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JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
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Vernon, B.C.
excellent article, thanks jlm, I enjoyed it, and it is so true, I could just picture him today getting
those players ready, riding the fine line between keeping them 'up' and keeping them 'calm', if anyone
can do it, he can.

Big difference eh between him and say, Mike Keenan? :lol:
 

wulfie68

Council Member
Mar 29, 2009
2,014
24
38
Calgary, AB
And in other hockey news, Vladimir Krutov has died at age 52.

Krutov, the K in Soviet hockey team's KLM Line, dies at 52

I grew up in an age where the Russians were our enemies. I'm not so sure they are our friends now, but until Gorbachev, perestroika and the fall of communism, their society was the antithesis of ours. At the same time, you had to admire the talent that was on the ice whenever Krutov, Makarov, Larionov, Fetisov, Kamensky and co. was playing. Krutov never really adjusted to the NHL the way his line-mates Makarov and Larionov did, but there was no denying the talent he was in the days when Red Army would play against our Olympic teams or go on tour through select NHL cities.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
And in other hockey news, Vladimir Krutov has died at age 52.

Krutov, the K in Soviet hockey team's KLM Line, dies at 52

I grew up in an age where the Russians were our enemies. I'm not so sure they are our friends now, but until Gorbachev, perestroika and the fall of communism, their society was the antithesis of ours. At the same time, you had to admire the talent that was on the ice whenever Krutov, Makarov, Larionov, Fetisov, Kamensky and co. was playing. Krutov never really adjusted to the NHL the way his line-mates Makarov and Larionov did, but there was no denying the talent he was in the days when Red Army would play against our Olympic teams or go on tour through select NHL cities.

There's one more Russian I hear of a lot on the ice all the time................................Faceoff!
 

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
21,155
149
63
More often than not the team with their backs against the wall put up quite a fight in the first elimination game. The team on brink of the championship gets caught up a little in the moment - like a golfer playing the back nine with a lead at a major. Although here I think the Kings are just too much of everything for NJ to handle. Might be the night the Devils toss in the towel and call it a year.

And in other hockey news, Vladimir Krutov has died at age 52.

Krutov, the K in Soviet hockey team's KLM Line, dies at 52

I grew up in an age where the Russians were our enemies. I'm not so sure they are our friends now, but until Gorbachev, perestroika and the fall of communism, their society was the antithesis of ours. At the same time, you had to admire the talent that was on the ice whenever Krutov, Makarov, Larionov, Fetisov, Kamensky and co. was playing. Krutov never really adjusted to the NHL the way his line-mates Makarov and Larionov did, but there was no denying the talent he was in the days when Red Army would play against our Olympic teams or go on tour through select NHL cities.

If he had got in shape who knows how good he would have been. Too much vodka and hotdogs.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
Big difference eh between him and say, Mike Keenan? :lol:

very big difference.

More often than not the team with their backs against the wall put up quite a fight in the first elimination game. The team on brink of the championship gets caught up a little in the moment - like a golfer playing the back nine with a lead at a major. Although here I think the Kings are just too much of everything for NJ to handle. Might be the night the Devils toss in the towel and call it a year.



.

l.a. will do it tonight, as long as they don't change anything about themselves, and play their own
game.

they can break records with a convincing win tonight, and keep jersey with one or two only.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
Oooh oooh - a lot of unhappy people tonight!

oh well, on we go.

The hockey is so well defended for both teams it gets kind of frustrating watching because
the game never does get any flow, and it is just each team waiting for the mistake to
capitalize on.

Not many nice passing plays up the ice by anyone, it is a garganchuen struggle all game long.

The first slight gliche by quick, and in the winning goal went.

good for new jersey, they are still alive, and go back home now.

GO L.A. GO
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
According to a local TV news report, the Stanley Cup ranks # 67 in total USA tv audience.

i'm sure you are right, and so be it, but here in canada, we don't care, because it ranks first here,
and basketball, football and baseball and others follow along behind, hockey 'is' us.
 

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
38,956
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how sweep it is




I guess we have a series now.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
well, not over yet.

first two games could have belonged to either team, l.a. won them

third game was all l.a.

fourth and fifth games were same as first and second, but jersey won them.

i'm still finding the games frustrating, just a struggle, the checking is so close
no one has any time to do anything, goaltending still good.

a titanic struggle, but no flow, not smooth, no players can really stand out above the rest.

haven't got a clue any more, but seems l.a. won't lose four in a row.
 

Just the Facts

House Member
Oct 15, 2004
4,162
43
48
SW Ontario
Yeah this series is so much closer than it at first seemed. From a potential sweep, to being one bounce away from having been 3-2 Jersey instead of L.A. Great series, and great for Brodeur. Also as a resident of Kitchener Rangers territory it's nice to see Deboer doing so well.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
Yeah this series is so much closer than it at first seemed. From a potential sweep, to being one bounce away from having been 3-2 Jersey instead of L.A. Great series, and great for Brodeur. Also as a resident of Kitchener Rangers territory it's nice to see Deboer doing so well.

seems he is a very good coach, a nice person, calm and intelligent and tough when he needs to be,
eg. with torterella, other than that instance, he seems more like an accountant, but still water runs
deep.
 

Mowich

Hall of Fame Member
Dec 25, 2005
16,649
998
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76
Eagle Creek
Well, well, well...............seems like we have ourselves a series going here! Rock on Joisy!

So happy so see the team has its heartbeat back - great goal by Zack, though he has been a steady player for the team his lack of goals had to wear on him - he looked very relieved during the interview with Scott Oaks.

And Martie continues to surprise us with his defensive puck plays - that pass in front of the LA player was nasty :smile:

The addition of Henrik Tallinder has helped beef the team up defensively too.

I think Peter DeBoer is doing a grand job of coaching this series and I share your thoughts about him, talloola.

It was great to see the mighty Quick get rattled in that last game - shows the Devils are doing something right - now if they can just keep that up - they have a chance.

I am going way out on a limb and predict that if Ilya Kovalchuk can get his act together and not only play a decent game of hockey instead of pissing around on the ice like he has been doing and if he is finally able to score a goal next game, NJ will win! Being able to finally score in the 1rst P was a big step for the Devils. And, I forgot how they have a penchant for letting a series get out of hand before they show up for the game - so I should not have been so quick to fall off the wagon.

Kept wondering where the hell Kopitar went to last game???

GO JERSEY GO! :smile: