Conference stkhlm::hockey

Nobody is worse at making predictions than I am, but that's never
stopped me before.

Montreal at New Jersey		New Jersey in 5
Ottawa at Buffalo		Buffalo in 6
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia	Philadelphia in 6
NY Rangers at Florida		New York in 7

Chicago at Colorado		Colorado in 4
Edmonton at Dallas		Dallas in 5
St. Louis at Detroit		Detroit in 5
Phoenix at Anaheim		Anaheim in 4

Then:
	New Jersey over New York in 6
	Philadelphia over Buffalo in 6
	Detroit over Dallas in 5
	Colorado over Anaheim in 4

	New Jersey over Philadelphia in 7
	Colorado over Detroit in 5

	Colorado over New Jersey in 6

I hope I've at least got the seedings right.  I have no doubt
the results are wrong.  But I do believe the Lanche will repeat.

Steve

My first round picks...

East

 Montreal at New Jersey       	N.J in 5
 Ottawa at Buffalo		Buffalo in 5, via Hasak
 Pittsburgh at Philadelphia	Philly in 5, sorry Warren
 NY Rangers at Florida		Florida in 7

West

 Chicago at Colorado		Colorado in 5
 Edmonton at Dallas		Dallas in 4
 St. Louis at Detroit		St. Louis in 7
 Phoenix at Anahiem		Phoenix in 6


    cheers,
    
    	fred

    First round picks...
    
                         EAST
    Devils  -  Habs               Devils - 7
    Senators-  Sabers             Sabers - 5 
    Flyers  -  Pens               Flyers - 6
    Rangers -  Panthers           Rangers- 7
    
    
                         WEST
    Hawks   -  Avs                Avs     -5
    Oilers  -  Stars              Stars   -6
    Blues   -  Red Wings         Red Wings-6
    Coyotes -  Ducks              Ducks   -7
    
    
    
    Chris  

Devils vs Habs		Devils - 5
Sens vs Sabres		Sens - 6
Flyers vs Pens		Flyers - 6
Rangers vs Panthers	Rangers - 7

Hawks vs Avs		Avs - 5
Oilers vs Stars		Stars - 6
Blues vs Red Wings	Wings - 6
Coyotes vs Ducks	Ducks - 6


Ben

    >>I'm picking with my head and not my heart
    
    Huh! You don't have a heart. ;*)
    
    
    Andy

    Here is my predictions for the first round only, I like to start from
    scratch each round.
    
    
Montreal at New Jersey		New Jersey in 6
Ottawa at Buffalo		Buffalo in 7
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia	Pittsburgh in 7
NY Rangers at Florida		Florda in 7

Chicago at Colorado		Colorado in 4
Edmonton at Dallas		Dallas in 5
St. Louis at Detroit		St Louis in 6
Phoenix at Anaheim		Phoenix in 7
    
    Dave
    

Andy,

Maybe I shoulda picked with my heart. My head is still bruised from that 
slapshot at this past weekend's tourny. ;^)

Ben

    For those who weren't there.
    
    Ben put himself in front of a slapshot; got it on the knob.
    The beauty of it was that as the puck lay there in the slot, Ben is 
    hunched over (in big pain) but is still 'trying' to swipe the puck
    in the corner. He missed on his 2 attempts as the '3rd puck' he was
    SEEING was the right one. 
    
    Andy

So now you know why I was staying away from the peelers.;^) BTW, my wife 
was a little more sympathetic than you guys. :^)  

Ben

    <<  Wifey poo made it all better   >>
    
    
    I won't say it!
    
    pete  ;-)

RE: Wifey poo...

Well I guess I left myself wide open for that one! I can't even come up with 
anything witty that qualifies as a valid comeback. Somebody help me! :^)

Ben  

    My picks
    
    Mon Vs NJ 		NJ in 6
    Sens vs Buf.	Sens in 7
    Pitts vs Phil	Phil in 4
    NY vs Flor.		NY in 6
    
    Hawks vs Avs.	Col in 5
    Oilers vs Stars	Dallas in 5
    Detroit vs Blues	Det in 4
    Phoniex vs Ducks	Phon in 7
    
    NJ over NYR in 5
    Philly over Sens in 4
    Dallas over Detroit in 6
    Colorado over Phoniex in 5
    
    Philly over NJ in 7
    Col over Stars in 6
    
    Colorado over Philly in 6
    
    
    That's about it. Playoff MVP - Eric Lindros
    
    

    Devils over Habs in 5       	      Habs don't have the defence 
    Sens over Sabres in 7		      Can't analyze; going with heart
    Flyers over Pens in 6		      Mario steals a couple in last
    						hurrah
    Rangers over Panthers in 6		      Rangers are a solid team, if
    						healthy
    
    Avs over Hawks in 6			      Hawks aren't as bad as their
    						record, but Avs are better
    Stars over Oilers in 5		      Stars will make a real run
    Wings over Blues in 5		      Wings another team to watch
    Anaheim over Phoenix in 7                 ?
    
                                               

    Sean,
    
    If your first round predictions are correct then Ottawa would play New
    Jersey in the second round.
    
    Bernie.
    
    
    

    My Dream Picks:
    
    Round 1:
    
    MTL-NJ	NJ  in 7, as MTL picks it up but comes up short
    OTT-BUF	BUF in 7, I only see Hasek as the difference
    PIT-PHL	PIT in 6, Mario & Wreggett Shine, Lindros & Hextall Suck
    NYR-FLA	NYR in 7, Wayne beats the Rats
    
    CHI-COL	COL in 5, Hawks will somehow win one, I think
    EDM-DAL	DAL in 5, Dallas seems to deep, strong at the moment
    STL-DET	DET in 7, A healthy Fuhr this year will keep it close
    PHO-ANA	ANA in 7, Could be the closest series and fun to watch
    
    Round 2:
    
    PIT-NJ	PIT in 6, 4 game winning OT goals by Mario sets new record
    NYR-BUF	NYR in 7, ULF injures Hasek in Game 1, wins series
    
    ANA-COL	ANA in 7, Disney Fixes Series
    DET-DAL	DET in 7, Can win the big one, now that Dino is gone
    
    Round 3:
    
    PIT-NYR	PIT in 6, Mario, Wayne, Jagr, Messier - TV Ratings Soar
    ANA-DET	DET in 7, One Line not good enough for this one
    
    Finals:
    
    PIT-DET	PIT in 4, So long Mario, and thanks for all the fish
    
    Playoff MVP: Take a wild guess

    Oh - I guess we should also be predicting at what point during the
    playoffs will STKHLM:: become unavailable or run out of disk space
    or something like that.  Don't want to break the streak :-)
    
    Warren (ALTHOCKEY standing by just in case)

    
    Bernie, you win ever damn hockey pool you go near. Put your predictions
    in here so we can jump all over them...
    
    thanks,
    yours truly,
    brian

    Take this to the bank!   (Kiss of Death probably!)
    
    First Round:
    
    NJ over Mtl		In 4
    Ott over Buff	In 6
    Phil over Pitt	In 7
    Fla over NYR	In 6
    
    Col over Chi	In 5
    Dal over Edm	In 7
    Det over St.L.	In 5
    Ana over Pho	In 7
    
    Second Round:
    
    NJ over Ott		In 6
    Phil over Fla 	In 6
    
    Col over Ana	In 5
    Det over Dal	In 6
    
    Third Round:
    
    NJ over Phil	In 7
    
    Det over Col	In 6
    
    Final:
    
    Det over NJ		In 6     ;-)

    OK,  here goes.  I don't like making these kinds of predictions.  I
    only like sure bets that earn me beer ;-)
    
    ROUND 1
    
    	NJ over Mtl       in 6 (could be an upset here)
    	Ott over Buff     in 6
    	Phil over Pitt    in 5 
    	NY over Florida   in 5 (Cats ruined their chemistry when they
    				traded Barnes)
    
    	Colorado over Chicago  in 5
    	Dallas over Edmonton   in 7
    	Detroit over St-Louis  in 7
    	Phoenix over Anaheim   in 6
    
    ROUND 2
    
    	Ottawa over New Jersey  in 6  (they play the trap as good as the 
    					Devils....wishfull thinking)
    	Rangers over Philly     in 6  (Richter outplays Hextall/Snow)
    	Colorado over Phoenix   in 7  (could be an upset here)
    	Detroit over Dallas     in 6  (just to keep Pete happy)
    
    Round 3
    	Rangers over Ottawa     in 5  
    	Detroit over Colorado   in 6  (a blood bath, Avs miss Simon!)
    
    Round 4
    	Who cares!!! It's June, the boat is in the water and the Senators
    	are out of it ;-)

    
    Before posting my predictions let me go on record as saying
    the Av's *SHOULD* take the Cup again easily. it doesn't seem fair
    to have Sakic & Forsberg on the same team. I only see 1 team from the
    west that *could* possibly beat them .... the Wings (sorry Pete KOD)
    
    here goes:
    
    EAST
    
    Mon over NJ   (even though Gilmour was a steal the Habs will prevail)
    Sens over Buffalo (not impressed with Buffalo but what do I know)
    Philly over Pitt  (Goodbye Mario 31 and retired what a shame!)
    NY  Over Florida  (The Rangers will make it to the Conference Finals)
    
    Round 2
    
    Philly over Mont  (Leclair comes back to haunt the Habs)
    Rangers over Sens (Sens cindarella season is over)
    	
    Round 3
    
    Philly goes to the Finals  behind the Legion of Doom & Garth Snow
    
    
    WEST
    
    Avs over Hawks   (Av's depth and quality too much for the Hawks)
    Stars over Oilers (Modano & Moog Shine in the lone-star state)
    Wings Over Blues  (Brendan Shanahan was the steal of the year)
    Ducks over Phoenix (Kariya is the best player in the post-season)
    
    Round 2
    
    Avs over Wings   (Wings could upset the Av's)
    Ducks over Stars (Kariya & Selanne  lead the way)
    
    Round 3
    
    Avs over Ducks (or Wings over Ducks)
    
    
    Finals
    
    Av's over Flyers (lindros High sticks Lemieux at the end of game 7)
    
    
    Toby

    Toby....go back into hibernation with the rest of your Bears  ;-)
    
    Your round 2 scenario can never happen......Ducks would play the Avs
    and the WIngs would be playing the Stars.
    
    pete

It intrigues me that so many of you pick Ottawa over Buffalo.  Is this
wishful thinking, or do you feel the Sabres are not as good as their record?

Granted, I look at their roster and can't for the life of me see how they
ever win a game, but you can't overlook what they've done this season (I
think Nolan should be Coach of the Year in a walkaway).  And it can't just
be Hasek, though I've felt he's the best goaler in the world since way back
when he was sitting on Chicago's bench (having seen him over here numerous
times before he went to the NHL).  This is a team that has taken a leaf out
of New Jersey's book.  They win on team play and defense, plus goaltending.

Still, they are a young team with no playoff experience.  Against a more
established team, I'd consider them prime candidates for an upset, but the
Sens are just as young and inexperienced.  Their only edge might be that
they're expected to lose and feel less pressure.

Steve

    
    they mentioned something during the game last night, Ottawa has
    something like 25(ish) stanley cup games amongst the whole team and
    Buffalo has 50(ish), not much experience for either of them.
    
     Hasek is and has been, a big factor. He is un-real. Another stat from
    last night, he has a save percentage of 93% in each of the last 5
    years.
    
     Ottawa is as good as their record and more. They had one of the best
    records in the entire league over the last half of the season. They
    are getting excellent goaltending, have a well rounded offense that
    does not quit and the improvement in their defensive game is why they
    are in the playoffs. There is no wishful thinking here at all, it is
    un-biased, learned analysis by the more experienced hockey people in
    this notes file that gives Ottawa the edge in this series.
    
    (either that or we're all homers)
    go Sens go.

    Steve,
    	In each team's last 40 (or 42) games this season their records
    are IDENTICAL. The dif'rnce? Hasek was injured in the 2nd half.
    
    
    Andy

Andy, I wasn't aware of that.  Of course, the problem is that Hasek is
healthy now.  And do you really think Ron Tugnutt is a match for him?

Still, I find the Sabres boring and brutal, and I'd be delighted if
the Sens take them out.

Steve

    > boring and brutal 
    
    NJ, FLA, and BUF are all boring and brutal.  And the Flyers aren't fun to
    watch either.  Better hope for some upsets in the East, or I'll be forced
    to root for the West Teams. Argh.
    
    Warren

    Pete,
    
    	I knew if I was wrong Somebody would point it out... shoulda
    	figgered it was you!  8-)
    
    Steve,
    
    	the reason I picked Ottawa over the Sabres is 
    	a) Sabres are boring and I don't like their new sweaters
    	b) maybe Bernie will give me back one of his beers
    
    real scientific huh  8-)
    
    Warren ,
    
    How can you say the Flyers are boring???  just watching Lindros
    waiting to see a goall, check or cheapshot is worth watching.
    
    
    Toby

    Guys,
    
         could someone please post the results as they go,so we can keep up
    to date with whats happening.We don't always get all the results here
    in U.K. and the only thing by way of games on t.v. is Power week and
    it's a week behind!!!.
    
