Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
Phillips' man didn't score either of the first two goals ... the first was Pelletier, who wasn't covering anyone while Phillips pursued the puck-carrier. The second one came after Dube fumbled the puck at the point and couldn't get back.
Phillips didn't have a great first two periods, as you mentioned, but pinning either goal on him is inaccurate. But he's gonna need to start scoring or setting up Flames goals to actually stand out.
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Sigh. It was Phillip's man who had the time and space to make the cross ice pass to score the first goal. Phillips had poor gap control and didn't pursue hard enough to close that gap and take that long range pass out of play or make it impossible. He was coasting and extending a stick rather than trying to close the gap.
On the turnover by Dube he didn't put in much effort to get back. As I said, the only Flame he didn't beat into the defensive end of the ice was Dube, who was the guy who was engaged in the check when the puck was turned over. For a guy trying to make it into the NHL shouldn't he be busting his hump every time he is out there?
This is the type of stuff the coaching staff is going to zero in on. They are going to be critical of guys who are supposedly fighting for the NHL dream but not making the plays. Try and deflect all you want, but these are the things that keep guys in the minors and not in the show. They are going to look at this on tape and it's not going to score him points.