I'll tell ya what - I am glad that I am not waking up Tuesday as Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault. I mean, after the Game 6 thrashing, he has a HUGE decision to make. Does he continue to throw Roberto Luongo in goal or does he make a franchise altering moment and go with back-up Cory Schneider in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals?
Maybe I'm crazy in even suggesting that Luongo shouldn't be the guy, but based on what I have seen I can't feel too good about his chances. Sure, he has only given up two goals in 3 games at home, but wow, what was going on in Boston? The Canucks got outscored 17-3 in three road games and Luongo was visibly shaken and a shell of himself. For all of his accomplishments - 308 career wins, a career .919 save percentage and the all-important Olympic Gold medal, he is crazy inconsistent (and always has been).
Maybe it is the case that he is totally comfortable at home. Maybe it is the case that Boston spooks him. I don't know what it is, but he has been a total headcase this series. It's not like he is letting in a bad goal here and there, he is getting absolutely mauled every other game.
In the Vancouver Olympics, Canada coach Mike Babcock made a bold move by benching Marty Brodeur in favor of Luongo and it turned out golden. Vigneault is going to have to make a similar decision. If it is the wrong one, it is going to send shock waves across Canada. A gold medal is one thing but bringing home the Stanley Cup to Canada would be entirely different thing. Hockey is Canada. Canada is hockey. If they lose Game 7 because Luongo was kept in too long, then it is going to a franchise altering decision. If he drops the ball, how can you continue to go with Luongo as your cornerstone? And do they need to rethink whether the Sedin's are the type of players to bring home a cup?
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