Here we are on the morning of Game Four in Wheeling, West Virginia and even though we woke up to gray skies and chilly temperatures, I've had this song in my head all day:
In my opinion, this series is going to be the best, most exciting, and most dramatic of the Kelly Cup playoffs (every other second round series could end in a sweep). These teams match up with one another so well and compete so hard that every game promises to be an edge-of-your seat affair. Just look at the results from the first three games, each one has been decided by a single goal with the winner not scored until the third period or later. Plus there's the fact that the Road Warriors and Nailers players absolutely despise each other at this point of the series. I don't know how anyone could assume that tonight will be any different.
It's with that in mind that I'm just enjoying each minute of this day. It has been a long time since I've had a chance to cover playoff hockey and it's been a thrill to be a part of this series. The Greenville players have enjoyed it, to a degree, as well but they're not happy about their current standing in the series. They feel that they've out-chanced and out-played Wheeling for many minutes of the first three games but haven't gotten the results they want. You could point to four disallowed goals over the course of the series as one reason why Greenville is trailing at this point. You could also point to the play of a certain masked man for the Nailers (he will remain un-named in this space for the remainder of the series). But the fact of the matter is, the Road Warriors can control certain factors that would make those points non-issues.
As I mentioned in the blog yesterday operative number one is a better net-front presence in the offensive zone. Both goals in Game Three were scored on net-front plays - a tipped shot from the point and a rebound - so proof is there that the template works. That's the primary area where battles must be won tonight. Success in front of the net will translate to success in the other problem area - the power play. The Road Warriors got off the schnide with a PPG in Game Three, but it has to continue to improve. In the defensive end, I think it's steady as she goes. For the third straight game, the Road Warriors kept Wheeling under 30 shots in Game Three and severely limited Wheeling's quality chances. The Nailers just did an impressive job of cashing in their best chances. Greenville needs a superb effort in goal tonight like it got in Games Three and Four against Elmira and Game Two against Wheeling.
I'm going to have to work hard to stay busy today because if I'm not working, I'll be sitting watching the clock waiting for 7:35 to roll around. And just like a watched pot never boils or a watched phone never rings, a watch clock doesn't tick. One thing you all can look forward to is I'll check back in later in the day to update the blog with a behind-the-scenes look at the Road Warriors' dressing room area here at WesBanco Arena. That'll be around 4:00 once the room gets the full game day setup. Until then, enjoy Just Jack and this glory day!
It's a little later than expected, but here's the dressing room tour I promised!
No comments:
Post a Comment