Puck You! The Legend Returns
Friday, April 30, 2004
Thursday, April 29, 2004
Okay. Ville Nieminen definitely gets the PUCK YOU for this game for the absolutely dispicable cheapshot at the end of the game, when he ran Detroit goalie Curtis Joseph COMPLETELY away from the play. Not even possibly part of the play, he was clearly gunning for him. And that's just cheap and being a poor loser.
WOW the Flames can sure make the game exciting in seconds. Gelinas scores to make the score 2-1 for the Wings, then EIGHTEEN SECONDS LATER Nieminen scores to tie it up. And the goal, ohh the Nieminen goal was nice. Somehow he got it in front of the net, just standing there, with all the time in the world. Poor Joseph desperately waiting for the shot, as Nieminen stickhandles, stickhandles, and finally just outmaneuvres Joseph by going to his backhand and shelfing it. Talk about horrendous defense by the Wings.
Okay so the Canadiens are out. Dammit! For the puck you for this game I nominate Dan Boyle, for scoring the tying goal OFF HIS SHINPAD to wipe out the Habs lead.
FACK! I turn on the tv for like FIVE SECONDS and Tampa scores a tying goal to make the game 1-1. That's it, I'm not watching anymore.
Could you imagine that?
Who would've thought prior to beginning of the second round that both Calgary and San Jose would be ahead in their respective series. Mike is the only one who entered my contest on my blog who predicted the Sharks would win. With a 3-1 lead, they have a stranglehold at the moment.
The Flames, on the other hand, are looking to go up 3-1 against Detroit. I believe if they haven't already, it's just a matter of time before Canucks fans jump on the Flames bandwagon, assuming of course the Flames keep winning. Michael Briones, the sports editor here at the AV Times in Port Alberni, picked up a story off the CP wire out of Edmonton that indicated even Oilers fans, who would hate to see the Flames win during their battles of Alberta in the 80s and 90s, are now going for the Flames. Edmonton sports radio show host Bob Stauffer says about 65 per cent of callers to his show are supporting the underdog Flames.
I do credit the words coming out of Edmonton psychiatrist Doug Spaner's mouth with make it clear he's a fan of the Oilers and only the Oilers:
"A lot of people are interested in watching (the Flames) because they like hockey, but if you are a ture Oiler fan, you are not interested in the outcome. The only fond wish of an Oiler fan is that nobody wins."
He went on to say that under no circumstances will he support the Flames.
Normallly I would talk about the Leafs first, but I missed most of the game last night unfortunately. It appears Melissa summed it up okay though, and being in Toronto she gets to see everything that really goes on in T.O. Nonetheless, I have a few things to say.
First off, I like the way Wade Belak is playing right now. I'm always criticizing him on defence, saying he hasn't done very much, and while he doesn't do much on the scoresheet, he was out playing hard last night and I respect that. In the playoffs, you're looking for winning results, and quite often it's the defensive work and physical presence of certain players that can make a difference. He was hitting guys all over the place. Sports reporters and hockey analysts were calling the line the NWA line (Nic Antropov, Wade Belak, Alex Ponikarovsky), and while they aren't black, they played with some attitude. And I liked the second goal by Ponikarovsky with the tip, that was nice.
It was also good to see four different scorers beat Esche, who stood on his head at times in game two. That has to help Toronto's confidence going into game four. It was also good to see Alexander Mogilny (aka Almo) laying the hits out there. And if the shots against are any indication, the defense played strong. Toronto only allowed 19 shots against in game three. Again, I only saw the end of the third, but the whole highlights, so if I'm off on something just let me know Melissa.
By the way, I thought as a whole, nobody on Toronto stood out as playing real bad so my "puck you" is sent in Philly's direction - Tony Amonte, puck you for breaking Eddie's shutout bid!
Who would've thought prior to beginning of the second round that both Calgary and San Jose would be ahead in their respective series. Mike is the only one who entered my contest on my blog who predicted the Sharks would win. With a 3-1 lead, they have a stranglehold at the moment.
The Flames, on the other hand, are looking to go up 3-1 against Detroit. I believe if they haven't already, it's just a matter of time before Canucks fans jump on the Flames bandwagon, assuming of course the Flames keep winning. Michael Briones, the sports editor here at the AV Times in Port Alberni, picked up a story off the CP wire out of Edmonton that indicated even Oilers fans, who would hate to see the Flames win during their battles of Alberta in the 80s and 90s, are now going for the Flames. Edmonton sports radio show host Bob Stauffer says about 65 per cent of callers to his show are supporting the underdog Flames.
I do credit the words coming out of Edmonton psychiatrist Doug Spaner's mouth with make it clear he's a fan of the Oilers and only the Oilers:
"A lot of people are interested in watching (the Flames) because they like hockey, but if you are a ture Oiler fan, you are not interested in the outcome. The only fond wish of an Oiler fan is that nobody wins."
He went on to say that under no circumstances will he support the Flames.
Normallly I would talk about the Leafs first, but I missed most of the game last night unfortunately. It appears Melissa summed it up okay though, and being in Toronto she gets to see everything that really goes on in T.O. Nonetheless, I have a few things to say.
First off, I like the way Wade Belak is playing right now. I'm always criticizing him on defence, saying he hasn't done very much, and while he doesn't do much on the scoresheet, he was out playing hard last night and I respect that. In the playoffs, you're looking for winning results, and quite often it's the defensive work and physical presence of certain players that can make a difference. He was hitting guys all over the place. Sports reporters and hockey analysts were calling the line the NWA line (Nic Antropov, Wade Belak, Alex Ponikarovsky), and while they aren't black, they played with some attitude. And I liked the second goal by Ponikarovsky with the tip, that was nice.
