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[talloola]

Nice win by the Red Wings last night giving them a 2 - 1 lead in the series over the Hawks. Rock on Red Wings.

I remember watching a post-game interview with Mike Babcock after the first game of the series when the media were all over him after a loss to the Hawks. Calm, cool and collected he told them to settle down, everything would be okay then he made an up and down motion with his hand imitating a roller coaster - a shot at the media and well aimed it was.

I saw that interview too, just proves why 'he' is coaching and 'they' are asking questions, and usually
dumb questions.
I think he is a great coach.
I remember when he was coaching anaheim, when brian burke was hired as g.m. for that team, after leaving
vancouver. He offered babcock a low-ball figure for a new contract, obviously knowing he would refuse, which
he did, then burke made a trade with vancouver to get 'randy carlysle', who was coaching canucks farm team,
as he could pay him far less, although randy became good coach, in hindsight, he didn't have enough
vision and thought to hang onto babcock, who then was quickly hired by detroit, and hasn't looked back.

 

[Mowich]

Good goal by Boychuk followed by a timely one by Paille gives Boston a 2 to 1 win and a 3 to zip lead in the series.

The Sharks won their game over the Kings to tie the series.

 

[talloola]

The rule book says it's hooking when contact by stick is made above the upper hand.

Nevertheless, since the rules are so dumb and don't pass the laugh test they can't actually be enforced when games actually count. It would turn playoff games into continuous powerplays.

just following up on our 'officials' chat, if you watched l.a./san jose last night, you saw the latest
and it was a biggy.

blew the whistle and said no goal, on a puck that went slowly thru neimi's legs, without stopping, it was
definitely a goal, made a big difference in the game, and what made it even worse, was the arrogance of
the official immediately after the 'bad' call, ordering the l.a. player away in an angry manner, and
not allowing any questioning of the call 'at all', and no explanation as to why
he called it off, but of course if he did give an explanation it would have been
bogus, just an excuse.
it was embarrassing and mind boggling.

 

[Mowich]

All through the first round against the Islanders when there were times I was sure we wouldn't advance to the Second Round, I kept hoping. Somehow, we made it through....though not always by design. Then came the Senators - the Pesky team - one that just wouldn't go away, gifted at 3rd period come-backs. I hadn't watched much Senator hockey and needed to catch up on the team but it didn't take me long to realize that they could indeed pose a threat to the Penguins. So I prayed. Except for the game in which Sid got his hat-trick, my guys were almost mediocre. Their last game against the Sens frankly sucked. So I prayed........and tonight my expectations came true and my appeals were answered. Though it took the entire first period for them to really show up by midway through the 3rd it was all but over for the Senators.......you could see the writing on the wall when the Penguins continued to be aggressive giving the Senators only one chance with a nice goal by who but Alfie.


This is the team with the stellar record in the regular season. These are Stanley Cup Champions and tonight they finally remembered that. Dan Bylsma has to be commended for some of his line changes because on the whole, they were clicking tonight. The Penguins showed their stuff tonight. Time after time, the goal set-ups were picture perfect as if the coaches markings had jumped off the page - tic, tac, toe and in the puck goes. Their passing ability shone tonight. They played with skill and assurance - you could see it in their strides. They were quick when they had to be, patient when needed and accurate when given the chance. They remembered how to forecheck and backcheck. They played hard along the boards and in the corners. Sid won over 9 of his face-offs and the Pens lead the way in over-all FAs. They seemed to have an answer for almost anything the Sens tried against them. And they got some mojo back on their PP.

James Neal and Jarome Iginal got two goals a piece. Kris Letang had 4 assists. Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby added a goal apiece and Pascal Dupuis got one back for us on a shorthander during a Sens PP.

If there was one thing that soured the game for me it was again - the reffing. There were two calls made on Ottawa that really had me shaking my head while the Pens got away with some nasty business. One penalty on Karlsson mirrored a similar noncall on Matt Cooke but he got away with it while Karlsson sat in the box.

ROCK ON PENGUINS!

 

[wulfie68]

Last night the Pens took care of business. That series is pretty much over but it bothered me to hear Alfredsson admit it: he's not just a professional athlete, he's the captain of the Sens. I really think its time for him to retire if he doesn't believe his team can win, every time they step on the ice. Pro athletes aren't like the rest of us: they have to have the fire to excel and when they admit defeat before the game or series is over, the fire is gone. He's been a great player and I think a great captain for the Sens but its time.