    
    Thanx in advance
    
    
    Al

    Toby,
    
    I didn't say the Flyers are boring - I said they aren't fun to watch 
    (for me.)  But, things are better now that I got a sturdy piece of
    plexiglass in front of the TV. :-)
    
    Warren

    The reason for the Sabres success is Hasek, all Hasek, nothing but
    Hasek.  The more I look at this team, the more I realize that Nolan
    did not have as much to do with their success as Hasek did.
    
    Consider the following:
    
    	With Hasek:   37 wins  20 losses 10 ties
    	Without Hasek: 3 wins  10 losses  2 ties 
    
    When was the last time that a team who's leading scorer had 53 points
    finished first in their division?  Mind you, they do have a balanced 
    attack with six 20 goal scorers.
    
    Bernie.
    
    P.S.  Brian, your comments were right on :-)
    

[Image]Stanley Cup playoff schedule

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click on team matchups for series notebooks, key matchups, playoff history,
1996-97 regular season recaps, playoff statistics and 1996-97 game-by-game
recaps.

[Image]Eastern Conference

First round

New Jersey vs. Montreal - New Jersey leads series, 1-0

Thursday, April 17  - New Jersey 5, Montreal 2
Saturday, April 19  - Montreal at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22   - New Jersey at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 24  - New Jersey at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26  - Montreal at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Monday, April 28    - New Jersey at Montreal, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Wednesday, April 30 - Montreal at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Buffalo vs. Ottawa - Buffalo leads series, 1-0

Thursday, April 17  - Buffalo 3, Ottawa 1
Saturday, April 19  - Ottawa at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 21    - Buffalo at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23 - Buffalo at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25    - Ottawa at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, April 27    - Buffalo at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29   - Ottawa at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh - Philadelphia leads series, 1-0

Thursday, April 17  - Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 1
Saturday, April 19  - Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 21    - Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23 - Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26  - Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Monday, April 28    - Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Wednesday, April 30 - Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Florida vs. N.Y. Rangers - Florida leads series, 1-0

Thursday, April 17  - Florida 3, New York 0
Sunday, April 20    - New York at Florida, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22   - Florida at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23 - Florida at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25    - New York at Florida, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, April 27    - Florida at New York, 2 p.m., if necessary
Wednesday, April 30 - New York at Florida, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

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[Image]Western Conference

First round

Colorado vs. Chicago - Colorado leads series, 1-0

Wednesday, April 16  - Colorado 6, Chicago 0
Friday, April 18     - Chicago at Colorado, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 20     - Colorado at Chicago, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22    - Colorado at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 24   - Chicago at Colorado, 8:30 p.m., if necessary
Saturday, April 26   - Colorado at Chicago, 8:30 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29    - Chicago at Colorado, 8:30 p.m., if necessary

Dallas vs. Edmonton - Dallas leads series, 1-0

Wednesday, April 16  - Dallas 5, Edmonton 3
Friday, April 18     - Edmonton at Dallas, 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 20     - Dallas at Edmonton, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22    - Dallas at Edmonton, 9:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25     - Edmonton at Dallas, 8 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, April 27     - Dallas at Edmonton, 2 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29    - Edmonton at Dallas, 8 p.m., if necessary

Detroit vs. St. Louis - St. Louis leads series, 1-0

Wednesday, April 16  - St. Louis 2, Detroit 0
Friday, April 18     - St. Louis at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 20     - Detroit at St. Louis, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22    - Detroit at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25     - St. Louis at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, April 27     - Detroit at St. Louis, 2 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29    - St. Louis at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Anaheim vs. Phoenix - Anaheim leads series, 1-0

Wednesday, April 16  - Anaheim 4, Phoenix 2
Friday, April 18     - Phoenix at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 20     - Anaheim at Phoenix, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22    - Anaheim at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 24   - Phoenix at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, April 27     - Anaheim at Phoenix, 3 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29    - Phoenix at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., if necessary

All times Eastern
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   * Go to Sports front page
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[Image]

    I forget where this was asked, but ...
    
    ESPN will be showing GAMES 2,3,4, and 6 of the Finals.
    So, I guess Fox will do 1,5,7
    

[Image]Stanley Cup playoff schedule

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click on team matchups for series notebooks, key matchups, playoff history,
1996-97 regular season recaps, playoff statistics and 1996-97 game-by-game
recaps.

[Image]Eastern Conference

First round

New Jersey vs. Montreal - New Jersey leads series, 2-0

Thursday, April 17  - New Jersey 5, Montreal 2
Saturday, April 19  - New Jersey 4, Montreal 1
Tuesday, April 22   - New Jersey at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 24  - New Jersey at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26  - Montreal at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Monday, April 28    - New Jersey at Montreal, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Wednesday, April 30 - Montreal at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Buffalo vs. Ottawa - Series tied, 1-1

Thursday, April 17  - Buffalo 3, Ottawa 1
Saturday, April 19  - Ottawa 3, Buffalo 1
Monday, April 21    - Buffalo at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23 - Buffalo at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25    - Ottawa at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, April 27    - Buffalo at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29   - Ottawa at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh - Philadelphia leads series, 2-0

Thursday, April 17  - Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 1
Saturday, April 19  - Philadelphia 3,Pittsburgh 2
Monday, April 21    - Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23 - Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26  - Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Monday, April 28    - Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Wednesday, April 30 - Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Florida vs. N.Y. Rangers - Series is tied, 1-1

Thursday, April 17  - Florida 3, New York 0
Sunday, April 20    - New York 3, Florida 0
Tuesday, April 22   - Florida at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23 - Florida at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25    - New York at Florida, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, April 27    - Florida at New York, 2 p.m., if necessary
Wednesday, April 30 - New York at Florida, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

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[Image]Western Conference

First round

Colorado vs. Chicago - Colorado leads series, 2-1

Wednesday, April 16  - Colorado 6, Chicago 0
Friday, April 18     - Colorado 3, Chicago 1
Sunday, April 20     - Chicago 4, Colorado 3 (2 OT)
Tuesday, April 22    - Colorado at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 24   - Chicago at Colorado, 8:30 p.m., if necessary
Saturday, April 26   - Colorado at Chicago, 8:30 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29    - Chicago at Colorado, 8:30 p.m., if necessary

Dallas vs. Edmonton - Edmonton leads series, 2-1

Wednesday, April 16  - Dallas 5, Edmonton 3
Friday, April 18     - Edmonton 4, Dallas 0
Sunday, April 20     - Edmonton, 4, Dallas 3 (OT)
Tuesday, April 22    - Dallas at Edmonton, 9:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25     - Edmonton at Dallas, 8 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, April 27     - Dallas at Edmonton, 2 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29    - Edmonton at Dallas, 8 p.m., if necessary

Detroit vs. St. Louis - Detroit leads series, 2-1

Wednesday, April 16  - St. Louis 2, Detroit 0
Friday, April 18     - Detroit 2, St. Louis 1
Sunday, April 20     - Detroit 3, St. Louis 2
Tuesday, April 22    - Detroit at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25     - St. Louis at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, April 27     - Detroit at St. Louis, 2 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29    - St. Louis at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Anaheim vs. Phoenix - Anaheim leads series, 2-1

Wednesday, April 16  - Anaheim 4, Phoenix 2
Friday, April 18     - Anaheim 4, Phoenix 2
Sunday, April 20     - Phoenix 4, Anaheim 1
Tuesday, April 22    - Anaheim at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 24   - Phoenix at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., if necessary
Sunday, April 27     - Anaheim at Phoenix, 3 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29    - Phoenix at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., if necessary

All times Eastern
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   * Go to Stanley Cup playoff index
   * Go to Sports front page
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Image]

Looks like we'll get some game 7's out west...
    
[Image]Stanley Cup playoff schedule

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click on team matchups for series notebooks, key matchups, playoff history,
1996-97 regular season recaps, playoff statistics and 1996-97 game-by-game
recaps.

[Image]Eastern Conference

First round

New Jersey vs. Montreal - New Jersey leads series, 3-0

Thursday, April 17  - New Jersey 5, Montreal 2
Saturday, April 19  - New Jersey 4, Montreal 1
Tuesday, April 22   - New Jersey 6, Montreal 4
Thursday, April 24  - New Jersey at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26  - Montreal at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Monday, April 28    - New Jersey at Montreal, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Wednesday, April 30 - Montreal at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Buffalo vs. Ottawa - Buffalo leads series, 2-1

Thursday, April 17  - Buffalo 3, Ottawa 1
Saturday, April 19  - Ottawa 3, Buffalo 1
Monday, April 21    - Buffalo 3, Ottawa 2
Wednesday, April 23 - Buffalo at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25    - Ottawa at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 27    - Buffalo at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 29   - Ottawa at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh - Philadelphia leads series, 3-0

Thursday, April 17  - Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 1
Saturday, April 19  - Philadelphia 3,Pittsburgh 2
Monday, April 21    - Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 3
Wednesday, April 23 - Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26  - Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Monday, April 28    - Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
Wednesday, April 30 - Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Florida vs. N.Y. Rangers - New York leads series, 2-1

Thursday, April 17  - Florida 3, New York 0
Sunday, April 20    - New York 3, Florida 0
Tuesday, April 22   - New York 4, Florida 3 (OT)
Wednesday, April 23 - Florida at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25    - New York at Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 27    - Florida at New York, 2 p.m., if necessary
Wednesday, April 30 - New York at Florida, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

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[Image]Western Conference

First round

Colorado vs. Chicago - Series tied, 2-2

Wednesday, April 16  - Colorado 6, Chicago 0
Friday, April 18     - Colorado 3, Chicago 1
Sunday, April 20     - Chicago 4, Colorado 3 (2 OT)
Tuesday, April 22    - Chicago 6, Colorado 3
Thursday, April 24   - Chicago at Colorado, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26   - Colorado at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 29    - Chicago at Colorado, 8:30 p.m., if necessary

Dallas vs. Edmonton - Series tied, 2-2

Wednesday, April 16  - Dallas 5, Edmonton 3
Friday, April 18     - Edmonton 4, Dallas 0
Sunday, April 20     - Edmonton, 4, Dallas 3 (OT)
Tuesday, April 22    - Dallas 4, Edmonton 3
Friday, April 25     - Edmonton at Dallas, 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 27     - Dallas at Edmonton, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 29    - Edmonton at Dallas, 8 p.m., if necessary

Detroit vs. St. Louis - Series tied, 2-2

Wednesday, April 16  - St. Louis 2, Detroit 0
Friday, April 18     - Detroit 2, St. Louis 1
Sunday, April 20     - Detroit 3, St. Louis 2
Tuesday, April 22    - St. Louis 4, Detroit 0
Friday, April 25     - St. Louis at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 27     - Detroit at St. Louis, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 29    - St. Louis at Detroit, 7:30 p.m., if necessary

Anaheim vs. Phoenix - Series tied, 2-2

Wednesday, April 16  - Anaheim 4, Phoenix 2
Friday, April 18     - Anaheim 4, Phoenix 2
Sunday, April 20     - Phoenix 4, Anaheim 1
Tuesday, April 22    - Phoenix 2, Anaheim 0
Thursday, April 24   - Phoenix at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 27     - Anaheim at Phoenix, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 29    - Phoenix at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., if necessary

All times Eastern
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   * Go to Stanley Cup playoff index
   * Go to Sports front page
   * Go to Sports Index

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Image]

    Panthers really got screwed last night.  I hope this toe in the crease
    and reviewing further goals stuff doesn't ruin the playoffs.  It's
    really starting to become very tiresome.
    
    Warren

    The Panthers may have got screwed but at least it wasn't because of the
    "toe in the crease" thing.  The ref refused the Panthers overtime goal
    because in his opinion there was interference on the play.  It was a
    tough call but I think it was the right call.  The Panthers' player 
    did run Leetch onto Richter.  
    
    On the winning goal,  that's exactly why they need the video replay. 
    The puck was clearly in the net but Marouelli had missed it.
    
    Bernie. 

    FWIW, I disagre w/ Bernie.
    
    Mellanby was going to the net, Leetch (another Ozolinsh) was trying
    to stop him. Mellanby gave him the shoulder and Leetch went flying into
    Richter. A 'homer' call. The goal should've counted.
    
    Didn't see the OT goal as I went to bed after 'my' Avs were down 5-2.
    
    Andy

    Andy I'm with you regarding the no-goal call against Florida. It seems
    as though every goal is reviewed now. 
    
    cheers,
    
    	fred

    Greztky scored three last night as the Rangers beat Florida 3-2.  Andy
    should be jumping on the Blueshirts' bandwagon anytime now.
    
    Bernie.

    Geez, Wayne, can't you let Mario enjoy a little spotlight????
    
    W

    Bernie,
    
    	Yeah! I'm taking for the Rangers in this one. BTW, this was the
    3rd time in his playoff career that GreAtzky got a 'natural hat trick'.
    "3RD TIME". I doubt any of us has ever done it more than once
    (excluding Bernie, of course).
    
    Andy

    Three Games 7's on Tuesday (Love it!!!)
    (Although no Hockey Tonight - what will we do?)

[Image]Stanley Cup playoff schedule

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click on team matchups for series notebooks, key matchups, playoff history,
1996-97 regular season recaps, playoff statistics and 1996-97 game-by-game
recaps.