It was also good to see four different scorers beat Esche, who stood on his head at times in game two. That has to help Toronto's confidence going into game four. It was also good to see Alexander Mogilny (aka Almo) laying the hits out there. And if the shots against are any indication, the defense played strong. Toronto only allowed 19 shots against in game three. Again, I only saw the end of the third, but the whole highlights, so if I'm off on something just let me know Melissa.
By the way, I thought as a whole, nobody on Toronto stood out as playing real bad so my "puck you" is sent in Philly's direction - Tony Amonte, puck you for breaking Eddie's shutout bid!
ps: do the refs seem to favor the home team in other series? thats something i've really noticed lately -- mogilny got away with boarding last night, HUGE. reffing just seems to be incredibly one-sided this year, its interesting. especially last night, given that bettman was THERE at the ACC watching the game.
it just seems so inconsistent.
it just seems so inconsistent.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
FABULOUS!
so good. they played ohsogood (with the exception of antropov, yet again) and won the game. my friend robin and i went downtown to catch the game over some beer and wings (hey mike, can we get reimbursed for that and call it 'research'? :P )
first period -- scoreless. good hockey. leafs outplaying phillies. i was a big fan.
second period -- TWO GOALS in like, TWO MINUTES. first, mogilny, assisted by sundin (i think) -- quite the understated reaction to the goal. this smug "yeah, i knew it went in" look. then about a minute and a half later, ponikarovsky FINALLY got his first goal of the playoffs. you bet he threw those hands up in the air and celebrated.
later on at the end of the second period kilger hit a NICE one into the net past esche.
philly scored once, it was amonte, no one cares coz its philly. haha.
third period: this was FUN. holy. philly had 3 guys in the penalty box at once. so wicked. first, brashear for boarding antropov (meh, he doesn't do much), then markov for checking roberts, and lastly, ragnarsson for slashing mogilny across the leg. it was now that tucker got his first goal of the playoffs. go tucker.
(side note: tucker will take on ANYONE. i love tucker.)
other important game notes: antropov = the suck. sundin TOTALLY looks like he's still got some problems somewhere, he was not 100% by any means. wade belak = the greatest thing on skates. clark wilm is still doing some good stuff on the ice -- nice to see he's not afraid to start some scraps.
all in all, fabulous game.
as for who gets the puck you? this is really tricky and difficult, and im probably gonna have to think about it. im leaning towards antropov (surprise) mostly because he didn't contribute much to the game, but im still not sure. any leaf fans who saw the game, who do you think should get the 'puck you'? (al, im lookin' at you on this one)
haha -- funniess: this morning on the morning show for 102.1 the edge (out of toronto), the hosts called the hotel that the flyers were staying at and ordered this GIGANTIC breakfast for robert esche. waffles, pancakes, three servings of sausage, roast beef -- SO hilarious. and i think they also ordered him a wakeup call for 5 am. i missed most of the show, but they said something about wakeup call and 5 am. i dunno, maybe im wrong. still hilarious. during the ottawa series, one of the hosts went to the sens hotel and pretended he was a drunk marcus spezza and the hotel staff actually gave him spezza's room key. these guys are hilarious.
so good. they played ohsogood (with the exception of antropov, yet again) and won the game. my friend robin and i went downtown to catch the game over some beer and wings (hey mike, can we get reimbursed for that and call it 'research'? :P )
first period -- scoreless. good hockey. leafs outplaying phillies. i was a big fan.
second period -- TWO GOALS in like, TWO MINUTES. first, mogilny, assisted by sundin (i think) -- quite the understated reaction to the goal. this smug "yeah, i knew it went in" look. then about a minute and a half later, ponikarovsky FINALLY got his first goal of the playoffs. you bet he threw those hands up in the air and celebrated.
later on at the end of the second period kilger hit a NICE one into the net past esche.
philly scored once, it was amonte, no one cares coz its philly. haha.
third period: this was FUN. holy. philly had 3 guys in the penalty box at once. so wicked. first, brashear for boarding antropov (meh, he doesn't do much), then markov for checking roberts, and lastly, ragnarsson for slashing mogilny across the leg. it was now that tucker got his first goal of the playoffs. go tucker.
(side note: tucker will take on ANYONE. i love tucker.)
other important game notes: antropov = the suck. sundin TOTALLY looks like he's still got some problems somewhere, he was not 100% by any means. wade belak = the greatest thing on skates. clark wilm is still doing some good stuff on the ice -- nice to see he's not afraid to start some scraps.
all in all, fabulous game.
as for who gets the puck you? this is really tricky and difficult, and im probably gonna have to think about it. im leaning towards antropov (surprise) mostly because he didn't contribute much to the game, but im still not sure. any leaf fans who saw the game, who do you think should get the 'puck you'? (al, im lookin' at you on this one)
haha -- funniess: this morning on the morning show for 102.1 the edge (out of toronto), the hosts called the hotel that the flyers were staying at and ordered this GIGANTIC breakfast for robert esche. waffles, pancakes, three servings of sausage, roast beef -- SO hilarious. and i think they also ordered him a wakeup call for 5 am. i missed most of the show, but they said something about wakeup call and 5 am. i dunno, maybe im wrong. still hilarious. during the ottawa series, one of the hosts went to the sens hotel and pretended he was a drunk marcus spezza and the hotel staff actually gave him spezza's room key. these guys are hilarious.
for a brief moment, i was SO EXCITED because nieuwendyk dressed for the optional team skate this morning.
and then i found out that even tho he did, he's not playing tonight. :(
belak's dressing for tonight. gotta find out who he's supposed to be replacing.
oh, and there was this WHOLE ARTICLE in the toronto star yesterday about how antropov doesn't trust himself which is why he's playing like crap. well then GET OFF THE ICE. yeesh. it doesn't seem like that hard a decision to me.
anxiously awaiting the game!
and then i found out that even tho he did, he's not playing tonight. :(
belak's dressing for tonight. gotta find out who he's supposed to be replacing.
oh, and there was this WHOLE ARTICLE in the toronto star yesterday about how antropov doesn't trust himself which is why he's playing like crap. well then GET OFF THE ICE. yeesh. it doesn't seem like that hard a decision to me.
anxiously awaiting the game!
