Don't know what to make of that game. I though the game flow was a bit lopsided in favor of the Tigers, but they kept shooting themselves in the foot at the end of their plays. As a result the finish wasn't their and they gave the hitmen some opportunities to score that shouldn't happen.
Breaking out of their own end and coming up through the nuetral zone the Tigers played really well but once they got into the offensive zone it was like dawn approaching a horde of trolls, with everything turning to stone once they started thinking about taking a shot on net.
They came out of the gate with a lot of nervous energy. Couldn't quite get the handle of the puck, even langhamer suffered through it, with a couple goals along the ice he normally stops. The Tigers handed the Hitman an early 2-0 lead with a few bad giveaways, and credit to the Hitman for capitalizing on their chances as they didn't get very many. It's not often 14 shots on goal will win a regular season game, let alone a playoff game.
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Even though the Tigers were down 2-1 going into the third period it felt like they would overcome it, but somehow off a scramble play, the puck was in the back of the Tigers net.
Turnaround Play
For me the moment happened when Mack Shields somehow made a cross crease unbelievable glove hand save. That moment it could have been the backbreaker that tied the game and opened the floodgates
Next Up
Both teams get a day off and then they play back to back games in Calgary Sunday, Monday
25 comments:
Too many giveaways tonite....Anybody know where the Fan appreciation pennant went or if there is a Tigers farewell season Dvd available for purchase?????
too many giveaways?? what 2 or 3 how many did calgary have, like the tigers just had no bounces dominated the game!! and that's what you have to say??
What's with all the drop passes lately? Using the two mushrooms on the point just doesn't work when you could use two rocks instead! Clouston didn't even chew out TC when he gave Calgary a free shot on net, and the breakaways they keep giving up, Langhammer should sue them for non-support. Get more traffic in front of their goal he can stop everything he can see.
They moved it to beside Lanny McDonald's number
I like the drop passes on the PP, its creative and creates a lot of space to enter the zone.
Also I love the way they have 3 players lined up on the PK (with the defenseman up front at the middle IMO is a very smart and ingenious way to get the opposition to dump the puck in.
As for the giveaway, that player should know better
Tigers with some luck. Matt Staples scores the OT goal with a shot from center!
Yee haw atta boy Matt Staples hard work pays off!! Not his first from center either!!
Was nice to see scoring chances from someone other then the first line. Ast was very close and I hope to see him pot one soon!
Would like to see more from the second line. They have lots of talent, just need to get going that little bit more!
Go tigers go!
Why is Butcher not playing in this series so far?
In Red Deer their was an awkward play. A defenceman took a really high 3 pointer shot from the point as Butcher was charging in, and he took the shot off his glove ,and he has a fractured hand.
Not sure how long he will be out for.
Penner and Ast look like thy are upping their games good to see the fires ignite!!
If the tigers could have consistent effort and consistent goaltending for a whole game these games against the hitmen would be so different. Lets get them next game!
Had to know that the power play was going to eventually cost the team a game. Last night was one that it could have been a difference maker. O for 4 and a paltry 13 percent so far in the playoffs while the Hitmens is 33 percent. Could very well be the difference in this series by the time it's over.
Ya good job coaches roll the lines in OT because that always works
sorry but the goalie needs to make that save the team works that hard and that is let in wow
That was a hard shot in off the crossbar can't fault the goalie for that.
The coaches made a big change in the third switching up the lineups and it gave the Tigers a big kickstart. The Tigers didn't play a good first half of the hockey game.
The Hitman are a smart team, they are skating to open areas of the ice, and the tigers are falling into bad habbits defensively.
Tigers are playing the Hitman's game and not their own. They made a couple changes for the third period which put the momentum in their favor.
That could be the last game @ the arena, but I hope not.
Man, 20 saves on 22 shots. The Hitmen goaltender is the difference maker in these games. Seeing way way way more shots and making the easy and hard saves.
Also sucks to give up the lead on a dumb penalty with a penalty shot. That was tough to swallow.
Thought the forwards and defence gave a lot of effort!!
Seriously going to blame the goaltender for the loss. Anyone with that notion doesn't know jack squat about the game. Defensive zone turnover and a screened shot. First three shots of the game by Calgary were great scoring chances and terrific saves, game could have been over early. Blaming players is for losers.
If there is another game can I pick the 3 stars?
Looking at calgary, they are supporting each other very well.
You'll see it at the NHL level the triangle formation. (Little triangles of players)
Not only is it the strongest shape in nature, but in hockey they support each other the best offensively and defensively.
If you look at the Tigers defense its turned into a straggly line, like a pack of kids in atom following the puck, (or edmonton oilers hockey)
The hitman's game is simply expanding, and shrinking their triangle (or think of a 5 on the dice, formation)
The Tigers owned the hitman with speed during the first 3 games,(they just shot themselves in the foot) but game 4, the Tigers played right into the hitmans hands.
The Tigers need to overwhelm their time and space with speed, while at the same time making damn sure their group is defensively aware. The Tigers played like they were afraid of turnovers
Their were a few times last night on the point where a high risk last ditch pass was made, that if blocked would have led to a hitman breakaway. That type of play should never happen no matter the cirucmstance in the game.
The Tigers have the better team, but they have essentially giftwrapped the Hitman a 3-1 series lead.
The Tigers have to make sure that when they don't have the puck, or fighting for possession anywhere from the redline into their zone, that they are between the puck and their net.
In the o zone they can fight on the other side, with the exception of being the last man back, or recognizing situations where their could be an odd man rush. (their are more exceptions but that is the jist of it)
The Tigers have been better on the puck possession side by a long shot, but the hitman are getting a lot better looks on net.
Great post, TT. That explains why the Hitmen are creating as many or more scoring chances than the Tigers with less zone time. It's too bad that an experienced Tigers team isn't buying into the D zone coverage system.
The experts say that playoff series are usually determined by special teams play and goaltending.
For this series:
Tigers pp: 2/14 = 14.3%
Hitmen pp: 3/11 = 27.3% but all Hitmen pp goals scored in game 3
Tigers goaltending: 96 saves on 108 shots = .888 save percentage
Hitmen goaltending: 144 saves on 153 shots = .941 save percentage
As you say, TT, the Tigers have the better team and I expect the comeback to begin in game 5!
If someone was to read your comments and not look at what the scores have been they would assume the Tigers have been thrashed in this series so far. Fact is every games been a one goal differential and a bounce or two could have it 3-1 the other way. As I see it Calgary is the bigger stronger team which has been a factor in getting loose pucks and the Hitmen D are doing a good job pinching and not giving the Tigers easy outlets out of their own zone. In the third period and overtime in game four the Tigers were getting pucks by the Calgary D which allowed them to create more opportunities in the offensive zone.
As far as your comment "Tigers are a better team" I'm not sure about that. These teams are pretty evenly matched but I give the slight edge to Calgary because I think they have a bit more of a balanced offence than we do.
Ug
The year of the mushroom is done, we had the best defense and the smallest forwards who wont grind. I hope the mushroom post experiment doesnt return to the event center next season. Good job Tigers too little too late! Good luck to Marek, Kyle and Mr Tyler Lewington!!!!
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