It's about the Leafs so that qualifies as major. Hell, Ken Klee getting a cold is major news. ;)

People here were pissed with Cherry on HNIC last game when after the first period Ron asks about the Flames' 2-0 lead and Cherry goes on to discuss how Mats should have dumped it in and it wasn't Leetch's fault and BLAH BLAH BLAH...

Kenny has a cold?? :eek: :D

:)

Hatcher gets 3 games for his elbow on Lombardi... I'm surprised he got anything at all (not that he didn't deserve it).

NHLPA is filing a grievance against shaving goalie pads down to 10 inches like they were 10 years ago even though NHLPA members were on the committee that approved the recommendation... :mad:

Total bargaining move....this might get ugly.

They must have come up with that at the last meeting.

Scene: Somewhere in Toronto...

Goodenow: How's public opinion looking?
Lackey #1: Bad news. Currently 95% of hockey fans think we're a bunch of money-grubbing dicks who couldn't care less about the fans.
Goodenow: Dammit. How can we get to our goal of 100%?
Lackey #2: Remember that minor rule change that was passed a few months ago?
Goodenow: The one intended to increase scoring, the one thing all fans want to see?
Lackey #2: Yeah, that one.
Goodenow: The one that our own reps were in favor of and helped write?
Lackey #2: Yeah, that one. Let's file a grievance.
Goodenow: BRILLIANT!
(Goodenow and his lackeys sit around high-fiving and twirling their moustahces evilly.)

Meanwhile, somewhere in New York:

Bettman: How are the TV ratings?
Lackey #1: Not good. One guy in Manitoba is still watching the playoff games.
Bettman: Dammit!
Lackey #2: What if we tell them to start the games at 2:30 in the afternoon on the first days of summer?
Bettman: BRILLIANT!

etc...

Wow, the Flames are putting a hurtin' on the Sharks right now. Good stuff.

I'm starting to think ML is really Don Cherry in disguise:D

Damn...Damn...Damn

Holly fickle fans Batman! You're in the Conference Finals... How about encouring your team instead of booing? It was only 2-1 when the booing started, and I don't remember hearing a 'Go Sharks Go' chant all night.

Are you kidding me? That was horrendous. I didn't get to watch until the middle of the third, but jesus christ.

Now we're down 0-2, and we lost both games at HOME? Excuse me while I go into the corner and shoot myself :mad:

It wasn't all Kiprusoff tonight, either. The Flames did the job on offense from the get-go. They played a great game.

I don't know about that Pumpy...everything I hear is that the first goal was pure luck. The second goal I haven't heard about, and the third and fourth goals were complete asshat moves by the Sharks. While it takes talent to put the puck in the net against one of the hottest goalies in the NHL, giving you a free two-on-one is a great start to getting that goal.

The team is in the Conference Finals for the first time in the team's history, they may have just played their last game at home and the fans boo? Sarcastic jeers for the goalie that helped knock off St. Louis and Colorado? It was only 2-1 when the Sharks got the PP and the fans start to boo? That's not exactly a way to encourage the team as they head on the road.

Very, very surprising, that is all.

Since when were the fans of San Jose (not you Vince) the poster children for NHL's best? Doesn't suprise me.

Nor does the outstanding play of the Flames the last 2 games. Outstanding because they seem to be able to get it done any which way.

I never suggested anything of the sort. My comment would be the same for any team close to getting in the Stanley Cup Finals. It doesn't happen often and it's the time to get behind your team, not drag them down.



There are instances of dirty play and cheap calls on both sides. That's the way it has been through the entire playoffs. You see it as "finishing the check" and I see it as a "hit from behind." All the players have to simply fight through it and not let it be a distraction.

I think Hurst was commenting that the Flames play is not surprising Karim, not that they are a dirty team.

dola

oh yeah...Yay Flames! :)

I was just adding some rhetoric (sp?). I have never seen San Jose fans (ones that were at the games that I watched on TV) stand behind their team when the going got tough.


