Well, it has finally come to pass.
The Detroit Red Wings are Stanley Cup Champions again, proving that not much has changed post-lockout afterall. (Just kidding, but with next year's league salary cap creeping towards $60 million...). Once again, Hockey Town is the center of the NHL universe. And I have to admit, they definitely deserve it.
The Penguins gave the desperate last second comeback one more try, but came up just short, as Marian Hossa's lunging stab at a rebound trickled just parallel to the goal line as time expired. Pittsburgh took advantage of a power play with under 2:00 minutes to play (so much for the refs swallowing their whistles, eh) to pull within one. But as it turns out Henik Zetterberg's shot that trickled slow-mo like through the legs of Marc-Andre Fluery's legs early in the third turned out to be the game winner. Zetterberg got the Con Smythe, as much for his stellar defense as his offense, even though he tallied more playoff points than any Red Wing in history. And that's saying something.
All in all it was a game effort by the Pens, but the Wings were obviously the better team. Exceptionally skilled both offensively and defensively and exceptionally deep as well. They once again dominated the third period, managing to escape the last second heroics this time around. It was not as dominating as their Game 6 win over Dallas on road ice in the conference finals, but it was impressive nonetheless. Once again the only thing standing between the Wings and a blowout was Fluery, who seems to have taken giant steps towards the greatness that has been expected of him for so long.
An exciting series over all, and I hope a lot of people got to see it. Guess we can take a look at the overall TV numbers tomorrow or Friday. Either way I think the NHL got the showcase they were looking for. And I don't think there's much doubt that the Pens, with their core of ridiculously young stars (Fluery is long in the tooth with this bunch and he's only 24), will be a force for years to come in the East.
I'm a little sad to see the year come to a close, and am already looking forward to September. Until then I guess we can have fun with all the speculation and craziness of the off season and free agency to come.
Man, I love this game.
Go Canes!
-m
Showing posts with label Stanley Cup Playoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stanley Cup Playoffs. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
For The Love Of The Game...
I was not born and raised a hockey fan. Far from it. I was raised on baseball and college hoops on Tobacco Road.
Youth hockey did not exist for me. And if it had, I nor the adults at the Eden Boy's Club, would not have known what to do with it (I remember being taught soccer by a coach who was reading out of a book at practice). It's hard to pinpoint exactly when I was first exposed to hockey and when I officially "became a fan". I vaguely remember the Montreal Canadians from the mid-seventies, and perhaps a little more clearly the Islanders run of 4 straight Cups in the late 70's (for some reason I cannot quite pinpoint now, I pulled against them every time). Then there was the Miracle on Ice at Lake Placid, where I vividly remember me and my Dad (who was never a hockey fan at all and now only holds a passing interest) cheering loudly in our living room as Al Michaels asked "Do you believe in miracles?" Yes! Perhaps that was the moment.
Or perhaps it came when some kids named Messier and Gretzky from a Canadian oil town finally vanquished the Isles and started an amazing dynastic run of their own? I remember that those Oilers teams were the first that I followed regularly and it was through them that I became a "fan". I also pulled for the Rangers because they were the hard-luck kids (similar to my beloved Red Sox), and because they were the Islander's rivals (again, I'm not sure what it was that turned me off about the Isles - maybe their brutish physical play, or just their run of dominance that turned me towards the underdogs). In college I would attend minor league games in Greensboro and Raleigh but did not have a team of "my own". But my fan hood grew and when Peter Karmanos came calling from Connecticut, I felt bad for the fans in Hartford, but ecstatic that I would finally have a team to call my own.
But through it all something was happening that was almost imperceptible. I was falling in love with the game. It was starting to tug at my allegiances that had always fallen solidly with baseball and basketball.
Today, I would have to say that I am a hockey fan above all else. When the Red Sox won the World Series, especially coming from behind to beat the Yankees in historic fashion it was an amazing feeling. But it was more a feeling of deliverance and relief. Like a weight being lifted. When they did it again last year it was almost like ho-hum. I was happy, but I was no longer emotionally invested. And in neither case did it come close to the feeling of Game 7 of the 2006 finals and watching Rod Brind A'mour lift that Cup above his head and jump around like a little kid.
I no longer get (as) upset when the Yankees beat the Red Sox or Duke loses to UNC. But the Hurricanes missing the playoffs can send me into a funk that lasts for weeks. I know it doesn't make any sense. But I know that it makes me a hockey fan. First and foremost.