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Announcer 1: That one had a stewardess on it! (emphasizing how Iginla just had a hard shot)
Announcer 2: ...flight attendant, to be politically correct.
I'll say the Puck You of the Calgary/Detroit game is Robert Lang, just because he scored a goal being left ALL ALONE in front of the Calgary net. Yeah that's real smart, leave one of the top offensive threats untouched and unbothered so he can just tap the puck into the empty net. However despite his goal the Flames still won, including one really nice goal by Iginla.
They also showed Theo Fleury in the stands and displayed him on the Jumbotron, much to the delight of the fans.
Announcer 2: ...flight attendant, to be politically correct.
I'll say the Puck You of the Calgary/Detroit game is Robert Lang, just because he scored a goal being left ALL ALONE in front of the Calgary net. Yeah that's real smart, leave one of the top offensive threats untouched and unbothered so he can just tap the puck into the empty net. However despite his goal the Flames still won, including one really nice goal by Iginla.
They also showed Theo Fleury in the stands and displayed him on the Jumbotron, much to the delight of the fans.
And then Donovean scored like 10 seconds later! Wow, this is a really exciting game.
(okay it was actually 40 seconds later.)
(okay it was actually 40 seconds later.)
Nice touch. Interviewing Mike Vernon in the stands, who won Stanley Cups with both Calgary and Detroit. He said he's going for Calgary, being a Calgary-born-and-raised guy.
Ironically then as the interview was just ending Jiri Fischer scored for the Wings to tie it at 2-2.
Ironically then as the interview was just ending Jiri Fischer scored for the Wings to tie it at 2-2.
Well I'm back now and coincidentally (?) so are the real habs. Good 1st period tonight except for the calls; i know they need to control the scrums after the whistle but you don't just tack on 2 extra minutes when you feel like it. Anyways, if they play like this and lose i don't mind as much; its when they skate around like they are playing in the preseason that irks me something fierce.
Al I sent the blog invite to your email, did you not get it? sports_junkie at hotmail dot com ? I'll send it again, so check for it/ Also if you - or anyone else - knows anyone else who should join this blog, just comment with their name/email and I'll send them an invite.
Monday, April 26, 2004
hmm.
well, leafs lost last night. not really surprising. its going to be a tough series, everyone knew that going in, and philly's eliminated us for 3 straight years. nieuwendyk wasn't even IN philly, he stayed in TO, but sundin did take the ice. i don't think he played as often as he usually does, but he was still out there.
this was some GREAT hockey. holy. they played like they did in the last game of the ottawa series, like they actually wanted it. with 3 minutes left in the third, there was about 3 good scoring opportunities for the leafs, but esche was SO on last night, it didn't happen.
complaints from both teams about the ice surface both thursday and sunday nights. apparently the arena was too humid and the surface was rather slushy. all you conspiracy theorists out there just keep it zipped up -- i'll have none of that nonsense, even tho i know people are saying it.
i can't really give a 'puck you' award to the leafs -- they all played really well, even antropov wasn't that bad. surprisingly GREAT performance by wilm (even tho i don't think anyone has a damn clue who he is), but all's i gotta say is where has this guy been hiding!! just because, the 'puck you' award is going to zhamnov (from philly) for scoring the go-ahead goal. because, well, it was the go-ahead. and as hard as we tried, we just couldn't tie it up.
at least we FINALLY outplayed and outshot a team, and didn't wait til game 7 to do it.
well, leafs lost last night. not really surprising. its going to be a tough series, everyone knew that going in, and philly's eliminated us for 3 straight years. nieuwendyk wasn't even IN philly, he stayed in TO, but sundin did take the ice. i don't think he played as often as he usually does, but he was still out there.
this was some GREAT hockey. holy. they played like they did in the last game of the ottawa series, like they actually wanted it. with 3 minutes left in the third, there was about 3 good scoring opportunities for the leafs, but esche was SO on last night, it didn't happen.
complaints from both teams about the ice surface both thursday and sunday nights. apparently the arena was too humid and the surface was rather slushy. all you conspiracy theorists out there just keep it zipped up -- i'll have none of that nonsense, even tho i know people are saying it.
i can't really give a 'puck you' award to the leafs -- they all played really well, even antropov wasn't that bad. surprisingly GREAT performance by wilm (even tho i don't think anyone has a damn clue who he is), but all's i gotta say is where has this guy been hiding!! just because, the 'puck you' award is going to zhamnov (from philly) for scoring the go-ahead goal. because, well, it was the go-ahead. and as hard as we tried, we just couldn't tie it up.
at least we FINALLY outplayed and outshot a team, and didn't wait til game 7 to do it.
Sunday, April 25, 2004
Well, the Habs lost again to the stupid Lightning. What's with Vincent Lecavalier?? Silent through the first round and then BAM! he turns into Mr. Goal-Scoring Machine. I am totally not impressed with Montreal's defense. Giving away breakaways, not pressuring Tampa forwards...it's no wonder they're getting their ass kicked in this series so far.
