By Sarah Corneau
Trying a more aggressive technique did not fare well for the Capitals in game 3 on Monday night, losing to the Bruins 4-3. Matching Boston’s physical brand of play is tough to do with players like Thorton, Lucic, Marchand and Chara on their team.
Going back to my roots for a minute (my non-hockey fan hockey fan roots, that is), at first I struggled to understand the need for all the fights. My husband keeps talking about how calm this series has been and how some fights could help the B’s get fired up and focused. I have learned, however, that being able to fight, to instigate and to intimidate, away from the puck as part of the game plan, really is a skill. The idea behind this approach? To get your blood flowing, to motivate your teammates and to draw penalties. I get it now and getting it makes it that much more exciting when I watch the games.
Losing game 4, 2-1, tied the series up and was not part of the B’s game plan, however. Did a missed call and a phantom call (which resulted in the two goals the Capitals scored) take the game from the Bruins last night? Some are calling it tightly officiated game, but others are saying these calls were bad and are what lost the game for Boston.
And onwards to game 5 we go, back in the Hub and as my son Benjamin would say, “Let’s go Bruins – Cha, cha, cha-cha-cha!”
I think the officiating was completely one sided, and I’m not saying at as a Bruins fan but even the commentators pointed out numerous missed calls. One being a tripping call that was missed right before the cheap hooking call that lead to the Caps PP and resulting go ahead goal. It’s frustrating to watch your team out play the other team but still lose. On to Saturday IN the Garden!