Puck You! The Legend Returns
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Jim Swanson, Citizen Sports Editor: Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay
1-0 Tampa on a goal by Fedotenko!
1-0 Tampa on a goal by Fedotenko!
Monday, May 24, 2004
TAMPA BAY VS CALGARY - SERIES BEGINS AT TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA, AT 5 P.M. PT ON TUESDAY, MAY 25.
This series should be a dandy. Thank goodness the Flyers didn't make it, boy would that have sucked. JR, you aren't winning a Stanley Cup in your lifetime.
My prediction is Tampa Bay in seven. Like Anaheim last season, Calgary will be really close but not close enough. But expect a long exciting series. Tampa Bay has more speed than any of the teams the Flames have faced, and that will play a factor. They will be able to keep up with the speed of Calgary, and their forwards will be tougher to contain for Calgary than any team it has faced thus far. This will be the toughest series for Kipper to win in these playoffs. In the other net, Khabibulin is on a roll after getting peppered by some glorious chances by Philly, while San Jose didn't generate as good of chances on the Flames goaltender. Calgary limited the Sharks to a lower shot count than Tampa Bay did to the Flyers, and that will play a factor.
Not to underestimate Kipper, but I think Khabibulin has the edge right now, although he did let in a couple weak ones against the Flyers. But Calgary won't have the size in front of the net Philly did and I expect less traffic in front of Khabibulin this series. Kipper will win 3 games, but the Bulin Wall will win one more. I expect this win to be the start of what could be a dynasty in Tampa should they hang onto the players they've got right now.
This series should be a dandy. Thank goodness the Flyers didn't make it, boy would that have sucked. JR, you aren't winning a Stanley Cup in your lifetime.
My prediction is Tampa Bay in seven. Like Anaheim last season, Calgary will be really close but not close enough. But expect a long exciting series. Tampa Bay has more speed than any of the teams the Flames have faced, and that will play a factor. They will be able to keep up with the speed of Calgary, and their forwards will be tougher to contain for Calgary than any team it has faced thus far. This will be the toughest series for Kipper to win in these playoffs. In the other net, Khabibulin is on a roll after getting peppered by some glorious chances by Philly, while San Jose didn't generate as good of chances on the Flames goaltender. Calgary limited the Sharks to a lower shot count than Tampa Bay did to the Flyers, and that will play a factor.
Not to underestimate Kipper, but I think Khabibulin has the edge right now, although he did let in a couple weak ones against the Flyers. But Calgary won't have the size in front of the net Philly did and I expect less traffic in front of Khabibulin this series. Kipper will win 3 games, but the Bulin Wall will win one more. I expect this win to be the start of what could be a dynasty in Tampa should they hang onto the players they've got right now.
Friday, May 07, 2004
Playoff prediction recap:
Teams correctly picked:
Al: 1 out of 4
Nick: ZERO out of 4
Mike: 2 out of 4
Mark: 2 out of 4
While we were watching the last game at Boston Pizza of the Philly/Leafs series, I called that Toronto would tie up the game in regulation but Philly would take it in OT. I was right. Once regulation time ended, Silv predicted that the OT winner would, if Philly won, be scored by Roenick. He was also right.
For the next round I say:
Tampa in 5
Calgary in 7
I am now in Alberta. Darren, the editor at the paper I am working for, is a HUGE Flames fan. Despite these circumstances, I refuse to cheer for the Flames for any reason other than they are Canadian. I am going for Tampa despite them destroying my 2nd pick team the Canadiens because Marty St. Louis is too freaking awesome not to like.
Teams correctly picked:
Al: 1 out of 4
Nick: ZERO out of 4
Mike: 2 out of 4
Mark: 2 out of 4
While we were watching the last game at Boston Pizza of the Philly/Leafs series, I called that Toronto would tie up the game in regulation but Philly would take it in OT. I was right. Once regulation time ended, Silv predicted that the OT winner would, if Philly won, be scored by Roenick. He was also right.
