Not really too many better ways to celebrate 1000. A point, to inch him closer to the other 1000 mark. A big win against a lesser opponent, which this team seems to struggle with sometimes. Most importantly, a team that played great all night, rolled four solid lines, and got contribution from everyone.
You could see in the interviews leading up to the game, and the spot with Ian Mendes during intermission that 1000 wasn’t a big deal at this point for Alfie as it came on the road. You and I both realise it’ll really hit home on Saturday when the game will be delayed for the ceremony, and furthered by the longest, loudest standing ovation this team has ever seen. That being said, it was nice to see the Panthers, and all 17 fans pay homage to Alfie with a little montage on the scoreboard. They’ve always been classy.
I looked through the game stats and was surprised to find out that Kovalev was in the lineup. Then I reviewed the game log to see if he’d gone out early with injury, say around the 1:30 mark of the first, because truly, I didn’t see him after that. I saw Neiler get his Gordie, the 5th such of his career. This lead to a little research to find that the real Gordie only ever got one. Also, five puts the Ginger Dandy into second all-time (ALL-TIME!) on the Gordie list, behind the one, the only …. Brendan Shanahan. I KNOW! That was my reaction too!
All told, it was a great effort by most, and I’m glad the guys all showed up to help the team win on a big night. From here on out, they are all big nights.
And now for something completely different….
There are a few guys who have had lots of time and money invested in their development, who have yet to show any return on that. There are spurts here and there of the potential, but overall, it’s truly disheartening to see them regress. This reminds me very much of the great Smiths track Girlfriend In A Coma. “Do you really think she’ll pull through?” I’m looking at you Furbligno and Shan-WOW! Time for a bit of a return, or perhaps time to try your hand elsewhere.
~MFP3
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