It's Here! The Thread For the 2003-04 NHL Regular Season!

[bbor]

1000

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Karim

In the Flames/Nashville game, Iginla was carrying a guy the entire game. Yes, it was an effective strategy considering interference, hooking, holding was never called. Iginla is mild mannered but his frustration shone through afterwards.

for more reading, see Forsberg, Peter.
(when he's temporarily healthy again, of course)

[bbor]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

for more reading, see Forsberg, Peter.
(when he's temporarily healthy again, of course)

Did'nt he retire to Sweden a few years ago?

I never knew he came back

[sterlingice]

Well, I can't hate Turco at the moment since he's helped me out to a nice lead in the fantasy hockey finals this week with that shutout.

SI

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Well, I can't hate Turco at the moment since he's helped me out to a nice lead in the fantasy hockey finals this week with that shutout.

SI

Ah... So my enemy has a face!

[Honolulu_Blue]

The Red Wings:

13 goals against in the last two games.

Not good.

The goaltending scares me. Legace is a great back-up, not a great starter. CuJo has never really played well for the Wings with any sort of consistency. Injuries and Hasek are to blame for some of that this year, but aren't nearly enough. The Wings will enter the play-offs as they did last year, with a big question mark in goal. Regardless of this years acquisitions to both offense (Lang/Whitney) and defense (Hatcher), as is almost always the case, the Wings will go only so far as their goalie will take them.

Then again, the Wings have gone into the play-offs red hot before and crumbled (e.g., last year) and have stumbled in and have done fine (e.g., 1998).

The time grows near...

[klayman]

Go Oil!!!! Stars suck.

[klayman]

Sweet start!!!

[sachmo71]

And with that chop to Ryan Smyth's face, Turco is looking at a suspension. Nice move, dickweed.

[bbor]

Suspensions abound in todays NHL

[sachmo71]

Klayman, don't look now, but they blew the win. Overtime, but Stars get at least 1 point! And all that with 7 (seven) starters out!

Arnott, Barnes, Zubov, Klemm, Lehtinen, Numminen, Young.

[sachmo71]

Ewww. That's even worse for the hapless Oilers. Guerin takes 'em down in overtime...again.

Geez. I hope there are no guns around This guy's house.

[Travis]

Well, figured tonight would be the night the Oiler's would lose, and hoped it would be as there's no way they were going to run the table the rest of the way and it'd be better than losing to L.A. or St. Louis. Hard way to lose the second point, but another game with another point and L.A. losing still puts us that much closer to the playoffs.

[klayman]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

Klayman, don't look now, but they blew the win.

Eh, I'll take the point. 14 games undefeated in regulation time is pretty good for a club who just over a month ago looked finished. If we continue to get points we'll be ok, and instead of needing 2 out of 3 teams to mess up down the stretch, we now only need 1 of 3 to make the playoffs. It will certainly be exciting stuff.

Stars got lucky, but we've been lucky too this last month, and sometimes the puck bounces the wrong way for you. The outcome sucks, but I certainly can't complain about the way the team played last night.

[klayman]

dola

oh yeah, Go DUCKS and Go HAWKS!!!

[sachmo71]

"We're all tired of this scenario," Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish told the CP. "It's played itself out seemingly endlessly whenever we've played these guys."

"I don't know what it is," Oilers forward Ryan Smyth told the CP. "They've got our number and it's disappointing, especially blowing the couple of leads we had."

[sachmo71]

Apparently, Turco is innocent:

`I didn't hit Smytty in the face on purpose,'' he said. ``It was an accident. That's all I'm going to say about that.''

[sachmo71]

Turco get's what he deserves.

Turco handed four game suspension


3/25/2004

Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco has been suspended four games for his stick infraction in Wednesday night's game against the Edmonton Oilers.



The suspension is Turco's second in his career.



In the first period, Turco struck Ryan Smyth in the face, earning him a double-minor high sticking penalty. Smyth immediately fell down.



''I didn't hit Smytty in the face on purpose,'' Turco said following the game. ''It was an accident. That's all I'm going to say about that.''



Last season, Turco was suspended one game for a high stick on Colorado Avalanche center Peter Forsberg on Jan. 20, 2003.



His 32 penalty minutes this season are the third-most for a goaltender in the NHL. Last season, he earned 16 penalty minutes in 55 games.

[bbor]

Players MUST be in contol of their sticks at all times or face the penalties.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by bbor

Players MUST be in contol of their sticks at all times or face the penalties.

Marion Hossa: Um, why is everyone looking at me?

