the hockey thread

[peafunk31]

My Bruins are doing well against Philly and were lucky to beat the Habs. As a Montreal hater, I feel no joy in Habs legendary goalie, Ken Dryden, losing his seat in last night's Canadian federal election. Dryden's a key figure in the Liberal Party and is a thoughtful and decent politician.

Holy crap was Tim Thomas a beast last night! He obviously started out a bit slow but sewed it up quite nicely after the 1st 2 goals were scored (this is coming from a Flyers fan & we don't deal out compliments to opponents very often ::)). I thought the Flyers had it won at the very end of the 3rd, but Briere was just a 1/2 second late on that empty netter. It's gonna be interesting trying to climb out of the hole in Boston. We'll see I guess.

The Flyers and their inept goaltending is a 15-year running joke. If they ever had a top-flight netminder, they'd have won a couple more Cups.

I cannot disagree with this :'(

[peafunk31]

My Bruins are doing well against Philly and were lucky to beat the Habs. As a Montreal hater, I feel no joy in Habs legendary goalie, Ken Dryden, losing his seat in last night's Canadian federal election. Dryden's a key figure in the Liberal Party and is a thoughtful and decent politician.

Holy crap was Tim Thomas a beast last night! He obviously started out a bit slow but sewed it up quite nicely after the 1st 2 goals were scored (this is coming from a Flyers fan & we don't deal out compliments to opponents very often ::)). I thought the Flyers had it won at the very end of the 3rd, but Briere was just a 1/2 second late on that empty netter. It's gonna be interesting trying to climb out of the hole in Boston. We'll see I guess.

I know it's too early to say but if Tim Thomas keeps it up he will be MVP of this series and potentially lead the Bruins to Stanley Cup victory. Marchand's playing has been spectacular as well. Can't wait for game 3.

I cannot disagree with this

[bowl of soup]

Guess we'll see if the "good bad team" Tampa makes the final four tonight.

[Jaimoe]

Guess we'll see if the "good bad team" Tampa makes the final four tonight.

I think this season they are a good average team, but with superior playoff experience and coaching. It doesn't really roll of the tongue, but I think its true. And you count count out key goaltending and roll players coming into their own. Impressive team indeed. I'm not shocked by this series. TB wasn't a favourite when they won it all either.   

[bowl of soup]

Within 3 minutes of each other - the Lightning goes up 3 - 0 and the BJ goes yard and gets to taste the puddin'.  Sorry brother.

[Jaimoe]

Within 3 minutes of each other - the Lightning goes up 3 - 0 and the BJ goes yard and gets to taste the puddin'.  Sorry brother.

I'm cheering for the Bolts next to my Bruins. I was appalled at last night's 9th inning rally.

[bowl of soup]

Well, well, well.

[capt. scotty]

Color me astonished that Tampa swept the Caps. On one hand, it pisses me off that much more that we blew a 3-1 lead against them, but on the other hand, there was just no way we could actually win the cup without Crosby AND Malkin. Im still amazed we finished the season as well as we did, and Fleury finally appears to have taken his skills up a notch. If Cooke wasnt suspended the first round, pretty much guarantee we win with a 3-1 lead. Our PP was abhorrent as usual, but our PK was unusually terrible thanks to not having Cooke IMO.

Tampa-Boston appears inevitable. I wouldnt be surprised if whoever wins doesnt put up a close series vs the Nucks or Sharks, but both have very hot goaltending.

[Jaimoe]

I caught most of the Canada-US prelim game today for the IIHF World Hockey championships. Canada beat the US in a shootout. Ty Conklin stood on his head for the outgunned US. (over 50 saves in reg). Both teams go to the next round. I gotta say the US don't have a strong offensive team; eg. Wheeler, Skille, Gaustad, Stepan and the other Stasny are most of the US's top forwards whereas Canada has a strong group of you scorers led by Nash, Skinner, Eberele, Tavaras, Spezza, Zajac, Kane and my boy Chris Stewart.

The Russians are getting Ovechkin, but they didn't want Semin. Can't blame then on the latter.

