1. TAYLOR STANDS TALL: 26-year-old Danny Taylor was strong, though not terribly busy, on Friday night. The England born, Ottawa raised puck-stopper managed to stop all 23 shots against, and held a dangerous Barons power play (which looked allergic to line changes) at bay. Taylor has four wins, a regulation loss, and a shootout setback in six starts this season and has earned the label ‘number one’ from Troy G. Ward to this point of the season. The million-dollar question remains: “Who will the Heat start in net tomorrow”. Brust and Iving are both coming of strong performances and wins. Hmmmmmm.
2. STARS STRUCK (OUT): Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, Hall and Schultz combined for just 10 shots, and looked like they may have been trying to do too much. Given the power play time they garnered one would expect more rubber on Danny Taylor, but credit where it’s due – the Heat kill is now 44 of 45 on the season with a trio of short-handed markers. If not for a great save by Yann Danis (who was great despite four goals against) the Heat would have potted their fourth SHG, as Ben Street was robbed on a 2-on-1.
3. STEVE SMITH SIGHTING?!: Yikes!!! Martin Marincin’s attempted outlet pass found the back of the Barons’ net in an embarrassing re-make of Steve Smith’s famous gaffe from the 1986 Playoffs… Have a watch (couldn’t help myself).
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