Quote:
Originally Posted by browna
How's the oxygen all the way up there?
Hate? Anger? Ridiculous.
Backlund is a smart player and skilled player but if he had a few more ounces of aggressiveness to get a bit dirtier to make plays, keep plays alive and/or stay in scoring areas a few seconds longer to creat a chance, he'd be far more effective offensively, being the 2c he currently is and is paid as.
The chance he had halfway through the period was a perfect example. Makes a good play to create space for him and then cuts across the middle. Senses he's entering a zone where he could get into a good collision and releases his shot a split second early and missed the net as he has a tough angle, whereas holding the puck a spit second longer, he has a wider open net and a much better angle to tap it in.
But sorry, I'll defer all future analysis to the purveyor of hockey knowledge and understanding.
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Oh I've heard Backlund is soft numerous times on this board and I'll argue it every single time. Hold on to the puck a bit longer? Backlund holds on to the puck and makes things happen out of nothing more than almost every player on the Flames.
Backlund is not easy to play against in any zone on the ice. He does not shy away from physical contact. I dont think you have to be the "purveyor of hockey knowledge and understanding" to see this. Just have to watch the game.