Saturday, April 24, 2004
First things first, changing the title of this blog to "Go Canadian NHL teams, except Calgary" is the smartest thing I've since..well, since last night when I turned down that 5th shot of (cheap) tequila. Also, in a shameless act of self-promotion/bragging, everyone should click on the Canucks Op-Ed link on the right hand side of this page because a) they are awesome, and b) next year will be even more awesome if you can believe it, because I'm going to write a column for them. So go there now..OR I'LL KILL YOU!
GOOD! Nice to see those Flames get smoked. If anyone deserves to lose by a wide margin it's them. Speaking of the Flames, the following conversation happened at the bar last night - keep in mind everybody was trashed.
Deb: What's that goalie's name? Is it Crotchcutoff?
Nick: Uh, no, that sounds pretty painful.
Deb: BUT THAT'S HIS NAME!
Nick: You mean Kiprusoff?
Deb: Yeah! That fucker.
Deb: What's that goalie's name? Is it Crotchcutoff?
Nick: Uh, no, that sounds pretty painful.
Deb: BUT THAT'S HIS NAME!
Nick: You mean Kiprusoff?
Deb: Yeah! That fucker.
Calgary is getting DEMOLISHED against Detroit. The Red Wings just had a 2-man advantage and on the best passing I've seen in a while, scored a great goal. Hull passed to Lidstrom, who one-timed a pass back to Hull, who one-timed the pass BACK to Lidstrom, who one-timed the shot past poor Kiprusoff. It was a really good play.
Tomas Holmstrom earned the Wings two power-play goals by planting himself in front of the Flames net, forcing Flames d-men to smash and cross-check and crush him, drawing two penalties on which the Wings scored. The guy is freaking invincible, or at least thinks he is. In any case he gets this game's Puck You, because I'm sure that's what the Flame are thinking towards him.
Tomas Holmstrom earned the Wings two power-play goals by planting himself in front of the Flames net, forcing Flames d-men to smash and cross-check and crush him, drawing two penalties on which the Wings scored. The guy is freaking invincible, or at least thinks he is. In any case he gets this game's Puck You, because I'm sure that's what the Flame are thinking towards him.
no way!!!!!
nieuwendyk's out for the tor/philly game on sunday! once again, leaf-camp not saying what the issue is, but my money's on his back. apparently he played hurt on thursday, probably not the best decision. here's hoping he comes back soon, he's been our biggest goal-getter so far.
in good news, sundin may be back on sunday. and bielak might get the call to dress. here's hoping something happens (like, for example, antropov being benched for the game. that'd be great!)
nieuwendyk's out for the tor/philly game on sunday! once again, leaf-camp not saying what the issue is, but my money's on his back. apparently he played hurt on thursday, probably not the best decision. here's hoping he comes back soon, he's been our biggest goal-getter so far.
in good news, sundin may be back on sunday. and bielak might get the call to dress. here's hoping something happens (like, for example, antropov being benched for the game. that'd be great!)
Well what a disgusting performance by Montreal. I don't think I've ever seen a team commit so many turnovers in their own end, and what a perfectly wrong team to do it against, too. At least Souray smoked the Tampa player in the only fight.
Friday, April 23, 2004
Puck You - Game 1: The habs. Worst decisions with the puck i have ever witnessed. They are better off fucking icing the puck when its on their stick, its better than putting a tape to tape pass to the other team. Sure the ice may be bad, but i didn't know bad ice affects your head.
The ice is terrible; i blame hulk hogan and also the blonde anthem singer. I'm torn on Marty St. Louis, he's probably one of my favorite players but man is he scary when he plays against your team. Also, Brisebois only has 4-5 giveaways in the first 20 minutes. Atta guy.
Haha Zednik just chopped the legs out from a Tampa player as a retaliation and got clean away with it.
This time the first thing I saw when I turned on the TV was HULK HOGAN, wearing a Tampa Bay jersey and pumping the Tampa Bay crowd for their game against the Habs.
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Okay I turn on the TV and before the picture even appears I'm hearing about the Senators first goal. Just like the goal on the Canucks, it was after the Leafs goalie made one save, then a second save, but couldn't stop the third. Is there no defensemen worth their salt in this entire league??
Monday, April 19, 2004
BE GONE, you fans of winning teams. I TURN AWAY your Senators, Leafs, FLAMES bandwagon offers. I will go to my 2nd choice, the Canadiens, and watch them tromp mightily over your bandwagon-laden teams.
bill: Well, I can get back to cheering for Toronto
mike: haha
bill: You can get on the bandwagon too
bill: before long the rest of the country will be on it
bill: you can say you got on during round one!
mike: boo
mike: NEVER leafs
mike: i like belfour but that's it
bill: Oh well, I guess you may have to wait till the conference finals to come to
bill: clear your head
bill: and cheer for the mighty blue and white!
mike: haha no
mike: unless you mean....um....the RED AND BLUE AND WHITE CANADIENS
mike: haha
bill: You can get on the bandwagon too
bill: before long the rest of the country will be on it
bill: you can say you got on during round one!
mike: boo
mike: NEVER leafs
mike: i like belfour but that's it
bill: Oh well, I guess you may have to wait till the conference finals to come to
bill: clear your head
bill: and cheer for the mighty blue and white!
mike: haha no
mike: unless you mean....um....the RED AND BLUE AND WHITE CANADIENS
Everyone leave your OT game winning goal predictions. All Flames predictions will be disregarded, obviously.
I actually missed seeing the actual goal - I was in mid-swivel when they scored, and I only caught it out of the corner of my eye. What a great game. And it's only gonna gonna get sweeter.
My OT goal Prediction: Matt Cooke.
