Thursday, August 14, 2008
It's a Cruel, Cruel Summer
by Jes
(Yes, I used to listen to Ace of Base when I was a kid)
One major factor in why it is hard to have true dynasties in this day and age is the "Stanley Cup Hangover".
I'm not talking about the morning after drinking champagne from the holy mug, but rather the fact that the Stanley Cup Finalists often experience a drop-off in their record during the next season, especially early in the season. The fatigue builds such much that it is harder for the Cup finalists to repeat their great exploits from year to year.
With the seasons getting longer and finishing later, the summer time break for NHL teams has been getting shorter and shorter. Is it any wonder why the Ducks, who also had to put up with a long trip to-from London, faltered so badly last season?
Over at Empty Netters, the excellent MSM blog over at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Seth Rorabaugh crunches some numbers and we see that the Pittsburgh Penguins have the shortest summer break out of all the teams.
Life in the NHL is physically brutal, and players have to work harder, faster, and take more physical punishment then players from 15+ years ago. Every player has to maintain a strong off-season training regimen, leaving few players with a true chance to take a long break from physical activity and fully recover.
It should be no surprise if the Wings and Penguins start the season slowly and have problems later in the year with fatigue. The Wings, especially, might run into problems as their roster has more older players than the Penguins.
Who should really benefit? Take a team on the upswing who had a long off-season, and I figure they will start off gangbusters. How about the Blackhawks? They added some big names, and have had lots of rest. The Capitals, too, could be primed to make another jump ... although their defence corps still sucks.
So, how can a team beat this hangover and succeed year after year?
For one thing, they could stop making these fricking long trips to Europe ... really, these jaunts really seem to do a number on the two teams who participate.
Like Seth points out on his post, the Penguins experienced a rather high turnover for a Cup finalist, which means the newer players will be somewhat fresher and help compensate. The Wings? They experienced very little turnover. Perhaps cycling some fresh players in the depth positions can keep the team's skill level intact while helping offset the fatigue.
It would be foolish to think the Wings and Penguins won't be very good next season, but one must strongly consider the factor of the "Stanley Cup Hangover" when making predictions.
(Yes, I used to listen to Ace of Base when I was a kid)
One major factor in why it is hard to have true dynasties in this day and age is the "Stanley Cup Hangover".
I'm not talking about the morning after drinking champagne from the holy mug, but rather the fact that the Stanley Cup Finalists often experience a drop-off in their record during the next season, especially early in the season. The fatigue builds such much that it is harder for the Cup finalists to repeat their great exploits from year to year.
With the seasons getting longer and finishing later, the summer time break for NHL teams has been getting shorter and shorter. Is it any wonder why the Ducks, who also had to put up with a long trip to-from London, faltered so badly last season?
Over at Empty Netters, the excellent MSM blog over at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Seth Rorabaugh crunches some numbers and we see that the Pittsburgh Penguins have the shortest summer break out of all the teams.
After winning the Cup on June 6, 2007, the Ducks enjoyed a brief 115 days off before starting up again on Sept. 29 in London. That was the shortest offseason for any NHL team. The Penguins will own that distinction this offseason by having only 122 days off since losing the Cup to the Red Wings on June 4.Now, his calculations do not factor in training camps and pre-season games, so the summers for the Pens and Wings will be even shorter than indicated.
Life in the NHL is physically brutal, and players have to work harder, faster, and take more physical punishment then players from 15+ years ago. Every player has to maintain a strong off-season training regimen, leaving few players with a true chance to take a long break from physical activity and fully recover.
It should be no surprise if the Wings and Penguins start the season slowly and have problems later in the year with fatigue. The Wings, especially, might run into problems as their roster has more older players than the Penguins.
Who should really benefit? Take a team on the upswing who had a long off-season, and I figure they will start off gangbusters. How about the Blackhawks? They added some big names, and have had lots of rest. The Capitals, too, could be primed to make another jump ... although their defence corps still sucks.
So, how can a team beat this hangover and succeed year after year?
For one thing, they could stop making these fricking long trips to Europe ... really, these jaunts really seem to do a number on the two teams who participate.
Like Seth points out on his post, the Penguins experienced a rather high turnover for a Cup finalist, which means the newer players will be somewhat fresher and help compensate. The Wings? They experienced very little turnover. Perhaps cycling some fresh players in the depth positions can keep the team's skill level intact while helping offset the fatigue.
It would be foolish to think the Wings and Penguins won't be very good next season, but one must strongly consider the factor of the "Stanley Cup Hangover" when making predictions.
Labels: Penguins, Red Wings, stanley cup
Thursday, June 05, 2008
EuroWings: The Cream of the Crop
Don Cherry must be crying into his loud polyester pajamas this morning. Not only did his beloved Gary Roberts not skate off into the sunset with a Stanley Cup, but the Detroit Red Wings are, by far, the most Euro-laden team to ever win the big prize.
It is true that in the past, you'd want Canadian grit and heart on your roster, given how most Stanley Cup winners were very much filled with a majority of Canucks (and a few Americans). The Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, and Anaheim Ducks had very few Europeans on their roster, and gave fuel to the fire about European players sucking trash when it counts most.
Then came this year's Red Wings... just look at the European influence on their roster.
Henrik Zetterberg
Pavel Datsyuk
Johan Franzen
Niklas Kronwall
Jiri Hudler (look at how many points he scored with so little ice time)
Mikael Samuelsson
Nicklas Lidstrom
Tomas Holmstrom
Valtteri Filppula
Andreas Lilja
Dominik Hasek
Yes, almost half of their playoff roster was European.
The best players on the team? They are European. You have Conn Smythe winner Zetterberg, captain Lidstrom, and slick Datsyuk.
Role players? You have the hard-working Franzen with Holmstrom, plus defensive-minded guys like Filppula and Samuelsson.
Yeah, the evil Swedes can certainly bring it when it counts.
It's not where the players are from, but which players you get. Yes, Zetterberg and Datsyuk were once playoff non-factors, but they obviously matured and learned how to score when the spaces get tighter and the battles get fiercer.
Despite the fact that I still maintain the Wings got lucky not to play a physical opponent other than overmatched Nashville in the playoffs(Anaheim and San Jose would have given the Wings fits), we can't deny that from start to finish, the Wings were just the best team in the league this year.
Record: 54-21-7 (1st)
Goals For: 257 (3rd)
Goals Against: 184 (1st)
Power Play: 20.7% (3rd)
Penalty Kill: 84.0% (8th)
As for the Penguins, this was a great year for them, and, despite the lack of a cup, no Pens fan should look back on this season with much derision.
It is true that in the past, you'd want Canadian grit and heart on your roster, given how most Stanley Cup winners were very much filled with a majority of Canucks (and a few Americans). The Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, and Anaheim Ducks had very few Europeans on their roster, and gave fuel to the fire about European players sucking trash when it counts most.
Then came this year's Red Wings... just look at the European influence on their roster.
Henrik Zetterberg
Pavel Datsyuk
Johan Franzen
Niklas Kronwall
Jiri Hudler (look at how many points he scored with so little ice time)
Mikael Samuelsson
Nicklas Lidstrom
Tomas Holmstrom
Valtteri Filppula
Andreas Lilja
Dominik Hasek
Yes, almost half of their playoff roster was European.
