the hockey thread

[capt. scotty]

Pens just released 1500 more tix for the game tomorrow night...Sadly, they seemed harder to get than Lady Gaga dressing room passes  >:(

Im usually confident about this team, but Im nervous for tomorrow. Yesterday was the first time in awhile I couldnt really blame Fleury for any of the goals. He shouldve stopped the first one, but it never would have happened if it wasnt for a turnover at the blue line by Letang. Terrible D on the 2nd goal, when will they decide to shadow Cammalleri like Crosby has been the whole series? Fleury was screened by 3 Pens on Spacek's shot, none of whom could block the shot apparently. As for Lapierre's goal, Leopold gets lazy and turns it over, then Gogo gets undressed by Lapierre. Some of the worst D Ive ever seen on that play. Defense really needs to step up.

[capt. scotty]

[size=48][highlight]GO PENS!!![/highlight][/size]


The Civic Arena must host more games!!!

[YouAre_GivenToFly]

[capt. scotty]

wow, what a choke job...Fleury was bad, but for the 2nd straight game, the defense was even worse. See ya Gonch, dont let the door hit you on the way out. I dont think any team left in the east can handle SJ or CHI, but I hope the Habs get to the finals and have the chance.

and I hope Hossa once again loses

[Jaimoe]

Team USA is playing in the relegation round at the IIHF World Championships. They lost to both Germany and Denmark. They also lost to Finland, so if the US loses in the relegation round, they'll be demoted to the B pool with the likes of Japan, Norway and France. Canada lost to the Swiss yesterday and lost both Ryan Smyth and Steve Stamkos to injuries. This yearly tournament is crazy.

http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=529043

[.Walt]

I'm glad Philly won. Now that it's over, I'm glad the Pens lost. I wanted Caps vs Pens or nothing. I love how the talking heads are already dogging the playoffs for no star power. Really I think there's plenty left. Time for Patrick Kane to become the face of USA hockey! Let's go Hawks!

City of Champions

[capt. scotty]

I'm glad Philly won. Now that it's over, I'm glad the Pens lost. I wanted Caps vs Pens or nothing. I love how the talking heads are already dogging the playoffs for no star power. Really I think there's plenty left. Time for Patrick Kane to become the face of USA hockey! Let's go Hawks!

City of Champions

City of Champions ended in february man, get with the program!!

All theyve been talking about on the radio here is how we should trade Malkin, blah blah blah...Bunch of horseshit. I think its ironic they were saying the same thing during the 07-08 season before the deadline (the year after we lost to Sens in ECF) and 1 of the deals that was basically on the table was with the Kings for Cammalleri and their #1 (which ended up being Doughty), and I just remember a bunch of people calling in and saying Cammawho? No way, Malkin is worth a lot more than that!...Pretty funny, of course 90% of people around here know nothing about hockey/players in the NHL outside of Pittsburgh.

Unless this was CHI/DET and PIT/WAS I think ESPN would be railing the NHL saying ratings will suck because of the teams left. Thats just how they treat the NHL. I think both matchups are great. As for ratings: You got the 2 teams with the most firepower in the west still playing, and 2 surprise teams with tradition playing hot in the east. Possible Original 6 matchup for the SCF. Hottest goalie still playing. A Canadian team still playing. Outside of PIT and WAS, I think CHI is next in line being associated with the most young stars and could elevate themselves to that level with a SCF win. Cant wait for tomorrow!

I think the west is a toss up (I think vegas has the odds dead even now actually). I'd probably pick Sharks to win as of now, but Id rather see CHI win. I cant see Philly getting past Halak & the Habs, but maybe Halak comes back to earth. And of course, I want Philly to lose... I'll go

San Jose in 7
Montreal in 6

[.Walt]

Nicky Backstrom just got inked! The Pens will be fucked with for years to come.  8-)

[capt. scotty]

Nicky Backstrom just got inked! The Pens will be fucked with for years to come.  8-)

I knew theyd re-sign him, but I cant believe he only signed for and average of $6.7mill per yr, and its only $6 over the first half of the contract  :o .....fuck

I actually thought Semin was a RFA this year too but it looks like he's next year

[capt. scotty]

Sharks/Hawks was great yesterday...I think Niemi stole one. Neither of CHI's goals were all that great, but Nabokov has to stop that one from Sharp. Id blame the D for Buff's goal (and Im starting to agree with all the commentators; why wasnt Big Buff in Vancouver for USA!!?!)

What a beatdown Philly gave the Habs...Over the 2nd half of the BOS series thru this game, Philly's 2nd and 3rd lines have been playing great, and Gagne and Briere have been on fire

[Jaimoe]

One of the true US dream finals that few in your fair country will watch. I think Philly has a good chance of winning, even though the Hawks rolled over some of the best teams. Briere is playing great (I've been a fan of his since his junior days), Carter is looking good, Richards is dynamic and mean and Pronger will be the Conn Smyth winner if the Flyers manage to win it. However, the Hawks are a fantastic team loaded with depth and look to be the next dynasty. Toews is the MAN on that team. I love his nickname too (which is probably one of the reasons why he was picked as captain): Captain Serious.