For the next round I say:
Tampa in 5
Calgary in 7
I am now in Alberta. Darren, the editor at the paper I am working for, is a HUGE Flames fan. Despite these circumstances, I refuse to cheer for the Flames for any reason other than they are Canadian. I am going for Tampa despite them destroying my 2nd pick team the Canadiens because Marty St. Louis is too freaking awesome not to like.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Text message I received on my cell phone last night: "Hey al...ROENICK!"
Mike Eng sent me that message literally seconds following Jeremy Roenick's OT goal that send Philadelphia flying past Toronto. I then, like any hardcore fan, went on to flip out over the phone about how Roenick and the Flyers team should all rot in hell.
But now that the dust has settled and it's a new day, let's just reflect on last nights game. Like Melissa I missed the first period, well not entirely. I could portions of it from the AV Times office. I missed the second as well because I didn't get home from work yet. Again, the Flyers came out hungrier, probably carrying the momentum of that 7-2 shellacking in game 5. They took a 2-0 lead going into the second and things weren't looking so good.
The third period started slow, with no team getting any quality chances, but then things picked up. Off all players, Karel Pilar, playing his first post-season game in 2004, got Toronto on the board with a nice point shot that went off the post. Then Mats Sundin also scored later to force the game into overtime, and Toronto carried the momentum even into the extra frame.
Tie Domi had a great chance to score the winner but Robert Esche had a big save. The season is over for Toronto and it'll be interesting to see what the summer brings. I hope Philly gets struck by the Lightning and lose in four straight.
I spend enough time as it is sticking up for my team over here in Vancouver Canuck territory, but I can't help but criticize them too. I think they're too old for one thing. Their average age is 32, and it shows on the ice. They're not as fast as the other teams are, and they're getting beat to a lot of loose pucks. I really think they need more youth on their team. I look at the four teams remaining, and I wonder what difference experience really makes.
My puck you goes to, you guessed it, Jeremy Roenick, for putting away the Maple Leafs and sending Philly into the third round. Damn JR, talking about how, oh, I was planning to shoot that side and all that garbage. He was lucky.........LUCKY!
Question marks are surrounding the Leafs now. I think they need to make some serious changes, beginning with Pat Quinn. I liked this guy earlier in his Leaf days, but they've had too many playoff disappointments. I think they could use a new coach, I really do. Also, get rid of Antropov, please. Why have you hung on for this guy so long? Aki Berg - you're done! Get rid of this guy too, what has he done all series? And get a new backup goalie, a more youthful one because injuries will plague Belfour if he stays another season I know it. Anyways, "enough is enough and it's time for a change," as Owen Hart used to say.
Certainly the talent was there, but the chemistry wasn't. I think Toronto should quit trading for washed up 'old guys', like Leetch and Francis, and get a little more youth on this squad.
Mike Eng sent me that message literally seconds following Jeremy Roenick's OT goal that send Philadelphia flying past Toronto. I then, like any hardcore fan, went on to flip out over the phone about how Roenick and the Flyers team should all rot in hell.
But now that the dust has settled and it's a new day, let's just reflect on last nights game. Like Melissa I missed the first period, well not entirely. I could portions of it from the AV Times office. I missed the second as well because I didn't get home from work yet. Again, the Flyers came out hungrier, probably carrying the momentum of that 7-2 shellacking in game 5. They took a 2-0 lead going into the second and things weren't looking so good.
The third period started slow, with no team getting any quality chances, but then things picked up. Off all players, Karel Pilar, playing his first post-season game in 2004, got Toronto on the board with a nice point shot that went off the post. Then Mats Sundin also scored later to force the game into overtime, and Toronto carried the momentum even into the extra frame.
Tie Domi had a great chance to score the winner but Robert Esche had a big save. The season is over for Toronto and it'll be interesting to see what the summer brings. I hope Philly gets struck by the Lightning and lose in four straight.
I spend enough time as it is sticking up for my team over here in Vancouver Canuck territory, but I can't help but criticize them too. I think they're too old for one thing. Their average age is 32, and it shows on the ice. They're not as fast as the other teams are, and they're getting beat to a lot of loose pucks. I really think they need more youth on their team. I look at the four teams remaining, and I wonder what difference experience really makes.
My puck you goes to, you guessed it, Jeremy Roenick, for putting away the Maple Leafs and sending Philly into the third round. Damn JR, talking about how, oh, I was planning to shoot that side and all that garbage. He was lucky.........LUCKY!
Question marks are surrounding the Leafs now. I think they need to make some serious changes, beginning with Pat Quinn. I liked this guy earlier in his Leaf days, but they've had too many playoff disappointments. I think they could use a new coach, I really do. Also, get rid of Antropov, please. Why have you hung on for this guy so long? Aki Berg - you're done! Get rid of this guy too, what has he done all series? And get a new backup goalie, a more youthful one because injuries will plague Belfour if he stays another season I know it. Anyways, "enough is enough and it's time for a change," as Owen Hart used to say.
Certainly the talent was there, but the chemistry wasn't. I think Toronto should quit trading for washed up 'old guys', like Leetch and Francis, and get a little more youth on this squad.
well, thats it. we're done.
as in typical leaf fashion, they waited until the third period of the game to actually PLAY hockey....i missed the first period, caught bits of the second (i have a stupid presentation tomorrow and had to work on it) and bits of the third as well. second period looked a bit better than sunday in philly, but not much (from what i saw). third period was good, as they managed to actually tie up the game. some good shots on goal right at the end, but not enough to score, forcing an overtime.
even in overtime we had some really good chances before the roenick goal. sigh.
since we lost, i'd have to say the highlight of the game was when tucker SLAMMED that guy from philly into the boards in overtime. HAHAHAHA i could NOT stop laughing, it was entirely too hilarious, especially watching the guy trying to get up afterwards. for a smaller guy, tucker throws some really good hits, and he'll take on ANYONE, thats why i love him so much.
not having seen the game, i couldn't tell ya who should get the puck you, i'll have to leave that up to al.
so sad. but man, what a great hit. heh.
as in typical leaf fashion, they waited until the third period of the game to actually PLAY hockey....i missed the first period, caught bits of the second (i have a stupid presentation tomorrow and had to work on it) and bits of the third as well. second period looked a bit better than sunday in philly, but not much (from what i saw). third period was good, as they managed to actually tie up the game. some good shots on goal right at the end, but not enough to score, forcing an overtime.
even in overtime we had some really good chances before the roenick goal. sigh.
since we lost, i'd have to say the highlight of the game was when tucker SLAMMED that guy from philly into the boards in overtime. HAHAHAHA i could NOT stop laughing, it was entirely too hilarious, especially watching the guy trying to get up afterwards. for a smaller guy, tucker throws some really good hits, and he'll take on ANYONE, thats why i love him so much.
not having seen the game, i couldn't tell ya who should get the puck you, i'll have to leave that up to al.
so sad. but man, what a great hit. heh.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Steve Armitage: It's the man with the Midas Touch, Martin Gelinas! (minutes following Gelinas' goal late in the first OT).
Well the Flames are on to the third round. The longer the game wore on, the more it worked in Calgary's favour. Detroit's age was catching up with them and they had a tough time keeping up with the Flames speed in the end. Go figure, the Flames are in the playoffs for the first time in eight years, and they make up for lost time by making it to the Western Conference Final.
Exciting game overall, with lots of hits, shots and some great goaltending. I feel bad for Cujo more than anybody else. For the second year in a row, he loses to an underdog team with a goalie having the playoffs of his life (last year it was Giguere, this year Kipper). Joseph, one of my favorite goalies, isn't to fault at all for the loss. He lost back to back 1-0 games, that's ridiculous. Where was Detroit's offense? Oh, and my puck you goes to Derian Hatcher (aka boooooo) for his nasty elbow on Lombardi that never got called.
Big game tonight - Toronto vs Philly in game 6. Thank goodness the Leafs are at home, but even the comfort of playing at the ACC won't help if they come out as flat as last game. They need to get it together and send it back to Philly for a game seven. Here's to a better performance Melissa. I only wish I could be in Ontario right now with you and the rest of the true fans of the Maple Leafs. My favorite NHL team plays like 5000 kms, and three timezones from here. Over here in BC I'm surrounded by Canuck fans! How crappy is that? I work 9-5, so when I'm off work I already miss the first period of the game. Oh well, I'll have to catch what I can.