The best players on the team? They are European. You have Conn Smythe winner Zetterberg, captain Lidstrom, and slick Datsyuk.
Role players? You have the hard-working Franzen with Holmstrom, plus defensive-minded guys like Filppula and Samuelsson.
Yeah, the evil Swedes can certainly bring it when it counts.
It's not where the players are from, but which players you get. Yes, Zetterberg and Datsyuk were once playoff non-factors, but they obviously matured and learned how to score when the spaces get tighter and the battles get fiercer.
Despite the fact that I still maintain the Wings got lucky not to play a physical opponent other than overmatched Nashville in the playoffs(Anaheim and San Jose would have given the Wings fits), we can't deny that from start to finish, the Wings were just the best team in the league this year.
Record: 54-21-7 (1st)
Goals For: 257 (3rd)
Goals Against: 184 (1st)
Power Play: 20.7% (3rd)
Penalty Kill: 84.0% (8th)
As for the Penguins, this was a great year for them, and, despite the lack of a cup, no Pens fan should look back on this season with much derision.
Labels: Don Cherry, Penguins, Red Wings, stanley cup
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Tuesday's Thoughts
As if typical with the Toronto Maple Leafs, they can't quite do anything right.
Such is the case of their soon-to-be-hire of coach Ron Wilson, a guy they've hired before a new GM has been put in place.
That's just asking for trouble down the line. What if the new GM and Wilson butt heads? What if the new GM wants to make an offensive team, and not the stifling defensive club Ron Wilson is so keen on putting out?
Of course, given JFJ's experience, we know the GM doesn't make the final call on whether the coach is hired or fired. It makes you wonder why anyone would take the job.
As for Wilson, we know he's an excellent coach. Still, I don't see him fitting in well in Toronto, given the kind of team they have. Wilson is very much defensive-oriented, and the Leafs have quite a few offensive-minded players on the club. Kyle Wellwood? Don't expect to stay around much longer.
---
The Pens got lucky, and should be kissing Marc-Andre's Fleury's feet all day for the way he stole Game Five for them last night.
You had the feeling the Wings had the game sewn up, and were greatly outplaying the less experienced Penguins.
But, Fleury robs Samuelsson with the save of the series, Hossa ties it up, and now the series shifts back to Pittsburgh.
At the very least, the NHL must be thrilled that the Penguins managed to stretch this thing out somewhat.
---
Freaknomics was a book that I enjoyed, and their blog is one I frequent regularly.
It was rather surprising that the blog mentioned hockey, albeit briefly.
The blog post points out one very interesting stat that the AP picks up.
Road teams have won 10 of the past 12 overtime games in the finals and are 15-4 since 1990.
Some interesting comments, including this one (poor capitalization included)
it is mental. the home team typically has the mental edge during the game as they “should win” and get energy from the crowd. as the game goes on and into overtime, that edge shifts to the visitor as they are now almost in a “nothing to lose” situation because technically, they should not be there still, they should have already lost. this translates into the home team playing “tighter” and leads to mistakes. since it is hockey, a single mistake can lead to a goal and the game.
in this game, detroit had it won until the lat .35 seconds and could clinch the cup at home. that increased the anxiety on their part. a pittsburg win would allow them to go back home for the next game….
One other point: Good teams tend to get home ice advantage because they put up good records. That's just a fact
Such is the case of their soon-to-be-hire of coach Ron Wilson, a guy they've hired before a new GM has been put in place.
Toronto Maple Leafs interim general manager Cliff Fletcher says he's found the man he wants to coach the team and has offered him the job.
Sources tell TSN that former Sharks coach Ron Wilson is on his way to Toronto to meet with Leafs officials to try and work out a deal.
When reached by phone, Wilson, who was about to board a plane, refused comment.
While scrambling to catch a plane himself on Monday, Fletcher told reporters he had offered the Leafs' coaching job to a candidate and was in negotiations to seal the deal.
That's just asking for trouble down the line. What if the new GM and Wilson butt heads? What if the new GM wants to make an offensive team, and not the stifling defensive club Ron Wilson is so keen on putting out?
Of course, given JFJ's experience, we know the GM doesn't make the final call on whether the coach is hired or fired. It makes you wonder why anyone would take the job.
As for Wilson, we know he's an excellent coach. Still, I don't see him fitting in well in Toronto, given the kind of team they have. Wilson is very much defensive-oriented, and the Leafs have quite a few offensive-minded players on the club. Kyle Wellwood? Don't expect to stay around much longer.
---
The Pens got lucky, and should be kissing Marc-Andre's Fleury's feet all day for the way he stole Game Five for them last night.
You had the feeling the Wings had the game sewn up, and were greatly outplaying the less experienced Penguins.
But, Fleury robs Samuelsson with the save of the series, Hossa ties it up, and now the series shifts back to Pittsburgh.
At the very least, the NHL must be thrilled that the Penguins managed to stretch this thing out somewhat.
---
Freaknomics was a book that I enjoyed, and their blog is one I frequent regularly.
It was rather surprising that the blog mentioned hockey, albeit briefly.
The blog post points out one very interesting stat that the AP picks up.
Road teams have won 10 of the past 12 overtime games in the finals and are 15-4 since 1990.
Some interesting comments, including this one (poor capitalization included)
it is mental. the home team typically has the mental edge during the game as they “should win” and get energy from the crowd. as the game goes on and into overtime, that edge shifts to the visitor as they are now almost in a “nothing to lose” situation because technically, they should not be there still, they should have already lost. this translates into the home team playing “tighter” and leads to mistakes. since it is hockey, a single mistake can lead to a goal and the game.
in this game, detroit had it won until the lat .35 seconds and could clinch the cup at home. that increased the anxiety on their part. a pittsburg win would allow them to go back home for the next game….
One other point: Good teams tend to get home ice advantage because they put up good records. That's just a fact
Labels: Leafs Suck, Penguins, Red Wings, Ron Wilson, stanley cup
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Why the Canes Can't Win the Cup
by Jes
Here's a quick question for you ...
Which NHL club has 3 players with 20+ goals and 40+ points, 4 other players with 30+ points, is third best in the league with 144 goals scored, and yet isn't in the playoffs as of today?
Answer: The Carolina Hurricanes.
Yes, once again, Carolina's vaunted offensive power is not enough to make up for its weaknesses on D and in goal.
Look at the defence: Dennis Seidenberg, a good-looking defenseman that has bounced around the league and can barely hold an NHL spot, the ancient duo of Bret Yamaguchi and Glen Wesley, the goalless used-to-be-good-what-the-hell-happened Frantisek Kaberle, Mike "Ronald McDonald" Commodore, the overmatched Tim "This is all we got for Jack Johnson?" Gleason, and Nic "OT Winner" Wallin.
Now, I realize that the Canes won it all with a similar defence a few years back, but that was the mother of all Cinderella runs. We can see that now.
