[Devils-list] Heartless, Gutless, and Just Plain Stupid

[Don Whiting]

>I'm disgusted. Here we have, as our team of a choice, a bunch of guys who
>have decided to mail it in. They don't give 100%, and for the few times that
>they do give a decent effort, as soon as things go against them, they have
>given up. This series is over. I don't want to hear about how they play best
>when their backs are to the wall.  I don't want to hear about injuries. They
>aren't trying.  Period. Sure, one or two are putting in a full effort, but
>as a whole? Nope. The two goals tonight... on fucking BREAKAWAYS! When the
>fuck was the last time that happened to the Devils in the same month, let
>alone the same goddam game? That's just stupid, irresponsible hockey. This
>is the only team I know of that can completely dominate 3/4ths of a period
>and still come out looking like they were outplayed. Why? Because one team
>doesn't give up, and the other one already has. This team is done. It's
>over. And I'm not satisfied. I won't take heart in the fact that at least
>they made the finals. Why? Because they forgot to at least show up for the
>finals.  I could accept a loss to Colorado if the Devils had played solid
>hockey. If we had a 6 or 7 game series on our hands, and all the games were
>close, nail biting, edge of your seat contests, and yet the Devils came up
>just a bit short, I could accept that.  What we have is one team playing
>solid hockey, and another team playing a shift here and there, when they
>feel like it.  Watching this series, there is no doubt in my mind, if the
>devils ever decided to play to their ability, they would win.  But they have
>no heart, no guts, and worst of all, no self respect.


And I don't buy this "shift here, shift there". WE KICKED ASS 
VIRTUALLY ALL NIGHT LONG. You can thank Patrick for that second goal, 
but don't be too thankful: he stopped so many shot of ours that 
should have gone in.

That's what Don Cherry was saying after the game: It's part of the 
package. Roy will stop more shots than virtually any goalie on the 
planet. But he's poor at playing the puck. We should be pouncing on 
them more. So far we've got a goal and a post jumping on his 
mistakes. So, any other goalie, that game was 6-2. As it stands, it 
was 3-2 including "the gift".

WE KEPT COLORADO TO 12 SHOTS! HOW MUCH BETTER *CAN* YOU PLAY?!?!

  ------

Where things stand: Best of three. Colorado has home advantage. First 
four were just exhibition. The three that count start now.

Don Whiting