[Image]Eastern Conference

First round

New Jersey vs. Montreal - New Jersey wins series, 4-1

Thursday, April 17  - New Jersey 5, Montreal 2
Saturday, April 19  - New Jersey 4, Montreal 1
Tuesday, April 22   - New Jersey 6, Montreal 4
Thursday, April 24  - Montreal 4, New Jersey 3 (3 OT)
Saturday, April 26  - New Jersey 4, Montreal 0

Buffalo vs. Ottawa - Series tied, 3-3

Thursday, April 17  - Buffalo 3, Ottawa 1
Saturday, April 19  - Ottawa 3, Buffalo 1
Monday, April 21    - Buffalo 3, Ottawa 2
Wednesday, April 23 - Ottawa 1, Buffalo 0 (OT)
Friday, April 25    - Ottawa 4, Buffalo 1
Sunday, April 27    - Buffalo 3, Ottawa 0
Tuesday, April 29   - Ottawa at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.

Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh - Philadelphia barely wins series, 4-1

Thursday, April 17  - Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 1
Saturday, April 19  - Philadelphia 3,Pittsburgh 2
Monday, April 21    - Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 3
Wednesday, April 23 - Pittsburgh 4, Philadelphia 1
Saturday, April 26  - Philadelphia 6, Pittsburgh 3

Florida vs. N.Y. Rangers - New York wins series, 4-1

Thursday, April 17  - Florida 3, New York 0
Sunday, April 20    - New York 3, Florida 0
Tuesday, April 22   - New York 4, Florida 3 (OT)
Wednesday, April 23 - New York 3, Florida 2
Friday, April 25    - New York 3, Florida 2 (OT)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Image]Western Conference

First round

Colorado vs. Chicago - Colorado wins series, 4-2

Wednesday, April 16  - Colorado 6, Chicago 0
Friday, April 18     - Colorado 3, Chicago 1
Sunday, April 20     - Chicago 4, Colorado 3 (2 OT)
Tuesday, April 22    - Chicago 6, Colorado 3
Thursday, April 24   - Colorado 7, Chicago 0
Saturday, April 26   - Colorado 6, Chicago 3

Dallas vs. Edmonton - Series tied, 3-3

Wednesday, April 16  - Dallas 5, Edmonton 3
Friday, April 18     - Edmonton 4, Dallas 0
Sunday, April 20     - Edmonton, 4, Dallas 3 (OT)
Tuesday, April 22    - Dallas 4, Edmonton 3
Friday, April 25     - Edmonton 1, Dallas 0 (2 OT)
Sunday, April 27     - Dallas 3, Edmonton 2
Tuesday, April 29    - Edmonton at Dallas, 8 p.m.

Detroit vs. St. Louis - Detroit wins series, 4-2

Wednesday, April 16  - St. Louis 2, Detroit 0
Friday, April 18     - Detroit 2, St. Louis 1
Sunday, April 20     - Detroit 3, St. Louis 2
Tuesday, April 22    - St. Louis 4, Detroit 0
Friday, April 25     - Detroit 5, St. Louis 2
Sunday, April 27     - Detroit 3, St. Louis 1

Anaheim vs. Phoenix - Series tied, 3-3

Wednesday, April 16  - Anaheim 4, Phoenix 2
Friday, April 18     - Anaheim 4, Phoenix 2
Sunday, April 20     - Phoenix 4, Anaheim 1
Tuesday, April 22    - Phoenix 2, Anaheim 0
Thursday, April 24   - Phoenix 5, Anaheim 2
Sunday, April 27     - Anaheim 3, Phoenix 2
Tuesday, April 29    - Phoenix at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.

All times Eastern
    
    

    With Pittsburgh, Montreal, St.Louis, and Chicago gone, the teams that
    noters in here follow is getting kind of slim...
    
    I hope Ottawa wins, but NJ would be a tough matchup for them.
    That would set up NY at Philly, though, which would be interesting.
    Although they might need a few body bags...
    
    Out West, Colorado and Detroit seem to be on their way to a big showdown.
    
    Warren

    Boy, is it ever quiet in here today...3 game 7's tonite and no
    discussions!!
    
    Anyway, here are my predictions for tonite's contests:
    
    - Dallas
    
    - Anaheim
    
    - Ottawa; Tugnutt will be the star for Ottawa, keeping them tied into
    overtime until captain Randy Cunnyworth scores the winner in OT.
    
    Ray.
    

    Ray,
    	
    	If Ottawa wins, then CBC will HAVE to cover the Sens-Devils series.
    	Yawwwwwn!!! This'll be just as boring as the Sens-Sabres series.
    
    
    Andy

    Ray,
    
    I'm looking for our buddy Lance Pitlick to get the winner ;-) 
    
    Bernie.

    I pick, Anaheim, Ottawa and I can't call the Dallas/Edmonton game.
    Buffalo is just one of those teams that doesn't know how to win the big
    game. And there is too much controversy going on in the locker room.
    
    Anaheim is the better of the two teams and should advance. Phoenix
    losing Roenick is at a disadvantage (not as much as if they still had
    Zhamanov though.....badda bing..)
    
    Dallas/Edmonton...both of these teams deserve to advance. I think
    either can beat Detroit. Should be a good game tonight.
    
    Les

    I worry about Ottawa's chances.  I think they're the better team, but
    they seem to do everything the hard way.  I hope this doesn't mean they
    have to lose a playoff series before they win one.
    
    On the hopeful side, Daigle played a decent game the other night, and
    Chorske will be back. 
    
    -Stephen

    All 3 games are on TV tonight in the US.
    
    What a country?  And just think, before Mario saved Hockey in this
    country, you were lucky if your own team was on.
    
    Ott at Buf  7:30 on ESPN2
    Edm at Dal  8:00 on ESPN
    Phx at Ana 10:30 on ESPN2
    
    I originally picked the home team for all three, but will be rooting
    for the Senators (I have a brother-in-law in Buffalo).  I see each
    game being pretty close.  Maybe we'll get an OT game!!!!
    
    Warren

    Those that have followed the Edmonton-Dallas series know that Edmonton
    should be out by now.  Dallas dominated in two of Edmonton's wins.
    Joseph has been outstanding plus the Stars were victim to some poor
    officiating.  They were robbed in the game were the Oilers scored 3 in
    the last 4 minutes.  
    
    Bernie.

    Well, I picked the winners in 6 of 8 series; would've been perfect if
    the OT games last night had gone the other way.  A better record than I
    expected.
    
    In the 2nd round:
    
    Avs over Oilers in 6		should be great hockey
    Wings over Anaheim in 5
    Devils over Rangers in 7		fascinating matchup
    Flyers over Sabres in 5		Sabres not very good
    
    -Stephen

    I didn't pick in the 1st round (vacation) so if I go by the
    "Andy theory", I'm 8 for 8!!:*))
    
    Avs/Oilers : Avs in 5
    
    Wings/Ducks: Wings in 5
    
    Devils/Rangers: Devils in 6
    
    Sabres/Flyers: Flyers in 5
    
    
    Ray.
    

    Well, congrats to the SENS on a magnificent season.
    
    hmm,
    Col/Edm    Col in 6
    Det/Ana    Det in 6
    N.J/N.Y.R. N.J.in 5
    Buf/Phi    Phi in 4
    
    cyas.

    Well I had 7 of 8 correct teams in round 1 
    lets try round 2
    
    
    Philly-Sabres      Philly 4
    N.Y   -N.J         N.Y    7
    Col   -Edm         Col    6
    Det   -Ana         Det    5
    
    
    Chris

    It's nice that all you guys have such confidence in Detroit to finish
    the Ducks off rather handily.   I'm not that confident......Detroit
    didn't win in 4 games against them this year.....the Wings don't play
    well against trapping teams.
    
    pete

    NJ - NYR   Devils in 5  Devils are great - Mismatch I think
    PHL - BUF  Sabres in 6  If Hasek comes back, it'll be in 4.
    			    Sabres are a nasty team and will frustrate flyers
    COL-EDM    Av's in 5    Av's will coast (for now)
    DET-ANA    Wings in 7   Wings are still to deep
    
    Of course this sets up NJ-BUF (Yech) and COL-DET (Yeah).
    
    Warren

Well I'm 6 for 8 in my 1st round predictions.

Buff. - Phil.		Philly in 6
NY - NJ			NJ in 7

Col. - Edm.		Edm in 7
Det. - Ana.		Ana in 6

Ben

    Hmmm, didn't do so good in the first round, only 5 out of 8 but I take
    consolation that the three that I missed went to seven games and in two of
    those, the losing team actually outplayed the winning team.
    
    Here goes for the second round:
    
    Rangers over Devils in 6		Gretzky is on a mission
    Philadelphia over Buffalo in 5	Buffalo don't belong there
    Colorado over Edmonton in 5		Edmonton don't belong there
    Detroit over Anaheim in 6 		Anaheim relies too much on one line
    
    Bernie.

    Damn! Just went thru them all and noticed I didn't put any predictions
    in. FWIW, I would've had them all right anyways, agree????
    
    
    Andy

    
    I think Bernie is on the right track but that the Rangers and Phily
    will need an extra game each.
    
    
    Rangers over Devils in 7		
    Philadelphia over Buffalo in 6	
    Colorado over Edmonton in 5		
    Detroit over Anaheim in 6 		
    
    Scott
    
    

    
    
    Bernie's close
    
    Rangers over Devils   
    Philly over Buffalo
    Av's over Edmonton
    Ducks over Wings
    
    
    
    Toby

    A few bits and bites I read this weekend...
    
    - rumors that the Panthers will be going after Sergei Federov this
      summer
    
    - rumors that the Red Wings will be going after Mark Messier...
    
    - Paul Kariya will be seeking a new contract in the 7-9M $$ range...
    
    - Glen Sather is having a ball w/ Patrick Roy and Claude Lemieux. About
    Lemieux, he said ;"...the only thing I remember about him is he's the
    guy that caughed up the puck on the American's winning goal at last
    year's World Cup...". He's also been on Roy's case about his equipment.
    He says Roy's sweater is more like a tent...
    
    - Pat Burns wants the job in MTL...
    
    - Bob Hartley (Hearshy Bears) could be a surprise candidate...
    
    - Garth Snow looks more like an NFL linebacker than a goalie w/ his
      shoulder pads...
    
    
    Ray.
    
    
    
    
    

    There were rumours that the Panthers were going after Federov but then
    Bryan Murray said that they couldn't afford the 5 1st round picks for
    him so they wouldn't.    On the other hand, Murray would love to
    embarass Detroit for firing him.
    
    The Wings and Federov have already started contract talks.   Federov
    says he wants to stay in Detroit.
    
    pete

    The fact the Panthers lossed in the 1st round this year got the fans
    pretty 'ticked off', and it seems their not happy w/ Wayne Huisienga
    (sp) for not spending enough money on star players...like he does for
    the Marlins and Dauphins. This is why the rumors for Federov
    re-surfaced...
    
    Ray.
    

    About the goalie equipment thing....IT'S GETTING RIDICULOUS.  It will
    need to be addressed in the off season.
    
    Bernie. 

    
    make them play naked
    
    ok, maybe a mask.

    I think Snow looks a little flaky with those pads. You could almost
    bank the puck in off them.
    
    I think they should plough Snow every time he ventures out of the
    crease.

    You think to much :)
    
    Chris

    I'll bet the way to put one past Snow is to drift one in from the blue
    line.

    That's better....4 out of 4 for the second round.  Ben, go look at .57
    ;-)
    
    I pick:
    
     Rangers over Flyers in 6...this is where Philly pays the price for 
     having ordinary goaltending.
    
     Detroit over Colorado in 6...Detroit will not be denied this year and
     they will make over rated Roy look very ordinary :-)
    
    Bernie.

    Well, I didn't think the Ranger would beat the Devils, certainly not in
    5 games.  They are playing very well, both offensively and defensively,
    and are getting great goalkeeping, and I think they will beat Philadelphia.
    
    I haven't seen Detroit in the playoffs; I hear they are playing very
    well.  Colorado's the best team I have seen this spring. I won't try to
    predict the winner, but I'm very much looking forward to watching this
    series.
    
    -Stephen

    I also had 3 good picks. The Rangers really surprized me by beating the
    Devils in 5...
    
    This round should bring us very good quality hockey. All four teams are
    very good. I'll pick the Rangers and Colorado to advance to the finals.
    Both series could go the limit.
    
    Ray.
    

    Well, I certainly missed the boat this year - prediction-wise.
    So we got -  Rangers-Flyers and Wings-Avs - should be good!
    
    The fact that NJ, BUF, FLA or any other over-acheivers didn't make the
    semi-s is good for a change.  (I just wish a certain other under-achieving
    team would have made it...)
    
    Anyway, I'd like to see the Rangers and the Wings, but I'll predict the
    Flyers and the Av's, just cause my predictions have been so pitiful.
    I can see a few 'donneybrooks' happening in these games though.  Hope it 
    doesn't get too ugly.
    