How can a defense where their top scorer has 12 just points, and the entire defence has a whole SEVEN goals this season, be considered anything but crap? Not one of these guys is above average, and the old guys just continue to get worse.
Of course, this point mighty be moot if the goaltenders didn't suck, but they do.
Ever since Cam Ward (undeservedly) won the Conn Smythe, people have been tricked into thinking that he's a great goaltender.
Unfortunately for Carolina, the clock struck midnight and Ward has proven himself to be a below-average goaltender during the regular season.
Cam Ward's playoff stats from that magical run? 15-8 2.13GAA 92.0SV%
His partners in crimes against goaltending this season?
John Grahame: 13GP 3.83GAA 87.5SV%
Mike Leighton: 3GP 2.66GAA 89.7SV%
That's more suckage than the movie Juno. (Guys, if your girl tries to drag you to this, you better get something reeeeeeeeeeeeeally good in return)
Let's face it, we know GM Jim Rutherford has been an exceptionally poor GM for most of his long tenure. Somehow, the guy had an outlier of a year where he made good-for-value signings (like Stillman), made some good deadline deals, and had all of the pieces fall into place. Now? We see he is unable to fill the holes on the back end and the Canes have few prospects that they can deal for veteran assets.
Unless the Canes can do something about their glaring weaknesses, let's not fool ourselves into thinking they can win another Stanley Cup. Winning their weak division? It's possible, and it'll be the only way the Canes make the playoffs. Sad, but true.
Joe Pelletier from The Legends of Hockey blog sends this message to our readers
"I've officially gone crazy. In the past weeks
over at GreatestHockeyLegends.com I've compared Vincent Lecavalier to
Jean Beliveau, Niklas Lidstrom to Raymond Bourque, and Martin St.
Louis to Yvan Cournoyer.
Perhaps my latest set of comparables is a bit of a stretch, but yet
somehow very fitting. Or at least I think so.
Former New York Rangers playboy Ron Duguay is compared to PBS' "Joy of
Painting" host Bob Ross."
Somehow, I doubt Bob Ross ever got Cher in the sack, but what do I know?
Here's a quick question for you ...
Which NHL club has 3 players with 20+ goals and 40+ points, 4 other players with 30+ points, is third best in the league with 144 goals scored, and yet isn't in the playoffs as of today?
Answer: The Carolina Hurricanes.
Yes, once again, Carolina's vaunted offensive power is not enough to make up for its weaknesses on D and in goal.
Look at the defence: Dennis Seidenberg, a good-looking defenseman that has bounced around the league and can barely hold an NHL spot, the ancient duo of Bret Yamaguchi and Glen Wesley, the goalless used-to-be-good-what-the-hell-happened Frantisek Kaberle, Mike "Ronald McDonald" Commodore, the overmatched Tim "This is all we got for Jack Johnson?" Gleason, and Nic "OT Winner" Wallin.
Now, I realize that the Canes won it all with a similar defence a few years back, but that was the mother of all Cinderella runs. We can see that now.
How can a defense where their top scorer has 12 just points, and the entire defence has a whole SEVEN goals this season, be considered anything but crap? Not one of these guys is above average, and the old guys just continue to get worse.
Of course, this point mighty be moot if the goaltenders didn't suck, but they do.
Ever since Cam Ward (undeservedly) won the Conn Smythe, people have been tricked into thinking that he's a great goaltender.
Unfortunately for Carolina, the clock struck midnight and Ward has proven himself to be a below-average goaltender during the regular season.
Year GP GS MIN W L T OTL GAA SV%
05-06 28 25 1484 14 8 0 2 3.68 .882
06-07 60 59 3422 30 21 0 6 2.93 .897
07-08 36 34 2032 17 15 0 3 2.89 .899
Cam Ward's playoff stats from that magical run? 15-8 2.13GAA 92.0SV%
His partners in crimes against goaltending this season?
John Grahame: 13GP 3.83GAA 87.5SV%
Mike Leighton: 3GP 2.66GAA 89.7SV%
That's more suckage than the movie Juno. (Guys, if your girl tries to drag you to this, you better get something reeeeeeeeeeeeeally good in return)
Let's face it, we know GM Jim Rutherford has been an exceptionally poor GM for most of his long tenure. Somehow, the guy had an outlier of a year where he made good-for-value signings (like Stillman), made some good deadline deals, and had all of the pieces fall into place. Now? We see he is unable to fill the holes on the back end and the Canes have few prospects that they can deal for veteran assets.
Unless the Canes can do something about their glaring weaknesses, let's not fool ourselves into thinking they can win another Stanley Cup. Winning their weak division? It's possible, and it'll be the only way the Canes make the playoffs. Sad, but true.
Joe Pelletier from The Legends of Hockey blog sends this message to our readers
"I've officially gone crazy. In the past weeks
over at GreatestHockeyLegends.com I've compared Vincent Lecavalier to
Jean Beliveau, Niklas Lidstrom to Raymond Bourque, and Martin St.
Louis to Yvan Cournoyer.
Perhaps my latest set of comparables is a bit of a stretch, but yet
somehow very fitting. Or at least I think so.
Former New York Rangers playboy Ron Duguay is compared to PBS' "Joy of
Painting" host Bob Ross."
Somehow, I doubt Bob Ross ever got Cher in the sack, but what do I know?
Labels: Hurricanes, stanley cup
Monday, August 13, 2007
Photo of the Day: Dustin Penner's Day With the Cup
Some guys do strange things with the Stanley Cup ...
Dustin Penner? He decided to take it for an MRI.
Penner better have made the most of his time with the mug, since he'll never get close to it again as a member of the Oilers.
Dustin Penner? He decided to take it for an MRI.
After a good hour's drive from Winnipeg, Uncle Dale pulled up in front of the Boundary Trails Health Centre, where Dustin's Mom, Linda, is a nurse. His grandfather was there to meet him, too. They took the Stanley Cup through the hallways, saying hi to so many of the patients, then stopped in an area with which Dustin is all too familiar. In fact, he has spent so much time in this particular room that his photo is taped to the MRI machine there. "Hey, they're responsible for putting me back together," he smirked with a shrug.
Penner better have made the most of his time with the mug, since he'll never get close to it again as a member of the Oilers.
Labels: dustin penner, stanley cup
Friday, August 03, 2007
Photos of the Day: I <3 SPAM!
by Jes
Time for a little photo spam...
Selanne and his friends with the Cup... how very Finnish of them. After this photo was taken, they beat each other with birch leaves and played the HNIC theme song with their armpits.
A photo that'll make any Oilers fan throw up their Subway sandwich. Pronger, his bimbo jezebel wife, and spoiled little blonde brats celebrate with the Stanely Cup.
Just your average confused Avs fan ...
Palffy has sure let himself go after retirement. How fast can he lose the extra pounds?
Hell, just talking seems to make him sweat. How out of shape is he?
Well, at least he's not as out of shape as Robert Svehla. Somebody's been busy at the buffet table!
Time for a little photo spam...
Selanne and his friends with the Cup... how very Finnish of them. After this photo was taken, they beat each other with birch leaves and played the HNIC theme song with their armpits.
