Round 2 - Game 3: Edmonton @ Dallas
Another game comes down to the wire!
With Dallas leading 2-0 in the series, the teams head back to Dallas to see what happens next. The game was a tight checking game with great defense. No team wanted to give up the first goal that could give the other team momentum. But we've seen many times in the series that the momentum doesn't last long.
It seemed like Dallas would be the team to strike first as they hit two posts in a matter of a couple minutes, but it would be Edmonton who would strike first. Edmonton turned down to the Dallas end after a give away, leaving only Modano back to be the defender. Edmonton took advantage of this and made a couple passes back and forth to get Reasoner to have the open net for a one-timer that slid under Turco's pads.
Like earlier mentioned, the game was very defense with very little shots given up (final shots 19-18). The second period would finish without a goal. But the period was anything but lackluster.
It was unusual for a team to be keeping the lead for so long in this series, usually a lead would only last minutes if not seconds. But just like the two previous games, Dallas would have their best period in the third. With about 7 minutes gone in the third, Barnes was fed a pass as he streaked into the Edmonton zone. As he moved wide he was able to out skate the defender to the outside and deke Rollie to tie it up. Now with the crowd back in the game, it seemed to give life to the Stars. It would only be a few more minutes until a puck bounced off a couple shin pads at the blue-line and landed on the stick of the unlikely hero, Barnaby. Barnaby flew into the Edmonton zone all alone and completed the deke to take the lead. It was pandemonium in the arena as the crowd could see they were one step close to going to the Stanley Cup Finals, with only about 2 minutes left on the clock.
Edmonton knew it was do or die time. They pressed hard to get the goal that would tie the game. And with 22 seconds left it looked like they would get that goal. With a shot from the circle, everyone stood up and was quiet for what seemed like an eternity. The next thing people would hear would be the sound of the puck hitting the crossbar. The force of the shot flung the puck into the air and over the netting.
It seemed like Edmonton was at their breaking point of frustration, as Dallas was able to control the puck the next 22 seconds until the buzzer blew. Dallas is going to the Stanley Cup Finals!
Final: Edmonton 1 @ Dallas 2
Stats:
Edm - Dal
19 shots 18
34 hits 13
3 Stars
Barnaby 1 0
Turco 18 1
Barnes 1 0
GREAT games TigerToa!!! The others might not realize this, but this series could have easily been 3-0 for you. If it wasn't for my 3rd period "heroics/luck" this could have easily have gone the other way. There was only ONE time in the series were someone had a two goal lead! That's amazing! Even though Edmonton didn't win a game, I would say that this is probably close to being a better series than OTH and eeedowls...maybe. I'm just happy this wasn't a best of 7, cause my 3-0 lead would not be safe at all. Great series, and I can't wait to play you again next season! This may be the start of a great rivalry!!
With Dallas leading 2-0 in the series, the teams head back to Dallas to see what happens next. The game was a tight checking game with great defense. No team wanted to give up the first goal that could give the other team momentum. But we've seen many times in the series that the momentum doesn't last long.
It seemed like Dallas would be the team to strike first as they hit two posts in a matter of a couple minutes, but it would be Edmonton who would strike first. Edmonton turned down to the Dallas end after a give away, leaving only Modano back to be the defender. Edmonton took advantage of this and made a couple passes back and forth to get Reasoner to have the open net for a one-timer that slid under Turco's pads.
Like earlier mentioned, the game was very defense with very little shots given up (final shots 19-18). The second period would finish without a goal. But the period was anything but lackluster.
It was unusual for a team to be keeping the lead for so long in this series, usually a lead would only last minutes if not seconds. But just like the two previous games, Dallas would have their best period in the third. With about 7 minutes gone in the third, Barnes was fed a pass as he streaked into the Edmonton zone. As he moved wide he was able to out skate the defender to the outside and deke Rollie to tie it up. Now with the crowd back in the game, it seemed to give life to the Stars. It would only be a few more minutes until a puck bounced off a couple shin pads at the blue-line and landed on the stick of the unlikely hero, Barnaby. Barnaby flew into the Edmonton zone all alone and completed the deke to take the lead. It was pandemonium in the arena as the crowd could see they were one step close to going to the Stanley Cup Finals, with only about 2 minutes left on the clock.
Edmonton knew it was do or die time. They pressed hard to get the goal that would tie the game. And with 22 seconds left it looked like they would get that goal. With a shot from the circle, everyone stood up and was quiet for what seemed like an eternity. The next thing people would hear would be the sound of the puck hitting the crossbar. The force of the shot flung the puck into the air and over the netting.
It seemed like Edmonton was at their breaking point of frustration, as Dallas was able to control the puck the next 22 seconds until the buzzer blew. Dallas is going to the Stanley Cup Finals!
Final: Edmonton 1 @ Dallas 2
Stats:
Edm - Dal
19 shots 18
34 hits 13
3 Stars
Barnaby 1 0
Turco 18 1
Barnes 1 0
GREAT games TigerToa!!! The others might not realize this, but this series could have easily been 3-0 for you. If it wasn't for my 3rd period "heroics/luck" this could have easily have gone the other way. There was only ONE time in the series were someone had a two goal lead! That's amazing! Even though Edmonton didn't win a game, I would say that this is probably close to being a better series than OTH and eeedowls...maybe. I'm just happy this wasn't a best of 7, cause my 3-0 lead would not be safe at all. Great series, and I can't wait to play you again next season! This may be the start of a great rivalry!!
posted by Critter3 at 9:18 AM
2 Comments:
This comment has been removed by the author.
Thanks for the games Critter, that was intense. I thought I had your number for a liitle while, but you capitalized on your chances late. I agree this series mimicked the Oil-Stars real life series of 98-99 as the closest sweep in history. You buried your chances late where I did not. Or just as easily could of been a lot bigger lead for you too.
See you in season 2 ... same round maybe ;) Good luck in the finals!!!
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