And as a hockey fan tonight's EPIC Game 5 between the Red Wings and Penguins was absolutely amazing. I don't have a rooting interest. I'm not pulling for or against either team. I just want to see good hockey on TV for a little while longer. And it does not get much better than this.
I don't think anyone expected Pittsburgh to win this game. As talented as they are, Detroit has just been too good this playoff season. But the Pens jumped out to a two goal lead and suddenly things got interesting again. However, by the third period, the Wings were absolutely dominating the play and the Pens' lead quickly disappeared. The Cup was in the house and I fully expected it to be skated around the ice by the guys in Red. But then we were all reminded of how truly great this game can be.
It was a joy to watch - the skill, the stamina, the determination, the desperation.
And in the end the sheer jubilation of a Penguins team that after 5 1/2 periods of elimination hockey will live to fight at least one more day.
I'm sure the game will be analyzed and lionized by folks far more eloquent than I.
But all I know is that it's after 1am and I'm jubilant and exhausted. And I did not even have a dog in this fight. I can only imagine what the fans in Detroit and Pittsburgh are feeling.
And that's why we love this game.
-m
Youth hockey did not exist for me. And if it had, I nor the adults at the Eden Boy's Club, would not have known what to do with it (I remember being taught soccer by a coach who was reading out of a book at practice). It's hard to pinpoint exactly when I was first exposed to hockey and when I officially "became a fan". I vaguely remember the Montreal Canadians from the mid-seventies, and perhaps a little more clearly the Islanders run of 4 straight Cups in the late 70's (for some reason I cannot quite pinpoint now, I pulled against them every time). Then there was the Miracle on Ice at Lake Placid, where I vividly remember me and my Dad (who was never a hockey fan at all and now only holds a passing interest) cheering loudly in our living room as Al Michaels asked "Do you believe in miracles?" Yes! Perhaps that was the moment.
Or perhaps it came when some kids named Messier and Gretzky from a Canadian oil town finally vanquished the Isles and started an amazing dynastic run of their own? I remember that those Oilers teams were the first that I followed regularly and it was through them that I became a "fan". I also pulled for the Rangers because they were the hard-luck kids (similar to my beloved Red Sox), and because they were the Islander's rivals (again, I'm not sure what it was that turned me off about the Isles - maybe their brutish physical play, or just their run of dominance that turned me towards the underdogs). In college I would attend minor league games in Greensboro and Raleigh but did not have a team of "my own". But my fan hood grew and when Peter Karmanos came calling from Connecticut, I felt bad for the fans in Hartford, but ecstatic that I would finally have a team to call my own.
But through it all something was happening that was almost imperceptible. I was falling in love with the game. It was starting to tug at my allegiances that had always fallen solidly with baseball and basketball.
Today, I would have to say that I am a hockey fan above all else. When the Red Sox won the World Series, especially coming from behind to beat the Yankees in historic fashion it was an amazing feeling. But it was more a feeling of deliverance and relief. Like a weight being lifted. When they did it again last year it was almost like ho-hum. I was happy, but I was no longer emotionally invested. And in neither case did it come close to the feeling of Game 7 of the 2006 finals and watching Rod Brind A'mour lift that Cup above his head and jump around like a little kid.
I no longer get (as) upset when the Yankees beat the Red Sox or Duke loses to UNC. But the Hurricanes missing the playoffs can send me into a funk that lasts for weeks. I know it doesn't make any sense. But I know that it makes me a hockey fan. First and foremost.
And as a hockey fan tonight's EPIC Game 5 between the Red Wings and Penguins was absolutely amazing. I don't have a rooting interest. I'm not pulling for or against either team. I just want to see good hockey on TV for a little while longer. And it does not get much better than this.
I don't think anyone expected Pittsburgh to win this game. As talented as they are, Detroit has just been too good this playoff season. But the Pens jumped out to a two goal lead and suddenly things got interesting again. However, by the third period, the Wings were absolutely dominating the play and the Pens' lead quickly disappeared. The Cup was in the house and I fully expected it to be skated around the ice by the guys in Red. But then we were all reminded of how truly great this game can be.
It was a joy to watch - the skill, the stamina, the determination, the desperation.
And in the end the sheer jubilation of a Penguins team that after 5 1/2 periods of elimination hockey will live to fight at least one more day.
