonight. I mean jeez, as a franchise player, he should have had a 10 point night :lol:

nccanes

12-28-2009, 09:26 PM

So I guess Tripp and John FINALLY get to take the long ride to the airport w/o it being in silence. :lol:

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 09:26 PM

The horn blew....I think we're safe now. :lol:

Um, two road wins on the season....one against the Pens and one against the Caps. W.T.F.

livinthedream

12-28-2009, 09:27 PM

Speaking of the airport, if I was in town I'd be going. Just sayin.

What's the weather like there? 27 degrees and snowing here in the 'Burgh.

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 09:29 PM

LMAO. I *might* consider RDU IF this put us above .500. Maybe. :lol:

KaniacFever

12-28-2009, 09:30 PM

We might only have 10 wins on the season. We might only have 2 road wins. And we might be last in the division, the conference, and the league. But we are the first team in the division to beat the Caps :lol:

livinthedream

12-28-2009, 09:30 PM

Wow. ChuckandtheletterK just said this was the Caps' first loss in the division this season.

Canesluver

12-28-2009, 09:31 PM

LMAO!! Marley Jane started barking at us, when we "woooo'd" at the horn. It just ocurred to me that she hasn't seen us get this excited watching a hockey game in quite awhile. :laugh:

Canesluver

12-28-2009, 09:33 PM

What's the weather like there? 27 degrees and snowing here in the 'Burgh.

Cold, but no snow (of course). Our expected low is 26º

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 09:33 PM

Eric Staal
29 games played
8 goals
19 assists
for 27 points.

That's nearly a point per game, for those math impaired 99.9 callers.

livinthedream

12-28-2009, 09:34 PM

Eric Staal
29 games played
8 goals
19 assists
for 27 points.

That's nearly a point per game, for those brain impaired 99.9 callers.

Uh, fixed that for ya.

Canesluver

12-28-2009, 09:35 PM

We might only have 10 wins on the season.

:nanner:

We're in double-digits, and it's not even 2010, yet!! Wooooooo!!

:laugh:

superdave

12-28-2009, 09:37 PM

:nanner:

We're in double-digits, and it's not even 2010, yet!! Wooooooo!!

:laugh:

Hey Canesluver, that was a road win you were smelling.

SouthernHockeyChick

12-28-2009, 09:41 PM

Hey Canesluver, that was a road win you were smelling.

Can't blame us for not being familiar with the scent. :lol:

SoCalcaniac

12-28-2009, 09:48 PM

Eric Staal
29 games played
8 goals
19 assists
for 27 points.

That's nearly a point per game, for those math impaired 99.9 callers.

We just talked about someone potentially calling in and saying some stupid sh** to whine about re #12.

Reading some of the discussion and chatter about #12 and his place on the 2010 Canadian team, I think Bob McKenzie has it right- Perry/Getzlaf/Staal behind the Iginla/Crosby/Nash line. He has my vote. Anyone have Stevie Y's number just for a little insurance? ;)

SHC, I was considering RDU to fuss out the coach for playing #4 in the third had we lost this game. :-

JohnH

12-28-2009, 09:56 PM

SHC, I was considering RDU to fuss out the coach for playing #4 in the third had we lost this game. :-

Google search:

Results 1 - 10 of about 733 for "Aaron Ward sucks".

Convert

12-28-2009, 10:26 PM

While I'd like Staal to be on the team, the break might give him more time to heal up these injuries.

So happy the line combos worked. So as not to pat Mo on the back, SoCal, its pretty obvious that our top 4 centers (Staal, Cullen, Sutter, Jokinen) all belong in our top 6. When any of them get stuck centering the third line, they tend to disappear from the scoresheet.

But put them in the top 6 (with Ruutu and Whitney) and they look pretty darn good.

And I'm getting firmly in the camp of the one UFA I want back, even if we trade him for some picks/youth, is Cullen. He's continues to show the effort and all around game that he has all season. I want him back much more than Whitney.

Jay

12-29-2009, 01:50 AM

*Five* of our top six are centers. Lets not forget, Ruutu is listed as a C as well (and has played it for the Canes)

goalie33

12-29-2009, 03:39 AM

*Five* of our top six are centers. Lets not forget, Ruutu is listed as a C as well (and has played it for the Canes)

Regardless of listing, Ruutu is not a natural center. Cole has been listed as a LW plenty of times when it's obvious to anyone who watches him play that he's naturally a RW.

livinthedream

12-29-2009, 09:00 AM

For posterity:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l83/kellja00/LGC/ThreeStars12-28-09.jpg

:D

SoCalcaniac

12-29-2009, 10:10 AM

YEAH! ^

Eric was also named "Performer of the Night" on NHL Network.

ETA: Oh and here's the "day after" recap on 620 The Bull with Forslund (http://www.espntriangle.com/includes/news_items/6/327/122909forslund.mp3) from this morning.

FinFan

12-29-2009, 10:16 AM

I was in Reynolds watching women's basketball (great win over Seton Hall) and had the game on my phone, with tweets buzzing in when goals were scored. Sutter's and Samsonov's goals were great surprises. I'd thought we were done for after the two goals. We were on the way home near the end of the game, so I turned on the XM and listened to the WAS guys. Man, they were so depressed. It was great. :D

After getting home, we watched the replays online. I have got to learn how to tune Tripp out. I can't remember which goal it was when he just started yammering about something stupid, like normal. He is really starting to get on my nerves. But it was really nice to hear John getting so excited.

Now, with a great win in our pocket, beating the division leader (and biggest rival), let's see if we can build on this. Go Canes!

Canesluver

12-29-2009, 10:27 AM

YEAH! ^

Eric was also named "Performer of the Night" on NHL Network.

And he made "La première étoile" on Hockey This Morning, too! :D

BlueLine

12-29-2009, 11:27 AM

I have a question that has been wandering through my head:

It has been reported that Staal is playing hurt (which I certainly believe). I expect that this injury is a big part of why he's been moved from center to the wing. One thing I've noticed was that Staal has completely stopped taking face-offs in games. I specifically remember couple of times in the Philly game when Cully/Jussi (whoever was playing center at the time for his line) would be tossed from a face-off-- rather than Eric taking the faceoff, the other winger took the faceoff (I know Patrick Dwyer once... can't be certain the second time).

What sort of injury would allow him to still play (and based on yesterday, to play really well), but would make it so that he couldn't take faceoffs?? Any ideas??

SoCalcaniac

12-29-2009, 11:36 AM

The Staal injury has been widely discussed in the various game threads, and the move from Center to wing, we've all been yakking about it, especially since the Coach finally told John & Tripp that Eric is playing injured. What exactly he's injured is such a mystery.

I can't even imagine what exactly what is specifically hurt; I thought that lone face-off he took vs PHI was the most awkward looking faceoff ever, the way he was trying so hard to position himself had me, my hub, and our seatmates thinking shoulder/wrist or re-aggravation of the first injury when he went to Calgary for the Team Canada invite in the summer. I am leaning on the wrist, personally, because I think it really would affect the ability to take a face off; but I also think he tried to come back from the injury(s) too soon in the first place.

I think we can ask members of LGC who actually play like Kat & puck_it chime in, as they'd know better or would at least would have a better guess than I would, lol.

KaniacFever

12-29-2009, 11:47 AM

RE: Staal Injury. I'm no expert, but it was mentioned in our little group convos, that it could be a back injury. While he was playing with the first injury, you tend to overcompensate on other parts of your body. The injuries he had earlier (groin then abdominal), he may have put more strain on his back. There's one speculation.

or we can always go with my speculation and I say its shoulder. But like I said, i'm no expert, so take what I say with a grain of salt :lol:

However, I will say with confidence that he has an upper body injury :laugh:

livinthedream

12-29-2009, 11:56 AM

I've also heard wrist and hamstring which apparently can affect you on faceoffs. So there's your possible LBI injury site LOL.