    Playoffs start Thursday in Colorado and Friday in Philly
    
    Warren

    Well I was 7 for 8 in round 1
    4 for 4 in round 2    (.54)
    Here goes the prediction for the Conference finals.
    
    
    Philly over the Rangers in 6
    
    Detroit over Colorado in 6
    
    Chris
    

            <<< STKHLM::DISK$GIANTS:[NOTES$LIBRARY]HOCKEY.NOTE;1 >>>
                             -< Hockey on ice... >-
================================================================================
Note 585.73                 1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs                   73 of 74
GOBUCS::COOLEY "Megan and Michelle's Daddy"          15 lines  12-MAY-1997 20:18
                     -< 2 good series coming up, I think >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ---cut-----
    
    The fact that NJ, BUF, FLA or any other over-acheivers didn't make the
    semi-s is good for a change.  (I just wish a certain other under-achieving
    team would have made it...)
----cut--

    
Yea Warren, like you I wish the Caps would have made it too ;)


cheers,

	fred

    When Claude Lemieux scored the OT winner Friday nite in Edmonton, it was
    his 17th career winning goal in the SC playoffs...That puts "Claude the
    fraud" tied for 3rd overall in the NHL (with Mike Bossy and Glenn
    Anderson). Wayne Gretzky is 1st with 24, followed by Maurice "the
    Rocket" Richard w/ 18...
    
    Also, with his goal last nite, he now has 67 career playoff
    goals...that's only 1 less than Gordie Howe and 3 less than Mario
    Lemieux...
    
    You can love him or hate him, but one thing is for sure, he's quite the
    "money player".
    
    Ray.
    

    
    I'll hop on the prediction wagon... as mentioned the "money players"
    are here so I'll take Colorado in 5 over the Wings. (Roy & Lemieux)
    New York over the Flyers in 7. (Richter, Tikkanen, Gretzky, etc.)
    
     I was hoping to see the Oilers matched up with their progenitors in
    New York. 
    
    What was with Mclean's wack on Sundstom? The video was fairly clear  
    showing the retaliatory assault. 
    
     Bentley

    After letting Mark (MHL) Messier get away with his crosscheck to
    Gilmour's face in a previous game, there's no way Burke could suspend
    McLean for his attack on Sundstrom...
    
    Ray.
    

    I really like the matchups for the conference finals. They should each
    go 6 r 7 tough games and any of the combinations should make a good cup
    final. I still can't back away from the Avalacnhe though. They are
    awesome.
    
    Dave

    > You can love him or hate him, but one thing is for sure, he's quite the
    > "money player".
    
    
    Hate him!!! Your right!! Although that goal was a crappy one after the
    amazing save Joseph made against Sakic.
    
    Dave

    I hope Detroit looses in this round 'cause Pete won't be able to cope
    when they loose in the finals...

    I hate the Avs and I hope they get swept.

    Regarding Claude Lemieux, I wish he were a Hawk. Lemieux is a throw
    back to 60' when there weren't so many primmadonnas in hockey. His
    rugged style and tenacity around the net make him an MVP. The hit on
    Draper will label him from now on and that is what a lot of people will
    remember him for. I will not judge him on just the Draper incident, and
    with that in mind, I would love to have him on my team.
    
    Les

>    I would love to have him on my team.
    
    ditto, ditto, ditto !!!


_sbn

    I watched Lemieux for years when he was with Montreal.  I couldn't
    stand him then and I was a Habs fan at the time.  Every time somebody
    was near him he'd drop like he had been shot. This would happen almost
    every game. There was a funny incident where Lemieux was rolling around
    on the ice again when the Habs trainer went to jump on the ice to save
    him from certain death.  Pat Burns grabbed the trainer and wouldn't let
    him on the ice.  Lemieux kept looking up to see if the trainer was
    coming.  Finally he got up and went to the bench on his own.  
    
    I can't deny that he's something else come playoff time.  Is he not the
    only player to win the Stanley Cup with three different teams?   Eleven
    goals all year and he already has 10 in the playoffs!!!  
    
    Bernie.
    

    I saw the hit he put on Draper (again) on TV.
    
    Compare that hit to the one Messier put on Hough(Fla) early in the
    season, where Messier was suspended for 2 games, and you'll find that
    Messier's hit was dirtier. I stand by what I've always said: "YES,  it
    was hitting from behind but the location of Draper is the reason his
    face was smashed." Yes, it was 'dirty'(?) but there's been a lot more
    dirtier hits in the NHL this season; Messier comes to mind often.
    
    Andy

I totally agree with the Aaaaaaan, Aaaaaaaaaaann, (can't do it), the last
statement.:^) The hit on Draper was a bit of a fluke. Draper did turn at the
last second. If the hit had been executed by almost anyone else it never
would have been "highlighted" the way it was with Lemieux.

Ben 

    Ben, <sniff!!>, ...this is too much.........
    
    Is it manly to tell another man you love him in a public notesfile???
    Hypothetically speaking of course. ;*)
    
    
    Andyt

    The fact is Draper was badly hurt.  Sure, if he hadn't been, the hit
    would have been just another cheap shot.  But because he was, it was
    treated as much more than that.  The fact that it was Lemieux, one of
    those guys everybody (myself included) loves to hate, probably made it
    worse.  But I think that anyone reponsible for a cheap shot hit from behind
    that mangled a man's face the way Draper's was would have been the
    target of a lot of emoption, etc., and rightfully so.
    
    -Stephen

    another thing:  Lemieux apparently never said he was sorry about the
    incident.

    It's all part of the game boys, all part of the game.
    Colorado in 6
    Philly in 5
    
    Rik...

    No matter which way you look at it..
    
    Draper's face injury is just one example
    of many; on how someone can get injured when
    hit from behind!
    
    
    Chris
    

RE: .88

Andy,

Oh, oh...Andy, you're not gonna hug me next time I see you are you? 8^O

Ben  
 

    Andy, I AGREE, I AGREE...  Maybe CLaude didn't say he was sorry and yes
    Draper was messed up pretty bad, but the positioning, as you
    said, played a big part in the end result. There are plenty other
    players out there who blatantly use their sticks, or in recent years
    their knees, to do some potentially devestating damage on other
    players. Claude is no saint, but this is hockey. The chicken S**T
    players who use their sticks and knees to do their dirty work should be
    suspended as soon as possible. 
    
    The best penalty for Claudes hit on Draper is retaliation. Hit Claude
    and hit him hard. That's hockey! On Detroit already got him once. But
    that may not be enough.
    
    I cancelled cable last week, but reinstated it when I reallized that
    the Wings/Avs games were on ESPN. Tonight's game should rated FTHFO,...
    For True Hockey Fans Only. Put the kids to sleep early.
    
    Les

    
    
    Well my picks were correct for a change so I'll call the next ones as
    well.  
    
    	Flyers in seven.
    	Avs in six. 
    
    This has to happen since these are the only two NHL hats I own.  When
    does the band wagon leave???   
    	I was in Atlanta for the last bunch of playoff games.  Unfortunately 
    all I could get on tv was some game played by giants with an inflated 
    piece of round rubber.  Stupid game really, the ref blew the whistle every 
    time a player just bumped an opposing player!
    
    Scott 

    re -.1
    	
    	I think I know the game. Was it the one w/ a lot of empty netters?
    The one where no goalies are allowed?
    Mind you they seem to have that in the crease rule though.
    
    
    Andy

    Is this sport played on a very wide green ice surface???
    
    Ray.
    

    
    Leury will jump all over the officiating in that too....
    

    Why would I slam (no pun intended) the officiating?  Did you miss my 
    point in the other stream?  I think that the officiating in the memorial 
    cup has been better than what I've seen in a long time yet David Branch 
    the head of the CHL was complaining that there was too many penalties.
    In my opinion, all calls were justified and the rules were applied
    consistently from the drop of the puck to the end of the game.
    
    Keep it up boys.
    
    Bernie.

    
     You think the officiating in 1 game was up to par, many others your
    point has been the opposite. Not sure what you mean by "keep it up
    boys" but you have a nice weekend too.
    
    In yesterday's Citizen, an article mentioned the 'problems' they have
    with multi-league tournaments like the Memorial Cup where the difference
    in officiating between the provinces becomes evident. The article
    quoted Branch, who has been a big wheel in hockey in Canada every since
    Bernie's glory days in peewee. Some of the teams take awhile to adjust
    to officials from other leagues. I think the Memorial uses officials from
    all 3 Canadian Major Junior leagues?
    
    Keep it up boys.

    The host league supplies all of the officials.  The officials used to
    come from the three leagues but that caused political problems when it
    came to selecting officials for key games.  I saw an interview with
    Branch and I was really disappointed with his statements around the
    officiating in the tournament.  Basically he said "there's too many
    penalties".  I saw two games with many penalties.  The point is that
    they were deserved.  So, don't blame the officials for too many
    penalties, blame the players for playing dirty!
    
    As I watch this tournament, I think that the other leagues should look
    at the Quebec league as a model on how to officiate games.  It makes
    for very entertaining hockey.
    
    Bernie.

    Avs take the first game with a 2 - 1 win.  Any comments on the game
    Pete?
    
    Bernie.

    Yea....the Avs, in conjunction with the league suits, cheated!
    
    Pierre Lacroix went to Patrick before the game and said-
    
     "Look Patrick, I know that you guys in Montreal cheated all the 
    time....you slanted the ice in the old Forum....you had crooked 
    timekeepers who got caught gambling....you always had the refs in your 
    back pocket.  Our boys are tired and they won't be able to keep up with
    Detroit's speed.  What can we do?"
    
    And Patrick replied - 
    
    "Look Pierre, mon ami.   The Bruins had the right idea a couple of
    years back when they shut the power down in the Boston Garden when they
    knew they couldn't beat the Oilers.  But they missed a great
    opportunity.  Why don't we take it a step further and shut down the ice 
    plants and blame it on the storm?  Bettman will believe us...he'll
    think that it is a great idea to keep the fans warmer. That way the ice 
    will soften and slow Detroit down to our pace.  Plus, since we ignored the
    league directive and didn't bother fixing the Visitor's bench so that 
    their knees wouldn't be tight against the boards, their legs will be so
    tight and tired out, it will affect them for the rest of the series.  "
    
    Pierre praised Patrick for this novel idea and the rest is history!    
    
    
    pete ;-)

    Is this what really happened last nite Pete?
    

    The Red Wings are done!
    
    They had about 5-10 minutes of sustained attack in the whole game and
    then couldn't keep it going.  On the other hand, the Avs looked pretty
    sharp, particulrly the last goal, and Foote is a force on defense.
    
    Face it Pete, you should become a Senator's fan!

    
    First of all, learn to spell...(Gretyzky Rules!)  
    
    Second of all, were you watching last nights game with blinders on?
    
    The entire 1st and 2nd periods were both well-played by both teams. 
    Neither the Avs or the Redwings had much in the regard of offense, but
    look at the shots on goal...35-19 in favour of the wings.  How can you
    say that they only had 5-10 minutes of sustained attack?  
    
    The Avs did everything short of ask the refs to give them a head start
    last night...can't wait to see the wings kill them on Saturday night.
    
    Here come the wings!!
    
    

    
    Wings 0-fer-6 on the Power-play
    
    won't go far playing like that.
    
    had to laugh when Foote got called for the leg check/trip.
    also the ESPN announcers love #52  I think it was Melrose who said
    that Foote was the best Defenseman on the ice but won't get recognition
    because he doesn't score enough.
    
    Toby

    
    Avs 0-fer-5 on the Power-play
    
    won't go far playing like that either
    
    I guess only time will tell.  
    
    This is going to be a fantastic series either way it goes. :)
    
    Patrick
    
    

    I'm sorry but the Avs usually get outshot every game.
    The reason? The D won't let the opposition get close enough so
    they tend to shoot at the net and try going for the rebounds (which
    Roy gives up a lot).
    
    Next time, look at the QUALITY chances the Avs get; they tend to lead
    in that category.
    
    About last night's game; it was boring. Both teams were tentative and
    seemed to respect themselves a little bit too much. That may change.
    Forsberg got 3 semi-breakaways when killing penalties; he's back
    alright. 
    
    The ref called everything in the 1st 1/2 of the game and hence slowed 
    the pace down tremendously; then again, I guess he HAD to do that for
    the 1st game. As I said before the series, the Wings tend to try to
    HURT the opposition's best players w/ cheap shots (ie. Selanne). Last
    night, Forsberg kept getting slashed by the Wings cheap shot artists
    (namely Konstantinov and Lapointe). Can't say the same about the Avs.
    
    
    Andy

    > Unfortunately 
    > all I could get on tv was some game played by giants with an inflated 
    > piece of round rubber.  Stupid game really, the ref blew the whistle every 
    > time a player just bumped an opposing player!
    
    Any game in which each team reaches the object of the game (to score)
    40 or more times a game is WAAAAAAAY too easy. If you want me to be
    interested in that stupid game, you have to make one of 2 changes. 
    
    1) Double the height of the goal
    2) Put those overgrown freaks on ice skates
    
    Now that would be a game.
    
    
    Great game last night. This is going to be an awesome series. The Avs
    are going to kick some Russian butt. I have tpo root for the Avs
    because I absolutely hate the Wings (the whole team except for STevie Y
    and Shanahan), the Flyers (Lindros), and the Rangers (Messier an NY).
    
    There was some really incredible goaltending last night even by
    Vern..on. But, the best save of ther night was by Ozolinch (sp?) in the
    1st period. If Maltby scores that goal, it's a different game.
    
    Dave

    Speaking of Konstantinov, a rare thing happened last night and you may
    not see it again. Konstantinov took a hit from an Avs player and didn't
    (that's right did NOT) go down like someone tried to poke his eyes out. 
    You probably won't see that again.
    
    Dave

    Re: lack of sustained attack - please forgive me!  I assumed that all
    readers were as knowledgable as Mr. Watters.  A high number of shots
    does not equal a sustained attack.
    
    The Red Wings played real hard for about 10 minutes after they scored
    and then they stopped playing again.  Foote made about 3 outstanding
    defensive plays and the Dead Things gave up.  They did have a cooupl of
    good scoring chances, but Roy killed them, although I have to agree
    with Andy that Roy does go down early, give huge reboubds and is very
    lucky...

    Reading the notes it sounds like there were two different games played
    on the ice. I am sure that biases aren't coming into play. 8*)
    
    Detroit played well, but not smart. They didn't take good quality shots
    (the high shots on goal total suprised me. I didn't think they had that
    many). And with Roy going down early, there was plenty of "upper net"
    space, but Detroit chose to shoot it at his gut.
    
    Les
    

    Detroit has for years made goalies look good.   They constantly
    outshoot other teams only to lose or barely squeak by.  I think a lot
    of it is that with no one getting in front, the goalie is basically
    playing catch.
    
    
    On another note, it's amazing how many Avalanche fans there are all of
    a sudden.  Since Boborado left, there seemed to be no "real" fans
    reporting in here....just the bandwagon jumpers.
    
    Side note #2 - Andy's girlfriend was complaining about his watching
    hockey a lot during the playoffs.  Andy commented how his team is
    still playing and she said that it's funny how he always cheers for the
    teams in the finals!
    
    
    pete ;-) 

    Hey!  Watch that no real fans stuff - I'm still cheering for the
    Leafs!!

    Hey, I just want to set the record straight. I am not an Avalance fan.
    I could never be a fan of a team named after a natural disaster. But,
    rooting for a team in the finals this year is a lot like voting for
    president in the US. You don't vote FOR anyone, just against everyone
    else :-)))
    
    Dave

        
    Well, well, well.  Look at those Wings!!  Just in case any of you
    missed it on Saturday night, the Wings once again dominated the
    Avalanche, and this time came out with a victory!!  Total shots on goal
    combined for the first two games -- Wings 75; Avs 36.  OUCH!
    
    It looks like both teams got the feel back on power plays.  It was a
    good thing for Detroit to get that momentum.  Getting shut out on
    power plays really hurts the confidence.  Going 2-fer-5 on Saturday was
    huge for them.
    
    You know, after the last regular season meeting between the Avs and the
    Wings I think it was Keane that said, "I've got no problem playing a
    heartless team."  I think that Detroit showed the most heart and
    determination of the play-offs this year with the 4 goal comeback after
    being down 2-0 in the middle of the second.  
    
    I would like to take one shot at Forsberg.  I have never ever in my
    life seen him take as many dives as he did in this game.  Fortunately
    the refs must have gone back to the tape from the previous game and
    realized that that is how he plays...cheap!
    
    Tonights game back in hockey-town USA.  Let's go WINGS!!
    
    Patrick
    

    It looked to me like the Avs were playing very hestitant in the 2nd and
    3rd periods. They even looked a little panicky to me. Detroit didn't
    relent. Only Roy kept the Wings at bay until the end.
    
    One note, as much as I like the way Lemeiux turns it on at playoff
    time, I am growing tired of him looking like a squashed possum when
    ever he gets hit. He just lays on the ice and covers up. 
    
    Les

    Detroit up 2-1

    re. PARSE::GIBSON
    >>    I would like to take one shot at Forsberg.  I have never ever in my
    >>    life seen him take as many dives as he did in this game. 
    
    	Well look in your own backyard buddy. Lemieux, I agree, but
    Forsberg? The guy takes the most abuse of anyone out there; partly
    because he carries the puck so much and bulldozes thru people. A diver
    he definitely ain't. Try and play the game one of these days bud.
    
    Wings killed the Avs on Sat after letting the Avs take a 2-0 lead.
    I have no problem w/ that loss; you win some w/o playing 60min and you
    lose most when not playing for 60min.
    
    Last night's game: Kerry Fraser and the timekeeper(read. Bowman) tried
    everything to keep the Avs down. Fraser again stole the show calling an
    atrocious game. The Wings D are a bunch of Jamie Macoun/Bernie Leury;
    they hold everything. They should be called for holding on practically
    every shift, especially Fetisov and Rouse. Also, how bout getting a 
    non-partial timekeeper for next game. The Avs caught the timekeeper NOT
    stopping the clock on at least 3 occasions; giving them back :09.
    Avs deserved this game but missed the net too often and Vernon got real
    lucky at the end when he took a shot to the head. 
    
    Anyways, who cares who wins games #2-3-4? It's going 7 either way.
    
    Andy

    Andy;
    
    	take it easy on the timekeepers...last nite, they were from
    Toronto. They're not used to working in May...:*))
    
    Ray.
    
    

    I understand that fans for two different teams see two entirely different
games.  I'll try to remain impartial, but I'm not promising anything... :)


   KAOFS::WATTERS wrote:
---------------------------------- 
	Well look in your own backyard buddy. Lemieux, I agree, but
    Forsberg? The guy takes the most abuse of anyone out there; partly
    because he carries the puck so much and bulldozes thru people. A diver
    he definitely ain't. Try and play the game one of these days bud.
----------------------------------
    Last night's game: Kerry Fraser and the timekeeper(read. Bowman) tried
    everything to keep the Avs down. Fraser again stole the show calling an
    atrocious game. The Wings D are a bunch of Jamie Macoun/Bernie Leury;
    they hold everything. They should be called for holding on practically
    every shift, especially Fetisov and Rouse. Also, how bout getting a 
    non-partial timekeeper for next game. The Avs caught the timekeeper NOT
    stopping the clock on at least 3 occasions; giving them back :09.
    Avs deserved this game but missed the net too often and Vernon got real
    lucky at the end when he took a shot to the head.
----------------------------------

    I agree with you that Forsberg is taking a lot of abuse out there on the
ice.  If he's going to dish out some of the hits, then he's got to be able to
take them too.  It seems that any time a Detroit player gets close to
Forsberg, he hits the ice, starts flopping around, and then stares pleadingly
at the refs.  He drew two unwarranted penalties in Game One right in a row by
doing that.
    I admit that Forsberg is one of the greatest young players in the NHL today.
He does get away with doing some pretty dirty stuff though.  A delayed penalty 
was called on the Avs in the third period of this latest game, so he starts 
to hack away at the ankle of the nearest Wing with his stick.  If he was on the
receiving end of the slash, he would have hit the ice, again...
    And as for bulldozing people, it seems that the best person on the Avs for
that particular task is Patrick Roy... :)  Did you see his take-down of Larry
Murphy, followed by the chest thump into Tomas Sandstrom?  It's nice to know
Roy will have a successful bowling career after he retires from hockey...
    I will agree that Fraser was making some outrageous calls and non-calls.
But at the very least, this went both ways, if not against the Wings.  Kocur's
penalty was a bad, baaaaaaad call.  He skated back towards Vernon to hold onto
on of the many Avs players there.  You protect your goalie, and your players.
He didn't come out with fists flying, or stick slashing, but he got the 2 minute
unsportsmanlike conduct anyway.
    I don't know what was going on with the timeskeeper, but if that is the
latest excuse that Crawford is using, then that is pretty lame.  He should stick
with Scotty's metal plate.


Scott

GO WINGS!

    

 

        <<< Note 585.122 by PATE::NEFF "Stained Roast Beef Curtains" >>>
                       -< Sounds like sour grapes...... >-


>    Forsberg? The guy takes the most abuse of anyone out there; partly
>    because he carries the puck so much and bulldozes thru people. A diver

   Andy - waddabout Lindros? (Unless you keep it to this series) If anyone 
   takes (and gives) abuse, I would give him the trophy. Did you watch Sundays
   game???? Murder I tell you, I was in my glory !!!

_sbn

    Jeez Andy.....I thought that Fraser was on Colorado's payroll last
    night!  It's known that he doesn't like Detroit.
    
    Cheap calls in the first on Lapointe (the second penalty of the 3 in a
    row) when he got called for tripping (Cherry said it should have been
    clipping but it looked alright to me).  Another cheap call when he sent
    Kocur off by himself in the second that gave the Avs the PP goal. At
    the least, Fraser should have sent a player from both teams (Forsberg
    should have gone for chopping Vernon well after the whistle). 
    
    Crawford must have a direct line to Fraser....."Kerry, please add 3
    more seconds"). 
    
    Roy should have got a penalty at the end of the second for hitting
    Sandstrom.  Yea, he embellished it a bit but nevertheless Pat did give
    him an unnecessary shoulder in the back as he skated by...it wasn't as
    soft a shot as the Colorado-lover John Garrett reported.
    
    Garrett also said something before the game which caused me to shake my
    head.....he said that the Avs must pressure Detroit's weak spot...their
    defense!  Seems to me that when you limit a team like Colorado to 2
    games with less that 20 shots and another with less than 30, it can't
    be considered "weak".
    
    Still a long way to go!
    
    papa raiderov  ;-)   
    
    

    
    apparently the timekeeper was having trouble hearing the whistles.
    
    anyone going to serve cheese at this wine party?
    
    I finally got a full game last night and that was pretty good hockey.
    
     keep it up boys :-)

    I wonder what the next episode of Bench-Gate will offer before game 5
    in Denver?
    
    
    To update you on events to date -
    
    During last year's playoffs, Bowman asked the league to have Colorado fix 
    the visitor's bench ....it was 3 feet shorter and 10" closer to the
    boards than the home bench.   The players can't sit comfortably since
    their knees were pressed against the boards and it made it harder to
    jump the boards during line changes.
    The league told Colorado to fix it but they said they couldn't.
    
    During the summer, it was brought up again but the league ignored it.
    
    When the bench wasn't fixed for the 1st game, one of the Wing's
    assistants, Barry Smith, called a carpenter friend in Colorado Springs
    who got the lumber and made a bench about 6' long.  Detroit's training
    staff tore out a section of the old bench before Game 2 and put the new 
    bench in, away from the boards.  The line due on the ice next for the 
    Wings sit here.
    
    After the game, the Detroit trainer took the bench back to the room for
    safekeeping.
    
    So what will happen before Game 5.....if the new bench is being stored
    in Denver, will there be a breakin and destroy mission?  Will Crawford
    or Lacroix have the portion of the bench that was removed by  Detroit
    replaced with a metal run and set it in concrete so the Wings can't
    remove it?
    
    pete  
    
    

    Will Bowman re-paint the visitors room at J-L-A before game 4..??
    
    Ray.
    

    re .128
    
    Not even Bowman would stoop that low Ray.   It would be hazardous to
    the players' health.
    
    Between Crawford's hairspray and the paint fumes, any spark would set
    the place in flames.
    
    pete ;-) 

    Ok Ok, here we go again. :*))
    
    Kocur got a VERY WELL DESERVED penalty. Every one else was pushing and
    shoving each other (most fell on their asses) while Kocur facewashed
    ??? as he was hauling him down. Like I said at the time: "It's about
    time Fraser calls that crap Detroit keeps doing". Girlfriend then said
    I'm taking this 'game' too seriously and went on to say that "they're
    playing not you, so THEY'll lose or THEY"ll win, not YOU!". She just
    doesn't understand.... :*)
    
    Roy ran into Sandstrom but he didn't know he was there (had his head
    down). Sandstrom embellished it wayyyy too much. Then, Murphy goes out
    of his way to block Patrick. And you say Roy was looking for
    trouble???? Amazing. You guys must be reading the Detroit Free Press.
    
    Bowman's always asking for a video replay. Isn't there a rule against
    that (ie. it can't come from the bench???)
    
    As for the Wings weak point. Sure the Avs don't have that many shots
    but they're getting huge chances; problem is, they're missing the net.
    Don't let the Wings D get away w/ 1/2 the holding they're doing and
    the Avs get even more chances.
    
    
    As for the abuse on Lindros; shouldn't Tikkanen be suspended for what
    he did at the end? Also, what Beukaboom did w/ :10 left in the game
    may not have been pretty but he was pretty bright to have thought of
    it. :*)))
    
    Andy

    Seemed to remember Crawford calling for a replay of the WIngs first
    goal during Game 2.  Maybe he thought it was a thing of beauty and just
    wanted to admire it again on the big screen?
    
    pete ;-)

As an impartial observer (who has never knowingly read the Detroit Free Press):

>    Roy ran into Sandstrom but he didn't know he was there (had his head
>    down). Sandstrom embellished it wayyyy too much. Then, Murphy goes out
>    of his way to block Patrick. And you say Roy was looking for
>    trouble???? Amazing. You guys must be reading the Detroit Free Press.