The second comment I made was in reference to the many ways Calgary, a team that I haven't seen a lot during the season, is winning their games. The can win the tight ones (against Detroit) and they can dominate after falling behind. I was implying that after seeing what they did in rounds 1 and 2, there playing and attitude in this round doesn't suprise me. Once again, Calgary is handling a 'stronger' oppenent and making them play their game.



I didn't watch much of the last 2 games so I can't comment on any cheap shots there might have been.

Oh, and thanks klayman

;)

Not exactly playoff-related, but since this is actually a Leaf thread in disguise, I'll post it anyway....

Rumoured for a few weeks, it appears as though Ken Dryden will officially step down tomorrow to instead run for political office in the upcoming federal election.

I always felt that, at the time of his hiring, getting Dryden on board was a genius move by Leafs brass, and he set the foundation for much of the success they've had since (though Quinn deserves his fair share of credit as well).

That said, I think Dryden outlived his usefulness a year or two ago, and lately has just gotten in the way of further progress. I won't be terribly sad to see him go. (I could say the same about Quinn, to be honest.)

For all he did for the organization, his frequent power-trips were getting really old.

I'd agree with your analysis. Dryden did good work over the first few years, primarily in landing Quinn and Joseph. But recently he's more of a figurehead, stripped of any real power. I don't think he really helped his cause with his preachy anti-violence comments earlier this year.

If he was still in some control i think he would have stayed.But having lost his power it was only a metter of time before he left.At least we won't have to listen to him anymore on Leaf related matter:)

He seems a perfect fit for politics though.I could see him being the prime minister in the future.

No doubt a Liberal... We all know Stephen Harper is the Spawn of the Devil.

Well, as for San Jose fans...we were absolutely rabid for the first few years of the franchise. We'd cheer for anyone and anything. Arturs Irbe was the star of the team for quite a while (I still remember the 'Like Wall!' chants we'd get going at the Tank :)), and looking back, I don't think he was very good at all. Recently, however, the fans have been quite a bit more fickle. After absolutely tanking last season, when we hoped to contend for the Stanley Cup at the beginning of the year, did a lot to hurt our morale, I'd assume. It's really tough when your team has been 'up-and-coming' for like 5 years in a row.

As for this...I can't believe the fans booed. That doesn't seem like something Sharks fans would do. I mean, the Sharks are SAN JOSE's team. The first real one we had. Not San Francisco...not Oakland. San Jose. Ah well...sh!t happens, I guess.

These last two games have been very disappointing. In the first game, other than two miscues (the first goal was a total defensive blunder, and the game-winner was a direct result of a very poor line change), we played an outstanding game. How the heck do you lose a game where you put 52 shots on net? That was disappointing in and of itself. Then the consecutive unintelligent plays leading to the 3rd and 4th goal for Calgary in game two, combined with the horseshoe-up-the-ass first goal just makes this really hard to swallow. So we're down 0-2 going INTO Calgary. The only thing that keeps me hopeful is that Calgary has been 3-3 at home this playoffs. But that's not much :(

Here's an pair to noodle for those of us who have teams not in the playoffs:

1. Anyone who wants to run down the draft and likely picks by the Hawks, I'm all for it.

2. With the announcement of a new arena Tuesday, KC is looking to move an NHL team here. What teams in the NHL are looking to move (and will survive a protracted lockout)?

SI

Are the Scouts coming back? ;)

Wow this coming from a Westerner:D

Did y'all not give us Preston manning?:)

1.Pulford will likely trade the draft picks for the rights to Al Secord.How can you be a NHL gm with Alzhiemers?

2.Carolina...again?

Florida or Anaheim. Personal opinion.

I know Kansas City was one of the sites the Flames were considering putting an AHL affiliate.

~~~

I think all fans get fickle once their teams get good. In the late 80s early 90s, the Flames were one of the best teams in the league and they don't get the support this rag-tag bunch of overachievers are getting now.

~~~

Martin winning the election is the worst kept secret in the country. All other candidates should just withdraw and spend the money on contracts for their friends.

No more moving of teams. Please?

just the Canadian ones, of course.
;)

actually, I would have said Florida as well.

Phoenix can move back up north too. If it wasn't for Gretzky, I think they would be on the list.

