Our take on the game:
Like Coach said, we were all over them in the first 15 minutes of the game with a flurry of chances . But chances mean nothing, if you can't capitalize on them (based on the events to follow, we thought we should have also been given a PK when Sal was taken down in the box). The game did settle down and the Rangers found their game. They pumped long ball after long ball into their front runners who definatley played well for them. But, the long ball really didn't give them any real scoring chance throughout the game. My feeling was the game was going into OT, but to our surprise my bro was called with a handball (our feeling was that it was an iffy at best call - there was no intent to handball and it did not at all stop a scoring chance or impeed a Rangers player) in our box with 30 minutes left in game. Wilke slotted it and we were deflated. The rest of the game we through people forward and did not score on our chances once again. Rangers got another late to seal the deal. The Rangers are a strong team and they definately had a good game plan going into this one. Their a solid bunch, particularly their D who did their job all game long.
After the game, my bro was on 24 hour watch for the handball. To update the situation, he is doing fine and made it back safe. Regardless of the loss, we did stay in Nanaimo for the night and to contrary belief, it didn't involve lattes and cappucinos.
Congrats once again to the Rangers. Best of luck in Winnipeg boys!
Like Coach said, we were all over them in the first 15 minutes of the game with a flurry of chances . But chances mean nothing, if you can't capitalize on them (based on the events to follow, we thought we should have also been given a PK when Sal was taken down in the box). The game did settle down and the Rangers found their game. They pumped long ball after long ball into their front runners who definatley played well for them. But, the long ball really didn't give them any real scoring chance throughout the game. My feeling was the game was going into OT, but to our surprise my bro was called with a handball (our feeling was that it was an iffy at best call - there was no intent to handball and it did not at all stop a scoring chance or impeed a Rangers player) in our box with 30 minutes left in game. Wilke slotted it and we were deflated. The rest of the game we through people forward and did not score on our chances once again. Rangers got another late to seal the deal. The Rangers are a strong team and they definately had a good game plan going into this one. Their a solid bunch, particularly their D who did their job all game long.
After the game, my bro was on 24 hour watch for the handball. To update the situation, he is doing fine and made it back safe. Regardless of the loss, we did stay in Nanaimo for the night and to contrary belief, it didn't involve lattes and cappucinos.
Congrats once again to the Rangers. Best of luck in Winnipeg boys!
