John Gove: Lighting Record OT Comeback Win Against Montreal

On Christmas vacation in Florida. Decided to take my son who's a huge Bolts fan to the game last night. What a great game it was and a huge comeback victory. Very exciting game to see live and the atmosphere at Amalie Arena never fails to impress me. Quite the show and glad we made the decision to go. Johnson always impresses and yes Kucherov is a goal scorer but he also sees the ice incredibly well and makes incredible passes at high speed. Hell of a show

They still need to play better then they did last night but it wasn't a bad game for them, Montreal took advantage of their scoring opportunities better then the Bolts until 10 minutes to go in the third. And then a 2 goal come from behind win in the 3rd against the best goal tender in the NHL was a sweet way to end it.

The thing about this game that I liked was our best players Kuch, TyJo, Palat, Hedman, and even Drouin played their best games. They are the guys who need to lead the team back into the playoffs. If they don't continue this play it will be difficult to keep up in the playoff points race.

On Christmas vacation in Florida. Decided to take my son who's a huge Bolts fan to the game last night. What a great game it was and a huge comeback victory. Very exciting game to see live and the atmosphere at Amalie Arena never fails to impress me. Quite the show and glad we made the decision to go. Johnson always impresses and yes Kucherov is a goal scorer but he also sees the ice incredibly well and makes incredible passes at high speed. Hell of a show
- Ballam

Kucherov is already the Russian light version of Patrick Kane and I don't think I am overstating when I say he can become the full Russian version Kane in the next few years.

Kucherov is already the Russian light version of Patrick Kane and I don't think I am overstating when I say he can become the full Russian version Kane in the next few years.
- stammerman

I'd rather have Kuch on my team than Kane right now. Kuch's defensive game is way superior to Kane's. Offensive-- he might be a tad below, but not by much. Sidenote.. did Namestnikov die last night? He got wreckeddddddd.

I haven't heard of Vladdy's condition, but didn't see him in the obituaries this morning so that's a good sign.

Can we talk about that hit though? I know he didn't hit him in the head, he didn't hit him in the numbers, and Vlad was in a vulnerable position... but it has to be at least a charge, right?

I haven't heard of Vladdy's condition, but didn't see him in the obituaries this morning so that's a good sign.

Can we talk about that hit though? I know he didn't hit him in the head, he didn't hit him in the numbers, and Vlad was in a vulnerable position... but it has to be at least a charge, right?
- Jakes_91

Looked clean to me.

I haven't heard of Vladdy's condition, but didn't see him in the obituaries this morning so that's a good sign.

Can we talk about that hit though? I know he didn't hit him in the head, he didn't hit him in the numbers, and Vlad was in a vulnerable position... but it has to be at least a charge, right?
- Jakes_91

100% clean hit.

Definitely NOT a charge. Weber never left his feet, player had the puck. Just a good hard hockey hit. Sometimes guys get injured in clean hits.

100% clean hit.

Definitely NOT a charge. Weber never left his feet, player had the puck. Just a good hard hockey hit. Sometimes guys get injured in clean hits.
- mlindsay

Have to agree.

100% clean hit.

Definitely NOT a charge. Weber never left his feet, player had the puck. Just a good hard hockey hit. Sometimes guys get injured in clean hits.
- mlindsay

I hate how every god damn player feels like its necessary to fight after a good hard clean hit (like Boyle did). Dude got clocked, hit was clean, no need to fight.

I hate how every god damn player feels like its necessary to fight after a good hard clean hit (like Boyle did). Dude got clocked, hit was clean, no need to fight.
- j.boyd919

Would have been better to fight the ref after that insane offside call on Kuch in the last minute of the game. Dont think any defender in the league make better stretch passes then Heddy.

Would have been better to fight the ref after that insane offside call on Kuch in the last minute of the game. Dont think any defender in the league make better stretch passes then Heddy.
- Cloud

You mean the too many men on the ice call? I thought it was the right call, dude didn't get off the ice quick enough at the end of the bench.