[capt. scotty]

It'd help us if Kesler wasnt still playing in the playoffs  ;)

[Jaimoe]

Where have all you alleged hockey fans gone? Are you too busy watching "thrilling" interleague play?

Anway, my Bruins are in tough with the Bolts and I was really happy to see the Sharks hold on last night. Damn, I hate those Canucks and their fucking fans. BTW, Vancouver as a city/people traditionally hate everything about Toronto and they aren't enamoured with the rest of Ontario and the East either. Fuck them.

Any thoughts on the Thrashers potential move to the Peg? Too bad it isn't Quebec City (one of the prettiest and cool towns in North America). Winnipeg is a tough sell given the freezing cold winters and the black flies and mosquitos in the spring and summer (although it has a great music and cultural scene - Neil Young was raised there, amongst others). However, the new Canadian owner is one of the world's richest men (worth $19 billion) and the city and province of Manitoba is a hockey hot-bed. The downtown arena is newish, but small: 15,000. Corporate support will be a challenge and the Winnipeg NHL franchise will have to compete for dollars with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers (they are very popular as is the CFL in Western Canada). Still, Canada deserves more teams. I hear that the Jets will not be used as their name and Winnipeg may be dropped in favour of Manitoba. On an aside, the AHL's Manitoba Moose play out of the Winnipeg arena and pack 'em in. Neil Young goes to games and he's also a vocal supporter of the parent club, San Jose Sharks.

[ManNamedTruth]

Where have all you alleged hockey fans gone? Are you too busy watching "thrilling" interleague play?

Anway, my Bruins are in tough with the Bolts and I was really happy to see the Sharks hold on last night. Damn, I hate those Canucks and their fucking fans. BTW, Vancouver as a city/people traditionally hate everything about Toronto and they aren't enamoured with the rest of Ontario and the East either. Fuck them.

Any thoughts on the Thrashers potential move to the Peg? Too bad it isn't Quebec City (one of the prettiest and cool towns in North America). Winnipeg is a tough sell given the freezing cold winters and the black flies and mosquitos in the spring and summer (although it has a great music and cultural scene - Neil Young was raised there, amongst others). However, the new Canadian owner is one of the world's richest men (worth $19 billion) and the city and province of Manitoba is a hockey hot-bed. The downtown arena is newish, but small: 15,000. Corporate support will be a challenge and the Winnipeg NHL franchise will have to compete for dollars with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers (they are very popular as is the CFL in Western Canada). Still, Canada deserves more teams. I hear that the Jets will not be used as their name and Winnipeg may be dropped in favour of Manitoba. On an aside, the AHL's Manitoba Moose play out of the Winnipeg arena and pack 'em in. Neil Young goes to games and he's also a vocal supporter of the parent club, San Jose Sharks.

I lost interest once the pens were out. I'll make sure to catch as many Cup Finals games as I can.

[Jaimoe]

Where have all you alleged hockey fans gone? Are you too busy watching "thrilling" interleague play?

Anway, my Bruins are in tough with the Bolts and I was really happy to see the Sharks hold on last night. Damn, I hate those Canucks and their fucking fans. BTW, Vancouver as a city/people traditionally hate everything about Toronto and they aren't enamoured with the rest of Ontario and the East either. Fuck them.

Any thoughts on the Thrashers potential move to the Peg? Too bad it isn't Quebec City (one of the prettiest and cool towns in North America). Winnipeg is a tough sell given the freezing cold winters and the black flies and mosquitos in the spring and summer (although it has a great music and cultural scene - Neil Young was raised there, amongst others). However, the new Canadian owner is one of the world's richest men (worth $19 billion) and the city and province of Manitoba is a hockey hot-bed. The downtown arena is newish, but small: 15,000. Corporate support will be a challenge and the Winnipeg NHL franchise will have to compete for dollars with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers (they are very popular as is the CFL in Western Canada). Still, Canada deserves more teams. I hear that the Jets will not be used as their name and Winnipeg may be dropped in favour of Manitoba. On an aside, the AHL's Manitoba Moose play out of the Winnipeg arena and pack 'em in. Neil Young goes to games and he's also a vocal supporter of the parent club, San Jose Sharks.