My OT goal Prediction: Matt Cooke.
jenn: OMG
jenn: did you SEE THAT
jenn: :D :D :D
jenn: HOLLLLLY FUCK FUCK FUCK OS RIGHT
mike: HELL YEAH
jenn: did you SEE THAT
jenn: :D :D :D
jenn: HOLLLLLY FUCK FUCK FUCK OS RIGHT
mike: HELL YEAH
mike: HOLY FUCK
mike: are you watching the game
mike: HOLY FUCK
silv: Manny just woke up the neighbourhood with his screaming
mike: hahaha
silv: I'm serious
silv: it was crazy in this household
mike: are you watching the game
mike: HOLY FUCK
silv: Manny just woke up the neighbourhood with his screaming
mike: hahaha
silv: I'm serious
silv: it was crazy in this household
CANUCKS SCORE WITH LIKE 0.02030 SECONDS LEFT TO TIE THE GAME
mike: SDOIFNISKDF
mike: AOSUIDFHJDF
mike: ASFJBHDEFR{Q E#@IHN RF
mike: SCORE
nick: fgkdfklgekglnetgj
nick: dfgdfgdfklgndg
nick: dg
nick: @!!!!!!!!1
mike: i was mashing keys and accidentally blocked you for approximately 5.3 seconds
nick: its the pie man, !!!
nick: haha
nick: i figured
mike: SDOIFNISKDF
mike: AOSUIDFHJDF
mike: ASFJBHDEFR{Q E#@IHN RF
mike: SCORE
nick: fgkdfklgekglnetgj
nick: dfgdfgdfklgndg
nick: dg
nick: @!!!!!!!!1
mike: i was mashing keys and accidentally blocked you for approximately 5.3 seconds
nick: its the pie man, !!!
nick: haha
nick: i figured
mike: i'm not worried
mike: i just went and got my VICTORY PIE
nick: haha
mike: obviously if i have my victory pie the canucks will win
nick: obviously
nick: post that
mike: you can tell it's dire straits when I have to dig out the victory pie though
mike: i just went and got my VICTORY PIE
nick: haha
mike: obviously if i have my victory pie the canucks will win
nick: obviously
nick: post that
mike: you can tell it's dire straits when I have to dig out the victory pie though
katie: ahhhh this is getting to intense. there are definitly breathing issues on my part
mike: i know!
mike: me too
mike: i know!
mike: me too
mike: FUCK
nick: FUCK
The Flames just scored on a 4-minute power play to get the lead back. And they still have a power-play left.
nick: FUCK
The Flames just scored on a 4-minute power play to get the lead back. And they still have a power-play left.
"There's no chance that Iginla can get it up." [Millen]
I don't want to know how Millen knows that, but may explain why he's cheering for the Flames.
I don't want to know how Millen knows that, but may explain why he's cheering for the Flames.
"Sopel hasn't been good enough this period." [Millen]
Only 3 minutes are gone in the period you idiot. He's probably had 2 shifts.
Only 3 minutes are gone in the period you idiot. He's probably had 2 shifts.
I predict that the Canucks will tie the game within the first four minutes of the period. Naslund or Keane will get it.
nick: that play was closer than i thought
mike: that was a lot closer than i thought
nick: lol
mike: lol
nick: how many times are we going to do that?
mike: that was a lot closer than i thought
nick: lol
mike: lol
nick: how many times are we going to do that?
mike: do you find it eerily ironic that i mentioned montador as #5 last game
mike: and then all of a sudden this rookie is suddenly playing
nick: yeah no kidding
mike: i mean i had to go to the flames roster site on yahoo to even find the guy
mike: and then all of a sudden this rookie is suddenly playing
nick: yeah no kidding
mike: i mean i had to go to the flames roster site on yahoo to even find the guy
"Somebody forgot Marty Gelinas at the side of the net!" [announcer]
Holy FUCK I'd say! Geez Canucks get it together!
Holy FUCK I'd say! Geez Canucks get it together!
That was awful. The Canucks totally gave Iginla the open ice to skate up and get that shot. Shoddy, shoddy D.
Yeah, the Senators did that with Chara a lot and it worked well for them.
Course Chara IS 6'9".... but same idea.
Course Chara IS 6'9".... but same idea.
My solution to get more traffic in front of Kiprusoff, especially on the powerplay: Put Malik or Allen at forward and park 'em in front of the crease. Can't hurt.
Obviously we've been making fun of Greg Millen and Glenn Healy the last while, and rightfully so. But you know what HNIC guy I really like? Kelly Hrudey. He makes smart points, he's funny, and he's not an annoying homer, despite being from Calgary.
mike: that was a sweet move by sopel
nick: that was a cool move by sopel
mike: lol
nick: lol
nick: makes up for his ugly hair
nick: that was a cool move by sopel
mike: lol
nick: lol
nick: makes up for his ugly hair
"He hasn't seen any game 7's....This is his first." [Millen]
What great powers of deduction Millen posseses. What a tool.
What great powers of deduction Millen posseses. What a tool.
Does Nieminen ever get a penalty he thinks he deserves? He's always pissing and moaning after every one. He should take a note from a guy like Linden, who takes his penalties quietly and goes to the box without being obnoxious.
The Flames sure are putting on the early pressure. The canucks better pick it up, and quick. At least it'll get Auld into the game early this way.
ANTHEM OBSERVATIONS
This Mark Donnelley fellow that sings the anthems is so much better than what we will now refer to as the hideous mistake. ( See Arden, Jann).
Donelley is so much better than most because a) he looks like a penguin in his tuxedo. and b) he gets the crowd into it by letting them sing a significant portion of the song.
In retrospect, Jann Arden would've done well to let the crowd sing her song for her too.