SoCalcaniac

12-29-2009, 11:58 AM

:lol: @ KF..... yep we do know for sure it's an upper body. He's skating like he always has when he's not hurt.

Good call on the injury possibly being his back. That wasn't on my radar, but would make sense.

Well, at this point, he's doing so well on the right....... making the Coach look like a genius, which is mildly annoying to me. :laugh:

Darkwing

12-29-2009, 12:21 PM

when I had wrist surgery a few years ago it severely impacted my faceoff ability for a long time - to me it makes more sense that it would be a wrist..just judging by how i felt and how faceoffs felt.

c-girl

12-29-2009, 12:41 PM

If it's a wrist injury, does the LBI or UBI designation change according to where his wrist is at any given time? :lol:

Convert

12-29-2009, 01:21 PM

I don't play, but a remember from when Kads had his wrist broken by the Pronger shot in game 7---and subsequent issues with healing, staph infections, etc.---that his face-off results went down. And he specifically said that wrist strength is a huge part of face-off wins.

If you think about the sticks getting tied up, that makes a lot of sense--and a lot of sense to not have Staal take any as the pressure could re-aggravate the injury.

Alicia

12-29-2009, 01:25 PM

DSCanesfan

12-29-2009, 01:50 PM

The injury I have heard that Staal had earlier in the season was a torn chest muscle. Now I did not hear this from anyone on the team but rather I heard it 2nd hand. So take that info for what its worth. Now on the injury front, using my own shoulder injury as an example, there are things I can and can't do. I can paddle my kayak with very little pain. But then if I try to reach behind me, like trying to grab something out of the backseat of a car. It will almost double me over in pain. Any overhand throwing motion has the same affect on me. While sidearm or underhand causes very little pain. Another example is with rolling my kayak, an offsides roll, that is one where I set up on the right side of the boat with my left hand foward and the control hand causes no pain what-so-ever. Whereas my onsides roll, if I don't get enough body rotation and pull down on the paddle while my right arm is extended, will cause me very much pain. What this has to do with the price of tea in China is anyobody's guess.:laugh: But seriously, perhaps they have found that whatever injury Staal actually has does get adversely affected by the faceoff motions.

Doug

FinFan

12-29-2009, 02:32 PM

You know, I hadn't even noticed that Staal wasn't taking faceoffs... Cully in the Flyers game kept dumping the puck between his skates, which is why it got caught under his feet a few times. It worked well several times, though.

It does make sense that a UB injury would cause problems in the faceoff. Think of the muscles you'd use; it's almost like shoveling, except more sideways motion. And that's probably why Brind'amour's faceoffs have dropped, too.

Oh, I noticed last night that after goal #2, our faceoffs picked up. We went from just a couple of wins to 10 in a very short time. I turned to my hubby and said that I thought the second goal must have pumped them up on faceoffs.

KaniacFever

12-29-2009, 03:38 PM

DSCanesfan

12-29-2009, 04:01 PM

I've learned so much about Kayaking this past year :laugh:

Well if you want to learn more.....:D I'll be glad to try to teach you, or anyone else who might want to learn, how to wet exit, t-rescues, and eskimo rolls. I'll be at the Raleigh Parks & Rec's roll sessions Jan 8th, 15th, 29th, Feb 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, and March 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th. I'll be glad to bring an extra kayak, paddle, helmet, pfd,and spray skirt. Wow those look like the 5 essential pieces of equipment you must have to ww kayak.:lol:

Doug

Kat

12-29-2009, 07:53 PM

I would think almost any upper body injury (other than face of course) would make a faceoff difficult. Bending, pressure, etc.

Shoulder, back, or chest/ab muscles are most likely... if it were wrist, he would have trouble with his shot as well. Lower back and groin injuries make skating difficult (or at least it did for me), so that is unlikely.

Greensboro Hurricanes

12-29-2009, 08:23 PM

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