I lost interest once the pens were out. I'll make sure to catch as many Cup Finals games as I can.

Both Conference finals have been really entertaining so far.

[capt. scotty]

Where have all you alleged hockey fans gone? Are you too busy watching "thrilling" interleague play?

Been watching the NBA playoffs much more this year than the NHL, which isnt usually the case. Maybe its just me, but Ive felt like many of the NBA's series have been more interesting. The only good conference semifinals series was DET-SJ

Id say the NHL got lucky as it started to look like VAN and BOS would runaway with each series, but now the East is tied and the Sharks have a chance. Id still expect VAN to win, but the BOS-TB series got a lot more interesting. Seguin has been the man.

[bowl of soup]

Whatcha think Jaimoe, best conference final ever???  And why is Vancouver so at odds with the rest of Canada?  I never got this.  Vancouver is in in my top 5 favorite places ever - we'll take 'em if you don't want 'em.

[Jaimoe]

Whatcha think Jaimoe, best conference final ever???  And why is Vancouver so at odds with the rest of Canada?  I never got this.  Vancouver is in in my top 5 favorite places ever - we'll take 'em if you don't want 'em.

The Bruins-Bolts series hasn't been that thrilling. Boston has been lucky to make it this far.

Question 2: Best to ask someone from Vancouver what they think of Toronto or Ontario. They are quite fond of themselves and have resented Toronto for 100 years.

Here's something that bothers me: Casual and/or seasonal playoff fans in Canada have hopped on the "cheer for any Canadian team in the playoffs" bandwagon. Real hockey fans should remain loyal to their team and traditional rivalries no matter what. Can you imagine a Flames fan cheering for Edmonton in the Cup final? Or better yet, folks in Montreal pulling for the Leafs? No fucking way!! 

[capt. scotty]

Im sure youre pulling for Boston because youre a fan but also because theyre original 6, but Im also pulling for them because I think Thomas stands a much better chance against Vancouver than Roloson (yes, I realize Rolo has won a cup, I dont care).

[Jaimoe]

Im sure youre pulling for Boston because youre a fan but also because theyre original 6, but Im also pulling for them because I think Thomas stands a much better chance against Vancouver than Roloson (yes, I realize Rolo has won a cup, I dont care).

Boston has had a solid following since the '50s and '60s with folks in my hometown of Kingston, ON. The Adams Division games dominated HNIC in Kingston growing up; Toronto sucked ass all through the '70s until the late '80s. At least in some historical books, Kingston is credited with hosting the first-ever hockey game. Since Kingston is located between Montreal and Toronto, we hold no strict loyalty, although the Ottawa Senators seem to have taken over fan support since their inception (there are tons of Montreal fans too). The OHL's Kingston Frontenacs were loosly affiliated with the Bruins back in the '40s and '50s and many Kingston area players played for the Bruins. My late father's best friend is Don Cherry's only brother, Richard (a former Flyer defenseman too); all are proud Kingston boys. Former Bruins' captain, Wayne Cashman and defenseman Rick Smith are from my hometown. Heck, Harry Sinden has been in my house and Don Cherry gave me a game-played Bobby Orr hockey stick when I was a kid (along with lots of other memorablia). My favourite all-time player is Stan Jonathan followed closely by Terry O'Reilly and Rick Middleton. Cam Neely is next.

I respect the Original 6 teams, but will always hate the Habs and Rangers.

[bowl of soup]

Wow, I think it's been thrilling, but what do I know?  I'm just a little American.

[Jaimoe]

Wow, I think it's been thrilling, but what do I know?  I'm just a little American.

I really like the way the Bolts play (Vinny and Martin are two of my favourite players and who doesn't love Stamkos?). I'm more frustrated with Boston's style (defensive), plus my man Lucic is probably playing hurt, hence his below-average and uninspiring play. I love that you support your team and keep on watching NHL.