After the overly dramatic quote to summarize Game 3, I thought an equally lighthearted quote summarized the Canadian dismantling of The Fightin' Ovechkins in Game 5. Team Canada won, 7-3, and in the process set themselves up for a semifinal round match against Team Slovakia for the right to go to the Gold Medal Game.Mike Babcock figured the best way to counter against Alex Ovechkin's power and speed was to put a forward and a defenseman on him who have plenty of both.
Rick Nash and Shea Weber are each 6-foot-4 and combine to weigh 450 pounds.
Yup, they'll do.
Even though Canada was considered the road team by seeding and was not afforded the final change, Babcock still managed to get Nash and Weber to play the right side against Ovechkin just about every time he was on the ice. They shut him down while also getting a goal apiece in Canada's 7-3 win over Russia.
Jonathan Toews, Mike Richards and Scott Niedermayer rounded out the five-man unit that held Russia's top line of Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Semin off the scoreboard. Malkin is the only one who had a point and the trio combined for nine shots and a minus-6 rating.
Tinkering is [Team Canada coach Mike Babcock's] right, of course, but the onus to perform is on the players. Canada's goal scorers weren't brought here to go scoreless, after all. And no Canadian needs a goal more than Rick Nash.
Nash, the 25-year-old from Brampton, has been anointed a top-line winger in two straight Olympics now, but he has yet to score as an Olympian. That's nine Olympic outings without a goal for a player who has averaged a half a goal a game in his best NHL regular seasons.
Columbus is challenged to retain the Columbus Blue Jackets and continue the economic growth of the Arena District. The loss of the team likely would result in significant negative economic impact. Join us for this important topic and learn about the efforts of a group of concerned citizens, Forward Together Columbus, that hopes to retain the jobs, residents, tax revenue and pride we've gained over the past decade. All are welcome to attend.No, this photo has nothing to do with this post. I just find it funny. |
NHL irked over NBC Olympic scheduling
Insiders say the National Hockey League was furious when it learned NBC relegated the Canada-United States Olympic hockey game, in prime time Sunday, to its cable channel MSNBC.
Wouldn't it be a treat to see Rick Nash play with world-class teammates every night, and/or on a team that favors an up-tempo style? Nash is capable of beating you so many ways – with his size, his speed, his hands, his competitiveness – and all of these things were on display in the opener.Good points, indeed, PD.
"We're going to do whatever is in our best interest, both long-term and short-term," Howson said. "I don't want to comment further other than to say he has played very well and we'll see where we are in a month or so at the deadline.(And, yes, this quote was in relation to Raffi.)
Never let life's hardships disturb you ... no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages.- Nichiren (famous Japanese Buddhist monk)
Throughout the season, the Blue Jackets excelled at various things like giving up early goals (very early), giving up goals late in the game, getting extremely discouraged after fluky goals, etc. Hope died in Nationwide during those times. Last night was different. Nash scored 22 seconds in... the Canucks tied it up 1:46 later. Boll responded right back. Torres made it 3-1 in the second, a lead that lasted by two for all of nine seconds. A weak second period and that very fluky goal in the third period, could previously have spelled certain demise for these Blue Jackets. But after only five shots on goal in the second, the Jackets took 19 in the third. I, normally quite the pessimist, was optimistic. I believed that a goal would be scored to at least force overtime. The guys didn't let the bad stuff get them down - joy reigned! How refreshing. To be able to see and nearly feel that passion makes this loss a little less disheartening.They were quiet the whole time in (the locker room). I really liked the fact that they sat there. It really how shows me that they care and they don't phony care. I can cut through that stuff pretty easily.- IHC Claude Noel
Even the most sorrowful mourner is inspired to raise a glass and remember the happiest of times in the life of the person who has passed.I suggest we do the same as Ken Hitchcock brought plenty of joy to CBJ fans everywhere. Let's hold an Irish wake online, sharing our favorite memories of Hitch.
#CBJ fire Ken HitchcockAnd with that, a chapter closes in the brief history of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