I'm kind of torn about the Bruins/Rangers. I want to see that big mouthed idiot Tortorella lose hard (and as an Isle fan I hate the Rangers for existing) but I don't want to see the Bruins get more rest time than the Pens...

As for the East-West thing, I think the best of the East (Boston and Pitssburgh) are better than the best of the West. I think there are more strong teams in the West (as evidenced by this round) but they a cut under the Eastern giants, except for perhaps Chicago, and Detroit is showing how to beat them.

 

[Mowich]

Last night the Pens took care of business. That series is pretty much over but it bothered me to hear Alfredsson admit it: he's not just a professional athlete, he's the captain of the Sens. I really think its time for him to retire if he doesn't believe his team can win, every time they step on the ice. Pro athletes aren't like the rest of us: they have to have the fire to excel and when they admit defeat before the game or series is over, the fire is gone. He's been a great player and I think a great captain for the Sens but its time.

I'm kind of torn about the Bruins/Rangers. I want to see that big mouthed idiot Tortorella lose hard (and as an Isle fan I hate the Rangers for existing) but I don't want to see the Bruins get more rest time than the Pens...

As for the East-West thing, I think the best of the East (Boston and Pitssburgh) are better than the best of the West. I think there are more strong teams in the West (as evidenced by this round) but they a cut under the Eastern giants, except for perhaps Chicago, and Detroit is showing how to beat them.

As pleased as I was to see my Penguins win last night, my heart was also heavy for Alfie - he's been stalwart in this series. Need a goal.........Alfie's there to get them one........even when it really doesn't matter as in last night's game - he didn't give up. It was sad to see him so down after such a horrendous loss. The Sens are a good but they are up against a team with so many potential goal scorers that the Senators really are up against a wall. Alfie, Karlsson and Spezza can't do all by themselves. Anderson has given them chances in every game but he can't do it alone either. In this series, Anderson is, IMO, by far the better goalie. I would not be at all surprised to hear that Alfie will retire after this. Ottawa owes him so much.

As for the Bruins vs Torty's team. It is Bruins all the way for me. I loathe Torts. I would love to see the Bruins play the Pens for the Cup. What a series that would be. Go Bruins, Go!

 

[Mowich]

Looks as though it will be the home-town crowd who get to see their Bruins seal the series. LOL!

Maybe Torts should have benched Richards awhile ago if this is what they can do without him........heck they even broke their OT jinx......Lundy will be smilin' tonight.

Final score: 4 - 3 Rangers..........it was actually a pretty good OT......lots of action, lots of shots.......something had to go in and NY were the beneficiaries.

 

[JLM]

I see Detroit beat Chicago, it wouldn't hurt my feelings too much if they took the series, Dan'l probably wouldn't mind either!

Looks as though it will be the home-town crowd who get to see their Bruins seal the series. LOL!

Maybe Torts should have benched Richards awhile ago if this is what they can do without him........heck they even broke their OT jinx......Lundy will be smilin' tonight.

Final score: 4 - 3 Rangers..........it was actually a pretty good OT......lots of action, lots of shots.......something had to go in and NY were the beneficiaries.

Wouldn't it just be lovely if both Boston and Chicago were knocked out!!! -

 

[wulfie68]

I see Detroit beat Chicago, it wouldn't hurt my feelings too much if they took the series, Dan'l probably wouldn't mind either!



Wouldn't it just be lovely if both Boston and Chicago were knocked out!!! -

Its not that I have any great love for Boston but I hate to see the Rangers win and especially that jerk Tortorella. I wanted them to fold last round but Ovelchicken wanted to play in the World Championship and not for the Cup. Kind of an interesting symmetry to see 2 original 6 match-ups like this though.

 

[Mowich]

I see Detroit beat Chicago, it wouldn't hurt my feelings too much if they took the series, Dan'l probably wouldn't mind either!



Wouldn't it just be lovely if both Boston and Chicago were knocked out!!! -

The Windy City team for sure............Boston - no way. The Ranger's are going down! LOL!

 

[talloola]

the best overall team in the NHL by far, is in trouble. Babcock has got that team of his playing their
hearts out, with the great leadership from datsyuk and zetterburg, cleery, cronwell and a few others
in the old core of that team. He has the new guys buying in and they look great.

One more win and chicago will be done, BUT I don't think they are going down that easy, we'll see.

Toews lost his composure last night, took 3 straight penalties, and was definitely totally frazzled.
Seabrook had to go to the penalty box, to settle him down, encourage him to get his focus back.