A photo that'll make any Oilers fan throw up their Subway sandwich. Pronger, his bimbo jezebel wife, and spoiled little blonde brats celebrate with the Stanely Cup.
Just your average confused Avs fan ... 
Palffy has sure let himself go after retirement. How fast can he lose the extra pounds?
Hell, just talking seems to make him sweat. How out of shape is he?
Well, at least he's not as out of shape as Robert Svehla. Somebody's been busy at the buffet table!
Labels: Chris Pronger, photo of the day, picture of the day, stanley cup, Ziggy Palffy
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Photo of the Day: Ducks Damage the Cup
by Jes
I know the Stanley Cup has been beat up more than a GW Bush piñata at Osama Bin Laden’s 50th birthday bash, but can’t these teams show a little more respect and care for the holy chalice?
What damaged the cup so badly?
1. Chris Pronger’s elbow
2. Brad May’s right fist
3. A Chris Kunitz cross-check
4. Sweden
In other Ducks news, how about the rumours that Scott Niedermayer is thinking of retirement? That ought to give Ducks fans cardiac arrest, or at least mild indigestion.
I know the Stanley Cup has been beat up more than a GW Bush piñata at Osama Bin Laden’s 50th birthday bash, but can’t these teams show a little more respect and care for the holy chalice?
What damaged the cup so badly?
1. Chris Pronger’s elbow
2. Brad May’s right fist
3. A Chris Kunitz cross-check
4. Sweden
In other Ducks news, how about the rumours that Scott Niedermayer is thinking of retirement? That ought to give Ducks fans cardiac arrest, or at least mild indigestion.
Labels: ducks, photo of the day, Scott Niedermayer, stanley cup
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Odds and Ends
by Greg
First off, a belated note of congratulations to the Anaheim Ducks and their fans. While I was rooting for the Sens, I didn't feel much of a sense of loss when Anaheim won, and the sight of Selanne and, yes, Pronger carrying the Cup was pretty sweet. Let's hear it for non-traditional markets -- keep the Cup south of Chicago 'til 2050!
* * *
Sort of got lost in my e-mail, but for those who haven't heard about it yet -- Blue Jackets bloggers Drew (End of the Bench) and Michael (Army of the Ohio) are organizing a draft gathering on June 22nd in Columbus. More details here. I lacked the foresight to think about going anywhere for the draft, so I'll be somewhere in the mountains of Colorado, trying to get a cell phone signal to find out who the Thrashers got in the fifth round.
First off, a belated note of congratulations to the Anaheim Ducks and their fans. While I was rooting for the Sens, I didn't feel much of a sense of loss when Anaheim won, and the sight of Selanne and, yes, Pronger carrying the Cup was pretty sweet. Let's hear it for non-traditional markets -- keep the Cup south of Chicago 'til 2050!
* * *
Sort of got lost in my e-mail, but for those who haven't heard about it yet -- Blue Jackets bloggers Drew (End of the Bench) and Michael (Army of the Ohio) are organizing a draft gathering on June 22nd in Columbus. More details here. I lacked the foresight to think about going anywhere for the draft, so I'll be somewhere in the mountains of Colorado, trying to get a cell phone signal to find out who the Thrashers got in the fifth round.
Labels: ducks, Entry Draft, non-traditional markets, stanley cup
Friday, June 08, 2007
No Stanley Cup Parade for Anaheim
by Jes
If you thought the New Jersey Devils holding a Stanley Cup 'parade party' in a parking lot was bad, check out what the Ducks are doing.
So, how are the Ducks spinning this?
Oh, yes...it won't be hard to gather 145 fans in one place, will it? *snark*
If you thought the New Jersey Devils holding a Stanley Cup 'parade party' in a parking lot was bad, check out what the Ducks are doing.
There won't be a Stanley Cup parade in Anaheim, although it won't be because of traffic issues. Instead, there will be a rally at the Honda Center tomorrow night, if the locals haven't already forgotten about this Stanley Cup victory.
So, how are the Ducks spinning this?
"We want to make sure the fans have a way to celebrate and acknowledge the players who brought this championship to Orange County," said city spokesman John Nicoletti.
"We always take our cue from the team, and the team wanted to make sure the celebration and grand arrival of the players is concurrent," he said. "This gives everybody the opportunity to be in one place."
Oh, yes...it won't be hard to gather 145 fans in one place, will it? *snark*
Labels: Anaheim, stanley cup, Stanley Cup Parade
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Anaheim Ducks, 2007 Stanley Cup Champions
by Jes
(c) Getty Images
Congratulations to the Anaheim Ducks for winning the 2007 Stanley Cup over the Ottawa Senators in 5 games.
It wasn't a terribly memorable and pretty Stanley Cup for most hockey fans, and it certainly wasn't the best, but it was a lesson in how to play tough, defensive hockey the Canadian way.
Once again, a Southern-based US team beats a Canadian team and crushes the hopes and dreams of fans from cities that actually about the sport. Welcome to Gary's NHL.
Good on the NHL for not letting the family and friends onto the ice until the players skated around with the cup. Do we need the ice cluttered with a bunch of blonde bimbos and their spoiled kids? Let the players have their on-ice party.
Scott Niedermayer is not a bad Conn Smythe choice. Chris Pronger had it in the bag until his stupid second suspension. JS Giguere was good, but would have been the cop-out choice, in my awesome opinion.
Ducks fans suck. What the hell was this with cheering Gary Bettman? WTF??!?! If a Canadian team won the cup in a Canadian city, Gary would have to come out surrounded by police officers, Vince MacMahon style.
Yes, that was one f'ugly goal by Chris Phillips into his own net. No, he is not Steve Smith and he didn't cost his team the series. I still feel sorry for the guy, though. He'll always have that on his resume.
Speaking of Gary, did you notice that he was trying to hold on to the cup for a cheesy photo-op while Scott Niedermayer was trying to yank the mug away from him. GIVE HIM THE DAMN THING!!!
To sum it all up, here's a comment that one fan left in one of my NHL Fanhouse posts just after the game ended.
(c) Getty Images
Congratulations to the Anaheim Ducks for winning the 2007 Stanley Cup over the Ottawa Senators in 5 games.
It wasn't a terribly memorable and pretty Stanley Cup for most hockey fans, and it certainly wasn't the best, but it was a lesson in how to play tough, defensive hockey the Canadian way.
Once again, a Southern-based US team beats a Canadian team and crushes the hopes and dreams of fans from cities that actually about the sport. Welcome to Gary's NHL.
Hello Teemu Selanne, My name is Brad Skinner and i am from
Winnipeg,Manitoba, the place where you started your amazing career, the rookie season was unbelieveable with 76 goals in 82 games and 132 points, that will never be broken by an rookie. congradualtions on winning the stanley cup after 15 amazing years you truly do deserve it. i am a big fan of you!!
when you came to winnipeg for the last game at the old Winnipeg Arena you shook my hand and signed my Winnipeg jets jersey of you, i was so happy i almost cried when this amazing moment happened.
i can not explaine in words how much i look up to you. I hope that you return to Winnipeg sometime soon and if you brought the Cup that would be amazing but even for you to just come back to winnipeg would be unbelievebale. congrats on an amazing
15 years and on winning lord Standley\'s Cup, many great years ahead, and who knows if nashville moves to winnipeg, maybe you could end your career there. take care and celerbrate because you deserve it!! hope to see you in the City where you started your amazing carreer, Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.
take care,
Brad Skinner, age 16, a teenager who looks up to you.
