There really isn't much to say about the game this afternoon at MSG versus the Rangers. The Bruins had a decent effort, really got better as the game went on, but one guy didn't come to play: Manny Fernandez.
Great third period from the road warriors but giving up not one, two, but three soft goals is just unreal. The B's carried the play in the third scoring two to tie it at 3, and you could smell another goal coming as the 10 minute mark approached.
Then it happened.
A hard shot from the blue line goes wide of the net on the near post and entices Manny to slide right to try and play it. He misses the puck, pirouettes towards the goal mouth as the puck comes off the dasher behind the net and right to a streaking Nicolas Zherdev who pots the game-winner.
Maybe he doesn't see enough game time to stay sharp, or maybe his back is hampering his play - but all I know from watching the game today is that he isn't going to get it done with performances like that in the play-offs.
Tough call for Julien after the game - what do you say to the guy? You need him to get better, but at the same time you can't coddle him. He played like shit, plain and simple.
Might be Tuukka time, kids.
Maybe it's just me, I don't know because I've never played hockey before. But as a goalie, it is not a good thing to ever face your net. Manny did this TWICE during the Rangers game. TWICE he turned around backwards in net and TWICE it resulted in a goal. I hope Claude makes him stand facing the net for the entire practice as punishment. Note to Manny: Pay attention.
ReplyDeleteSarah, you couldn't be more right.
ReplyDeleteTwo well known "no no's" in the defensive end: Don't pass in front of your own net and don't face up to the net as a keeper. Fernandez has now lost 5 in a row and it's not at all surprising when you consider these types of mental mistakes. Fernandez's style is to be on the ice alot, or at least his knees (wrong profession perhaps?), but facing the net is just ludacris. Colonel Sanders and Big Helmet should warn him against ludacris moves.
Manny is cursed. So is his mask. Get him off the bench!!
ReplyDelete