Laviolette's psychological warfare
The Flyers' coach tries to get in the goaltender's head.
Laviolette's psychological warfare
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
You have to love this time of year, and what it brings out in people -- first defenseman Chris Pronger and the business with antagonizing the Chicago Blackhawks by collecting the puck at the end of the games, and now coach Peter Laviolette pulling out all of the psychological stops with the Flyers trailing the Blackhawks by two games to none in the Stanley Cup Final.
Laviolette did everything he could to get inside of the head of Chicago goaltender Antti Niemi, who has won both third periods played so far and, therefore, won both games.
"We've got to put more pressure on their goaltender," Laviolette said on the off-day between Games 2 and 3. "He's a rookie goaltender playing in the Stanley Cup Finals. We have to get on the board here tomorrow night and put a little bit of doubt there.
"Our team is capable of scoring a lot of goals, put a lot of pressure on him. It's a tough position, goaltending. He's representing a city that hasn't won a Cup in 50 years. We have to give him a crack of doubt."
It's a tough position...
Hasn't won a Cup in 50 years...
Crack of doubt...
This is all about as subtle as a cross-check, and so be it. It is the Final, and you reach for any weapon, any tactic you can find.
The team that wins tonite will win the Cup— RAS
I'm hoping the Flyers get a little too amped up and give the Hawks some PP opportunities. We'll see. Go Hawks!!!!— Happy Hawks Fan- "RAS The team that wins tonite will win the Cup" Actually, the team that won the Blackhawks/Vancouver series was (is) going to win The Cup. The West is the best and once the Blackhawks front line gets going, that will be obvious to everyone.— parsons51
- Think Philly coach should focus on his own goalie cuz a storm is comin.— cedman
Comment removed.- Detroit? That's a good point. I almost forgot about Detroit. They would own the East next year but will probably be a five or six seed in the West again.— parsons51
- MichaelZoe said Antti Niemi really is nowane at all. But he has gained two wins for Hawks. He´s premium goal-keeper, and will bring the Stanley-cuo to Chicago. Im am a Finn, there are two of my my countrymen playing in the Phillies, but I still hope that Antti Niemi wins the cup for The Windy City.— Jite
- I do not understand why are some people puhshing Antti Niemi. Ok. He has never played in the Finnish National Team, ´course we have lots of great goal.keepers, playing NHL. He was a young recruit, but in NHL he became a great one. He´ll win the cup to Chicago!!!— Jite
- Lay-ton is a Blackhawks castoff, back-up at best, journeyman, wannbe goalie. If ya wanna win, get a Finn. Fillies lack of depth on defense and their questionable goaltending are being exposed. I'll be at game 4 Friday to watch the Hawks hoist the Cup. I'll be in my Hawks jersey with a wisk broom. Have a swell summer...l-sers.— Cup4Hawks
- With all the stupid tricks by Pronger and psychological warfare by Laviolette, the Flyers only forgot one thing...you have to play better. All of the antics are a distraction and only get your team disrespect throughout the league. The Flyers will NEVER win another cup until the realize that you have to actually win it on the ice. Bye bye Philly...it's been bad knowing you.— Wngr
- You think we should dress Boxcar Hospodar and Chico Resch in case the Hawks want to tussle during warmups?— rmpchf
- Failers are trying to win the Cup in the media..Hawks are winning it on the ice.— Cup4Hawks