I'm sure the game will be analyzed and lionized by folks far more eloquent than I.
But all I know is that it's after 1am and I'm jubilant and exhausted. And I did not even have a dog in this fight. I can only imagine what the fans in Detroit and Pittsburgh are feeling.
And that's why we love this game.
-m
Monday, May 28, 2007
AT LAST - The Return Of Hockey!!
At long last, the time is nigh. The Stanley Cup Finals have arrived.
I'm not sure why the NHL decided that it would be a good idea to have a 5 day break between the end of the conference finals and the beginning of the finals. Just what the sport needs, eh, to drop out of the sports cycle for a week. Brilliant!!
All I know is that I have been in total withdrawal. Going from hockey every night for a month and a half to having to resort to actually watching the NBA playoffs. Thank God Lord Stanley is here to save me from that.
Seeing as how my prediction at the beginning of the playoffs of a Buffalo-Vancouver final was not even close, I'm not sure if I should even hazzard a prediction on the Finals. But, I'm thinking it will be Anaheim in 6. I'll be pulling for the Senators, but in goal, Anaheim seems to have a sizeable advantage, despite Ray Emery playing well throughout the playoffs. Anaheim is so tough on the blue line with Pronger, Niedameyer and crew, and so physical up front. Ottawa's big line (Heatley, Alfredsson and Spezza) could have a tough time breaking through, and I just don't see enough scoring depth for the Sens. But I've been proven wrong on that throughout the playoffs so far. Hard for me to dislike or pull against either of these teams going in, but I'll be rooting for the Sens for my friend Jeremy. Let's just hope for a good series.
TIme to crank up the DVR and get things rolling. One more series of hockey.
Bittersweet as a Canes fan, as someone else will be raising the Cup.
But as a hockey fan, there's just nothing like the Stanley Cup Finals.
Let's get it on!!
-m
I'm not sure why the NHL decided that it would be a good idea to have a 5 day break between the end of the conference finals and the beginning of the finals. Just what the sport needs, eh, to drop out of the sports cycle for a week. Brilliant!!
All I know is that I have been in total withdrawal. Going from hockey every night for a month and a half to having to resort to actually watching the NBA playoffs. Thank God Lord Stanley is here to save me from that.
Seeing as how my prediction at the beginning of the playoffs of a Buffalo-Vancouver final was not even close, I'm not sure if I should even hazzard a prediction on the Finals. But, I'm thinking it will be Anaheim in 6. I'll be pulling for the Senators, but in goal, Anaheim seems to have a sizeable advantage, despite Ray Emery playing well throughout the playoffs. Anaheim is so tough on the blue line with Pronger, Niedameyer and crew, and so physical up front. Ottawa's big line (Heatley, Alfredsson and Spezza) could have a tough time breaking through, and I just don't see enough scoring depth for the Sens. But I've been proven wrong on that throughout the playoffs so far. Hard for me to dislike or pull against either of these teams going in, but I'll be rooting for the Sens for my friend Jeremy. Let's just hope for a good series.
TIme to crank up the DVR and get things rolling. One more series of hockey.
Bittersweet as a Canes fan, as someone else will be raising the Cup.
But as a hockey fan, there's just nothing like the Stanley Cup Finals.
Let's get it on!!
-m
Monday, May 14, 2007
Where Did You go Buffalo?
Please keep all sharp objects and firearms away from Buffalo Sabres fans tonight.
Boy. That had to be pretty disheartening.
Ryan Miller gave the Sabres the type of stellar goaltending performance that a team with its back against the wall needs. Unfortunately, he seems to be the only Sabre who bothered to show up as the Ottawa Senators took a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. Ouch.
I'm not sure what happened to the Sabres team that I watched with awe for most of regular season, but they appear to have turned into the...ummm...Ottawa Senators, in the playoffs. I had the Sabres and Cannucks in the finals. Obviously I'm an idiot.
Ryan Miller was stellar. Ottawa could have easily won this game 4 or 5 - 0 if not for Miller's heroics. Ottawa's lone goal was a complete fluke on a bounce of the boards, but when your goaltender only allows one goal in a playoff game, you are not supposed to lose. Buffalo's offense was abysmal, but take nothing away from Ottawa. They have probably been the most impressive team over all in these playoffs and they have managed to take the Sabres completely out of their game.
