LeClaire vs. Osgood

AnArtfulTender · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:00 am Post subject: LeClaire vs. Osgood

I went to the Bluejackets vs. Detroit game tonight. It was an excellent matchup, ending in a penalty shootout. Detroit won by one goal (to my chagrin), but wow what an amazing game! Watching the masters duke it out like that, and seeing how smooth and tight the professional goaltending was, was really an experience. It was my first time witnessing NHL play first-hand (or anything above IHL, when I used to go to Cleveland Lumberjacks games as a kid). I was really blown away by how efficiently the goalies moved and the preciseness of their maneuvering. They almost looked like really well-crafted robots from way up in my shitty seat. Or, have you ever seen a spider wait on its web and then eat something? That's the kind of economy of movement I'm talking about. Amazing!
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Garvin · High School Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

I watched the game on TV (In Michigan)... So, Obviously I was pleased with the outcome. I agree with you though. It's amazing how technichally skilled these goalies (and players) are. I watch them very closely and it is hard to comprehend how well trained they are to employ so many different techniques in the moment. It's like listening to an accomplished musician taking a solo. Amazing improvisational skills in the moment.

I was definately impressed by both goalies. Osgood is so strong right now. He has such an intense stance when the plays are in close. He is almost coiled like a spring.

I was especially happy that I got to go play immediately after that game was over. Something about watching the NHL players makes me feel like handling shots in my men's league is no problem whatsoever.

AnArtfulTender · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject:

I absolutely agree.
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FutureSuperstar93 · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

LeClaire pwns

montreal961 · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject:

thier were all these intelligent posts on this thread, until FS comes in " LeClair pwns " lol i laughed/

did'nt get a chance to watch the game, i had practice. Sad

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FutureSuperstar93 · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject:

Yup...

montreal961 · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:08 pm Post subject:

thats probably why then Rolling Eyes

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Garvin · High School Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

I've been really excited for the Wings since I just moved back to Michigan. I was living out West for the last 8 years and honestly am not much of a sports fan, but having grown up with it, it's almost an undeniable urge to have to watch the Wings, particularly when hockey is one of my only escapes from family life right now.

I would be interested to hear what is going on in terms of keeping Osgood in net for the forseeable future. I wonder how they work that rotation. I know Hasek is supposed to be the man, but it seems like when you've got such good momentum and such talent performing consistently, it would be hard to want to take him out.

Also, I don't know a lot about any other temas right now, but at the NHL level it is really hard for me to be too critical of any of those goalies. I have yet to see a game this season where the goalie just absolutely choked... Oh, wait I take that back. There was one Wings game on the road when they were in Canada and the other team switched goalies after the 4th or 5th goal scored. That was tough to watch. I felt bad for the guy. We all have off nights.

AnArtfulTender · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:39 am Post subject:

In the game last night, the Jackets removed LeClaire for something like five minutes and put in Norrena after he conceded three goals in a row. I don't know why, but I felt pretty bad for LeClaire. Then they put LeClaire back in. That's the thing about being AT the game, you miss out on the often helpful commentating. Nevertheless, I'd say that especially with hockey the experience of being there more than makes up for the perceived ambiguities of management.

I'm not a huge sports "fan" either, and in the last seven or eight years I've come to really despise the notion of team spirit or team loyalty. That feeling has been punctuated since I've been at OSU, and immersed in this culture they have here of an actual hatred that grows out of something so ridiculous and apparently one-sided as a football rivalry. HOWEVER, I've been a participant in sports the whole time; soccer and hockey especially, and I'm much more interested in actually watching athletes perform than I am in what team is winning or losing. Nevertheless there are some teams I tend not to support, based on little notions I get into my head, and I figure that in my passive way of rooting against teams I'm not doing anyone any harm...I mean, after all it's not like I'm hanging opposing fans in effigy (the way I've seen done here in Columbus) or burning down the stadium and starting a riot the way they do in Europe. So I quietly hope Detroit sports teams lose (perhaps the lingering effect of a childhood in Cleveland), and a little less quietly I root against OSU football. Nobody really seems to mind, and I can hold my own in a philosophical debate about my reasoning. Any takers? Just kidding.
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w1ldcathockey1 · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:56 am Post subject: Leclaire

wow no contest leclaire by far... hes an amazing goalie this year.

nitecraller82 · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:34 am Post subject:

I think Osgood tops Leclaire by just a little bit. Leclaire is 10-7 with 6 shutouts and has a GAA of 2.07 and SV% of .925...Then Osgood is 15-2 with 1 shutout and has a GAA of 1.83 and a SV% of .926. They both have around the same SV%...But in GAA Osgood is clearly the winner although I think Osgood should be the one with 6 shutouts because he has 5 more wins then Leclaire. They are both having fantastic seasons. Cool

w1ldcathockey1 · Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:46 am Post subject:

I still would stay with leclaire they are pretty much tied in gaa and sv% so what breaks the tie is the 6 shutouts against 1. Very Happy

w1ldcathockey1 · Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:47 am Post subject:

Oh forgot to add I wouldnt count wins because the goalie cant control if you win or lose they can only do there best by keeping the puck out of the net. The team must do the rest.

Maks01 · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 5:04 pm Post subject:

did anyone mention one goalie plays for a detroit whos owned the regular season for the last ten years and one plays for an up and coming team not nearly as dominant or good.. i will vote for leclair this season because he has to have it every night upposed to osgood where he will get some help if needed.. not taking anything away for osgood he has played great but put leclair on detroit and what do you think happens.. i think his numbers whould be better..

AnArtfulTender · Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 1:47 pm Post subject:

I agree with Maks. LeClaire is remarkable because of the context of his excellence.
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