Roy knew exactly what he was doing.  He's an a$$hole.  Enough said.
I can't believe you're defending Roy, Andy?

Nice series, though...  I think it'll go 7 as well.

Warren

    
    Andy,
    
    Go back to the tape of game two.  After every goal that was scored, the
    crew from ESPN filmed Crawford signaling to the refs that he wanted the
    goal reviewed upstairs (he was pointing up).  Both coaches are doing
    the exact same thing.
    
    In regard to what was said about the Kocur penalty, I think you forgot
    to put your glasses on before that penalty was called.  It was a
    terrible call.  There were two Avs there and one Wing.  Kocur just
    skated up to make sure that his teammate didn't get involved in
    something he couldn't handle.  It's called supporting your team.  Maybe
    if _you_ played you would know what that is all about.  All Kocur did
    was put his right arm up on the back of one of the Avs players to hold
    him back.
    
    I also think it was rather evident that Roy was trying to take out some
    frustrations on some of the Wings, and Fraser let him get away with
    it because he must have been on the Avs payroll last night with all the
    time adjustments.
    
    Nuff said.
    
    Patrick
    
    
    

    The one player that's really impressed me in this series so far is
    Steve Yzerman. There's a lot of talk about Sakic, Forsberg, Federov
    etc., but Yzerman's contribution is noteworthy, considering he's one
    knee injury away from forced retirement...
    
    Ray.
     

    re. PARSE::GIBSON
    
    Gotta like those rookie noters. ;*))
    
   >> Maybe if _you_ played you would know what that is all about.
    
    	Defending one's teammate eh? Yes. I know what that's all about.
    	Right Ray? :*)
    
    >>All Kocur did was put his right arm up on the back of one of the Avs players to
    >>hold him back.
    	Is this what the Detroit Free Press is saying? :*)
    	C'mon now. You mean to tell us you didn't see the facewash????
    	EVERYBODY saw the facewash, even the gawd awful CBC announcers saw
    	it. There were no ifs or buts about this one. Not even close.
    
    BTW, could someone ask Konstantinov to start slashing Lefebvre instead
    of the Avs star forwards. This way Roy won't get as many screen
    shots and the Avs could breakout of their zone w/o having Lefebvre
    icing the puck on one of his patented off_the_mark passes. Klemm, I'm
    impressed w/. Foote? Foote is Foote; The Best D out there, bar none.
    
    >>ESPN filmed Crawford signaling to the refs that he wanted the
    >>    goal reviewed upstairs (he was pointing up).
    
    	Funny. I hadn't noticed that. :*)
    
    Lastly. The Avs should let the Wings D play w/ 2 sticks. I know it's
    against the rules but this way, they may let the Avs forwards keep
    theirs. 
    
    There's more but.....later!
    
    Andy

    Funny, all these so called "rookie noters" always
    have the same problem.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
                   ANDY     :)
    
    
    
    

    He, He - There does seem to be a pattern. :-)
    
    I like the two sticks idea, though.
    
    How come no one's commenting on that other series????
    
    Warren

    >>How come no one's commenting on that other series????
    
    Warren,
    	I've got one word to describe that series; VICIOUS!
    
    Especially the Rangers. After what they've done to Lindros during last
    game I wouldn't surprised if Messier's ankles are sore after tonight's
    game. As for GreAtzky; you don't touch an icon, it just wouldn't be
    right. :*)
    
    Andy

    Hmmmm....who was that Avs player who got penalized last night.....what
    was the call?   Oh, I remember...."Holding the Stick". 
    
    The Wings are grabbing Avs sticks because theirs are broken in half
    from all the woodchopping going on.
    
    Oh yeah....Andy says that he didn't see the first Wings goal on
    Saturday......that was the one that Foote put in his own net....(AGAIN)!!! 
    
    
    papa raiderov  ;-)

    I had to laugh last nite when they showed a replay on CBC. 
    
    The Wings were all over the Avs deep in the Avs zone for about 30
    secondes. As soon as an Avs defenseman got the puck, he passed it up to
    the blueline to a streaking... Sandis Ozolinsh!!!:*))
    
    Before they showed the replay, John Garrett asked what was wrong with
    this picture!
    
    Ray.
    
    

    
    re: KAOFS::WATTERS
    
    >> Gotta like those rookie noters. ;*))
    
    Good thing too, eh?  I'd hate to be considered a "veteran noter" because
    last time I checked we're not getting paid to whine about hockey games
    all day long, are we?
    
    Take it easy!!
    
    Patrick
    
                                                 

    re -.1
    
    Maybe you should trade in your VT220 for something w/ a mouse.
    
    >>last time I checked we're not getting paid to whine about hockey
    >>games
    	Get back to work rookie! Come back when you can better plan your
    	time. :*)
    
    Andy

    
    re KAOFS::WATTERS
    
    Fact remains, despite my experience (or lackthereof) with DECnotes, the
    Redwings will destroy the Avs.
    
    Patrick
    

    >>Fact remains, .....
    
    That's more like wishful thinking. Don't confuse the 2, ....rookie!
    
    See ya in game 7.
    
    Andy

    Just to add my two cents (as if you care ;-) ) on the Roy incident at the 
    end of the period.  The way I saw it, the Detroit player was jostling
    with an Avalanche player after the period ended.  Roy raced out of his
    net as he always does at the end of a period.  Just as Roy was about to 
    skate by, the Detroit player was pushed back into Roy.  The Detroit 
    player fell because he was off balance when he bumped against Roy.  There 
    was no over acting on the part of the Detroit player and people tried to 
    make a big deal out of nothing.  The referee was right in not calling a
    penalty on Roy.
    
    The penalty to Kocur,  good call!  He was the third guy in the scrum
    and he grabed the Avalanche player from behind, by the face and took
    him down backwards.  It was more than a face wash.
    
    And that my friends is an impartial opinion!
    
    Go Wings Go.
    
    Bernie.
    
    P.S.  Patrick,  don't listen to Andy and don't let him get to you.  Nobody
    else does.  He just thinks he's right but he's not.  The fun thing about 
    this conference is that we get to prove that publicly time and time again 
    as Andy constantly supplies us with evidence.  Andy is sort of like the
    Tikkanen or Claude Lemieux of this conference except that he's got a
    bigger head than both those guys ;-)  
    Great to have a new noter in here and remember, it's all in fun. 

    Well my impartial observer friend....you are wrong!
    
    Kocur stepped in because there were 2 AVs ganging up on Fetisov. 
    
    As for the Roy thing, Sandstrom was tied up with a defenseman but
    Patrick did give him a shot with the shoulder...apparently what we
    didn't see is their skates locking together as well.
    
    
    
    After the game, Roy, Sakic, Lemieux and Keane were huddled at the side
    of the bus arguing about things.....apparently Roy came out of the
    "meeting" very perturbed.
    
    At the Avs news conference yesterday, Crawford sure spent a lot of time
    whining about Konstantinov and saying he should get 45 penalties a
    game.  Imagine, people hitting poor Forsberg all the time!  
    The league sent out a note recently saying that any complaints about
    refs or opponents are not to be made to the media but to the
    league....Expect a fine!
    
    pete

    Bernie,
    	You've shot my credibility...AGAIN!!!
    
    Like everyone else in here we all saw Kocur facewash(and more) the
    Av player to the ice. Somehow, Rookie! here didn't see that. 
    
    It's a wonder as to why I bother eh? :*)))
    
    
    Andy

    This series would be totally different if Chris Simon was still w/
    Colorado...
    
    Ray.
    

    re: a few back
    
    "After the game, Roy, Sakic, Lemieux and Keane were huddled..."
    
    A meeting of the minds where no one showed up?

    I know I haven't been in here much lately - on vaca two weeks and all. 
    But what a game last night!!  Total domination by the Wings over the
    Avs and the Avs are back on their heels Big Time!!!
    
    Mr. Roy is eating crow this morning!  And what's with Crawford -
    someone give that man some darvon or something to calm down with!
    Really, though, the Wings definitely played a great game.  Their
    defense has been very good throughout this whole series.  They stand up
    the Av players at the blue line regularly.  Vernon was sharp again when
    he had to be.  And the checking line - its was nice to see them get
    some goals (Maltby)!
    
    While it will be tough to duplicate this effort Saturday in Colorado,
    the Wings could still pull it off if they continue to stick to their
    game plan!
    
    Go Wings!
    
    

     
    Roy should have had the 5th goal, it was soft.  :>)
    
    Good interview with McLean and Foote after the 2nd, 200+ minutes in
    penalties when I hit the sack after it appeared that the coaches were
    NOT going to fight after all. it was ugly at the end...

    It was a tough game. The refs let Colorado get out of control with
    their sticks. Ozolinsh (sp) should sit a game IMHO. Crawford needs some
    prozac, I thought his head was going to explode, Scotty could have
    really pissed him off by just laughing. If the same stick work starts
    in Denver look for McCarty, Kocur, and LaPointe to be turned loose.
    Lemiuex's a joke, he should drop the stick and put on a skirt.
    
    GO WINGS
    
    cheers,
    		fred

    Ok, so I screwed up and watched the Bulls game instead of the 3rd
    period. Can someone give a BRIEF overview of what transpired in the 3rd
    that deemed it ugly. 
    
    Les

                   Wings snow Avs under

                   One win from Cup
                   final after
                   lopsided romp

                    By Paul Hunter
                     Toronto Star
                   Sports Reporter

                   DETROIT -
                   Patrick Roy
                   vowed his
                   teammates were ``ready to pay the price.''

                   He must have meant they're willing to
                   cough up the money to buy tickets for the
                   Stanley Cup final. They don't figure to be
                   playing in it.

                   The Avalanche practised being spectators
                   last night as they stood around watching
                   the Red Wings embarrass them in an ugly
                   6-0 blowout.

                   ``We were not in sync as a group and the
                   Red Wings were on top of their game,''
                   lamented Colorado coach Marc Crawford.
                   ``Our effort wasn't good but you lick your
                   wounds and come back the next game.''

                   The victory, Detroit's third straight,
                   puts the Wings ahead 3-1 in the Western
                   Conference final. Game 5 is set for Denver
                   tomorrow night.

                   Colorado, the defending Stanley Cup champ,
                   simply imploded as the Wings played the
                   Avs for chumps. After boasting they had
                   the momentum and were ready to see what
                   Detroit was really made of, the Avs gagged
                   on their own arrogance. They indeed
                   brought their ``A'' game - their Junior A
                   game.

                   They took stupid penalties, they
                   frequently gave the puck away and they
                   were abandoned by goaltender Roy, who
                   turned Colorado's net into Detroit's new
                   red-light district. He was yanked after
                   allowing five goals on 25 shots through 40
                   minutes.

                   If the Avs didn't discredit themselves
                   enough with their awful performance, they
                   did with their idiocy once the game was
                   out of reach. Colorado's skaters began
                   wielding their sticks like machetes,
                   hacking at anyone wearing a red and white
                   sweater. The Avs may have set a record for
                   cheap shots in the final 20 minutes as the
                   game deteriorated.

                   One of the last images from this mess will
                   be of Crawford, looking like Jack
                   Nicholson in The Shining, leaning over the
                   glass between the two benches screaming at
                   a placid Scott Bowman behind the Wings'
                   bench.

                   ``He said, `We got one of your players.' I
                   guess he was referring to (Igor) Larionov.
                   I said, `Let's get it over with. You're
                   spoiling a good game.' His eyes were
                   coming out of his head, so he was pretty
                   excited,'' recounted Bowman.

                   Said Crawford, ``Obviously emotions got a
                   little out of control. I said some stupid
                   things. He said some stupid things. It
                   happened, nobody is proud of it.''

                   Larionov, who scored Detroit's first two
                   goals, was limping badly after the game,
                   wearing a strap-on walking cast on his
                   left foot. Mike Keane hacked him badly
                   behind the left knee in the third.

                   ``Of course (it was a cheap shot),'' said
                   Larionov, who vowed to play tomorrow
                   night. ``That's the only way (Keane) can
                   hit people, from behind. He knows you have
                   no chance from behind.''

                   Colorado star Peter Forsberg played only
                   one shift in the third. Crawford said he
                   was sitting on the bench with an ice pack
                   on his calf after Kris Draper ``low
                   bridged him.''

                   In a surprising confession, Crawford
                   admitted his team's inane behavior was
                   premeditated.

                   ``It was a deliberate effort on our part
                   to show we didn't like what happened in
                   the game,'' said the coach.

                   While the Avs have been strong on home
                   ice, winning seven of eight there this
                   post-season, it seems unimaginable that
                   they might battle back from this deficit.
                   Especially the way the Wings have
                   dominated them throughout this series.

                   ``You'd never dream that what happened in
                   this game would happen,'' said Wings
                   defenceman Larry Murphy. ``We started
                   strong and the next thing you know we're
                   up a pile of goals.

                   ``But the reality is we still have to win
                   a fourth game and they are the defending
                   Stanley Cup champions. We'll have to keep
                   our head on straight.''

                   Since 1939, in 156 playoff rounds one team
                   has led 3-1. Only 13 times has the
                   trailing squad rallied to advance.