Anything with an 4-legged creature or waterfowl for a mascot should be wiped away from the NHL.

:D

Team Canada has announced it's World Cup roster:
http://www.tsn.ca/world_cup_hockey/feature.asp?fid=9290

Some surprises, most notably Bertuzzi not making the list. Kariya and Tanguay were also left off, and the playoff runs of Primeau and Lecavlier were not enough to get them on the team. No Jose Theodore either, and Rick Nash is left off as well.

Instead of the young stars they went with some surprising veterans, including Yzerman and Belfour. Of course, Yzerman isn't a bad pick at all since if he can't play due to his eye they can simply swap in another player before the tourney starts.

One thing that really strikes you about Team Canada's roster: they could enter a B Team of their 27th rough 52nd best players and probably still contend for a medal.

No Nash?......That is beyond incredible.Some of the old vets have to move aside.Kariya had a shit year but his speed will be missed.Lecavlier..hrm....i am a fence sitter on this one...i think i would like to see more from him first.Tanguay is another surprise for me.

I agree though..Canada could ice a 'B' team as well as a 'C' team too.Unfortunatly that does'nt mean the 'A' team will be good enough :)

All of which is true, except... who do you take off the team? They already dropped one vet in Shanahan. You could remove Yzerman, sure, but then again you need to have handful of veteran leads on the team. So who comes off the list to make room for Kariya, Nash et al?

I'm shocked Joseph is not on the list after his performance in the olympics. Shocked! ;)

I'd take Yzerman off....probably Lemieux....all Lemieux can do now is play the PP.Nash instead of Doan....hands down.

I think Cassie Campbell is cute

See, I'd keep those guys. Lemieux is just a given, even if he can only play a few shifts per game. Doan is one of those great players who you just never hear about because he plays in Phoenix.

I'd probably look hard at dropping Maltby for Primeau, and Morrow and Marleau are semi-questionable. I'm also surprised they took Richards over Lecavlier.

Nash... I don't know. Sure he scores goals, but he's not a very well-rounded player. He's basically Jason Spezza with more ice time.

I would definitely take Marleau, Yzerman for leadership and Lemieux if he is healthy enough to play a full game. Would drop Maltby and Morrow and take Kariya (had an off year but this team needs offense) and Primeau (physical presence the team lacks). If Lemieux isn't fit, you could either go with Lecavalier or Nash.

Nash is an emerging premier power forward..IMHO...Spezza is a Daigle with less money....Seriously...Spezza reminds me of Petr Klima...scores goals by the bunch but can't check a paper bag.

Malty for Primeau i would do....

Doan a great player? or part of Gretzkys' hype machine to have at least one Yote on the team?

I am here nor there on Marleau,he has been great in the play-offs...but he tends to dissapear for long streches of time.

BTW...Cassie Campbell is NOT cute.....She is F'N HOT!!:D

Bite your tongue!

So what if he's 39, has one good eye, and one good knee. He's Steve Yzerman. 'Nuff said, really.

I love Petr Klima, despite his defensive short commings.

Yeah, Maltby for Primeau sounds good. Despite his immense bitchitude, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Preems. I am surprised Maltby is on the team. Sure, you need grinders/checkers, but there are more skilled players who would be glad to fill that role, and do it well, for Canada.

I knew i would draw H_Bs' ire by taking Yzerman off the team:0..I love the guy...but i think enough is enough?If Yzerman is on the team why is'nt Messier?

I also knew that mentioning Petr Kilmas' name would also draw a reaction from H_B :D

Speaking of good checkers/Penalty killers...who is the best at this job in the NHL?

the PK I like is John Madden - mostly because of watching the Devils/Avs finals a couple years ago. It seemed like every Avs Power Play was just another scoring chance for Madden - it was ridiculous how well he seemed to be able to read/intercept the Avs passes at the blueline.

I question Adam Foote on this roster too.Is he really worthy?

I can't believe the Sharks are getting the worst breaks at home in this series. Two stupid defensive plays have led to two early goals, and we're down 0-2. However, two incredibly unlucky bounces are all that stand between us and a tie game. Grrr...