Well the Flames are on to the third round. The longer the game wore on, the more it worked in Calgary's favour. Detroit's age was catching up with them and they had a tough time keeping up with the Flames speed in the end. Go figure, the Flames are in the playoffs for the first time in eight years, and they make up for lost time by making it to the Western Conference Final.
Exciting game overall, with lots of hits, shots and some great goaltending. I feel bad for Cujo more than anybody else. For the second year in a row, he loses to an underdog team with a goalie having the playoffs of his life (last year it was Giguere, this year Kipper). Joseph, one of my favorite goalies, isn't to fault at all for the loss. He lost back to back 1-0 games, that's ridiculous. Where was Detroit's offense? Oh, and my puck you goes to Derian Hatcher (aka boooooo) for his nasty elbow on Lombardi that never got called.
Big game tonight - Toronto vs Philly in game 6. Thank goodness the Leafs are at home, but even the comfort of playing at the ACC won't help if they come out as flat as last game. They need to get it together and send it back to Philly for a game seven. Here's to a better performance Melissa. I only wish I could be in Ontario right now with you and the rest of the true fans of the Maple Leafs. My favorite NHL team plays like 5000 kms, and three timezones from here. Over here in BC I'm surrounded by Canuck fans! How crappy is that? I work 9-5, so when I'm off work I already miss the first period of the game. Oh well, I'll have to catch what I can.
Monday, May 03, 2004
al, you're right. i think my bias towards antropov (ie: me being the FARTHEST thing from his fan) got in the way, so i've changed the puck you to the entire team.
here's hoping tomorrow is a MUCH better showing.
here's hoping tomorrow is a MUCH better showing.
The Vancouver Canucks are searching for a new GM after deciding not to extend Brian Burke's contract. The team's payroll of $43 this season wasn't enough to get them by the Flames. I love how NHL.com just had to add how the loss to Calgary this year marked the second consecutive year that they got eliminated on home ice by a team lower in the standings. Tough break.
I'll let the Canuck expert (aka Nick) express his opinions on the decision. All I know is that I grabbed an issue of the province newspaper yesterday and 70 per cent, or something like that, of the people who participated on the poll said not to get rid of Burke. The same poll results saw Dan Cloutier as the Canuck player most would like to see the Canucks trade of their high profile players. I think it was an online poll on canucks.com or something.
What can you say about Toronto's game yesterday? Well, nothing good, that's for sure. Belfour was below average (6 goals on 18 shots), the defense was pathetic, and the offense couldn't muster hardly any chances. They were lucky to get two goals the way they played. The frustration was evident from the amount of stupid penalties they took as the game wore on. I've said it all along and I'll say it again, Antropov takes the stupidest penalties of anybody in the league. Roenick's elbow to him upset me, but why did Antropov have to retaliate like that after the refs were breaking up a scrum? It could've been four on four, instead Philly had a powerplay. Errrr.
McCabe was quoted to reporters as taking full blame for the loss, but it certainly wasn't his fault. As the captain Mats Sundin said, "we win as a team and we lose as a team." The team got pushed around, and was physically dominated by the Flyers while being outshot by a wide margin. They need to do a better job of creating traffic in front of the Flyers goalie (whether it be Burke or Esche), and containing Keith Primeau, who was a one-man wrecking crew that game, with 3 goals and an assist.
What a horrible, pathetic and embarrasing display of hockey. Good thing it wasn't on home ice. I had to take off the Leafs shirt I was wearing and throw on a new T-shirt I was so frustrated. And I'm just a fan!
My puck you doesn't go to Antropov, it goes to the whole white and blue team last night. How can you pick Antropov because of one cross check when you have McCabe giving Flyers clear breakaways, the defense breaking down, the offense getting few scoring opportunities and Belfour coming out with a .667 save percentage? As Matt Silver would say, "that was a 'gross' game!"