Game Notes:
- 15 shots on goal from a Buffalo team that is built on offensive pressure? Only 5 shots in the third period?
- 0 for 18 on the power play for a team that boasted SEVEN 20 goal scorers in the regular season? Some folks on the Buffalo blogs were asking, perhaps in an effort to laugh to keep from crying, if the Sabres had the option of declining the penalties. (Believe me, as a Canes fan, I know how they feel).
- Buffalo managed only one shot on goal on 6 power plays.
- The Senators are now a NHL best 11-2 on the playloffs this season and have won 6 straight games.
- Ray Emery had 15 saves, while his defense came up with 13 blocks. It was Emery's third shutout of the playoffs. Ottawa's team defense was astounding. As exciting as the likes of Alfredsson, Heatley, Spezza, Comry, and Vermette can be on the offensive end, it's guys named Wade Redden, Chris Phillips, Andrej Mezaros, Anton Volchenkov, Tom Preissing, Joseph Korvos and Christoph Shubert who have been the unsung heros in this series.
- Daniel Alfredsson notched his 9th goal and leads the playoffs in scoring. He has now scored in 5 straight post-season games.
- As stated before, Miller was stout in net for the Sabres, stopping 31 of 32 shots, with several spectacular saves. He was awarded the third star of the game for his efforts.
- Dmitri Kalinin might be public ememy #1 in Buffalo right about now. He was abysmal on defense, looking completely lost and overmatched for most of the game. Even the studio guys on Versus were killing him. Scott Norwood, meet Dmitri Kalinin...
- As badly as Kalinin played at least he did manage one shot on goal...that matches the totals of Daniel Briere, Chris Drury and Thomas Vanek...COMBINED. Ouch.
- Hats off the the oft-maligned Maxim Afinogenov, who was the only Sabre not named Ryan Miller who bothered to bring his A-game tonight.
-Three stars: Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa), Wade Redden (Ottawa), Ryan Miller (Buffalo)
As bad as things look at the moment, all is not completely lost for the Sabres, but it does not look good for the fans in upstate NY. Two teams in NHL history have come back from 0-3 deficits in the Stanley Cup playoffs (Toronto in 1942 and NY Islanders in 1975) . And as a life long Red Sox fan, I can attest to the fact that nothing is impossible. But it usually seems that way. The road back will be long, and the odds are against you but the cliches ring true...all the Sabres can do at this point is win the next game they play. Take it from Terry Francona, they don't need to worry about winning 4 straight, right now they just need to win the next game, and take it from there.
As a Cane's fan, I do not have a dog in this fight, but unlike a lot of my bretheren, I am not pulling against the Sabres in this series. I just want to see a good series. And for anything approaching that, Buffalo will have to play a lot better than they did tonight in Ottawa.
-m
Monday, April 23, 2007
COULD VERSUS SUCK ANY MORE????
Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick!!
Could the NHL please get on a REAL NETWORK? PLEASE!!!
Could Time Warner Cable suck anymore?
I just started my DVR which was set to record tonight's game at 10pm, which was the start time listed on Versus in my digital cable guide, only to find out that the game started at 9pm and I had missed the first period.
Ughhh. I'm an idiot.
But how hard would it be to get your schedules straight guys, for peopel who - you know - really want to watch the game?
Jeez.
Dallas is up 1-0.
Turco has a 151:53 scoreless streak going.
7 shots for Vancouver in the first period.
9 for the Stars. Maybe I didn't miss much?
And Henrik Sedin just took a bad penalty.
-m
Could the NHL please get on a REAL NETWORK? PLEASE!!!
Could Time Warner Cable suck anymore?
I just started my DVR which was set to record tonight's game at 10pm, which was the start time listed on Versus in my digital cable guide, only to find out that the game started at 9pm and I had missed the first period.
Ughhh. I'm an idiot.
But how hard would it be to get your schedules straight guys, for peopel who - you know - really want to watch the game?
Jeez.
Dallas is up 1-0.
Turco has a 151:53 scoreless streak going.
7 shots for Vancouver in the first period.
9 for the Stars. Maybe I didn't miss much?
And Henrik Sedin just took a bad penalty.
-m
Game 7 - Vancouver vs Dallas - Let's get it on!
What better to pull UTTR out of hibernation than a playoff game 7?