Go Flames!!!!

Awww, shit. I just doomed Calgary... :(

I hate hockey right now.

Don't worry, Vince. The Sharks will win game 6 in Calgary. Of course, the Flames will win game 7 in San Jose. :) :)

Man, I haven't been this bothered by a single sports game since game 6 of the world series two years ago. :(

Dola - I have to give it to them...Calgary's defense is winning them this game. The Sharks can't put together any kind of sustained attack.

I was wondering what took you so long to comment Vince :)

Yay Flames!

Re: Team Canada

The only reason Brewer is on the team is Lowe. I used to be high on him like everyone else but his play since the Olympics has been awful. Surprised with Richards and Maltby and probably would have gone with Primeau and Madden. Actually, I though Madden would be a shoe in.

Re: Western Conference Finals

Can anyone win a home game? At least the next one, please?

How about Team Sweden.... no Kenny Jonsson. Apparently his eight-year streak of being the most over-rated defenceman in the league may finally be coming to an end.

It always bothered me that he was considered a superstar, mainly because he was traded from the Leafs when he was just breaking in. At the time, the Toronto media ripped the Leafs for trading a future star, so ever since we've all had to pretend that he did indeed become a great player. Nobody seemed willing to admit he was a soft, injury-prone offensive defenceman who didn't seem to get a lot of points.

Think Tomas Kaberle, but with multiple concussions.

NO. NOT the next one. Game 7, yes. NOT Game 6.

Game 6 home win sounds fine to me. :)

I was at the game last night and I can't believe that the Sharks forgot to show up. Down 2-0 was bad enough especially when you count in that one of the goals was short-handed. But McLaren giving up on the play and watching Calgary skate down the ice 2 on 1 was even more disturbing. It just seemed like they didn't care. And then in the thrid period instead of trying to punish the Flames with some hits because they obviously weren't going to score they decided to just skate around and do nothing.

Vince, I agree with your Game 6 WS analogy. I was so disgusted walking out of the Tank last night.

Mclaren looked bush league on that 2 on 1 he gave up on.

Well, in the Sharks' defense, they were still throwing some mean checks in the 3rd period, and I'm happy that they didn't let the game degenerate into meaningless fighting like happened in Calgary. However, their overall effort in the 3rd period was completely lifeless. Calgary was playing great defense...but when the Sharks turn up the heat, even Calgary's BEST day defensively shouldn't limit them to under 20 shots on the night. That was absolutely pathetic.

ABC is out. NBC is in.

Or so says this report.

'Course, now that I'm back in the homeland with regular access to CBC/TSN, this doesn't really affect me much. :D But it sounds like an interesting arrangement, at any rate.

7 regular season games, 6 playoff games in the "traditional" Saturday afternoon time slot and games 3-7 of the Stanley Cup.

I guess beggars can't be choosers...

I still can't believe that American TV has ruined the Saturday night hockey game in the playoffs :(

Does this mean that John Tesh will be doing the music for the NHL too?

The rationale was that ABC paid more than CBC. Well, since now NBC is paying nothing up front, shouldn't CBC get first call on when to air games?

Yeah, whatever...

Not unless they want a bunch of homicidal hockey fans (I mean moreso than usual)

SI

eh, hockey is hockey. Who cares when it is on, just as long as it is on somewhere.

Come on Sharks!! Bring it back to the tank for Game 7.

Hear hear. I am so nervous about this game tonight :(

be nervous! Go Flames!

Agreed....40 Americans watching hockey is apprently more important than 4 million Canadians.

Actually, it's down to 39. Gus had to take his wife shopping.

Yeah, but we're a boisterous bunch.

SI

Well that was cool.

Come on, I can't believe that you actually believe that.

Man, I must say, the Flamers have moved above the Avalanche and Detriot for my most hated team in the NHL. The only thing that can make me feel better about the Sharks getting spanked, is that an American based hockey team wins the Stanley Cup! :eek: Come on Flyers or Lightning!