I'll let the Canuck expert (aka Nick) express his opinions on the decision. All I know is that I grabbed an issue of the province newspaper yesterday and 70 per cent, or something like that, of the people who participated on the poll said not to get rid of Burke. The same poll results saw Dan Cloutier as the Canuck player most would like to see the Canucks trade of their high profile players. I think it was an online poll on canucks.com or something.
What can you say about Toronto's game yesterday? Well, nothing good, that's for sure. Belfour was below average (6 goals on 18 shots), the defense was pathetic, and the offense couldn't muster hardly any chances. They were lucky to get two goals the way they played. The frustration was evident from the amount of stupid penalties they took as the game wore on. I've said it all along and I'll say it again, Antropov takes the stupidest penalties of anybody in the league. Roenick's elbow to him upset me, but why did Antropov have to retaliate like that after the refs were breaking up a scrum? It could've been four on four, instead Philly had a powerplay. Errrr.
McCabe was quoted to reporters as taking full blame for the loss, but it certainly wasn't his fault. As the captain Mats Sundin said, "we win as a team and we lose as a team." The team got pushed around, and was physically dominated by the Flyers while being outshot by a wide margin. They need to do a better job of creating traffic in front of the Flyers goalie (whether it be Burke or Esche), and containing Keith Primeau, who was a one-man wrecking crew that game, with 3 goals and an assist.
What a horrible, pathetic and embarrasing display of hockey. Good thing it wasn't on home ice. I had to take off the Leafs shirt I was wearing and throw on a new T-shirt I was so frustrated. And I'm just a fan!
My puck you doesn't go to Antropov, it goes to the whole white and blue team last night. How can you pick Antropov because of one cross check when you have McCabe giving Flyers clear breakaways, the defense breaking down, the offense getting few scoring opportunities and Belfour coming out with a .667 save percentage? As Matt Silver would say, "that was a 'gross' game!"
Sunday, May 02, 2004
that was easily the most horrible hockey game i've ever seen the leafs play.
its like, they all forgot how to play in toronto and stepped out onto the ice in philly with no idea of what was going on.
antropov took the CHEAPEST shot EVER by cross-checking roenick while he (roenick) was TALKING to the ref.
hi. COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY UNNECESSARY.
the game overall was pretty dirty. some crazy slashing/charging (go tucker go!)/cross checking.
first goal = a gift. mccabe pretty much presented the puck to recchi on a silver platter and said "here, go for it". every goal after that? good LORD. they scored SEVEN. by far, not belfour's best game.
giant thanks to roberts and nieuwendyk for trying. too bad the entire team bit the big one today. they have some MAJOR hockey to play on tuesday, and im talking steppin' up to the plate HUGE like they did last time they returned to TO.
this wasn't even a game. it was a brutal beating. unbelievable. esche is off with an undisclosed injury. would love to know what that is.
puck you's to antropov for the cheapest shot ever and to mccabe for that gift to recchi. as much as i love mccabe, it has to be done.
its like, they all forgot how to play in toronto and stepped out onto the ice in philly with no idea of what was going on.
antropov took the CHEAPEST shot EVER by cross-checking roenick while he (roenick) was TALKING to the ref.
hi. COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY UNNECESSARY.
the game overall was pretty dirty. some crazy slashing/charging (go tucker go!)/cross checking.
first goal = a gift. mccabe pretty much presented the puck to recchi on a silver platter and said "here, go for it". every goal after that? good LORD. they scored SEVEN. by far, not belfour's best game.
giant thanks to roberts and nieuwendyk for trying. too bad the entire team bit the big one today. they have some MAJOR hockey to play on tuesday, and im talking steppin' up to the plate HUGE like they did last time they returned to TO.
this wasn't even a game. it was a brutal beating. unbelievable. esche is off with an undisclosed injury. would love to know what that is.
puck you's to antropov for the cheapest shot ever and to mccabe for that gift to recchi. as much as i love mccabe, it has to be done.
Holy fuck Antropov is a cheap mofo. They just showed a replay where a ref had grabbed Roenick out of a scrum and he was drifting away from the tussle, and out of NOWHERE Antropov blows in with a crosscheck to the back of the head/neck area of Roenick! I can see why Antropov has received two Puck You! awards.
