Stewart comes through for Grizzlies

Andrew Hansen came in and once again got the job done on Friday in a 5-2 win over Buffalo at the ONYX. As he always does and always will its just expected now. As we discussed on the show Wednesday you kind of had to play Hansen Friday.

The debate was what about Saturday? We thought if all went well with Hansen you may have to play him again on Saturday but a loss meant in our eyes that Collin Chase would have to go on Saturday considering what a loss to Buffalo would have done. Our thinking was, and not to knock Buffalo but if you needed to play Chase to beat Buffalo then there are some issues we have not yet discussed.

What about Andrew Stewart? He should be able to come in and get a win against Buffalo but what was the confidence level in Stewie? He has struggled at times this season and again a loss against Buffalo would have killed this team in either of the games no matter who played. As a group we thought that was a risk you could not take this weekend. Did we have a lack of confidence in Stewie? Yes! Were we wrong? Yes!

We all know he deserved another shot but none of us were willing to say it. He got it and did well earning the 1st star of the game he only stopped 17 shots but OU needed everyone of those saves. Oakland needed an empty net goal from Steve Piccoli to seal a 2-0 win. Stewart's biggest mistake of the game was covering the puck late in the game, with Oakland up 1-0 which gave Buffalo an empty net and the faceoff in the OU zone and a shot to tie the game. Stewie told me after the game that he did that from the coaching of former DIII Coach and curent GM Shaun Zeldes who he says told him to cover the puck all the time no matter where you are.

The keys for the weekend were done well play Hansen and Stewart and get the wins, while letting Collin Chase continue to get some well deserved rest. This is a trend that will be key for Oakland letting Chase get all the rest he can before Nationals so they don't burn him out but at the same time keeping him sharp. Hansen and Stewart will have to continue to be ready when they get the call.

Stewart and the coaching staff proved us wrong and put a much needed boost of confidence into Stewart. As many of you know I have always been in the Stewart camp this was the first time I had doubts about playing him, which is why Hogan once again knows best.