Yes, I've been AWOL for a while now, as the Hurricanes' season died with a whimper, and I was left speechless for most of the last few weeks/months of the season. But I suppose every new endeavor has it's fits and starts. Why should my feeble attempt at blogging be any different. Sometimes, life just gets in the way, but I guess I should be glad I have a life away from my hockey obsessions. We move on. That which doesn't wipe us out competely, just makes us stronger. Or something.
I've slowly come to terms with the bitter pill that was the Canes limping down the stretch to add their names to an infamous short list of defending champions to miss out on the playoffs. But hey, at least I can take solace in the fact that a couple of those teams on the short list - Montreal and New Jersey - moved on from disappointment to do some pretty special things. I guy has to have a dream, right? And hey, guess what, we WON THE F#@KING STANLEY CUP!! So there.
Surprisingly perhaps, having my favorite team hitting the charity golf circuit and secondary international competitions early has not seemed to dampen my appetite for playoff hockey. And one can just ask the lady UTTR for confirmation...I have not stopped watching. I'm still obsessed. And there has been some exciting stuff already this year as the first round comes to a close...San Jose, Anaheim and Buffalo have looked strong...New Jersey and Ottawa have looked steady...the Rangers were so quick to dispatch the Thrashers, who did not put up much of a fight, that I'm not sure how they looked...Detriot pulled a Jeckel & Hyde act, home and away, against a scrappy (and at times down right dirty) Calgary club...kudos to the Islanders who actually managed to make the Buffalo series feel closer than 4-1, even thought they were completely outmatched...I'm sure we will be seeing plenty more of Sid the Kid and his Penguin extrordinares in the years to come...just getting their feet wet, probably a little ahead of schedule even.
And then there's the epic struggle of offensive ineptitude that has been Dallas v Vancouver...are these goalies this good (maybe) or are both of these teams just completely inept offensively (perhaps) or are both teams playing incredible defensive hockey (there you go)? Tonight we find out who moves on in the first game 7 of the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Let's hope it's not the last. The DVR is cranking as I sit down to watch sans commericals...wonder how late I will be up?
Going into the playoffs I had Buffalo and Vancouver as my picks for the finals.
Wonder what that will look like in a few hours?
-martin
Yes, I've been AWOL for a while now, as the Hurricanes' season died with a whimper, and I was left speechless for most of the last few weeks/months of the season. But I suppose every new endeavor has it's fits and starts. Why should my feeble attempt at blogging be any different. Sometimes, life just gets in the way, but I guess I should be glad I have a life away from my hockey obsessions. We move on. That which doesn't wipe us out competely, just makes us stronger. Or something.
I've slowly come to terms with the bitter pill that was the Canes limping down the stretch to add their names to an infamous short list of defending champions to miss out on the playoffs. But hey, at least I can take solace in the fact that a couple of those teams on the short list - Montreal and New Jersey - moved on from disappointment to do some pretty special things. I guy has to have a dream, right? And hey, guess what, we WON THE F#@KING STANLEY CUP!! So there.
Surprisingly perhaps, having my favorite team hitting the charity golf circuit and secondary international competitions early has not seemed to dampen my appetite for playoff hockey. And one can just ask the lady UTTR for confirmation...I have not stopped watching. I'm still obsessed. And there has been some exciting stuff already this year as the first round comes to a close...San Jose, Anaheim and Buffalo have looked strong...New Jersey and Ottawa have looked steady...the Rangers were so quick to dispatch the Thrashers, who did not put up much of a fight, that I'm not sure how they looked...Detriot pulled a Jeckel & Hyde act, home and away, against a scrappy (and at times down right dirty) Calgary club...kudos to the Islanders who actually managed to make the Buffalo series feel closer than 4-1, even thought they were completely outmatched...I'm sure we will be seeing plenty more of Sid the Kid and his Penguin extrordinares in the years to come...just getting their feet wet, probably a little ahead of schedule even.
And then there's the epic struggle of offensive ineptitude that has been Dallas v Vancouver...are these goalies this good (maybe) or are both of these teams just completely inept offensively (perhaps) or are both teams playing incredible defensive hockey (there you go)? Tonight we find out who moves on in the first game 7 of the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Let's hope it's not the last. The DVR is cranking as I sit down to watch sans commericals...wonder how late I will be up?
Going into the playoffs I had Buffalo and Vancouver as my picks for the finals.
Wonder what that will look like in a few hours?
-martin
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