TheRussianRocket. Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 http://vansunsportsblogs.com/2014/10/09/breakdowning-henrik-sedins-highlight-reel-empty-netter/ It’s probably too early to say Henrik and Daniel Sedin are back, since one game does not a season make, especially one game against the cellar-bound Calgary Flames, but there were moments in the 4-2 win where it was perfectly clear that they’re determined to get back. One such moment: Henrik Sedin’s empty-netter to seal the victory. If this is the effort level we can expect to see from Henrik this season, one suspects his line will be a touch more effective than they were last year. This goal was the result of more than just effort, however. Henrik tried very hard, no doubt, but you also need to have an incredible skillset, not to mention a remarkable head for the game to pull this off. Let’s take a closer look at the scoring play: It begins in the Canucks’ end, where Chris Tanev skates onto the puck off a won draw from Brad Richardson and hammers the puck around the boards. It doesn’t get out, though, as Kris Russell knocks it down at the blueline. Unfortunately for him, it dribbles towards Henrik. It’s a 50/50 shot. If he turns towards it, Russell might get to it first. But he might not. If Jonas Hiller was in the goal, Russell probably goes at the puck and tries to swat it back into the zone. After all, if Henrik got past him in that scenario, he’d still have to beat Mark Giordanoand a goalie. But Hiller’s not in the net, and you don’t want to leave Giordano to defend an empty net alone, so Russell retreats, just to be safe. It’s probably going to be okay. Henrik’s not known as a speedster, after all, and neither is he known as a guy who tends to go it alone. Plus the puck is bouncing. Chances are he’ll settle it down and wait for backup before he tries anything. Either that or he’ll chip it into the Calgary end, then regroup to stand up the Flames when they try to re-enter the Vancouver end. EXCEPT THAT’S NOT WHAT HENRIK DOES. He takes off. Rather than settling the bouncing puck, he punches it into the neutral zone and blazes past Russell after it. Suddenly, he’s away, with one man to beat. Now the Flames are in trouble. Giordano can’t just back up. If he does that, Henrik will gain the red line and try for the next. His only hope is to do what Russell coudn’t, and knock the bouncing puck away. He moves cautiously towards Henrik, and swipes at the puck. BUT HENRIK CHIPS THE PUCK AGAIN. Twice with the chip. He’s as bad as George Costanza. It’s beautifully timed, causing Giordano to miss and sending the puck further forward. Henrik keeps going, and now he’s poised to blow by Giordano too. Fortunately, Giordano didn’t overcommit to the poke check, so he’s still in this play if he can get turned around in time. Here’s where it gets awesome. Giordano should be able to pivot and try again at knocking this puck away from Henrik, but Henrik outsmarts him. The moment Giordano exposed his stick, Henrik dropped his stick down on top of it and pinned it to the ice. Check it out from this angle: This is a clever play from Henrik. Not only is Giordano unable to make a play for the puck — he can’t really get up to speed because of the awkward way his arm is being held behind him. He loses his balance trying. Full credit to Giordano, though. Knowing he’s going to fall, he improvises, falling into Henrik while turning the tumble into a dive, which allows him to get out from under Henrik’s stick and swing at the puck. But Henrik refuses to give up, and you can understand why he might be extra motivated here. His strong finish led most to believe he played well all game long, but it’s not really true. Hard-matched against Giordano and Russell all night, Henrik actually spent most of the evening in his own zone, generating just nine even-strength shot attempts for the Canucks and surrendering 18 for a 5-on-5 corsi of minus-9. Giordano had been getting the best of him all night, most notably in the first period, where the Sedins put up one shot attempt and surrendered ten. This is Henrik’s chance to exact some revenge. So, with Giordano falling into him and about to swipe the puck in the other direction, Henrik does two things: he leans into Giordano to maintain his balance, and then he kicks Giordano’s stick away. It works. Henrik kicks at Giordano stick so hard the Flames’ defender twirls 180 degrees on the ice, and barely connects with the puck. What’s more, amazingly, Henrik manages to stay on his feet. But now there’s a new problem: Giordano may be out of the play, but he still slowed Henrik down enough for Russell to get back into it. Now Russell’s the one with a full head of steam, and if Henrik doesn’t do something, Russell’s going to knock the puck to the boards. Henrik realizes he needs to shield the puck with his body. He leans way over, and sticks out his knee to block Russell’s sweep-check. That works too. Russell gets nothing but Henrik, taking the captain’s leg out from under him. It’s unfortunate, because now Henrik’s going down, and the puck still needs another touch or its trajectory is going to take it past the goal and into the wall. Henrik has the presence of mind to kick the puck back on target as he’s falling, impressively, but doing so creates one final problem: the goal won’t count if his skate was the last thing to make contact with it. But he thought of that too. He reaches ahead to tap it with his stick just before it crosses the line. And now it’s a good goal — dare I say, a great goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goal:thecup Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 +1Very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph. Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Man, I was really hoping that toboggan was legit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMohammadman Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 That has got to be one of the best non-goalie empty netters ever, if not the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pimp C Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 That lower body strength doe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat James Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Totally a Sedin Sister. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuxfanabroad Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 That's a Trevor Linden-like, gritty, smart play. Tribute to our new Pres. You know, if Linden had an identical twin, they'd probably play & think just like the twins. As a fan, I'm incredibly proud of almost every leader, and/or key player our franchise has had..particularly the last quarter century. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucklehd Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Hands down the most exciting empty net goal I've seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepy_nite Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 that is awesome....love all the little descriptive words on the ice....very funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nino Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 He didn't have a good game before that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parise11 Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 I never thought I'd enjoy an article breaking down an empty-netter. But that was great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombieksa Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 I think this goal will stick in top 10 canuck goals of the season for sure. So much power and skill involved. I didn't even notice the two chips until Mooney pointed it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johngould21 Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 I kinda heard Mike Johnson throw out a "wahooooooo" after the play. To think that idiots still call H & D sisters shows how little they know about them. Kypreos was saying that Giordano should have been an Olympian, so I guess that makes Hank one as well. The skill, the intensity, the concentration, and the strength at full speed is incredible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robongo Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 He didn't have a good game before that? No he had a terrible game, because you know, his corsi says so.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nino Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 No he had a terrible game, because you know, his corsi says so.. That corsi guy should try watching the game next time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benchsplinters Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 He didn't have a good game before that? That negative comment was a must. Hell, why not take a positive thing and make it into a nothing. Rain on the parade, it is better than just enjoying something good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Holy crap get a life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apollo Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 LOOOOOOL that's funny. Great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Holy crap get a life. Get a sense of humour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Get a sense of humour.Be funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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