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Kovalchuk's Shift Diary from Game-1 Loss |
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Given his propensity to imitate Espo and others at times, with 2+ minute shifts, and to sometimes float, I thought it interesting to isolate the play of New Jersey gazzillionaire forward Ilya Kovalchuk with a shift diary from Game-1 on Sunday in Philly.
Keep in mind, it's believed Kovy is suffering from something; groin, leg, lower body, call it what you will. If that is the case, can one tell the difference between laboring a wee bit, and skating in his "economical" manner?
Either way, for the most part in game one, notch one for the cynics.
1st Period:
0:49-1:40
Bad cross ice pass in neutral zone led to sustained time in D zone.
Not on ice when NJ took 1-0 lead. Parise from Elias off Matt Read D-zone turnover on failed reverse along end boards.
3:16-5:41
Perpetual shift. Started with D-zone draw. Took hit. Devils dumped puck, icing. Had to stay out. Don’t think he minded. Voracek goes off for slashing at 3:57. Ilya shift continues as NJ goes on Power Play. Other four on PP change after Flyers clear, he stays out.
6:50-7:03
Rush. Bryzgalov covers. TV Timeout.
7:34-8:22
Two inconsequential rushes.
NJ to PK. Salvadore to box 10:18 for roughing. TV Timeout.
11:16-11:53
On the PK, put pressure on Flyers left point.
14:59-15:47
Under pressure in the neutral zone. Icing. Stayed out. Rush on right wing. Back leisurely. TV Timeout.
NJ to PK. Zidlicky off.
17:25-18:15
On penalty kill.
2nd Period:
:59-1:54
Rush. Tough pass to handle from D. Regroup.
4:35-5:34
On the fly. Flyers Grade A scoring chance. Then D-zone draw. Philly shot wide. Rush the other way. Good forecheck by him. Flyers recover, dump in, change.
7:26-8:07
Backing up twice. Then counter attack. In offensive zone, his very poor cross-crease shot/pass leads directly to Flyers break out and Briere breakaway goal on feed from Voracek. 1-1 score.
Crowd, momentum back for Flyers. Ilya not on ice for 2-1 Flyers. JVR from Gustafson at 8:44.
9:31-11:40
Power Play shift with Wellwood off for tripping. Left point/circle. Offside call. 4 Devils change, he stays out for draw at 10:03. Flyers to PP off Wellwood rush coming out of penalty box.
13:22-13:53
Four on four for 18 seconds. Ilya circles back and holds on to puck as PP begins. Secondary assist earned on Parise to Zajac tip-in goal in front. 2-2 score.
16:15-17:20
Neutral zone. Puck out of play. Draw. Had Flyers turnover hop off his stick back to Philly. D-zone circling. Counter-attack failed. To bench.
18:26-19:06
Offensive zone cycle. Bad pass to point. Shot for Philly the other way.
3rd Period:
:50-1:44
Lot of personal puck possession through neutral zone. Rush. Then D-zone.
3:28-3:50
Neutral zone draw. Flyers pressure leads to Philly PP. Andy Greene hooking.
PP goal. Ilya not on ice. Giroux from Timonen and Hartnell at 4:19. 3-2 Flyers.
4:19-5:18
Chance for Flyers.
NJ to PK. 5:26 Sykora goes off for holding.
6:40-8:02
On PK shift; then even strength rush on right side, no shot.
10:20-11:03
Devils pressure. No shots on goal. Icing on Flyers.
Not on ice. 11:22. Devils tie it. Sykora, great fake shot, take shot. 3-3 game.
12:30-13:05
D zone draw. Pressure Flyers.
15:29-16:45
Flyers dump in. Counter attack. Neutral zone turnover. Out of play. TV Timeout. 15:56. Stays out. NJ icing. Has to stay out again. NJ takes timeout. Win draw, dump in. Flyers counter. Big save by Marty on JVR chance.
17:20-18:25
Neutral zone draw. Rush both ways. D-zone draw. Right wing rush/dump. Regroup. Forecheck.
Overtime:
:30 Flyers pressure. Puck over glass. NJ to PK
Flyers PP. No goal at 2:13 Briere distinct kicking motion.
4:14-4:36
Kovalchuk twice had chance to play puck, get stick in lane and didn’t, including puck to point for game winning goal. Puck within reach. Didn't appear to have legs. Briere scores. Game over.
Flyers win 4-3.
Ilya Kovalchuk – 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, 0 shots on goal, 2 missed shots. 21:20 total time-on-ice, 23 shifts. 1 blocked shot. Minus-2.
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