[Maple Leafs]

Latest news on the Bertuzzi front:
http://www.sportsgoons.com/Vol2_Iss1...tal_combat.htm

[klayman]

Memo to the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Nashville Pedators:

You guys can start losing games now.

Signed
An Oiler fan.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I think LA is the only team that got the memo. You may want to check your fax machine. "PC Load Letter? What the fuck does that mean?!"

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by klayman

Memo to the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Nashville Pedators:

You guys can start losing games now.

Signed
An Oiler fan.

Make sure you win those when you have a lead, though. It will help.

[klayman]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

Make sure you win those when you have a lead, though. It will help.

We're not friends anymore

[Karim]

Link to Dryden in today's Globe:

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/...BNStory/Front/

Old material, but still interesting if you haven't yet read it.

[Draft Dodger]

I'm Tivoing Wings/Avs right now, so I now must avoid this thread (and TSN.ca) for the rest of the day.

have fun. Go Avs.

[Tekneek]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Marion Hossa: Um, why is everyone looking at me?

It's Marian Hossa. As well, was he not called for a penalty on the play with Berard (which is what I assume you are referring to)? He was called for a double-minor, which is exactly what he deserved.

[bbor]

Leafs/Sens tonight...if you're near a tv i suggest you watch this game...it's gonne be a barn burner.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Woo-hoo! Nice back-to-back wins against the Avs. Always good to see...

[klayman]

Originally Posted by Tekneek

It's Marian Hossa. As well, was he not called for a penalty on the play with Berard (which is what I assume you are referring to)? He was called for a double-minor, which is exactly what he deserved.

Tough crowd.

At least he didn't call him Mary-Ann Hossa.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Tekneek

It's Marian Hossa. As well, was he not called for a penalty on the play with Berard (which is what I assume you are referring to)? He was called for a double-minor, which is exactly what he deserved.

Yeesh.

Four minutes for a wildly careless golf swing that takes two years off a guy's career? Not in the post-Bertuzzi era, that's for sure. If that exact play happened today, Hossa would get at least six games. Eight if it was Chris Neil instead.

In other news, Owen Nolan blows out his knee tonight and, pending the MRI, is likely out for quite a while.

[bbor]

Good thing the Leafs picked up those extra bodies at the trade deadline.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by klayman

We're not friends anymore

Yes we are, you monkey!

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Woo-hoo! Nice back-to-back wins against the Avs. Always good to see...

no it isn't.

couldn't Legace have just given us one of the games? I think Vancouver is going to return the favor from last year - coming back late in the season to knock the other team out of first.

[Karim]

At last night's game, the place erupted when Chris Simon absolutely beat the crap out of Jeff Cowan.

The woman in front of me obviously wasn't impressed and went home right afterwards with her young daughter.

And what's with the girl-girl kissing? When did this become mainstream? The smooch cam was on fire last night. Maybe something to do with the heroin beer...

[klayman]

Originally Posted by Karim

And what's with the girl-girl kissing? When did this become mainstream? The smooch cam was on fire last night. Maybe something to do with the heroin beer...

They did that at the Stars game as well. Anything for cheap applause...

Originally Posted by sachmo71

Yes we are, you monkey!

Well, ok then

[Travis]

Big win for the Oiler's tonight, still some stupid mistakes, but somehow overcoming them. And Doan now joins my list of players who scare the crap out of me every time they touch the puck while playing against us, damn he's good and only getting better I would assume.

Now if Nashville and St. Louis would just lose once or twice, things would be a lot nicer.

[klayman]

Originally Posted by Travis

Now if Nashville and St. Louis would just lose once or twice, things would be a lot nicer.

Makes that Nashville/St. Louis game on Saturday pretty interesting.

Don't look now but the Oilers have only lost 3 games in regulation time since the all star break.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by klayman

Makes that Nashville/St. Louis game on Saturday pretty interesting.

Don't look now but the Oilers have only lost 3 games in regulation time since the all star break.

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Not only that one, but the St. Louis/Edmonton game this week will be huge.

[Karim]

Games Remaining:

(6)Calgary - 79GP, 90Pts
Phoenix
Los Angeles
Anaheim

(7)St. Louis - 78GP, 87Pts
Edmonton
Detroit
Nashville
Minnesota

(8)Edmonton - 79GP, 87Pts
St. Louis
Dallas
Vancouver

(9)Nashville - 78GP, 85Pts
Chicago
Chicago
St. Louis
Colorado

(10)Los Angeles - 78GP - 80Pts
Colorado
San Jose
Calgary
San Jose

L.A. is pretty well finished. They need to win out and hope one of St. Louis, Edmonton or Nashville lose every game.