This Mark Donnelley fellow that sings the anthems is so much better than what we will now refer to as the hideous mistake. ( See Arden, Jann).
Donelley is so much better than most because a) he looks like a penguin in his tuxedo. and b) he gets the crowd into it by letting them sing a significant portion of the song.
In retrospect, Jann Arden would've done well to let the crowd sing her song for her too.
I like how it's suddenly this big news story that Alex Kovalev actually played some defence. The HNIC guys are just baffled. That's funny.
Boy i need to rag on players more. I ragged on kovalev at the start of game 3 and he started to break out, and i was on zednik all series because he had about 8482978732 chances and couldn't put one in. I'm not saying he was great tonight, but this might be what he needs to get goin. GO HABS GO
Aha! what a win! Also this is exactly what I predicted in my paper a few weeks ago - the Habs were my upset team. Just goes to show how awesome I really am. (Although I did pick the Devils)
So, does Healy have a head-start on today's Puck You award? I'll you who almost won it - Theodore with that huge fanned shot - Keep swinging Jose, maybe you'll give him a cold.
You'd rather listen to....who? Have you gone completely mad Ryan? I know Healy sucks, but suggesting that Millen is better than anyone, anyone at all, is just wrong.
OK Nick i don't know what i was thinking; listening to Healy has effectively made me a dumber person.
Yeah he just calmly glided in, oh no shot yet, deke around this guy, oh...nah, no shot yet...ahh i'll just slide it towards the net.
"If they score it gives us more time on the clock to catch up!" [announcer, trying to imagine what Bruins goalie Raycroft was thinking]
I know I said earlier that Ribeiro looked like Zorro, but now I've finally realized why he looks so familiar - he looks like my friend Marcus from California.
I just thought you'd all like to know that.
I just thought you'd all like to know that.
"And there's the slash to the back of the knee, with a little bit of embellishment." [announcer talking about a canadiens penalty]
Yeah, if by 'embellishment' you mean 'acted like he had been shot'.
Yeah, if by 'embellishment' you mean 'acted like he had been shot'.
"This isn't hockey school where all the rebounds go in the corners." [Glenn Healy]
Bulis is a fun name to say.
Bulis is a fun name to say.
Well they look like shit, and i'm being nice. Nice play be breeze-by, hammering the puck around the boards on a PP. Must be a new strategy. Why does CBC put a Hab hater as the colour commentator? I'm still waiting for Glenn Healy to say "GO BRUINS!". Nick, Ribeiro has the best perv 'stach ever. Haha he looks like a perv.
I just realized I'm wearing Canadiens colors...it must be fate! A red hockey jersey with white and blue text, and red shorts. Unconsciously I'm cheering for their victory! I RULE!
Yeah Raycroft does that before every game. I'm not sure what the hell he's doing but i guess it works for him.
Anthem Observations
You see Bruins goalie Andrew Raycroft during the anthem? He was frantically looking around the ice beside and behind him. Either he's got one hell of a nervous tick, or he just lost a bunch of spare change in his crease.
Also, right before the anthem began, CBC did the usual panning crowd shot and there was some chick wearing a (small) Montreal Canadiens flag as a shirt.
That's just quality programming.
You see Bruins goalie Andrew Raycroft during the anthem? He was frantically looking around the ice beside and behind him. Either he's got one hell of a nervous tick, or he just lost a bunch of spare change in his crease.
Also, right before the anthem began, CBC did the usual panning crowd shot and there was some chick wearing a (small) Montreal Canadiens flag as a shirt.
That's just quality programming.
Here we go, i might be upstairs, the upstairs TV is way better and i need to see raycroft get lit up on a bigger picture.
"11 teams left in the hunt, and five of them are Canadian! It's going to be a great couple of evenings for the junk-food industry!" [ron mcclean]
Apparently us here at Puck You aren't the only ones who couldn't stand Jann Arden's attempt to sing the anthem last game. Here's a post from the newsgroup, alt.sports.hockey.nhl.vanc-canucks.
Win or lose tonight....at least we won't be subjected to Jann Ardens Canadian Anthem (Cat being beaten in a large sack version).
Sadly, that's a pretty apt description.
Win or lose tonight....at least we won't be subjected to Jann Ardens Canadian Anthem (Cat being beaten in a large sack version).
Sadly, that's a pretty apt description.
SECOND PREDICTION
I like Triona's line of thinking, but I think it'll finish 3-0 Vancouver. I'd also say who I think will be the star for the 'Nucks, but I don't want to jinx anybody. I will say though, that his name rhymes with "mauled", which coincedentally, is how the Flames will be feeling after this one's over.
Go Canucks.
I like Triona's line of thinking, but I think it'll finish 3-0 Vancouver. I'd also say who I think will be the star for the 'Nucks, but I don't want to jinx anybody. I will say though, that his name rhymes with "mauled", which coincedentally, is how the Flames will be feeling after this one's over.
Go Canucks.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Even though it wasn't Habs or Canucks, I must say the Leafs/Senators game tonight was pretty rocking. I don't even like either team and I was pretty into it. And another multiple overtime game, to force a game seven! That's playoff hockey at its finest.
Apparently the Vancouver Province like Millen just about as much as us, and have brought his ineptitude to a much wider audience than we could ever hope to here. Here's a scanned picture of it right here.
Just wanna point out there is an error in Nick's illustration of Greg Millen, as his head should be up his own ass. Also, you can easily interchange the name Greg Millen with "Glenn Healy". Anyways, I'm counting down the minutes to monday; I specifically asked for Monday off work because of the 2 game 7's and Safeway happily obliged. Which is probably the right decision for them because i wouldn't have shown up if they hadn't. So Go Habs Go and Go Nucks Go, if they meet in the final i will die a happy man.
