Okay, so this isn't going to be a typical Goal Analysis post. It's pretty easy: Cleary flips the puck into New York's zone. Darren Helm is probably the fastest player in the NHL. Kevin Poulin, the Islanders goalie, thought he could easily play the puck before Helm got there. Nope. Awesomeness. Here...we....go!
Helm flew right by the NYI d-man because that's what Helm does. Not sure Poulin knew it was Helm or what, but he probably should not do that. The Islanders d-man also has to do better to get in Helm's way or be a better skater.
Helm gets to the puck juuuuuuuuuuuuust a little before (a lot before) Poulin. Helm is going really fast and the goalie isn't the shiftiest player on the planet. They're skating right at each other. Time for boomboomboom!
Switching angles for effect. Poulin just throws his leg out to get the puck and/or Helm (when I was playing goalie growing up, I was told if I tried this and missed, get the man even if it was a penalty for obvious reasons). Helm's right knee hits Poulin but his left skate is still planted, so it's not going to be quite a full-flight. The NYI d-man, however... (foreshadowing!)
Helm's right leg connects and goes really damn high. Looks like it's over the net, meaning over four feet high. The left leg will get some air, but not nearly as much. I enjoy what's about to happen to the NYI guy. He sees that he's about to make contact with his goalie so he tries to jump to avoid contact. Ooooops.
SCORES! But that's not the focus here. Helm manages to get a hand on the ice, likely minimizing the impact when the rest of his body hits the ice. The right leg comes down while the left leg gets some air, but it doesn't get over the crossbar like the right. Meanwhile, the Islanders guy...this is going to be epic. He ends up going ass-first over Poulin and this is fantastic.
Helm is about on the ice. His lower body did some serious twisting around in this play. Good thing the initial contact was only with one leg and the force didn't do much damage (I'm an account/IS person, not a physics person or a doctor so that's about all I can say on this). Our favorite NYI player is now in full flying mode. His left skate is well above the crossbar. I am kind of shocked you can't see him pooping himself in this shot. Poulin is thankful for that.
Helm lands safely, and his journey is basically done. OR IS IT?!?!? The Islanders guy is now at a total right angle, because baby, he does not want to be wrong. You can see him flailing his arms and trying to brace himself because falling down on ice is not fun, especially shoulder first from a couple feet high.
Helm is now aware that he's not dead and sees the puck and his stick in the net. Yay! The Islanders player lands and he's now at less than a 90 degree angle. Ouch.
This may be my favorite part. The Islanders guy gets his bearings back well after the puck is in the net. I give him full credit reaching back here and trying to stop the puck from going in the net, buuuuuuut hahahaha sorry buddy. Darren Helm scores. A for effort, but nowhere close to sticking the landing. The judges will take major points off for that.
And there you have it. My breakdown of Darren Helm's awesome shorthanded goal, his second of the game. And do you want to know why Helm didn't get the hat trick?
DAMMIT HELM STOP GRABBING CLEARY'S ASS AND RUBBING HIS UPPER THIGH! If you get much closer, he might bite you and you'll turn into a zombie. Ugh.
Just a reminder that Michelle ( @slapshotg0al ) purposely started this blog/podcast with me ( @KevinN37). Go make fun of her. Also follow the @BlueLinePatrol account because then you can suggest more of these. HOORAY!
GO WINGS!!
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