                   The Russians led the Wings' attack.
                   Larionov had two goals, Sergei Fedorov one
                   and Vyacheslav Kozlov followed up on his
                   two-goal game Monday with another. Kirk
                   Maltby buried a couple, one past Roy and
                   one past replacement Craig Billington, to
                   finish the scoring.

                   Mike Vernon was again solid in the Detroit
                   net to get his fifth career playoff
                   shutout but his first this spring.

Look for attempted retribution for their embarrassment if the Wings strike
first Saturday.

I think Avs are still upset about Maylee in Detroit in March....Foote has been
tryin' to get Shannie into it since then, but Shannie won't have it...But, if
Foote gets him mad enough, he'll go.  LaCroix and Lapointe may go one more
time on Saturday.  LaCroix just doesn't get it...Lapointe's extremely
strong...

Crawford's a loose cannon.  It would not surprise me if he gets into something
physical.. But I don't think the smart Av's (Sakic) will follow him into the
boil.  Remember Woody Hayes.....

My seven year old (he's a huge hockey fan, and a player too!) asked me what I
thought of Roy.  I said he's a great goalie when he has good D and his team is
winning.  But if he gets behind he's one of the worst loosers (some call this
competiveness) I've seen in a while.  Roy will say/do anything to try to get
back on top.  Even if it means embarrassing himself and his teammates  (ala
Canadiens fiasco).

Hey Av's, remember this is a sport for kids too...Don't wreck it with foolish
tactics, headhunting and shooting your mouths off! 

Wings must finish these guys now...to avoid some injury to one of their
players.

Avid Wings Fan.
jcm  
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

    Looks good on Roy.  All that Bowman had to do to get his team fired up
    was show a tape of Roy at the news conference on Wednesday.  What an
    arrogant sob.  If his head gets any bigger he'll have to apply for a
    license to fly a blimp!
    
    Bernie. 

    
    Heard quite a few comments during the telecast on the officiating (but
    none from Bernie yet...) I missed the first period, what was the icing
    call that Cherry etc were moaning about? How can an icing call change
    the outcome of a hockey game as Cherry suggested?

    You rattled my chain so....
    
    There was a "too many men on the ice" call on an icing.  It was a bad
    call and it was made by the linesman.  That's what Cherry was whining
    about.
    
    What the hell was Devorski (sp) thinking when he gave the penalty to
    Kozlov for cross checking?  The Avs' player was hanging on to his sweater 
    and Kozlov was only trying to get away from him!   The other guy should
    at least have been given a penalty for holding, hugging, interfence,
    unlawful sex, whaterever...  
    
    Much was made about the Avalanche getting five consecutive penalties in
    the first (one was the bad too many men call).  I didn't have a problem
    with it as I thought that the penalties assessed by Devorski were
    deserved.  He could have called more as far as I'm concerned. 
    
    Bernie.  
    
    

    Actually Bernie, the Avs players glove was caught up inside the Wings
    players sweater - looked like he was trying to check out Kozlov's
    breasts.  He probably hadn't held a man in many years too...

Just thought I'd pipe in on the refs too.

The icing call was a terrible call...but Cherry's claim is garbage.  That
cannot throw a hard-working team off their game for too long.  And, hey, last
I looked both teams had the same refs....  The Av's are gonna scream about
whatever they can.  They're 'thrashing'.

As for Crawford jumpin' up and down about Konstantinov, he needs to review
some film with an impartial group.  The Av's hold,clutch,grab,hack as much as
any team bar none.  And, Forsie's just as bad as anyone.  

How 'bout Lemieux chasin' Kozlov around until some his own size shows up. 
Then he backs down...Everyone knows he's a ......... Let's see some more
turtle films from the Cherry collection (Neely throwing LeMieux around tryin
to get him to open up.  McCarty doin' the same).

As for awhile back re: Chris Simon.  Thank the self proclaimed geniouses
Crawford and LeCroix for that...  We picked up Kocur...
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

    Enough of this ref bashing, etc...let's get on to the more serious
    stuff. During a stoppage in play because of the player's door breaking,
    the french CBC cameraman was showing some very nice looking girls in
    the stands...!!! You know, for the most of them, I find the Wing
    players kinda ugly...but boy, do they ever have gorgeous female fans!!!
    
    Ray.
    

TV News said they are going for $600+ in lower bowl and $300+ in upper bowl if
one can get 'em on the street.  

I got lucky and had a friend give me 2 to the first game against the Ducks. 
Great seats, great game and great sights.  

But do you think there will be another at the Joe against the Av's?  Just
kiddin'....
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

    
    Andy,
    
    Maybe it's YOUR F1/hold key that is frozen...anyway, I honeslty felt
    silly arguing over a hockey game like it was the ONLY thing important
    in life.  I expressed my opinions and that was that.  
    
    I would much rather let the games speak for themselves.  I think last
    nights game did just that.
    
    [re: .120]  
    
    >> "Anyways, who cares who wins games #2-3-4?"
    
    Well, in reply...I do.  I think Detroit does...and it's obvious
    Colorado didn't.  
    
    The third period of last nights game was awful.  I hated to see the
    lack of class that Colorado exhibited.  Just take the loss and leave
    with dignity....they couldn't even do that.
    
    Can't wait for Saturday night....
    
    GO WINGS!!
    
    Gibby
    
    

    
    damn, in the CBC English verison, they showed us the broken door hinge!
    (it was sheared right off though!) Mclean even interviewed the
    maintenance supervisor in-between periods! I'd rather look at busted door
    hinges than busts anyway...
    

    600 bucks ???...I'd pay that, the only condition being I'd have to sit
    next to one of the girls on TV last nite..:*))
    
    Ray.
    

Tickets are still very hard to come by... and its a misdomeaner to scalp in
Michigan... 

BTW check out the National Anthem singer at next Joe game if the camera pans
that way.

Take care.
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

    
    
    >> anyway, I honeslty felt  silly arguing over a hockey game like it was 
    >>the ONLY thing important in life.  
    
    
    Gibby!  What do you mean?  How can you feel silly?  The game IS the
    only thing important in life.  Haven't you seen the t-shirt...the rest
    is just details!

  In all honesty, if someone were to tell me yesterday that Game Four 
would have been a shut-out, I would have been very worried.  It was nice to 
see that Roy's little speech motivated the Av's to commit more stupid
penalties,
cough up more turnovers and play an overall worse game.  Roy stuck his
proverbial foot in his mouth when he said that the Avs had the Wings right 
where they wanted them.
  I am rather disgusted by the lack of class shown by the Avs in the third
period.  They didn't even attempt to hide the fact that they were attempting
to injure key Wings players.  Ozolinsh had a two-handed chop on Yzerman, 
Messier did likewie to Fedorov, and Mike "The Redwings are a bunch of
heartless, gutless homers" Keane used the butt end of his stick like a
frigging
hatchet on Larionov.  Claude attempted to pick fights with the smaller
Russians,
but fled the scene when someone his own size stepped in.
  Does anyone think that there are going to be serious reprecussions for
either
team (i.e. suspensions) as a result of the various melees and other cheap
shots?
Somehow, I don't think Crawford will be as quick to send a tape of this game
to
the NHL officials...
  I'm afraid to see what happens if the Wings pull ahead like this in Game
Five.
Scotty will have to hire a bodyguard just to keep rabid Mike Crawford away.
I know where I'm gonna be Saturday, though...

Scott

BTW:  Anyone heard from Andy lately?
      Andy?......Andy?......Bueller?.....Bueller?.....

  
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

    Wings are a bit upset about the classless actions of a Denver radio
    station.
    
    The station took out a full page ad in Detroit's newspapers.  It showed
    a picture of Lemieux piecing together a jigsaw puzzle of Kris Draper's
    face.
    
    pete

    I find it strange (and a bit sad...) that two of the most talented
    teams in the NHL are turning this series into a circus a la WWF...
    
    	If these two teams would just stick to hockey, we'd be in for a
    treat!!!
    
    Not  to place the blame solely on one team, but it does seem like the
    Avs are the instigators and shit disturbers on and off the ice, so
    far...
    
    Ray.
    

    
    Where's Andy Watters???
    
    Ou est Andy Watters???
    
    Happy B-day to someone--you know who you are.. 

    
    [re: -.1]  Hello Andy?  You there?
    
    Your mother wears Red Army Boots!!
    
    Hee hee hee hee!
    
    Patrick
    
    

Do you know which paper?  Seems to me the players would be just as upset at
the paper for accepting the ad.  But then, with our recent newspaper
history...in Detroit...

We need to remember its a game...  Hard to believe the Av's won the Cup last
year.  To me, they are a sad example for the kids in Denver.  I think there
are divides forming in their ranks, big time...  With Crawford screaming at
the ref's on virtually every whistle, what is he saying to the players?  But
then, with Crawford's mouth it doesn't surprise me.  If he coached Wings,
Ilitch would probably have a quick silent meeting with him and give him a
ticket out of town.  
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

    Sorry guys! Damn job kept getting in the way. I had to get Gibby
    a new VT and KB sent out to him ASAP. I see he got it. ;*)
    
    Didn't see the 1st but was happy when I found out the refS gave them
    5 minors in the 1st and that the Wings only scored on 1 (or was it
    Gusarov?? :*) ). I thought they'd come back in the 2nd when Ricci 
    couldn't bang in a rebound on a PP; seems Konstantinov wanted to see
    what kind of curve Mike had on his stick from up close (ie.holding the
    stick again). The ref didn't call it so Ricci x-checked #16. End of
    game as the Wings get 2 quick ones instead of a 5on3 Avs PP. I didn't
    see the 3rd as I had to play the Maytag repairman for the girlfriend
    (dryer on the fritz). 
    
    I hear the 3rd was crazy but I knew the Avs couldn't "fight" w/ the
    Wings (McCarty, Kocur, etc...). The Simon trade was a good one; he
    wouldn't have changed the outcome of the game. If Keith Jones were 
    playing you'd see what a good trade that was. I saw about 1:00 of the
    3rd and all I saw was Crawford freakin' out at the ref and the Avs
    slashing some Russian ankles. To win in 7 they've gotta beat the Wings
    by 2 or more on Sat to then squeaked one at the Joe. If it's close on
    Sat, then it's over in 6. I don't think it'll end in 5; no matter what.
    
    The 3rd; classless Avs? Yes. But so were the Wings back on March27th.
    2 wrongs don't make a right but remember; neither team are angels. 
    
    Finally, it's Ray's b-day today; he's 30-something w/ 3 more grey
    hairs. 
    
    Andy

    Happy birthday Ray!  You're catching up to me ;-)

    
    Much of last nights game was good hockey, domination by the Wings but
    good hockey. 60 foot passes tape to tape on the fly etc.
    
    Where does it say that the penalty sheet has to be balanced? The Av's
    lost their discipline early and they spent half the first period in the
    penalty box, big deal. go serve your penalty. As many have said, its
    too bad this one disintegrated, not much class on the ice at the end...
    
    as Bernie Leury says, "keep it up boys"

    
    Happy Birthday Ray!
    
    mine was Tuesday....  May is the best month
    
    
    Toby

    Happy birthday to you also Toby...May is a nice month, but too bad for
    you, your not a Gemini!!!:*))
    
    Ray.
    

Happy B-day Ray. From a fellow Gemini. (June 6th)

Ben

    >>Happy B-day Ray. From a fellow Gemini. (June 6th)
    
    Geez Ben, we just happen to have our Raider Golf Tourney on that day.
    What a perfect day for you this could be.....
    
    
    	....oh! I forgot, your wife is going golfing that weekend and
    you've gotta stay behind and play Mr. Mom alllllll weekend. :*)))
    
    
    Andy

Andy,

The sympathies of that previous message just ooze with sincerity. Us poor
Raiders in Kanata now know that management is located in Hull and you don't
give a rat's ass about us anymore. :^) Didn't the golf tourny used to be in
the Fall? 

Hey Pete, change the tourny to be in the Fall and I might share my 1st place
winnings with you from the hockey pool. ;^)

Ben

    Ben, I'll let you know tomorrow whether I accept your offer!
    
    pete

    Ben, Ben, Ben,
    
    		Even BEFORE Pete came to Hull decisions were made from
    here. You just didn't know it. :*)))  
    
    	Honestly though, I feel bad for you Ben. I mean, how long is it
    gonna take before you get the reaaaaal hint. Thank the wife for use 
    for letting us in on the date to pick eh! :*)
    
    Andy

    Ya Ben,
    
    	According to Andy, your wife can be verrrrrry persuasive...I mean
    real persuasive!!!:*))
    
    Ray.
    

    Nothing about SAt night's game eh?  ;*))
    
    Well, I won't do a 'Patrick Roy' so I'll wait a while too. 
    
    Andy

    Andy,
    
    	It's a holiday in the US, and Pete's not talking...like the rest of
    the Wings players!:*))
    
    Ray.
    

    
    
    Well I watched Saturday nights game....on Sunday morning.  It was taped
    delayed at my house due to a hangover from a party at Velcro Ed's. 
    