[Honolulu_Blue]

For Edmonton:
Edmonton has to win Tuesday. Given how well they've been playing over the last 20 games or so, they have a decent shot. Win or lose, they have to hope the Wings can beat the Blues (where's the love now, kalyman??).

Chicago is a horrible team playing poorly. You have to hope they wont lose four in a row (lost the last two to St. Louis) and can beat Nashville at least once. Colorado hasn't been playing great either.

The last two games Dallas and Vancouver wont be easy, but at least Dallas will be sans Turco and Vancouver may not have much to play for. Should be an interesting last week!

[Cards4ever]

I'm hearing this morning that NJ is going to add a piece to it's puzzle(I'm not sure if he's playoff eligible or not though), Zach Parise is going to go pro. Devil fans you are going to like this kid.

[klayman]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

For Edmonton:
Win or lose, they have to hope the Wings can beat the Blues (where's the love now, kalyman??).

kalyman's a red wing hater too? There's so many of us it's hard to keep track of us all.

I can live with the Blues winning the rest of their games, and even if Nashville win 2 out of 3 of the rest (obviously losing against the blues), then the Oilers only have to win one game against Dallas or Vancouver, Dallas without "The Bastard" in net, and Vancouver playing poorly of late. (Oilers through on goal difference) I think those are good odds.

I see no benefit from playing the Sharks over Detroit by finishing in 7th, provided the Sharks don't over take the Wings. In fact, with the goaltending situation as shaky as it is in Detroit, they would probably be the lesser of two evils going into the playoffs.

So I'm not too concerned. Things can still go wrong, of course, but I'm certainly feeling a lot better about the playoffs then I was a month ago. Ideally, Calgary and Edmonton will upset everybody and meet in the Conference finals. Then all of us will see what real hockey is all about

[sachmo71]

Yes, speed and guys trying to injure one another. Go Calgary.

[sachmo71]

Disclaimer: The above post was an attempt at humor, but I forgot the smiley at the end. While Calgary is a goon squad, the irony of a fan of a team who's goalie was suspended for whacking a guy in the face with his stick seemed funny. But without the smiley, it just seem crass.

[klayman]

You're right, Sach. I would much rather watch Dallas trap their way to the Cup final

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by klayman

kalyman's a red wing hater too? There's so many of us it's hard to keep track of us all.

Heh!

Hey Mr. Kalyman, kaly me banana! Day light comes and me wanna go home...

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by klayman

You're right, Sach. I would much rather watch Dallas trap their way to the Cup final

Whatever it takes.


Hey, that's not a bad idea for a Playoff Motto! Oh wait, we already used it. In 02-03.

[klayman]

hxxp://slam.canoe.ca/Slam040329/nhl_ott3-sun.html

Clarke's still fuming

Philly GM cautions Martin about return match


By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. -- Flyers GM Bobby Clarke fired another broadside at Jacques Martin yesterday.

Clarke warned the Senators coach against a repeat of their teams' brawl-filled March 5 battle when the clubs meet again Friday night at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

Otherwise, according to Clarke, Martin is going to hear from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

In a report that appears in today's Philadelphia Inquirer, Clarke claimed all 30 NHL teams have received a memo about brawls. The memo said Bettman would take seriously statements vowing any acts of "retribution."

Clarke continues to blame Martin for everything that happened during the teams' March 5 punchup in Philly, which produced an NHL-record 419 penalty minutes.

"Rob Ray hasn't played all year and then they send him out with three minutes to go to fight (Donald) Brashear," Clarke said. "Jacques Martin wasn't going to go on the ice to fight Donald Brashear if he were a player. Why do that to a player?

'COACH'S FAULT'

"That is the coach's fault. There were no specifics in the (league) memo on that, but that's what we're talking about as far as coaches responsibility."

Clarke said he and coach Ken Hitchcock told their players not to seek retribution against Senators winger Martin Havlat for his high-stick to the head of winger Mark Recchi earlier in the season. Clarke claims the Flyers players were also told to stay away from Marian Hossa and Daniel Alfredsson.

"But at the end of that game, what happened? They sent guys out to beat up on two of our players who don't fight," said Clarke, who tried to challenge Martin outside the Sens' dressing room following the March 5 game.

"What the hell is that? Does that prove you're tough because you can beat up someone who doesn't fight? There has to be some honour and decency in our game. Can you teach that?

"Going after the really talented players has never been part of our game. That's why I didn't want Donald Brashear running after Alfredsson. That is not proper."

Honour and decency in our game? This from a man that took a two handed swing at Kharlamov's ankle in game 6 of the summit series...Thanks for setting the bar so high Bobby.