Labels: ducks, Scott Niedermayer, senators, stanley cup
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Game Three Thoughts: Go Role Players!
by Jes
The Dark Lord is pleased!
See? The Sens DO need their support players to step up and can win without The Top Line (tm) doing all of the scoring.
Last night?
The Top Line(tm): 1 goal, 0 assists, +1
All other players: 4 goals, 8 assists, +9
Guys like Dean McAmmond, Chris Neil, and Mike Fisher have skill and need to use it. While the Ducks do all they can to shut down The Top Line, and do it well, it leaves opportunities for the superior forward depth of the Sens to make a difference.
Oh, Chris Pronger was at it again. Care to guess the suspension?
I am hoping that the NHL sends a message with a suspension and gives Pronger at least two games. This is his second offense in two series and it was clearly a purposeful intent to injure.
Look, if the NHL continues to go soft on the stars of the game, what kind of message does it send to the rest of the league? Is this the NBA?
Francois Beauchemin? -3! Ouch!
It's kind of strange to see that the line of Marchant-Pahlsson-R.Niedermayer looks so dangerous offensively while they are doing their defensive duties.
Overall, it's nice to see we've got a real series developing.
The Dark Lord is pleased!
See? The Sens DO need their support players to step up and can win without The Top Line (tm) doing all of the scoring.
Last night?
The Top Line(tm): 1 goal, 0 assists, +1
All other players: 4 goals, 8 assists, +9
Guys like Dean McAmmond, Chris Neil, and Mike Fisher have skill and need to use it. While the Ducks do all they can to shut down The Top Line, and do it well, it leaves opportunities for the superior forward depth of the Sens to make a difference.
Oh, Chris Pronger was at it again. Care to guess the suspension?
I am hoping that the NHL sends a message with a suspension and gives Pronger at least two games. This is his second offense in two series and it was clearly a purposeful intent to injure.
Look, if the NHL continues to go soft on the stars of the game, what kind of message does it send to the rest of the league? Is this the NBA?
Francois Beauchemin? -3! Ouch!
It's kind of strange to see that the line of Marchant-Pahlsson-R.Niedermayer looks so dangerous offensively while they are doing their defensive duties.
Overall, it's nice to see we've got a real series developing.
Labels: ducks, senators, stanley cup
Thursday, May 31, 2007
The Senators Aren't Hungry Enough
by Jes
How can you explain getting less than 40 shots in 2 games? The Sens are sleepwalking, turning over the puck like it's the new fashion, and pissing away a great opportunity.
Perhaps some of my inspired recipes will generate some hunger in these fools.
You know, Bryan Murray has done a great job with his team up until this series, but I can't help myself to think that he's 'choking' again. Murray has a history of sucking in the playoffs, and now the Sens are being outcoached, outplayed, outhustled, and out-whatever.
When your weakness, Ray Emery, is your best player, then it's either a wasted opportunity, and/or the sign of the rest of the team sucking.
For all of the talk about how the top line has been nullified, how about the supporting cast? Where are they? Spezza/Alfie/Heatley should be shoulder the entire blame when the others on the team aren't lighting the lamp, either.
As for the Ducks, they are simply playing their aggressive style to a 'T'. The Eastern Conference is definitely not nearly as physical as the Western Conference, and the Sens are having troubles with the Ducks physical mosh-pit style of hockey.
How can you explain getting less than 40 shots in 2 games? The Sens are sleepwalking, turning over the puck like it's the new fashion, and pissing away a great opportunity.
Perhaps some of my inspired recipes will generate some hunger in these fools.
You know, Bryan Murray has done a great job with his team up until this series, but I can't help myself to think that he's 'choking' again. Murray has a history of sucking in the playoffs, and now the Sens are being outcoached, outplayed, outhustled, and out-whatever.
When your weakness, Ray Emery, is your best player, then it's either a wasted opportunity, and/or the sign of the rest of the team sucking.
For all of the talk about how the top line has been nullified, how about the supporting cast? Where are they? Spezza/Alfie/Heatley should be shoulder the entire blame when the others on the team aren't lighting the lamp, either.
As for the Ducks, they are simply playing their aggressive style to a 'T'. The Eastern Conference is definitely not nearly as physical as the Western Conference, and the Sens are having troubles with the Ducks physical mosh-pit style of hockey.
Labels: ducks, recipes, senators, stanley cup
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Game One Ramblings: Ducks, Wings, and Pigs
by Jes
If Games 2-4 and perhaps 5,6,7 are as good as Game 1, then this series is gonna rock more than the Dschinghis Khan reunion concert in Moscow.
While I don't have a dog, or duck, in this fight, I am still watching the games and was pleased to be well entertained by the action on the ice.
Some random thoughts
1. Does CBC hate hockey fans? It's bad enough that we get the stale Leafs-homer Harry Neale and dinosaur Bob Cole in the booth, but why is Greg Millen(!) the third man in the booth?
Does CBC not listen to the fans? Does CBC not surf the internets? How could they not know that Millen is the most despised colour commentator in this country?
Is this a conscious decision, or are they simply trying to milk their sunken investment in the guy? Ugh. Millen was definitely at his best/worst last night.
2. Note to self: If you have a kid, make sure s/he befriends a super-rich and generous athlete when they are young.
Teemu Selanne kept a promised and flew 16 of his childhood friends to Anaheim to watch him and the Ducks smack around the Sens.
Yeah, what a guy!
I got the full dealio over at The NHL Fanhouse.
3. Red Wings fans are a classy bunch, eh?
If you ever wanted a fine example of male chauvinism and pig-headedness, check out Helene Elliot's article on what happens when a female reporter dares to not pick the Wings to advance.
Here are some of the samples of the fine writing Red Wings fans are capable of ...
Ahh, the anonymity of the internet lets people show their true colours with no fear or retribution.
Helene Elliot has always been a classy, intelligent, award-winning writer who has shown NO inkling of being a 'puck bunny'. Why she has to put up with crap like this is beyond me. Does being female preclude one from having an intelligent perspective on the game of hockey? Of course not!
I'm going to resist calling Wings fans a bunch of spoiled pigs. We know they are spoiled, but these kind of comments could have come from the fans of any hockey club. It's pretty sad that some male fans feel threatened that a female might actually *gasp* know more about the game of hockey than they do.
Anyway, Helene goes on to point out that Wings' fan anger should be rightfully pointed at owner Mike Ilitch, who priced tickets so outrageously that the average commoner could not afford to attend. The Wings have also been notoriously media-unfriendly and fan-unfriendly, for what it's worth.
(hat tip to Wayne for the story pointer)
If Games 2-4 and perhaps 5,6,7 are as good as Game 1, then this series is gonna rock more than the Dschinghis Khan reunion concert in Moscow.