Saturday, April 17, 2004
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD STOP SAYING "Will it be _____ or will it be ______?" "Will it be the _____ or will it be the ______?" We get the idea! We don't know who will score!! Shut up!!
I realize my prediction is very specific, so I'll put forth a second one: point shot on Kiprusoff, rebound, passed against the boards behind the net, puck comes out the other side, and...Matt Cooke dumps it in below the diving Kiprusoff.
"It's cleared by Mike Keane, who's killed many.." - Chris Cuthbert. He's talking about killing penalties, but c'mon man, finish a sentence.
Greg Millen just called the canucks farm team the "Manituba muss"
Ron McLean is on a roll tonight. First he pulls the "Is it hot in here?" routine and turns out to be wearing a Red Deer Rebels jersey. Then he says 'stupid' about 50 times in 4 minutes.
Awesome.
Awesome.
They call the Ohlund penalty, which was obvious and should've been called. That's fine. But they don't call the previous 3 to the Flames and also one more to the Canucks. C'mon stripes.
"You take a look at what's going on...and you cheat even more." - Millen, talking about how the refs aren't calling anything.
That would have been AWESOME or Ham-on-Tuesdays if Linden scored to end the Canucks/Flames series...just like he did 10 years ago during the magical Canuck playoff run of 94.
"They call him sandbox because he's so gritty." - Cuthbert, talking about Stephane Yelle.
"It was a ME shot." - Mike, after Jovo shot the puck 64 feet high, over the net.
"It was a ME shot." - Mike, after Jovo shot the puck 64 feet high, over the net.
"They had seven Flames on the ice for a brief time!" [commentator]
Wow, bad change by the Flames that SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PENALTY!!
Wow, bad change by the Flames that SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PENALTY!!
Jovonovski just got clubbed on the head by a high stick by a Flames player, and he was down for awhile. The commentators are saying how it was a missed call, which it definitely was, but on seeing the replay it was clear Jovo was milking it...it was a one-handed, glancing blow that didn't hit square on.
That being said it should still have been a penalty.
That being said it should still have been a penalty.
there is some kind of large mascot creature in the hallway behind the canucks net. i cant tell what the hell it is though. Might be Harvey the Hound, but it looked like a skinny giraffe or a giant cigarette when I saw it for 0.42 seconds.
You gotta wonder what the Canucks are like in their dressing room right now. You think they're all angry or depressed about blowing such a huge lead, or do you think they'll be pumped up and determined? Hard to tell with this team.
I predict that Jovonovski will turn over the puck, Auld will make a big save and the puck will come back up the ice, and Sanderson will score on the rush.
Overtime.
There are pluses and minuses of this.
Plus:
- The Canucks had an excellent OT record this year, and won a lot (11 times)
- The team with the most talented players usually wins in OT. At least in the regular season. The Canucks have more talent than the Flames.
- The Canucks have more veterans, and if you think guys like Linden and Keane aren't going to put up a fight, then you've got another thought coming.
- The intermission with hopefully halt the Flames momentum.
Minus:
- The Flames have scored the last 4 goals.
- The Flames have almost all the momentum.
- The Flames have a better goalie, although Auld hasn't played too badly though. But whether or not he's at fault, he's a rookie and the fact that 30 minutes ago he had a 4-0 lead can't be doing wonders for his confidence.
- Bad things always happen to the Vancouver Canucks.
Here are my OT predictions:
- Kiprusoff will commit some kind of gaffe. Daniel Sedin will score the winner. I'm not picking a potential Calgary scorer, because I don't think it's necessary. The Canucks will pull this one off.
Somehow.
There are pluses and minuses of this.
Plus:
- The Canucks had an excellent OT record this year, and won a lot (11 times)
- The team with the most talented players usually wins in OT. At least in the regular season. The Canucks have more talent than the Flames.
- The Canucks have more veterans, and if you think guys like Linden and Keane aren't going to put up a fight, then you've got another thought coming.
- The intermission with hopefully halt the Flames momentum.
Minus:
- The Flames have scored the last 4 goals.
- The Flames have almost all the momentum.
- The Flames have a better goalie, although Auld hasn't played too badly though. But whether or not he's at fault, he's a rookie and the fact that 30 minutes ago he had a 4-0 lead can't be doing wonders for his confidence.
- Bad things always happen to the Vancouver Canucks.
Here are my OT predictions:
- Kiprusoff will commit some kind of gaffe. Daniel Sedin will score the winner. I'm not picking a potential Calgary scorer, because I don't think it's necessary. The Canucks will pull this one off.
Somehow.
"What a game. There's no other way to describe what's going on in Calgary this evening." [ron mcclean]
Overtime. Crazy intense.
I looked for a picture on Google that would properly capture the drama and excitement of this game.
This was the first image result.
This was the second.
I gave up after that.
Overtime. Crazy intense.
I looked for a picture on Google that would properly capture the drama and excitement of this game.
This was the first image result.
This was the second.
I gave up after that.
That's true. They should enlist the mighty Sasumu Serizawa from the Japanese national team. Then they would be unstoppable.
I don't think even the mighty Troy Gamble would really help...these goals haven't exactly been Auld's fault.
Like I said before. Where's Troy Gamble?
Also, would it kill a Canucks defenceman to win a battle for the puck? Just one would be nice.
You know what? If the Canucks lose this game after holding a 4-0 lead, then I have NO sympathy for them at all. Blowing a lead like that in a playoff game is sickening. Absolutely sickening. Another choke job like last year, but lets hope it doesnt come to that.
Also, would it kill a Canucks defenceman to win a battle for the puck? Just one would be nice.