Chicago's stiuation, for me just shows how dangerous it is to cruise through the season, with no
real threats from anyone, no problems, and they looked unbeatable, didn't lose more than two games in
a row all year.

But remembering the strong canuck teams we had here on the coast, and how that same scenario hurt them
as well. eg. first round exit with los angelos last year. Canucks hadn't had any team threaten them
at all during the season, kept winning, stayed atop the league for most of the season, won the presidents'
cup, then went into the playoffs against a team who had scratched and pawed their way into the playoffs,
and were peaked and ready for anybody to challenge them, hence, a stanley cup.

well, detroit is that team this year, had to fight their way into the top 8 right near the end of the
season, and it shows, they know what they have to do, not saying they will automatically win this series,
cause chicago could figure it out, and pull it off, but right now it looks very doubtful.

Los Angelos played a great game last night, san jose was left in the dust much
of the game, and quick was his usuall stellar self.

Here in the west, our conference is having a good playoff, teams look strong and
hockey is very good, looking forward to the conference final, doesn't matter what
teams end up there, it will be top notch hockey.

Hope Ottawa plays better tonight, they probably will lose the series, but they
should go down playing their best, they didn't the other night.

Couldn't care less about rangers/boston, hope they both lose. lol

I wouldn't care about the other series either, but ottawa is the only canadian
team left, so I do have a soft spot for them, and that alfredsson remark was
shrunk into a short 'soundbite', and had they said the whole sentence, it would
not have sounded like it did, BUT that is the media, they do that to create
eyebrow raising. uggggg, I hate the media.

 

[Kreskin]

Chicago looks a lot like Vancouver. Skill wins the season but isn't enough for the playoff rodeo.

 

[talloola]

Chicago looks a lot like Vancouver. Skill wins the season but isn't enough for the playoff rodeo.

but I still believe if they had to battle more during the season, and had to work their way along to make the
playoffs, they would have been able to meet any challenge.

I hate the way canucks cruised along and did not have to meet any big challenges, and I do think if they
had to scratch and claw their way thru the season, they would be more able to meet the playoff season
at a good peak.

I hope in the future, canucks do 'not' go thru the season in first place, even in the division, its not
healthy.

Chicago have lots of grit, but they haven't had to use it, and now its too hard
to flip the switch, but they still aren't finished yet, if they win tomorrow
its anyone's series.

 

[wulfie68]

... and that alfredsson remark was shrunk into a short soundbite', and had they said the whole sentence, it would not have sounded like it did, BUT that is the media, they do that to create eyebrow raising. uggggg, I hate the media.

read and hear it all for yourself

"Probably not," Alfredsson said. "[Pittsburgh's] depth and our play right now … it doesn't look too good.

"When you look at what we did, it wasn't good enough. Does that mean [Pittsburgh] was good? Did we make them good? Who really cares? From our point of view, we didn't manage the puck [well], we didn't execute our passes, and subsequently, we got punished in the neutral zone. We turned way too many pucks over and gave them some freebies. It would have been nice to have the lead for a little bit longer, but now we're back on our heels again. We didn't shut them down when it matters."

Y! SPORTS

Sure they abbreviated the whole statement but the meaning is impossible to lose: Daniel Alfredsson didn't think, at that moment in time, that his team could win the series. It IS something the media will jump on because they react to blood and that's exactly what this was. Ottawa's aging captain has shown he has lost the belief that is essential to successfully compete. He's been a pretty classy guy, and was honest in that interview but that doesn't change what he said or what it means. It doesn't make me happy because I hate seeing him fade into history like so many others (and like I hated so many greats saying fare well), and without his chance to hoist the Cup.

But what I hate is the backtracking that won't let this die. The "out of context" thing is crap and as much as I sympathize with Alfie's supporters trying to build him up, all that does create a laughable pseudo-controversy out of a sad but honest (and possibly historic) moment in this post-season.

 

[talloola]

read and hear it all for yourself


Y! SPORTS

Sure they abbreviated the whole statement but the meaning is impossible to lose: Daniel Alfredsson didn't think, at that moment in time, that his team could win the series. It IS something the media will jump on because they react to blood and that's exactly what this was. Ottawa's aging captain has shown he has lost the belief that is essential to successfully compete. He's been a pretty classy guy, and was honest in that interview but that doesn't change what he said or what it means. It doesn't make me happy because I hate seeing him fade into history like so many others (and like I hated so many greats saying fare well), and without his chance to hoist the Cup.