While I don't have a dog, or duck, in this fight, I am still watching the games and was pleased to be well entertained by the action on the ice.
Some random thoughts
1. Does CBC hate hockey fans? It's bad enough that we get the stale Leafs-homer Harry Neale and dinosaur Bob Cole in the booth, but why is Greg Millen(!) the third man in the booth?
Does CBC not listen to the fans? Does CBC not surf the internets? How could they not know that Millen is the most despised colour commentator in this country?
Is this a conscious decision, or are they simply trying to milk their sunken investment in the guy? Ugh. Millen was definitely at his best/worst last night.
2. Note to self: If you have a kid, make sure s/he befriends a super-rich and generous athlete when they are young.
Teemu Selanne kept a promised and flew 16 of his childhood friends to Anaheim to watch him and the Ducks smack around the Sens.
Yeah, what a guy!
I got the full dealio over at The NHL Fanhouse.
3. Red Wings fans are a classy bunch, eh?
If you ever wanted a fine example of male chauvinism and pig-headedness, check out Helene Elliot's article on what happens when a female reporter dares to not pick the Wings to advance.
Here are some of the samples of the fine writing Red Wings fans are capable of ...
"If Detroit wins, your gonna be gettiing a [ton] more emails from me you [prostitute]. Why don't you report on your own teams from now on. Like the Kings, where are they? Or the Lakers? Women should stick to writing articles about cooking and homemaking and NOT sports, cuz its obvious you have no idea what....you are talking about, [Don Imus word]."
"You have no idea what your baby ducks are in for! A woman writing about hockey in southern California! Leave the hockey to us sweetheart!"
"You are one cocky writer. I am going to remember that damn story and if the wings win the series, I'm gonna laugh in your face via e-mail. If there's one kind of writer I have no respect for, it's a writer exactly like you who writes worthless … like that.
"I'm surprised your man let you out of the kitchen long enough to write this article. You don't know much about sports, so you should stick to cleaning the house."
"Of course what do women know about hockey anyway. Go back to the kitchen and make me something to eat."
Ahh, the anonymity of the internet lets people show their true colours with no fear or retribution.
Helene Elliot has always been a classy, intelligent, award-winning writer who has shown NO inkling of being a 'puck bunny'. Why she has to put up with crap like this is beyond me. Does being female preclude one from having an intelligent perspective on the game of hockey? Of course not!
I'm going to resist calling Wings fans a bunch of spoiled pigs. We know they are spoiled, but these kind of comments could have come from the fans of any hockey club. It's pretty sad that some male fans feel threatened that a female might actually *gasp* know more about the game of hockey than they do.
Anyway, Helene goes on to point out that Wings' fan anger should be rightfully pointed at owner Mike Ilitch, who priced tickets so outrageously that the average commoner could not afford to attend. The Wings have also been notoriously media-unfriendly and fan-unfriendly, for what it's worth.
(hat tip to Wayne for the story pointer)
Labels: ducks, Females in hockey, musings, Red Wings, Selanne, stanley cup
Monday, May 28, 2007
Ducks vs. Senators Series Preview Post Thingy
by Jes
Just because every blogger is obligated to have their series preview in by 5PM EST, I might as well post mine before I get smacked with a farmed salmon.
I went 2-for-2 in Round 3, giving me a 12-for-14 record overall (86%). Greg is at like 21% or something.
Of all the bloggers and writers, I am the bestest!
Here's the shakedown, kiddo.
Goaltending
Ray Emery: 15GP 12-3 1.95GAA 91.9SV%
J-S Giguere: 13GP 9-3 1.87GAA 93.1SV%
Sugar Ray Emery (oooh, what an original nickname) was rather ordinary in the first two series, but was just fine in the semi-finals. His SV% is actually in the lower half of playoff goalies, for what is it worth. The Sens play great defense in front of him, and he is their biggest weakness.
Obviously, Giguere is the better of the two and has the experience Emery does not. At least Emery is no Patrick Lalime, and Sens fans aren't nervous about his potential performance.
Edge: ANAHEIM
Defence
Anaheim: 10 goals, 23 assists, +14
Ottawa: 8 goals, 24 assists, +22
I'll take the Big 3 + the unsung Sean O'Donnell over the Senators group any day of the week (even Wednesdays).
The Sens, to their credit, are playing way more than the sum of their individual parts. Wade Redden is a fairly nice chip (even though he looks like a big puss), and "The Butcher "Meszaros is a fine young cannibal, but the Sens should almost be not playing as well as they are, given how ordinary their D looks on paper.
I just feel that the Ducks physical forwards will have their way with the likes of Schubert, Corvo, and Preissing.
Edge: ANAHEIM
Forwards
The Sens are known as a 1-line team, but that one line kicks some serious ass and the players are #1, #2, and #4 in playoff scoring. The Ducks' top forward scorer is Ryan Getzlaf with 13 points in 16 games.
Guys like Andy MacDonald, Dustin Penner, and Chris Kunitz have been rather disappointing. The Sens can throw out Mike "The Brick" Comrie, Mean Dean McAmmond, Chris "The Real Deal" Neil, Peter Schaeffer and Antoine Vermette if they want some secondary scoring.
Sens depth > Ducks Depth
EDGE: OTTAWA
Special Teams
Anaheim: PP = 15.3% (7th), PK = 87.5% (6th)
Ottawa: PP = 20.0% (2nd), PK = 88.6% (4th)
Anaheim also averages a league-high 6 shorthanded opportunities against per game, while the Sens are more disciplined at 5.27.
Edge: OTTAWA
Slovaks
Anaheim = None. Bastards!
Ottawa = Andrej Meszaros.
Edge: OTTAWA
Greg picked ... Ottawa
Edge: ANAHEIM
Overall prediction: Anaheim Ducks in 7.
Just because every blogger is obligated to have their series preview in by 5PM EST, I might as well post mine before I get smacked with a farmed salmon.
I went 2-for-2 in Round 3, giving me a 12-for-14 record overall (86%). Greg is at like 21% or something.
Of all the bloggers and writers, I am the bestest!
Here's the shakedown, kiddo.
Goaltending
Ray Emery: 15GP 12-3 1.95GAA 91.9SV%
J-S Giguere: 13GP 9-3 1.87GAA 93.1SV%
Sugar Ray Emery (oooh, what an original nickname) was rather ordinary in the first two series, but was just fine in the semi-finals. His SV% is actually in the lower half of playoff goalies, for what is it worth. The Sens play great defense in front of him, and he is their biggest weakness.
Obviously, Giguere is the better of the two and has the experience Emery does not. At least Emery is no Patrick Lalime, and Sens fans aren't nervous about his potential performance.
Edge: ANAHEIM
Defence
Anaheim: 10 goals, 23 assists, +14
Ottawa: 8 goals, 24 assists, +22
I'll take the Big 3 + the unsung Sean O'Donnell over the Senators group any day of the week (even Wednesdays).
The Sens, to their credit, are playing way more than the sum of their individual parts. Wade Redden is a fairly nice chip (even though he looks like a big puss), and "The Butcher "Meszaros is a fine young cannibal, but the Sens should almost be not playing as well as they are, given how ordinary their D looks on paper.