I love this final because a combined 40 Canadians are on the rosters - and the Hawks have a few of the best young American-born players too.

[Taterbug]

One of the true US dream finals that few in your fair country will watch. I think Philly has a good chance of winning, even though the Hawks rolled over some of the best teams. Briere is playing great (I've been a fan of his since his junior days), Carter is looking good, Richards is dynamic and mean and Pronger will be the Conn Smyth winner if the Flyers manage to win it. However, the Hawks are a fantastic team loaded with depth and look to be the next dynasty. Toews is the MAN on that team. I love his nickname too (which is probably one of the reasons why he was picked as captain): Captain Serious.

I love this final because a combined 40 Canadians are on the rosters - and the Hawks have a few of the best young American-born players too.

Don't forget about the other talent on the ice, THE RINK GIRLS are smokin.  I hope I get really tired of hearing THAT song from Chelsea Dagger that they play after every goal.  It's already REALLY annoying.

I'm not into making predictions. I have seen Niemi look very bad this season. If he can keep playing at the current level I think the got a great chance.



[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igRrj8LlJeU[/media]

[Jaimoe]

Does every NHL rink in the US play Stoppin' Tom Connors classic folk song: "The Hockey Song"? Just curious and I think the song should be mandatory.

Here's Tom performing it live from the NHL Award ceremony from many years ago (Tom is a Canadian icon) - his song starts around the 2:00 mark:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TSkpI9wdk0

[Taterbug]

I can't recall ever hearing it at a Blackhwaks game. Not to say that they have NEVER played it before. Not to sure what the other teams do.

[Jaimoe]

I can't recall ever hearing it at a Blackhwaks game. Not to say that they have NEVER played it before. Not to sure what the other teams do.

I've heard it through my TV at Bruins and Wings games.  

[capt. scotty]

One of the true US dream finals that few in your fair country will watch. I think Philly has a good chance of winning, even though the Hawks rolled over some of the best teams. Briere is playing great (I've been a fan of his since his junior days), Carter is looking good, Richards is dynamic and mean and Pronger will be the Conn Smyth winner if the Flyers manage to win it. However, the Hawks are a fantastic team loaded with depth and look to be the next dynasty. Toews is the MAN on that team. I love his nickname too (which is probably one of the reasons why he was picked as captain): Captain Serious.

Havent even won the cup yet and theyre already the next dynasty?!

I get what youre saying, but if they dont win this year thats going to be a major disappointment. Especially because theyre going to have major cap issues next year with Taves and Kane going from less than $1 mill to $6.5 each, and Duncan Keith going from $1.9mill to $8 mill next year. Niemi, Hjalmersson, Ladd, Burish, Madden, Eager are all FA's. Even losing those 6 contracts they'd still be over the cap (and they surely will sign Niemi).

This really is the year for them to win it all, because if they dont, who knows what the team will look like next year outside of Taves, Kane, Buff, Sharp, Bolland, Keith, Seabrook and a few others

Obviously I hate Philly so I want the Hawks to win, but I also would like to see the Hawks win in hopes of a little Hawks-Pens rivalry developing down the road

[.Walt]

Does every NHL rink in the US play Stoppin' Tom Connors classic folk song: "The Hockey Song"? Just curious and I think the song should be mandatory.

Here's Tom performing it live from the NHL Award ceremony from many years ago (Tom is a Canadian icon) - his song starts around the 2:00 mark:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TSkpI9wdk0

Tater, I love the song the Hawks play after a goal. The one the Wild use...now that's shitty.

Jaimoe can't say I've heard the song before. Minnesota has it's own song about hockey. It's corny, but it really does a good job to showing how hockey is apart of Minnesota's culture.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvxQa9Z7z6g&feature=related[/media]

[Taterbug]

Does every NHL rink in the US play Stoppin' Tom Connors classic folk song: "The Hockey Song"? Just curious and I think the song should be mandatory.

Here's Tom performing it live from the NHL Award ceremony from many years ago (Tom is a Canadian icon) - his song starts around the 2:00 mark:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TSkpI9wdk0

Tater, I love the song the Hawks play after a goal. The one the Wild use...now that's shitty.

Jaimoe can't say I've heard the song before. Minnesota has it's own song about hockey. It's corny, but it really does a good job to showing how hockey is apart of Minnesota's culture.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvxQa9Z7z6g&feature=related[/media]

I agree,  I like ours better.   They need to change it to One Big Holiday or something a little more ROCKIN, a little more up with the current times to get the crowd pumped up.  GO  HAWKS

[.Walt]

They play the other song before the games, it kinda sets the mood, but this is the Wild's goal song...
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irjvv3R7yao[/media]

[Taterbug]

Thats more like it.  Now I like that better than our goal song.