Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo might have been trying to distinguish between his style and that of Tim Thomas. We get that; perhaps Thomas’ style created an opening that resulted in Vancouver’s game-winning goal in Game 5.
But Luongo needs to think a little before he speaks. Or at least he should learn to massage his words a little more carefully. After Vancouver won 1-0 on Friday, giving the Canucks a 3-2 series lead entering Monday’s Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Luongo told reporters of the game-winning goal:
“It’s not hard if you’re playing in the paint. It’s an easy save for me, but if you’re wandering out and aggressive like he does, that’s going to happen.”
OK, worse things have been said. But this has become a hotly contested series if only because of Vancouver’s biting (Alex Burrows) and vicious hits (by the suspended Aaron Rome), turning the Canucks into villains. So little words become big statements.
“I also said he might make some saves that I don’t,” he told reporters Sunday. “I’ve been pumping his tires ever since the series has started. I haven’t heard one nice thing he has to say about me. That’s the way it is.”
Um, boo hoo?
By the way, Luongo is right that Thomas, who had little to say on the matter, makes some saves he doesn’t. In the first five games Thomas has allowed six goals; Luongo has allowed 14, with 12 coming in two games.
And Luongo should beware; he’s had a habit the last couple years of having a statement game — good or bad — then having the opposite game the next time out.