I just feel that the Ducks physical forwards will have their way with the likes of Schubert, Corvo, and Preissing.
Edge: ANAHEIM
Forwards
The Sens are known as a 1-line team, but that one line kicks some serious ass and the players are #1, #2, and #4 in playoff scoring. The Ducks' top forward scorer is Ryan Getzlaf with 13 points in 16 games.
Guys like Andy MacDonald, Dustin Penner, and Chris Kunitz have been rather disappointing. The Sens can throw out Mike "The Brick" Comrie, Mean Dean McAmmond, Chris "The Real Deal" Neil, Peter Schaeffer and Antoine Vermette if they want some secondary scoring.
Sens depth > Ducks Depth
EDGE: OTTAWA
Special Teams
Anaheim: PP = 15.3% (7th), PK = 87.5% (6th)
Ottawa: PP = 20.0% (2nd), PK = 88.6% (4th)
Anaheim also averages a league-high 6 shorthanded opportunities against per game, while the Sens are more disciplined at 5.27.
Edge: OTTAWA
Slovaks
Anaheim = None. Bastards!
Ottawa = Andrej Meszaros.
Edge: OTTAWA
Greg picked ... Ottawa
Edge: ANAHEIM
Overall prediction: Anaheim Ducks in 7.
Labels: ducks, predictions, senators, stanley cup
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
More Playoff Ramblings
by Jes
So, the Stanley Cup Finals are set, and we'll have another Canadian team (Ottawa) face off against a non-traditional market (Anaheim) in another year where the Canucks and Leafs win squat.
Our favourite blogger from Alabama, Wayne, emailed me some of his playoff musings, to which I'll respond ...
Daniel Alfredsson has clearly gone from the Muppet to the clear-cut look, and it's working for him. He's all business, and his play speaks volumes about his commitment. Playoff facial hair is definitely more of a North American trend, methinks.
The handshake is a tradition, and nothing more. There is no rule that says you need to shake hands at all, and a team could easily just walk back to the locker room to cry their heads off without acknowledging the other team. Why Chelios decided to shake just one hand is beyond me, but perhaps he agrees with Andrew Dice Clay that shaking hands is the most disgusting habit known to man.
Do you know where those hands have been, other than in sweaty hockey gloves and playing around with blood-stained jocks? Cheli may just be looking out for his own personal hygiene for all we know.
Honestly, I wish the NHL would tell NBC to go screw themselves instead of bending over backwards to accommodate a network that doesn't really care about the game.
Why are we waiting 5-6 days for the Cup Finals to start? The series should start by Saturday at the latest, and this just kills any momentum and hype the series would/can generate.
Up here? Leafs fans are staying away en masse and the ratings can be expected to be less than awesome. In the USA? Yeah, Anaheim is not a popular market, and the Ducks don't play a style that is exciting to casual fans. (Neither does Ottawa these days)
The NHL should have simply told NBC that the Finals would begin on Saturday. If the NBC wanted to broadcast quilt making, then the NHL could move the game to Versus, or simply play on without NBC broadcasting nationally. It's time for the NHL to put up a little bit of a fight for once.
As for my prediction, it'll come a bit later. Suffice it to say, now that Greg picked the Sens to win (see the post below), you can pretty much guarantee that they wont.
---
Over at The NHL Fanhouse, Greg Wyshynski tooks a look at Paris Hilton's hockey career, I take a look at how the Oilers benefited from the Ducks making the Finals, and Eric sees what scares the NHLers worse than a puckbunny with herpes.
PS: You want to talk about the impossible dream? Try finding a Nintendo Wii here in Canada. If I see anyone walking out of a Future Shop with one of these, they can expect a good mugging. (Or maybe I'll just beat up Ingmar and steal his)
So, the Stanley Cup Finals are set, and we'll have another Canadian team (Ottawa) face off against a non-traditional market (Anaheim) in another year where the Canucks and Leafs win squat.
Our favourite blogger from Alabama, Wayne, emailed me some of his playoff musings, to which I'll respond ...
Well, some of us (including myself) don't grow facial hair very well or very fast. It looks rather childish to go around with peach fuzz, rather than just keep a clean shaven look.
Speaking of playoff beards, where's Daniel Alfredsson's? Is it me, or did he miss the memo on how to grow a beard? He looks like a high-school English teacher...
Daniel Alfredsson has clearly gone from the Muppet to the clear-cut look, and it's working for him. He's all business, and his play speaks volumes about his commitment. Playoff facial hair is definitely more of a North American trend, methinks.
During the post-game presser last night, a reporter noticed that Chris Chelios only shook the hand of the Anaheim coach, but did not go through the line like everyone else...Would there be a fine for not waiting in the post-game line like everyone else?
The handshake is a tradition, and nothing more. There is no rule that says you need to shake hands at all, and a team could easily just walk back to the locker room to cry their heads off without acknowledging the other team. Why Chelios decided to shake just one hand is beyond me, but perhaps he agrees with Andrew Dice Clay that shaking hands is the most disgusting habit known to man.
Do you know where those hands have been, other than in sweaty hockey gloves and playing around with blood-stained jocks? Cheli may just be looking out for his own personal hygiene for all we know.
Dick Ebersol (head honcho at NBC Sports) has got to be wanting to jump off a ledge at 30 Rock right now for the Ottawa/'heim matchup...Not only do most U.S. people not know where (or what country) Ottawa is in, I don't think the majority of the L.A. market will tune in, either. (Remember the '02 World Series involving the Angels? Not many people watched, either...) I'm afraid this will get late-season XFL ratings...I'm hoping Ebersol does decide to jump. He's just another rich executive the world could live without.
Honestly, I wish the NHL would tell NBC to go screw themselves instead of bending over backwards to accommodate a network that doesn't really care about the game.
Why are we waiting 5-6 days for the Cup Finals to start? The series should start by Saturday at the latest, and this just kills any momentum and hype the series would/can generate.
Up here? Leafs fans are staying away en masse and the ratings can be expected to be less than awesome. In the USA? Yeah, Anaheim is not a popular market, and the Ducks don't play a style that is exciting to casual fans. (Neither does Ottawa these days)
The NHL should have simply told NBC that the Finals would begin on Saturday. If the NBC wanted to broadcast quilt making, then the NHL could move the game to Versus, or simply play on without NBC broadcasting nationally. It's time for the NHL to put up a little bit of a fight for once.
As for my prediction, it'll come a bit later. Suffice it to say, now that Greg picked the Sens to win (see the post below), you can pretty much guarantee that they wont.
---
Over at The NHL Fanhouse, Greg Wyshynski tooks a look at Paris Hilton's hockey career, I take a look at how the Oilers benefited from the Ducks making the Finals, and Eric sees what scares the NHLers worse than a puckbunny with herpes.