I hate how every god damn player feels like its necessary to fight after a good hard clean hit (like Boyle did). Dude got clocked, hit was clean, no need to fight.
- j.boyd919

Ya.
It's a guttural reaction though.
You see a teammate get destroyed and you instantly want to defend them. Stupid; but understandable.
In saying that... if a monster like Weber hit my teammate... they're on their own. Not my rodeo. If it's a guy like Emelin (who's known for his big hits as well) I drop the mitts.

It's pretty obvious that our system is missing Bishop's puck handling skills. With Vasy now in the crease, the Bolts are missing a defacto 3rd defenseman on the ice. Bishop often cleared the zone himself on many occasions and his presence back there was a boon to the Bolt's zone exits. Now the D-men have to unlearn playing with Bishop and start adapting to Vasy's style - which involves a lot less puck handling and passing. (Credit the kid for an assist though.)

You mean the too many men on the ice call? I thought it was the right call, dude didn't get off the ice quick enough at the end of the bench.
- j.boyd919

Didnt see the 3rd, but the highlghts on NHL.com shows it as a bad offside.

It's pretty obvious that our system is missing Bishop's puck handling skills. With Vasy now in the crease, the Bolts are missing a defacto 3rd defenseman on the ice. Bishop often cleared the zone himself on many occasions and his presence back there was a boon to the Bolt's zone exits. Now the D-men have to unlearn playing with Bishop and start adapting to Vasy's style - which involves a lot less puck handling and passing. (Credit the kid for an assist though.)
- GalacticStone

All goalies are bad with the puck.

Didnt see the 3rd, but the highlghts on NHL.com shows it as a bad offside.
- Cloud

Yeah it wasn't an offside call, it was too many men, cause Kuch darted way too soon and was already at the far blue line before Boyle reached the bench.

Charging only has to do with distance traveled to land a big check on an opponent. It has nothing to do with leaving your feet or whether or not the opponent is in possession of the puck. Weber crossed half the ice to put him into the boards; it should have been a charge.

I'm not saying that play should be a penalty, but it's pretty clearly stated in the rule book. Rule 42.1 if you want to look it up.

Charging only has to do with distance traveled to land a big check on an opponent. It has nothing to do with leaving your feet or whether or not the opponent is in possession of the puck. Weber crossed half the ice to put him into the boards; it should have been a charge.

I'm not saying that play should be a penalty, but it's pretty clearly stated in the rule book. Rule 42.1 if you want to look it up.
- Jakes_91

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-lowers-boom-namestnikov/

Watching this at like 20 seconds, he barely took 3 strides and coasted over to him after those strides lol Still clean, after watching it 100 times.

Charging - A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner. Charging shall mean the actions of a player who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A "charge" may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/gotta-see-weber-lowers-boom-namestnikov/

Watching this at like 20 seconds, he barely took 3 strides and coasted over to him after those strides lol Still clean, after watching it 100 times.

Charging - A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner. Charging shall mean the actions of a player who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A "charge" may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.
- j.boyd919

I guess "jumps into" means something different to the guy above.

Any way you want to slice it... it was a damn good clean check.

Quotes aren't working.
I guess "or charges an opponent in any manner" means something different to the guy above.

And I am slicing it a different way... and it wasn't a damn good clean check.

Quotes aren't working.
I guess "or charges an opponent in any manner" means something different to the guy above.

And I am slicing it a different way... and it wasn't a damn good clean check.
- Jakes_91

Sure it was, considering there was no penalty, and there is no discipline the day after.

Quotes aren't working.
I guess "or charges an opponent in any manner" means something different to the guy above.

And I am slicing it a different way... and it wasn't a damn good clean check.
- Jakes_91

It was a brutal but clean hit and that is namestnikovs fault for putting himself in that position.

Quotes aren't working.
I guess "or charges an opponent in any manner" means something different to the guy above.

And I am slicing it a different way... and it wasn't a damn good clean check.
- Jakes_91

Notice how you are the only one (including other Bolt fans) that is calling it a bad hit?