Niemi... WINS THE CUP!

[the canadian dream]

Re: Niemi... the story continues!

Thought the man from Finland had himself a good game 3 also. Some really strong saves out there. Too bad it just didn't work out for the Hawks in the end.

 

[Ton]

Re: Niemi... the story continues!

I haven't seen Niemi give up that many rebounds in a long time... every goal was off a rebound (other than the OT goal). Not necessarily blaming him for any of that, but those weren't the only times he was laying a fat one right in front of the net, the D cleared a good majority of them, but couldn't do it when it counted.



Other than that, made some great stops and kept the Hawks in it, but I'd like to see him back to smothering the puck and draining some momentum from the opposition.



I'll tell ya, rebounds are my biggest pet peeve as a goaltender.

 

[MassHavoc]

Re: Niemi... the story continues!

NIEMI PLAYED AMAZING TONIGHT. Truely glad he's in goal and our number one tender. But as I've been saying all year, he's still got room to grow as he gives up a lot of rebounds. Still some shit goals tonight by Philly, two PP, one BS and I blacked out during the rest.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Re: Niemi... the story continues!

Good game by Niemi.. defense needs to get head out of asses.

 

[the canadian dream]

Re: Niemi... the story continues!

I think Toews said it right in the post game (or was it Keith lol). Guys infront of Niemi are thinking they have less time than they actually do with the puck. Causing them to turn the puck over too much in the defensive zone. Somewhat true....but...



Flyers forecheck is impressive. They really are rushing our guys in the defensive zone. Hawks need to correct this or Niemi is going to get busier and busier. The blueprint is sort of out on our defense down low in our own zone. Lots of pressure on them and they either turn the puck over too much or don't get the proper transition game going.



Im no coach so I don't know how they adjust. Better puck support in the defensive zone? They should be able to catch a few flyers and trap them in our zone with better ouck support. Again I am no coach here so not sure what you do other than be a bit more patient with the puck in our own zone. It is being throw around like a hot potato out there sometimes.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Wow... what a game, kid... single handedly saved the game with time winding down in the 3rd on a couple occasions!!!!!! Which set up an OT for Kane to be the savior of Chicago!!!!



YES!



I am so happy for Niemi and my country!!!!



Celebrate away, rosh... and enjoy the parade in Finland!



But most of all for all of the Hawks and you old fart fans!!!!

 

[LordKOTL]

All I have to say is...Pierre...with THAT goaltending!!!!!!!!



Congrats Niemi!

 

[IceHogsFan]

Proud of Antti and what a class act deserving of hockeys greatest reward.

 

[the canadian dream]

He came up HUGE a few times late in the game!!



What a guy!! He just cemented his name in hockey history and in Chicago Blackhawks history.



Much love for the man from Finland!!



Stu you have been a bit fo a dink this season. lol but you were right about Niemi. CONGRATS!!

 

[roshinaya]

The path Niemi has taken to become a Stanley Cup winning goaltender is incredible. Driving zambonis to make ends meet while playing in the first division for his home town team.



Gets a shot to play for Pelicans in the Finnish Elite League, just because they hired the coach who had seen him play in the lower tier and they were short on goalies. The kid steps in, gets tutored by Pasi Nurminen, who himself had a short stint the the Atlanta Thrashers. Has a decent couple of seasons with the Pelicans but hardly anything spectacular.



Gets a look from NHL scouts, Tallon being the good guy he is manages to lure Niemi to Chicago right from in front of Detroit. Plays his one year in the AHL, alright season, again nothing spectacular. Wins the backup job in training camp and diligently works and finally manages to win the starting position with his strong play. Niemi is the unknown rookie goaltender backstopping a team that is one of the favourites in the playoffs. What does he do? Keeps a cool head and just stops puck after puck, again nothing spectacular but wins the right games and keeps his team in it with timely saves.



And all of a sudden he finds himself in the biggest stage a hockey player can imagine, the Stanley Cup Finals. What does he do? Takes it like any other game he has played with his good pals back in Finland and over his career and while again being not spectacular he makes the key saves and allows less goals than the guy on the other side. The result, a VICTORY IN THE STANLEY CUP FINALS. And he still looks like he just played a little pond hockey with pals. Being the quiet and humble guy, that has made him the goalie he is today, I don't think he really comprehends what he just did.

Big hand to Antti Niemi, what an awesome rookie season he has had.

 

[MassHavoc]

HAHAH Madden calls him Nemo. Finding Nemo FOUND THE CUP! GOD BLESS HIM.



I don't get why he was better away from home, maybe it's just the team was better away from home.

 

[roshinaya]

Some choice comments from Niemi in the Finnish media:

- Said that he was even slightly scared when he got the call to be the #1 goalie for the playoffs as the team was so good he didn't want to be the one to screw it up for them.

- Said that the playoffs game went pretty well without too much pressure and that he felt more nervous at some regular season games

- When asked about what his plans for next season are he said that he'd like to stay as there probably isn't a better place to be in.

- Said the Cup was much lighter than he expected

 

[Irish Hawk]

The guy is a legend. He really comes up big when needed and took the game to OT with that huge save at the end of regulation. Niemi story is a real fairytale one and seems like a great guy (think Stu's not the only one with a man crush now). Hope Stan can lock him down for many years. Props to Dale too for giving him his big chance.

 

[bierboy]

[quote name="Stu Grimson"]...But most of all for all of the Hawks and you old fart fans!!!![/quote]

I resemble that remark!



That stop with his mask was unreal....save of the game even though it was lucky.

 

[Rdrhwke]

[quote name="Stu Grimson"]Wow... what a game, kid... single handedly saved the game with time winding down in the 3rd on a couple occasions!!!!!! Which set up an OT for Kane to be the savior of Chicago!!!!



YES!



I am so happy for Niemi and my country!!!!



Celebrate away, rosh... and enjoy the parade in Finland!



But most of all for all of the Hawks and you old fart fans!!!![/quote]



Us old fart fans may have gone through some painful times but we also have some great memories.



And now we have something unforgettable to add to those great memories.

 

[Maiden]

[quote name="bierboy"]

I resemble that remark!



That stop with his mask was unreal....save of the game even though it was lucky.[/quote]



No style points while in goal; just ask Grant Fuhr when he played for the Oilers.

He ruined many a spring night for me when I first became a STH.

28 years with ST's and was never sure we would ever hoist the cup.

Now that we've done it, LETS DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR!!!!!

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQcl6vnG2AA[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss_-aETQ3PQ[/youtube]​

 

[phranchk]

First video was fun to watch (minus the song). That second video was terrible.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

[quote name="phranchk"]First video was fun to watch (minus the song). That second video was terrible.[/quote]



Yea... I meant to take that one out, that was the first one I found then I saw that other one.

 

[Razzberry]

LOL At 1:06 of the second video they show a picture of Huet.