PS: You want to talk about the impossible dream? Try finding a Nintendo Wii here in Canada. If I see anyone walking out of a Future Shop with one of these, they can expect a good mugging. (Or maybe I'll just beat up Ingmar and steal his)
Labels: Daniel Alfredsson, playoffs, ramblings, stanley cup, third round
And Then There Were Two
By Greg
There was (for someone rooting for the Ducks) a sick sense of historical inevitability around the third period of last night's game -- when Datsyuk made it 4-2, I figured Anaheim was going to lose, and when he made it 4-3, I just shrugged as if he'd wrapped it up. A strange reaction in a game where his team was still actually losing, but it was a strange series, from the parts I saw -- it never seemed like the teams that should be winning were actually ahead.
So when time finally ran out on the Wings' comeback, I was a bit befuddled -- really, weren't they going to win? I just gave a weak "hooray" and went back to drinking beer and eating quesadillas, unsettled and confused.
Now it's Anaheim versus Ottawa, a series that really has something for everyone -- Canadian vs non-traditional markets, a team that's looked pretty unstoppable despite my nay-saying (Ottawa) vs a theoretical powerhouse that blundered its way through the conference finals (Anaheim), a European captain (Alfredsson), a superstar who's now despised by pretty much everyone except for Duck fans and me (Pronger), and the opportunity for more Emilio Estevez jokes.
Who's gonna win? After relentlessly picking against them through the first three rounds of the playoffs, everything now says Ottawa. Their ruthless dispatch of the Devils and Sabres has made a believer out of me. Much as I'd like to see Pronger and Selanne carrying the Cup, I'm for Ottawa, and I think they're gonna take it.
Of course, I've been wrong about everything else up to this point, and I just checked back to confirm that I did indeed think Nashville was going to win it all this year. So put your rubles down on Anaheim, is what I'm sayin'.
There was (for someone rooting for the Ducks) a sick sense of historical inevitability around the third period of last night's game -- when Datsyuk made it 4-2, I figured Anaheim was going to lose, and when he made it 4-3, I just shrugged as if he'd wrapped it up. A strange reaction in a game where his team was still actually losing, but it was a strange series, from the parts I saw -- it never seemed like the teams that should be winning were actually ahead.
So when time finally ran out on the Wings' comeback, I was a bit befuddled -- really, weren't they going to win? I just gave a weak "hooray" and went back to drinking beer and eating quesadillas, unsettled and confused.
Now it's Anaheim versus Ottawa, a series that really has something for everyone -- Canadian vs non-traditional markets, a team that's looked pretty unstoppable despite my nay-saying (Ottawa) vs a theoretical powerhouse that blundered its way through the conference finals (Anaheim), a European captain (Alfredsson), a superstar who's now despised by pretty much everyone except for Duck fans and me (Pronger), and the opportunity for more Emilio Estevez jokes.
Who's gonna win? After relentlessly picking against them through the first three rounds of the playoffs, everything now says Ottawa. Their ruthless dispatch of the Devils and Sabres has made a believer out of me. Much as I'd like to see Pronger and Selanne carrying the Cup, I'm for Ottawa, and I think they're gonna take it.
Of course, I've been wrong about everything else up to this point, and I just checked back to confirm that I did indeed think Nashville was going to win it all this year. So put your rubles down on Anaheim, is what I'm sayin'.
Labels: ill-advised predictions, stanley cup
Friday, April 06, 2007
Trouble in Paradise
By Greg
As a hockey fan, theoretically, I'm excited about the Friday and Saturday setup in the Southeast Division -- the Thrashers and Lightning separated by one point for the division championship, both playing division foes Friday night, then meeting up themselves Saturday for a game that will almost certainly decide who takes third. (If I've done the math right, the only way it can be decided tonight is if the Thrashers beat Carolina and the Lightning lose in regulation to the Panthers.)
As a Thrashers fan, I'm considerably less so. The Lightning are on a mini-roll, having won three straight, and have a bit more experience in this sort of thing. The Thrashers are doing their familiar win-one lose-one, waddling into the playoffs, marveling at the novelty of it all -- and have a sulky superstar who doesn't like his coach. (Registration possibly required -- bugmenot.com passwords here.)
Hurrah! Just the recipe for success, just what you want to be seeing. Kovalchuk's petulant display at the end of the loss to the Capitals (and good job a) blowing a lead, and b) blowing a 6-on-3 power play at the end, guys) was noticeable, and his comments afterwards haven't been really encouraging. Sure, conflict can nurture greatness, as in the case of the 1970s Oakland A's .... and, uh, I can't think of any other examples. I'd like to think that this will all end with the anger motivating Kovalchuk to amazing, lights out displays in the coming weeks, but he's never been noted for his maturity.
But, hey, anyway. It's a great weekend for hockey -- and regardless of the outcome, it looks like the Thrashers-Lightning have a great chance of falling into the 3rd and 6th spots in some manner or another, so we're likely to see a lot of these two teams battling in coming days.
Random note: the Stanley Cup made an appearance in Atlanta the other day, so I got to go up, take a crappy cell phone photo, verify that it does indeed have "Sucks" etched in on every Red Wings appearance, verify that the bowl does indeed say "Do Not Deliver to Vancouver." Last time I saw the Cup up close was in '96, when it made an appearance in Colorado, during the Avs' playoff run. Does this sighting hold similar good tidings for the Thrashers?
Yeah, probably not.
As a hockey fan, theoretically, I'm excited about the Friday and Saturday setup in the Southeast Division -- the Thrashers and Lightning separated by one point for the division championship, both playing division foes Friday night, then meeting up themselves Saturday for a game that will almost certainly decide who takes third. (If I've done the math right, the only way it can be decided tonight is if the Thrashers beat Carolina and the Lightning lose in regulation to the Panthers.)
As a Thrashers fan, I'm considerably less so. The Lightning are on a mini-roll, having won three straight, and have a bit more experience in this sort of thing. The Thrashers are doing their familiar win-one lose-one, waddling into the playoffs, marveling at the novelty of it all -- and have a sulky superstar who doesn't like his coach. (Registration possibly required -- bugmenot.com passwords here.)
Hurrah! Just the recipe for success, just what you want to be seeing. Kovalchuk's petulant display at the end of the loss to the Capitals (and good job a) blowing a lead, and b) blowing a 6-on-3 power play at the end, guys) was noticeable, and his comments afterwards haven't been really encouraging. Sure, conflict can nurture greatness, as in the case of the 1970s Oakland A's .... and, uh, I can't think of any other examples. I'd like to think that this will all end with the anger motivating Kovalchuk to amazing, lights out displays in the coming weeks, but he's never been noted for his maturity.
But, hey, anyway. It's a great weekend for hockey -- and regardless of the outcome, it looks like the Thrashers-Lightning have a great chance of falling into the 3rd and 6th spots in some manner or another, so we're likely to see a lot of these two teams battling in coming days.
Random note: the Stanley Cup made an appearance in Atlanta the other day, so I got to go up, take a crappy cell phone photo, verify that it does indeed have "Sucks" etched in on every Red Wings appearance, verify that the bowl does indeed say "Do Not Deliver to Vancouver." Last time I saw the Cup up close was in '96, when it made an appearance in Colorado, during the Avs' playoff run. Does this sighting hold similar good tidings for the Thrashers?
Yeah, probably not.
Labels: kovalchuk, Lightning, stanley cup, thrashers
