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bzarcherIn the midst of demolishing Carolina tonight, Nik Zherdev had probably one of his best games of the season. Sharp defense, quick skating offense, snappy play on both the power play and the penalty kill, and going into the final minutes of the game, 2 goals and an assist - he had a piece of each Columbus goal.
When Carolina pulled their goalie to try to force a goal, the crowd came to their feet each time Zherdev got on the ice, begging him to drop one last goal into the net and score his first career hat trick in the NHL. When two passes were broken up, they dropped to their seats with a groan before starting back up again as Zherdev forced a Carolina turnover and charged into their zone with Beech trailing on his wing.
And then, with one defender to beat in front of him and the crowd urging him to strike the puck home, Zherdev did something that I think would have stunned most Jackets fans last year.
He leaned over slightly, made a perfect tape to tape pass to his linemate, and allowed a wide open Kris Beech to get the decisive 4th goal that shut the door on Carolina.
A selfless, classy, incredibly team-oriented play that says far more about what kind of player Nikolai has become than the 10,000 words of blogs you'll probably find about tonight's game.
When Carolina pulled their goalie to try to force a goal, the crowd came to their feet each time Zherdev got on the ice, begging him to drop one last goal into the net and score his first career hat trick in the NHL. When two passes were broken up, they dropped to their seats with a groan before starting back up again as Zherdev forced a Carolina turnover and charged into their zone with Beech trailing on his wing.
And then, with one defender to beat in front of him and the crowd urging him to strike the puck home, Zherdev did something that I think would have stunned most Jackets fans last year.
He leaned over slightly, made a perfect tape to tape pass to his linemate, and allowed a wide open Kris Beech to get the decisive 4th goal that shut the door on Carolina.
A selfless, classy, incredibly team-oriented play that says far more about what kind of player Nikolai has become than the 10,000 words of blogs you'll probably find about tonight's game.
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Speaking as a Pens fan ...
Date: 2007-12-30 06:27 pm (UTC)Ah, Beechy. We don't exactly miss you, but we are bemused by and mildly appreciative of your success, as long as it's not against us. ;)
(Thanks for reminding me that I'd been meaning to screen cap that and post it for the amusement and/or torment of others. ;)
Re: Speaking as a Pens fan ...
Date: 2007-12-30 10:50 pm (UTC)Re: Speaking as a Pens fan ...
Date: 2007-12-30 11:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-30 07:23 pm (UTC)This is so far from what was said about him last year, and in the off season. But it's amazing what hope and a well-run franchise will do for a player. He's becoming a real threat, and we need the scoring. A few more players and who knows.
Interesting that on the Jackets web site they had a poll for top Blue Jackets rookie. He didn't win the poll, but I chose Kris Russell. I really like his play.
no subject
Date: 2007-12-30 10:50 pm (UTC)I think it really comes down to the fact that even after Hitchcock was hired, Zherdev wanted to get away from Doug MacLean. Once MacLean was gone? Whole new slate.
People aren't noticing Russell as much because he isn't scoring. Give it time and I think people will realize how valuable he is. :D