December 15, 2007
You'd like to think that if you miss a game and read the recap in the paper you have a decent idea of what happened in the game, right? Sure, it won't have the flair and excitement of end-to-end rushes and they rarely mention individual plays that don't result in a score or significant injury, but you expect it to be factually correct. I'm sad to say that the reality is worse than we thought.
Last night the Sabres beat the Capitals 5-3. Here is the Associated Press' recap of the game.
As reported: "Washington tied it at 5:09 of the third when Laich stole the puck from goalie Ryan Miller behind the net and fired it into the open net."
Reality: If Miller never touched the puck and Laich was never behind the net, can you really say that Laich stole the puck from Miller behind the net? Miller went behind the night to collect/slow down a dump in that was wrapping around the dasher. At the Zamboni door, the puck hit an edge and deflected 6 feet in front of the goal line where Laich easily tapped it into the open net.
As reported: "After Jason Pominville's long shot was batted away by the goalie, Connolly tapped it past him to break a 3-3 tie."
Reality: Pominville's shot never made it to Kolzig. With Pominville shooting from the top of the faceoff circle to Kolzig's left and Connoly standing at the top of the crease, Connolly redirected Pominville's shot into Kolzig's pads. Connoly spun to his forehand and as he was falling to the ice - stick nearly horizontal to the playing surface, he swatted in his own rebound.
As reported: "...five goals allowed by Kolzig were the most in (Bruce Boudreau's) 11-game tenure...".
Reality: Kolzig only allowed in 4 goals. With just under 2 minutes remaining, down 4-3, the Caps pulled Kolzig when the Sabres were called for icing. Hecht scored the Sabres 5th goal into an empty net on Pominville's unselfish play with a 2-on-1 and the empty net.