Thinking Bigger

 

 

I never had a chance to play in many playoff games. Either my team didn’t make the playoffs or I was the extra guy cheering from the press box. It sucked watching! Really sucked!

I have a funny playoff memory from Vancouver. We were playing against the Red Wings in Detroit. There isn’t a very big press box there so I sat right behind our bench in the stands with our team doctor. The guys thought it was hilarious! Todd Bertuzzi, my road room mate, would laugh when he would look back and see the doctor and I eating peanuts or hot dogs. I would have gladly traded anything for a spot on that bench.

Then I see a young player in Philly make a very bad decision. Everyone outside of Pittsburgh likes Claude Giroux but what was he thinking when he hit Zubrus in the head? He snapped because of a non-call on Brodeur. Now he is sitting out a huge game when his team needs him most. He should have been thinking bigger.

In the playoffs, keeping a level head is crucial. Winners of the Stanley cup rarely get distracted from their focus. Bad refs, breaks, luck and injuries are mere speed bumps. This comes from maturity. I really felt last year the Canucks were lacking it and it was the difference between them hoisting the cup and going home losers.

Great game last night between the Caps and Rangers. What a comeback by the Rangers, awesome to see Marc Staal be the hero. The flip side is Joel Ward. He took the double minor that cost them two goals. Can you imagine how he feels tonight?

What should the severity of an injury have any impact on the length of a suspension? When you get pulled over by a cop for speeding can you just tell him no one got hurt so no ticket?