You know what? If the Canucks lose this game after holding a 4-0 lead, then I have NO sympathy for them at all. Blowing a lead like that in a playoff game is sickening. Absolutely sickening. Another choke job like last year, but lets hope it doesnt come to that.
"Unbelievable." [nick]
Another Flames goal...a Chris Clark deflection on a Regehr point shot. Oh my, oh my, oh my. Canucks 4, Flames 4.
Four goals by the Canucks, and then four goals by the flames.
Another Flames goal...a Chris Clark deflection on a Regehr point shot. Oh my, oh my, oh my. Canucks 4, Flames 4.
Four goals by the Canucks, and then four goals by the flames.
The greatest #5 ever was Garth Butcher. He used to live in Langley and I saw him at the rink twice. Man is he ever one funny looking/ugly guy.
Haha. Gauthier on the Flames just nailed a Canuck on the side boards....and hurt himself, limping off the ice in the process.
I'd like to take the opportunity during this intermission break to say that I hate CBC colour commentator Greg Millen. I hate him because he blatantly cheers for the Flames (in previous games anyways), he states the obvious ALL THE TIME. Also, he's president of the Kiprusoff fan club and clearly has his head shoved up Kipper's ass, as shown in the below pic:
"This is the greatest picture ever, that I'm drawing for you. The artistic ability will blow you away." [nick]
Wow. That is all I can say, Nick. Wow.
Wow. That is all I can say, Nick. Wow.
All the goals so far in the game have been the player's first in the playoffs so far, which is very strange. Nick is in the midst of drawing an incredibly detailed and lifelike caricature that I am sure will be simply amazing in its artistic complexity.
And another Canucks is stickless, this time on a Calgary power-play. What great timing. It's like Wes Walz from last year.
Ohh, Salo lost his stick when Nieminin hit him behind the Canucks net, before the Ohlund giveaway. Interesting.
Haha. Okay, the commentators were wondering why Salo, Ohlund's D-partner, didn't take Nieminen coming in on the goal. The answer? BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE A STICK. What the hell? Geez.
DAMMIT. I HATE THE FLAMES.
I say we go with the fourth goalie of the series. Anyone know where Mike Fountain is these days? Or Troy Gamble?
I say we go with the fourth goalie of the series. Anyone know where Mike Fountain is these days? Or Troy Gamble?
Holy fuck, and the Flames score again. This time it was a plain nice goal on the result of a bad puck blocking attempt at the boards by Ohlund, who let it slip right by him. Sad, sad defense by the Canucks. He just walked right in and deked out Auld and slid it home.
Canucks 4, Flames 2
Canucks 4, Flames 2
Man was that high stick flames goal ever close. I say it was a high stick, but then again I'm cheering for the Canucks. Ah well, at least we still have a three goal lead. I think Mike's Arby's salt shaker is doing its job tonight. Go 'nucks
Ooooh, that might NOT be a goal after all. It was a deflection about waist-height by a jumping Calgary player, who knocked it down through Auld's legs. The question is whether the stick was above the crossbar, because if it was, it's not a goal. But I've watched about six replays from different angles and I gotta say, it's a tough call.
A funny point is that as they played the jump over and over again, back-and-forth, a foghorn in the background sounded exactly like the sound Mario makes when he jumps in a game.
And they say it's a goal. Tough break for the Nucks.
A funny point is that as they played the jump over and over again, back-and-forth, a foghorn in the background sounded exactly like the sound Mario makes when he jumps in a game.
And they say it's a goal. Tough break for the Nucks.
A really cool commerical with Jose Theodore, a Gatorade commerical, where a player who is ON FIRE comes down and takes a shot on him (which he saves of course). Just the visual looks great, the flaming guy.
Geoff Sanderson finally does something! A sweet fast goal as he just breaks out of his own end and motors up there and beats Kiprusoff on the far side. 4-0 Canucks. Looking pretty good I gotta say.
Mike's right (for once), my viewing situation isn't quite as favourable, it involves much swivelling. Also, looks like a lot of flames fans have left for some reason, i mean it's only the second period. So much for the SEA OF BLOOD.
Nick just commented how like half the Flames fans have left their seats. Obviously aware of their team's IMPENDING DOOM.
And it's 3-0 just like that. Holy CRAP. Brad May this time, left alllllllll alone in front of the net. Hahahaha.
Wow, what a great goal by Daniel Sedin! Just walks in through the team and shelfs it with a bullet, dead-on shot. That's gold.
I have an advantage over Nick for watching the game/posting on the blog, because I can see both the laptop screen and the tv at the same time, where as Nick's tv is by a large wall or something and so he can't see them both at the same time and so instead has to swivel back and forth....or something. My viewing setup is as such though:
You what'd be nice? A powerplay that doesn't suddenly suck. They're gonna get enough powerplays, they'd better score on 'em like in Game 1.
I hate Kiprusoff.
I hate Kiprusoff.
Me and Mike will both be posting throughout the game, just like last year. Expect a lot of stuff between now and the end of the night.
The game hasnt even started and I'm already pissed. Jann Arden singing the anthem? Are you fucking kidding me? That was awful. Sickeningly awful. I thought she was a professional singer for fuck's sake! She sounded like a dying cat getting pelted with a sack of doorknobs.
The game hasnt even started and I'm already pissed. Jann Arden singing the anthem? Are you fucking kidding me? That was awful. Sickeningly awful. I thought she was a professional singer for fuck's sake! She sounded like a dying cat getting pelted with a sack of doorknobs.
Wow, way to kick off the hugest game of these two teams' seasons ... with the butchering of the Canadian album by large mammal Canadian professional singer Jan Arden.