But what I hate is the backtracking that won't let this die. The "out of context" thing is crap and as much as I sympathize with Alfie's supporters trying to build him up, all that does create a laughable pseudo-controversy out of a sad but honest (and possibly historic) moment in this post-season.

they played the whole sentence on tv, and he went on to say (something like), they would have to go
and play hard and ---------, (I can't remember exactly, but when I heard it, it definitely softened the
first remark, which was definitely that he didn't think they could win after this game.

I liked his little second interview after the fact, he couldn't care less what the media said about what he
said, oh yeah, and also the out of context remark, I liked his tough stance, and
the fact that he wasn't going to get caught up in the reaction to what he said, its just life, they grab these players fresh after a game, while they are emotional and if they
have lost, dissapointed, and sometimes frustrated, and they know there could be a bit of a controversial
remark, that is what they are looking for.
Alfredsson is a wonderful captain, one of the best players I have watched, (saw him live in montreal, and
he was the best player on the ice), and just because he made that little remark, I would never start
accusing him of anything other than, he was frustrated immediately after the game, story over, nothing
more, I will definitely give him the benefit of the doubt, and after all these
years of great play, classy behavior, toughness and effort, one little remark
would never cut into that, we all know him better than that.

 

[Kreskin]

but I still believe if they had to battle more during the season, and had to work their way along to make the
playoffs, they would have been able to meet any challenge.

I hate the way canucks cruised along and did not have to meet any big challenges, and I do think if they
had to scratch and claw their way thru the season, they would be more able to meet the playoff season
at a good peak.

I hope in the future, canucks do 'not' go thru the season in first place, even in the division, its not
healthy.

Chicago have lots of grit, but they haven't had to use it, and now its too hard
to flip the switch, but they still aren't finished yet, if they win tomorrow
its anyone's series.

The season is all touch hockey and phantom penalties. A good ringette team could win a division. Now all that time and space is gone, and even real penalties aren't called.

 

[Mowich]

Ignore post...problems posting.

 

[talloola]

The season is all touch hockey and phantom penalties. A good ringette team could win a division. Now all that time and space is gone, and even real penalties aren't called.

nothing they can do about the officiating, but that has nothing to do with 'how' they play going
into the playoffs, that is all about 'them', and not having built up some momentum so that their
level of play and compete are high enough, their isn't enough time to do it during the first round,
as the team they are playing is allready desperate, and playing for their lives.

all teams are getting crappy officiating.

pittsburgh are thru to the next round now, beat ottawa tonight, not a very good game, ottawa just isn't
competetive enough, and can't compete with pittsburgh. Islanders were much better,
as they are faster than the penguins and gave them fits.
Pittsburgh will cave in if they meet teams who come at them with speed, their defense
can't deal with it.

 

[Kreskin]

nothing they can do about the officiating, but that has nothing to do with 'how' they play going
into the playoffs, that is all about 'them', and not having built up some momentum so that their
level of play and compete are high enough, their isn't enough time to do it during the first round,
as the team they are playing is allready desperate, and playing for their lives.

all teams are getting crappy officiating.

pittsburgh are thru to the next round now, beat ottawa tonight, not a very good game, ottawa just isn't
competetive enough, and can't compete with pittsburgh. Islanders were much better,
as they are faster than the penguins and gave them fits.
Pittsburgh will cave in if they meet teams who come at them with speed, their defense
can't deal with it.

The Hawks are middleweights. Going from season to playoffs is like playing on a CFL field all year then moving to an NFL field. Either pound or be pounded.

 

[talloola]

The Hawks are middleweights. Going from season to playoffs is like playing on a CFL field all year then moving to an NFL field. Either pound or be pounded.

exactly, that is what I have been talking about, and those teams who have to fight and scratch to
get in the playoffs, have played that kind of hockey in the latter part of the season to get
into the playoffs.
I felt kind of jealous of those teams, watching them gear up, or they would have been knocked out
of the top 8, I could see them building strength, then when they finally got into the playoffs,
they were 'there', just had to keep doing more of the same.

And, while that was going on, canucks were just playing, without any urgency at all, and when they
were interviewed, they said, they were ready. Some of them were sat out to fix any pre playoffs
aches and pains, nope, not good enough, in my opinion.

Minnesota weren't able to prepare, just didn't have the horses, and I also think they thought they
were much better than they actually were, because of the two 'super stars' they had picked up.

yep, its either pound or be pounded, and the officiating just skate around letting it happen, then they
call those stupid 'almost' hooking moves, its ridiculous. It seems they are programmed for those hooking
calls, and call them like obedient little boys, who are doing what they are told.