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Methot loves challenge of defending Crosby - 05-21-13

Written by Seth Rorabaugh on .

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Playing hockey games which mean so much in the month of May is a new experience for Senators defenseman Marc Methot.

Prior to this postseason, he had not experienced this in his professional career. Having spent his first six NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets, Methot's only taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs was a brief four-game sweep at the hands of the mighty Red Wings in a 2009 Western Conference quarterfinal series.

This past offseason, Methot was traded to his hometown Senators. As a result, he's teamed up with a former Norris Trophy winning defenseman in Erik Karlsson and regularly drawing assignments against Hart Trophy candidate Sidney Crosby in front of frantic Canadian crowds.

Today, Methot talked about his role in defending Crosby, his captain Daniel Alfredsson and his first taste of postseason success.

How important is being the home team in this series?

“Having that last change is a huge factor for us. It’s going to be a challenge on the road for us and we’re aware of it but that’s why these games at home are so much more important. “

What has it been like defending Crosby?

“We know our matchups. [Erik Karlsson] and I are matched up against Sidney [Crosby]. It’s no secret. We were matched up against him all last game. There’s another match up on [Evgeni] Malkin’s line. Those two lines and possibly even their third, are strong lines. But I love those challenges. That’s why I get up and play this game. It’s certainly a challenge against Sidney Crosby. “

How do you defend Crosby?

“You’ve got to give the guy a little respect in terms of what he’s capable of doing or he’ll burn you. But at the same time, you can’t respect him too much. You’ve got to make his minutes hard minutes. I think for a defenseman such as myself, that’s when you’re doing your job."

How difficult is it to play physical against the Penguins?

“They’re the best team in the league and there’s a reason for that. They’re don’t themselves in vulnerable position. People can say [we’re] not playing physical. We’re trying but they’re the best hockey team in the league. That’s because they have the puck on their stick and they don’t put themselves in vulnerable spots. “

What was it like when Alfredsson scored the tying goal in Game 3?

“It was unbelievable. Of all the guys on the team, it’s our captain that ties that up. What do you say? He’s an unbelievable leader on this hockey team. He gets us up and motivated. He’s arguably the hardest worker in practice. We just follow his lead. “

What is it like playing with Alfredsson?

“He’s probably the best captain I’ve ever had. Everything he does from preparation to how hard he works on the ice. The biggest thing for me was, even in practice, seeing him compete. You see how competitive and passionate he is about the game still. I think that’s why all the guys respect him so much. “

What is it like being in the playoffs after having little success with the Blue Jackets?

“It’s been, at first a little overwhelming in a good way. Especially when you advance to the second round. I find people start recognizing who you are and what your game is all about. It’s only a good thing for each player on this hockey team. For myself personally, I’m just enjoying now. I’m just enjoying every day coming in, especially for the game. Seeing how the fans are and the excitement of the city, that’s huge. “

Did you watch the playoffs anytime you missed them with Columbus?

“Yeah. I loved it. I watched those CBC intros and getting all fired up for the games. I watched all the [Senators] games. “

Was it tough watching playoff games when you didn’t reach the postseason?

“Every player who doesn’t play in the postseason thinks about it. I had a little taste of it when I played in Columbus against Detroit for the one round [in 2009]. For a lot of us, it was kind of like a deer in the headlights feel to it. But now, I was really able to soak it in being my home town. It’ was really cool.”

(Photo: Jana Chytilova/Freestyle/Getty Images)

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Vokoun on Game 3: 'It doesn’t have any bearing on the game tomorrow unless we let it' - 05-21-12

Written by Seth Rorabaugh on .

During Sunday's marathon Game 3, Tomas Vokoun logged the most ice time of any player on either team at 87:39, edging out his Ottawa counterpart, Craig Anderson, by three seconds.

Overtime in the postseason can be exhausting mentally and physically for all players but probably none more so than goaltenders who have to be perfect past regulation for their teams to win.

Today, Vokoun talked about the benefit of an extra day of rest, being a starter at the age of 36 and moving on past the disappointing loss.

Was it nice to have two days off after Game 3?

"Yeah. Definitely. I was pretty tired. It was a long game. Not just physically. It’s a long time to keep your concentration. It’s nice to have one extra day of down time."

During the quarterfinal series against the Islanders, you said you said you wondered if you would ever get a chance to play in another playoff game. What is it like being the starter mid-way through the semifinal round?

"Yeah. That’s one of the advantages for me. I don’t think have to feel any pressure going forward with your career unlike someone who is 27 or 28. That makes it easier. But you still have to go on the ice. You still have to perform. Obviously it’s a game. You train and play all those years. You want to be in a situation like that. You want a chance to make a difference and be in the game. Be a part of playoff hockey. Definitely over the years when I was on the teams I didn’t make the playoffs, you realize how special it is. You always see the guys on TV having fun playing for the Cup and you have no chance. From that perspective, you have to embrace it.”

How has former starter Marc-Andre Fleury handled being the backup?

"Marc’s been great all year with me. We have a really, really good relationship. I’m sure he wants to be playing just like everybody else. He’s handling great. I’m sure we’re going to need Marc again. He’s a great goaltender. That is why this is a team sport. If you play golf or tennis, you win it or lose it yourself. In hockey, that’s why you have 20-plus players on the team. Every night, it’s somebody different who makes the difference. He’s been great personally and professionally."