I'm looking at the Yahoo Sports box score for the Leafs game right now, which is at 12:05 left in the 2nd period. Am I seeing these shots on goal correctly? I see Belfour having received 18 shots and stopped 12...not too good. The score is 6-1 for the Flyers.
But what really makes my jaw drop is the Flyers' goalie stats. Esche - 2 shots, 1 save. Burke - 2 shots, 2 saves.
Do the Leafs really only have four shots? I'm almost afraid to watch this game.
But what really makes my jaw drop is the Flyers' goalie stats. Esche - 2 shots, 1 save. Burke - 2 shots, 2 saves.
Do the Leafs really only have four shots? I'm almost afraid to watch this game.
Saturday, May 01, 2004
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Joe Sakic seems determined to keep the Colorado Avalanche in the playoffs all by himself.
Boy, that is for sure. Joe Sakic (aka Mr. Clutch), the pride of Burnaby, BC, has scored Colorado's last three goals, and is now tied with Patrick Marleau for the NHL playoff lead with seven goals. Colorado avoided elimination for the second straight game with a 2-1 OT win Saturday, and are halfway to becoming just the third team to win a series after starting down 0-3 and first since the NY Islanders in 1975.
Is Sakic on a roll right now or what? He had several chances in this game to score more goals, but Nabokov came up huge. Aebisher wasn't too bad either in allowing a goal. He's allowed just two in his last three games now.
The Good:
The Toronto Maple Leafs are now tied 2-2 against the Philadelphia Flyers following a 3-1 victory yesterday. Great game by Mats Sundin, who still isn't 100 per cent, but managed to score two goals and come a few inches away from a hat trick. I have to say that lately I've been happy with the play of Leafs who dissapoint me during the regular season. Antropov and Belak have been playing strong, and last night Darcy Tucker had a strong game and scored on a nice tip in the third period to put the nail in the coffin on Philly, well in the game, not in the series.
Joe Nieuwendyk, who has missed three straight games with what is believed to be a back problem, participated in an optional skate Saturday morning. It would be great news if he can play Sunday. So far in the this series the home team has won every game and the Leafs need to reverse that.
The Bad:
Steve Yzerman took a puck to the eye, and had to leave the game during Calgary's 1-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Although the fact Calgary won is good for many Canadian fans, the incident brings up the whole debate over whether half face shields should be mandatory or not, something that just takes away from the action on the ice. That's a big time loss for the Red Wings if they lose this guy. No word has been said about the extent of the injury yet.
The Ugly:
American Hockey League forward Alexander Perezhogin has been suspended indefinetely and without pay by the AHL after a stick attack. Perezhogin, a forward for the Hamilton Bulldogs, was given the penalty for attempt to injure when he swung his stick and struck Cleveland Barons defenseman Garrett Stafford in the head during a playoff match on Friday. Stafford was taken to the hospital with a concussion and cuts.
If you ask me, this is at least as bad as the Todd Bertuzzi incident. Using your stick as a weapon can be severe and he's lucky media reports say Stafford has been released. For anyone who pays attention to sports, if you haven't seen this incident yet, you will within a matter of time. The act is already being compared to the McSorley swing on Donald Brashear. It's unfortunate penalties are based on results, which is why Stafford may be off the hook with only a few games. Actually one guy (I don't remember who he was, Cleveland coach maybe) said he should never play hockey in North America again. Perhaps that would be stretching, but the NHL has to find a way to get rid of these acts of violence. Fighting is okay but swinging the stick at an opponents head is bringing on-ice violence to a whole new level.
Somehow the Calgary Flames keep winning, and continue to outwork the Detroit Red Wings. I heard references from two different people, a commentator and Geno Reda of TSN, that the Red Wings think they're the Harlem Globetrotters. Here is one quote I got from the commentator during the third period of Saturday's game, after Pavel Datsyuk 's failed attempt to bounce the puck off the back of the net and bring it in front of Kiprisoff.
"Who does Datsyuk think he is? A Globetrotter? That garbage may work during the regular season but not the playoffs."
