I have had some discussions with people on TD's in the past couple of months about Sergei Gonchar's defensive ability. Now I'm not one to gloat, but yea he's a great all around player. For those TD's I lost, the people who voted for my opponents were obviously not watching the same hockey. Hopefully now though, everyone can see the intensity and skills he brings to this Penguins team from his postseason play.
Not only has he helped produce on an All Star powerplay unit (Crosby, Malkin, Hossa, Malone, and Gonchar, this line gives me shivers just typing it), but Gonchar has also been playing amazing defense this entire season. Probably one of the best examples was the last game against the Flyers when Gonchar caught up to Richards who should have had a breakaway, and Gonchar dove, knocked the puck away and did not trip Richards so that he was not called for a penalty. He had over 120 blocked shots during the regular season and many more during the play offs. Teams are bringing the puck down the other side of the goal so as to avoid him (if you have been watching he has also been checking and hitting his opponents, something he has rarely done).
If there was any question on why the Penguins have been able to get this far in the playoffs, Sergei Gonchar has to be considered one of the reasons why. Not only is his leadership helping the young stars but his play also dictates what is expected. Hopefully in the Cup finals, we'll see who fares better between Gonchar and the ever favorite Lidstrom. Hopefully the Cup finals will bring Gonchar some accolades he finally deserves.
Alison Preston
Kayla Oberg
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Gonchar once again overlooked for even consideration for Defensive Player-of-the-Year. What a shame.
What next? Therrien overlooked for Coach-of-the-Year?
T Rocks
Mysterious, PA
Total Comments (2574)
Good call rmustud19, Gonchar is such an integral part of the Pens it's not even funny. You take him out of the line up and out of that locker room and ask their young guns to lead and bring the experience to the table, best case scenario you get a team that makes it to the finals on raw talent not at 11-1. I think it's cool to see how guys have stepped up for Pitt to give them the some of the qualities of a super controlled Detroit team whilst Detroit's younger players are stepping up and giving them the explosiveness they need to be able to compete with the really stellar young guns of Pitt. This is gonna be a great series and Gonchar is going to do big things for the Pens.
Zettsyuk43
North Chicago , IL
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Anyone else notice how uncanny Gonchar is to holding the puck in when the other team tries to clear? It's scary........
T Rocks
Mysterious, PA
Total Comments (2574)
Thanks for the comments. As much I want to see the Penguins win the Cup this year, even if the Red Wings win, they will deserve it. Both teams have been amazing and I'm just hoping that it ends up being a good series between the two (that is if both teams make it, which for some reason I see that being the case).
For the Red Wings, having a player like Lidstrom easily puts that team ahead of almost any team in the league. With Zetterburg and Datsyuk playing as good as Crosby and Malkin, this will be interesting to watch unfold.
rmustud19
Butler , PA
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Don't forget the Pens DEFENSE...............
T Rocks
Mysterious, PA
Total Comments (2574)
phlyfan, Gonchar was a main reason the Pens got this far. It was not just because of the Flyers series (which he played amazin in anyways). How can you justify the Pens D? They only gave up 14 goals this postseason? The Pens scored more than 14 goals against the Flyers alone. Fleury and the D have been the big reasons why the Pens have gotten as far as they have.
rmustud19
Butler , PA
Total Comments (290)
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