Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
I like the word boyish. It’s easy to see some of the players can be emotional about the game. Tkachuk and Johnny are demonstrative, Rasmus as well. Mangiapane and Dube have real spurts of energetic play. So does Backlund. But too few of them have the “roll up the sleeves” adult approach to adversity and what it takes to win. Tanev, Lucic, Ryan to some degree. I still think Gio does but his body doesn’t cooperate a lot (though I thought he’s had a few pretty decent games in a row, including last game).
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That backcheck by Gio from two of three strides back to negate the breakaway late in a colossal game for the season is the biggest on ice moment he's had since his Norris year for me.
It's those moments of giving extra for the sake of the team and the result of the game from guys up and down the line up that will be key to taking their game where it has never been.
Its just a collection of moments like that that makes the difference, and they're each capable of bringing that with the right level of commitment.
You could throw Juuso's huge save into that category as well.