Datsyuk hasn't scored a goal in 19 playoff games while Detroit suffered being shutout for the first time in 52 games, or something like that. Should make for an interesting week.
Anyways, My "puck you's" you ask?
Philadelphia at Toronto = Alexander Perezhogin
Calgary at Detroit = Alexander Perezhogin
Colorado at San Jose = Alexander Perezhogin
I'm still asking myself who is this player and where did he come from?
Boy, that is for sure. Joe Sakic (aka Mr. Clutch), the pride of Burnaby, BC, has scored Colorado's last three goals, and is now tied with Patrick Marleau for the NHL playoff lead with seven goals. Colorado avoided elimination for the second straight game with a 2-1 OT win Saturday, and are halfway to becoming just the third team to win a series after starting down 0-3 and first since the NY Islanders in 1975.
Is Sakic on a roll right now or what? He had several chances in this game to score more goals, but Nabokov came up huge. Aebisher wasn't too bad either in allowing a goal. He's allowed just two in his last three games now.
The Good:
The Toronto Maple Leafs are now tied 2-2 against the Philadelphia Flyers following a 3-1 victory yesterday. Great game by Mats Sundin, who still isn't 100 per cent, but managed to score two goals and come a few inches away from a hat trick. I have to say that lately I've been happy with the play of Leafs who dissapoint me during the regular season. Antropov and Belak have been playing strong, and last night Darcy Tucker had a strong game and scored on a nice tip in the third period to put the nail in the coffin on Philly, well in the game, not in the series.
Joe Nieuwendyk, who has missed three straight games with what is believed to be a back problem, participated in an optional skate Saturday morning. It would be great news if he can play Sunday. So far in the this series the home team has won every game and the Leafs need to reverse that.
The Bad:
Steve Yzerman took a puck to the eye, and had to leave the game during Calgary's 1-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Although the fact Calgary won is good for many Canadian fans, the incident brings up the whole debate over whether half face shields should be mandatory or not, something that just takes away from the action on the ice. That's a big time loss for the Red Wings if they lose this guy. No word has been said about the extent of the injury yet.
The Ugly:
American Hockey League forward Alexander Perezhogin has been suspended indefinetely and without pay by the AHL after a stick attack. Perezhogin, a forward for the Hamilton Bulldogs, was given the penalty for attempt to injure when he swung his stick and struck Cleveland Barons defenseman Garrett Stafford in the head during a playoff match on Friday. Stafford was taken to the hospital with a concussion and cuts.
If you ask me, this is at least as bad as the Todd Bertuzzi incident. Using your stick as a weapon can be severe and he's lucky media reports say Stafford has been released. For anyone who pays attention to sports, if you haven't seen this incident yet, you will within a matter of time. The act is already being compared to the McSorley swing on Donald Brashear. It's unfortunate penalties are based on results, which is why Stafford may be off the hook with only a few games. Actually one guy (I don't remember who he was, Cleveland coach maybe) said he should never play hockey in North America again. Perhaps that would be stretching, but the NHL has to find a way to get rid of these acts of violence. Fighting is okay but swinging the stick at an opponents head is bringing on-ice violence to a whole new level.
Somehow the Calgary Flames keep winning, and continue to outwork the Detroit Red Wings. I heard references from two different people, a commentator and Geno Reda of TSN, that the Red Wings think they're the Harlem Globetrotters. Here is one quote I got from the commentator during the third period of Saturday's game, after Pavel Datsyuk 's failed attempt to bounce the puck off the back of the net and bring it in front of Kiprisoff.
"Who does Datsyuk think he is? A Globetrotter? That garbage may work during the regular season but not the playoffs."
Datsyuk hasn't scored a goal in 19 playoff games while Detroit suffered being shutout for the first time in 52 games, or something like that. Should make for an interesting week.
Anyways, My "puck you's" you ask?
Philadelphia at Toronto = Alexander Perezhogin
Calgary at Detroit = Alexander Perezhogin
Colorado at San Jose = Alexander Perezhogin
I'm still asking myself who is this player and where did he come from?