How do you handle the swings in momentum in contests like Game 3?

"Every game is different and unique by circumstances. Something could happen during the game. I think what is most exciting about playoff hockey is the swings of momentum. Just like when were with the Islanders. It just swings. We were up 2-0 then they were up 4-2. You never know what’s going to happen. We know the game plan pretty good on each other I’m sure. But every game is unique. Sometimes it’s the stuff you can’t even control. Somebody by accident might have a high stick and you have to kill [a four-minute power play]. There’s always surprises."

As a goaltender, how quickly do you have to forget Game 3?

"That’s one of the things you have to be able to do if you play in goal. Obviously that was a tough loss for us under the circumstances. At the end, if you look at it, it’s no different than if we lose 8-1 in regulation. Obviously, at that moment, you’re very frustrated. We were so close. It doesn’t have any bearing on the game tomorrow unless we let it. I think that’s when you have to control yourself and say it’s in the past. Tomorrow, we start 0-0 again. Our chances aren’t any different of winning [Game 4] if we won [Game 3.]"

(Photos: Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

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Mortal Instruments moved (slightly)

Written by Barbara Vancheri on .

mortalinstruments
 
The summer shuffle continues. 
 
“The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” has been moved up by two days to Wednesday, Aug. 21. It had been scheduled for Aug. 23. 
 
Cassandra Clare’s best-selling book series inspired the fantasy featuring Lily Collins as a teen who discovers she is descended from Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons.

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First visit to 100th Chelsea Flower Show is overwhelming ... din a good way

Written by Doug Oster on .

blog prince harryThe B&Q Sentebale Forget-Me-Not Garden was designed by Prince Harry and others. The garden is a tribute to his mother Princess Diana and is intended to educate visitors the 'Forgotten Kingdom' of Lesotho in southern Africa. Photos by Doug Oster

I'd always dreamed of seeing the Chelsea Flower Show. It's the Super Bowl of garden shows. I had no idea what to expect and was blown away by the scope and size of the centennial show.

There are 15 show gardens which take three hectic weeks to construct. Acres of vendors selling everything you could possibly imagine to make a gardener happy.

blog sculptureThere were many amazing sculptures on display at the show.

Tiny artisan gardens dot the edge of the perimeter of the show. There are more gardens around the Great Pavilion and even though my group was there on members day, the crowds were crushing. Often times they would be five deep standing in front of a garden. They are polite though. After a couple minutes a person would leave the front, providing room for another until you would finally be standing in front of a beautifully designed garden.

I fell in love with Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing' or cowparsley. It's airy white flowers are set off by purple stems. It was used in most of the gardens in the show. I hope I can find seeds.

Even though all the outdoor gardens were spectacular, the exhibits in the Great Pavilion took my breath away.

Imagine any plant you ever thought about growing displayed in its prime. Each vendor has a specialty, whether it's bulbs or lavender with an exhibit massed with their plant of choice.

Gardeners can take a look and buy the seeds, plants, bulbs or tubers on the spot.

It's probably the most incredible thing I've every seen.

I'll be posting more about my experiences there in the next few days. One thing I'll never forget was a display of six foot tall delphiniums towering over the biggest begonia blooms I'd ever witnessed.

 

blog delphiniums and begoniasThis mass of giant delphiniums towering of huge begonia blooms was one of the first things I saw after entering the Great Pavilion.

blog east village gardenThe East Village Garden was one of the spectacular Show Gardens.

blog chelsea wheelbarrowsDon't let anyone tell you the English don't have a sense of humor.

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Mahalo! And hang up that phone!

Written by Jon Schmitz on .

Hawaii has become the 40th state to ban texting while driving, the Governors Highway Safety Association announced today.

The Aloha State also banned hand-held cell phone use by drivers, become the 11th state (plus the District of Columbia) to do so. This appears to be a key component of effectively banning texting, because if it is still legal for a driver to dial a cell phone, it’s hard for police to enforce the ban.

The safety association believes all states should ban texting and hand-held phone use by drivers. Pennsylvania has a texting ban but hasn’t gotten around to banning the hand-held. Our neighbors in Maryland, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia are among those who have.

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The Pennsylvania Turnpike celebrated the reopening of the South Midway service plaza in Bedford County this afternoon. It is the 14th of 17 rest stops to be rebuilt, but unlike the others, its original appearance was preserved. “South Midway has a unique distinction: It looks much like it did when it originally opened more than 72 years ago — at least from the outside,” the turnpike announced. On the inside, it was expanded and modernized to offer amenities similar to the turnpike’s other rebuilt plazas.

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workzoneIn case you are wondering, there is no Squirrel Hill Tunnel closure this weekend because of the holiday.

Repairs to concrete barriers will cause lane closures on the Parkway East tonight. The closures will begin at 10 p.m. and conclude by 5 a.m. Wednesday on the inbound side between Exit 73B in Oakland and the Boulevard of the Allies-Liberty Bridge interchange, and in both directions between the Penn Hills and Monroeville interchanges.

The eastbound right lane of the Tri-Boro Expressway was scheduled to close today for one month during repairs to retaining walls from Monroeville Avenue to Patton Street in Wilmerding.

Be sure to drift along to earlier posts for more upcoming road work.

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