Cards...All we hear in Canada is how no one watches hockey in the states.It is frustrating for us then that all the games are dictated to by American networks.

It would be like football games being played on Tuesday afternoons because the NFL wants to capture the Japanese market.

Crap.

(Slumps over. Briefly looks up...)

Crap.

(Slump)

Dola - Congrats to the Flames. They definitely outplayed the hell out of the Sharks for the last two games. Their defense was incredible...the Sharks combined for 38 shots on goal in the last two games of the series. So hard to be on the losing end of a series that you feel your team played itself out of though :(

Flames girls going wild on 17th Avenue...

hxxp://flamesgirls.com

Ratings are based on percentages right? So, wouldn't you have to take into account the ratings are low because of the entire US population? I don't think the football game comparison is a good one. Games on Saturday afternoons are not convenient for anyone, no matter if it's in the US or Canada.

Yay Calgary!

EDIT: Vince, I know how you feel. Nothing like watching your team killing themselves.

And if that happened because 80% of the teams in the NFL were in Japanese cities, then we wouldn't have much to bitch about, would we?

Dola.

Congrats to Calgary. I'll be rooting for them in the final, unless TB makes it. I can still remember attending one of TB's first games, as I happened to be going to school just outside Tampa when they first started.

Before the playoffs, there was a psychic convention held at the Stampede Grounds where the Olympic SaddleDome is. One psychic predicted that the Flames would make the Cup final but lose in a heartbreaker.

I wonder if the Eastern Conference representative will use that as ammunition like the Nazi's used Nostradamus' prediction of a French defeat?

Probably not...

I got nothing.

Yup. I don't want to make it sound like Calgary didn't earn it...they played really well. I just think that if the Sharks played the Hockey I know they are capable of (the kind of Hockey they played against the Forces of Darkness (sorry DD) and in Calgary for games 3 and 4), the series would have been much different.

Saved my 3000 post for the NHL thread:)

I get double points cause it has a link in it to flashing chicks:)

Damn...them Calgarians have some fake tits.

Hrm...my wife is from Calagry.......uhh...BRB

:D

Flyers win in OT! We head to a game 7!!

What a game....

In case you guys wanna see I took some pics while I was at Game 4

Flyers Pics

GO FLYERS!!

Go Flyers!

Very cool. Love the pictures. :D

SI

Wow. Sweet series.

Very nice pictures and a great series. Been a fun one to watch. Primeau has been playing out of his mind. He can do this. He did this (to a lesser extent) back in the 1995 playoffs. For a spell he was the Wings best forward during that run. I remember some quote by Roenick (who else?) about how he was sick of hearing about Keith Primeau and how he is the "best" player in the playoffs, etc, etc. Of course, he and the rest of the Wings bitched out there in the end.

I was looking over the Team USA World/Canada Cup roster. They have 14 players who were on the 1996 team. They are an old team everywhere except in net. I do not like their chances all that much to be honest. Should be a great tourney. I loved the 1996 series. Great, great international hockey that led nicely right into the 1996-1997 NHL season.

H_B had graduated college. He was working at very easy temp job. He had plenty of time for hockey (and beer) and was able to watch many, many games. Good times... Good times...

I was a senior in college in Wichita and working a crappy job at Rent-A-Center. A group of the guys I played roller hockey with were going to meet up at our favourite sports bar to watch game 3 of the '96 final.

I asked this girl at work that I kinda liked if she wanted to come hang out with us and watch the game....even offered to buy her some food. After saying a rosary (seriously) during the 2nd intermission and getting no love from God, I got flat-out wasted by the end of the game, and she ended up driving me home while I left my car in the parking lot.

Seven years (as of last Monday) and two kids later, my wife and I still semi-fondly recount that night as our "first date". :)

Now that is fuckin hilarious.:D:D:D

H_B : i agree..i was shocked when i saw the U.S roster..they are old...old like Red Wings old:) And they look very weak in net.I would'nt have much confidence in any of those three guys.

High stick, god dammit! No goal!

OH MY GOD....
I don't believe it....Theres gonna be......Hockey on Saturday night.....Im not kidding.....OMG...OMG....