    I thought it was a great game.  The Avs play better without
    Forsburg(sp?). The rest of the team picks up their play.  Their record 
    when he was hurt was great.  Sakic picked Veron apart and has got to have 
    one of the best wrist shots in the league. Lemeiux, love'em or hate'em
    is a play-off wonder.  Two big goals, nothing pretty but he can smell a
    rebound.  Roy made three big saves against Mcarty to keep the Avs
    momentum and not allow the Wings into the game.
    
    I'm still going to go with the Avs over the wings but either one is
    just fodder for Philly anyway.
    
    Scooter 

    
    
    
    		nnnNNNNNNNNNN-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Isn't that Mike Keane a work of art.......lots of class.  He ranks
    right up there next to Claude as far as the WINgs are concerned.
    
    He gets away with a crosscheck to Aaron Ward's face in the first period
    as Ward was coming in on Yelle.
    
    After the game, he says that he doesn't "give the WINgs any
    credit.....oh maybe a little bit but it was because we didn't play well".
    
    Give it up Keane....maybe the reason the Avs didn't play well was
    because the WINgs made you play that way.   What was there, 4 games
    with the Avs with less than 20 shots.
    
    papa raiderov

    Great game last night.  There was no way that Detroit was going to
    loose.  This will be a very interesting final.  
    
    I agree with Pete's comments about Keane.  The Avs were a bitter bunch
    last night.  I think a record was set for "fewest words exchanged" during
    the traditional hand shake.  
    
    Bernie.

    Avs missed Krupp, Keyth Jones and Chris Simon but the Wings really
    impressed me throughout this series. Bowman has done a great job w/
    this team, especially in the discipline and teamwork aspect of the
    game. Hopefully, the Avs prima donnas will have learned something in
    this series...like a little humility.
    
    As far as the finals go, it should be some great hockey. Lindros is on
    a mission, the Flyers supporting cast are playing great, but I go w/
    the Wings to win the Stanley Cup this year. They are playing excellent
    hockey and will be though to beat.
    
    Ray.
    

Congratulations to the Wings. They fully deserve to be in the finals. As far
as the Avs go I'm really disappointed in their bitterness and inability to
admit defeat in the face of a better team. 

Should be an interesting final. Detroit hasn't won it in 42 years! Pete was
attending Renfrew H.S. back then wearing his Terry Sawchuck jersey to class. 

;^)))

Ben

PS. I just realized why the golf tourny is being held on June 6th. You guys 
    are afraid that J-Johnny, Killer, Drew, and I will repeat as champions so
    you're breaking up the team anyway you can. Dirty pool!!!! 

    
    
    	I agree with Bernie's fewest words comment.  Me thinks they don't
    like each other much, do they.  Detroit just plain out worked the Avs.
    The Avs seemed to expect to win without out playing their opponent.  They 
    appeared to have the attitude that sooner or later things would just start 
    to click and they would roll over the wings.  Players like Keane,
    Rechi and Foresburg didn't put up the numbers when needed.  I think
    Mark Crawford was probably the most frustrated last night.  He was
    trying different line combinations trying to find the magic
    combination that could generate some offense.  Patrick Roy played well
    and gave his team the chance to win. 
    
    
    Scooter
    p.s.  Enjoy the win Peterov, the Legion of Doom will crush your pinko
    commies.

    It's interesting that neither of the 2 teams in the finals has really
    top-notch goaltending.  The teams featuring Joseph, Richter, Roy,
    Brodeur are gone.  
    
    I like Detroit to win it, but not with a lot of confidence.  Lindros 
    really does seem to be on a mission, & I don't think we have yet seen all 
    he is capable of.  I hope they don't go out & break the stars' arms in
    this series. The refs are really going to have a tough job.
    
    -Stephen 

    Well, the Wings dominated the series and deserved to win. But I can't
    congratulate them cause I don't like the Wings in the least. I have a
    disdain for Bowman, and Konstantinov is still one of the dirtiest
    players in the league. I am also tired of the rose colored glasses the
    Wings always wear when it comes to fairness of penalties. They have
    whine the most, with the least justification. They have been getting
    the calls for the last 2-3 years, yet they somehow feel persecuted.
    
    This series was their championship. They played like it was their cup.
    I don't know if they will have any adrenaline left for the Flyers.
    
    I hate the Wings, but the Avs showed how big of prima donnas they can
    be too. So to see either advance is sad. In the end, not as great of a 
    series as the build up.
    
    Les
    
    

    Thought it was really funny when Crawford wanted the 2nd goal to be
    reviewed.....Federov was no where near the crease.
    
    The French CBC picked Federov as 1st star.....this was strange since he
    missed a good part of the game when he couldn't get his breath back.
    Patrick was 2nd star....he should have been 1st....without him, the
    game is over at the 30 minute mark.
    
    pete

    Re a few back - the ad in the Detroit paper (last Monday) was only 2"
    by 4" - had "Claude is God" across the top.  Was a caricature and
    pretty stupid.
    
    The Wings well deserve to be in the finals.  They outplayed the Avs in
    5 of the 6 games and kept their cool throughout.  Most of the dirty
    stuff was originated by the Avs.  Boy, I tell you, Konstantinov sure is
    hated out there by you non-Wings fans.  I think you can compare him to
    Chris Chelios, but Chelios is one of the good guys, huh?  Well, we all
    think he's great, here in Detroit.  One of the most consisent players
    on the ice, Russian or otherwise.
    
    The Wings/Flyers final should be a great one.  Legion of Doom or not,
    the Wings will hold their own against them.  The Wings have gotten
    stronger and have played better in each successive series in these
    playoffs, and that shouldn't stop now.  And, if we keep putting the
    puck on the net as much as we have, the Flyers will have to score a
    whole lot of goals to keep up!
    
    TJ

    My pick for the final
    
    Philly over Detroit in 6
    
    
    Philly had an easy time with every team they faced
    in the east. Taking them all out in 5.
    I will admit that Detroit has a very good team; BUT
    the Flyers are great and Lindros is on a mission.
    Looking forward to a great Stanly Cup!    
    
    Chris

    To all you Wings fans... Congratulations!! 
    
    I had a bad morning and have since changed my disposition. I still
    don't like Bowman and Konstantinov. But you fans have been loyal and
    deserve the win. 
    
    But what really bugs me (bitter pill to swallow here) is that if the
    Wings go on and beat the Flyers, they will no longer be the team in the
    NHL to go the longest without a Cup. That distinction would be with my
    beloved Hawks. You may understand my irratibility now. 8*(
    
    Les
    
    
    

Re: -1

Well if you are a Hawks fan, then it is understandable why you dislike the
Wings.  But you are also correct, the Wings deserve their congrats.  They did
an excellent job in dismantling the former Cup champs.

I was glad to see the Avs calm down and play hockey.  Crawford (in my opinion)
saved his own job when he publicly apologized for his outburst in game 4 (what
was he thinking/doing?).  

Re: a few back comment about Ricci's fan in front of net was caused by Vlady
holding his stick.
1.  Tell me Foote, Miller, Lefevre (sp) and Homer (Keane) do not hold sticks. 
I saw it many times.  
2.  Maybe you are thinking of a different play, but I saw a picture of Ricci
fanning in front in that game with Vlady right there.  Seems the only hands on
Ricci's stick were his own.  Konstantinov's were pushing him, not holding his
stick.

Anyway, Avs played great game 5, Wings looked like they spent a little too
much time reviewing their press clippings.  Wings played top-notch in game 6,
Avs just couldn't get going.
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

    Les,
    
    Ah, so you don't want to have the honor  :^(  of having the team with
    the longest streak without a cup!!  I could be worse - your home team
    could have Claude Lemieux on the roster!  :^)
    
    The Wings played well against all the teams in the East this year, and
    I don't see that changing now.  
    
    The Wings over Philly in 6.
    
    TJ

    This Stanley Cup final series could be one that will have been won or
    lossed back in the regular season, when the Wings traded Primeau &
    Coffey to the Whalers for Shanahan...
    
    I'm sure the Wings would love to have a centerman like Primeau to face
    off against Lindros in this series. Primeau is one of the only forwards
    in the NHL that can go "toe-to-toe" with Lindros, and actually win a
    few battles...
    
    Also, Coffey will have the extra motivating factor of facing Bowman,
    the guy who traded him twice...
    
    On the other hand, a player like Shanahan can be a big factor in this
    series, especially if it gets physical...
    
    Ray.
    

    Can someone refresh my memory??
    
    Who was involved with the Whaler trader to Philly for Coffey??
    
    
    

    -1:
    
    	There was a 1st round draft pick, Kevin Haller, and I'm sure other
    players, but I can't remember right now...
    
    Ray.
    

    
    Nice win by the wings... from what I've read most of the Av's
    gave the wings credit for outplaying them. most notably Sakic
    who said they (Wings) played us the way we (Av's) did last year
    outhustling. Konstantinov is not dirty IMO (but what do I know)
    he's the type of Defenseman every team loves/needs. One thing
    that bothers me is where has the hip-check gone to? It used to
    be the most beautiful hit in the game and now if a player tries
    it he's "dirty" because he's going after the knees????
    
    
    Should be a good final
    
    Toby

    
    And for my first post since the Wings captured the Western Conference
    Championship....
    
    I was very proud of the way the Wings played the entire series too
    (with the exception of Game 5) and I think that the Avs were just
    overwhelmed by the determination and heart of the Wings.  I was glad to
    see the Wings win it on home ice.  That was huge for the Detroit fans.  
    
    I said this before and I will say it again.  I was none too impressed
    with the way the Avs played in the third period of Game 4 but I think
    Detroit showed the rest of the world and the Avalanche what a team with
    class does when they are down 6-0 in the thrid period of a game.  The
    Wings very well could have started a bunch of brawls just as the Avs
    did, but instead they took the loss with a grain of salt and focused on
    winning Game 6.  Way to go Wings.
    
    I am looking to an exciting finals.  I hope the Wings can find someone
    to win the inside battles with Lindros.  It'll be a tough-fought series
    but hopefully the Wings will emerge victorious.  
    
    My prediction...Wings in 6.  
    
    Andy -- I noticed you aren't saying much lately.  And the things that
    you are saying are about how you are a Flyers fan all of a sudden. 
    Well, my fair-weather friend, I hope your girlfriend is up for taking
    care of you after your team loses another series to the Wings.
    
    Patrick
    

    You win Gibby.
    
    After the game6 loss the girlfriend tells me:"Why don't you go water
    my flowers around the house,...it'll make you forget about it!".
    
    I've been watering the damn flowers since. Sooner or later I gotta
    feel better. :*)
    
    Got mail from Boborado. He says"...hi to those bastards in notes :*)
    ..." He's talked to Foote already but the topic of conversation was
    more on Bob's shoe size for Foote's wedding this summer. More later...
    
    Finally, about the Avs prima donnas. W/o getting into it; I THINK
    YOU'RE ALL WRONG!! They're cocky, yes, they now have egg on their
    faces, yes, but they hate the Wings so much they won't admit defeat
    yet. Next year will be the rubber match, IF they keep Sakic (to hell
    w/ Ozolinsh).
    
    Andy

    Hard to imagine that they could consider dropping Sakic, their best
    offensive player.  The economics of keeping a good team together must
    be murder.  2 great, classy #19s in that last series.
    
    -Stephen

    	Regarding the comment about Primeau going up against Lindros and
    being able to win a few battles... in the regular season yes, in the
    playoffs maybe not. Come playoff time I've seen Primeau develop Craig
    Janney disease and become invisible. I have a feeling that this was a
    big determining factor in the Wings being able to part with him. He was
    invisible during last years playoffs. Sure, I'd have liked to have seen
    the Bruins have the chance to get him and try to break him of that
    habit, I have a lot of respect for his size and ability, but I don't
    really think that he has what it takes to totally shut Lindros down.
    
    Barry
    

Primeau would be greatly improved by 'beefing' up.  Two years ago he got his
ribs injured by hit by Stevens.  Last year he had reoccurrance against Avs. 
He did, however, thoroughly own the series with the Hawks in Conference finals
two years ago, slamming Chelios at every turn.

I was skeptical at first about Primeau, Coffey for Shannie.  But, Shannie may
very well be worth both and more considering all factors (Coffey's age,
salary, Primeau demanded trade, didn't like role(s), etc).  

I took my (5 yr old at time) to Wings game.  We sat in Wings corner in row 1. 
My son is waving at the players during warmups and Primeau notices him.  He
skates over at bends down and says hi.  Great look on my son's face.  Primeau
is a good guy.  He just did not like Scotty.

BTW:   26  11  6

That's Scotty's record.  26 years coaching,  11 finals appearances,  6 wins.

Say what you will about the talent on his teams, but those numbers are
impressive...And, they do not include Conference finals, and a year at player
personnel for Pens during their first win.

Wings in seven...Yes seven...And, I think they could have taken Av's in game
seven too!
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

    legends of hockey on ESPN2 last night....
    
    I know I have seen notes about this show.......this was the first I saw
    of it in the greater Bruins area.....I only caught the last 15
    minutes......does anyone have the schedule of when it is being
    shown.....it was not even listed in the paper.....
    
    Dave D

    Check ESPN's website (http://espnet.sportszone.com).  They should have 
    the schedule.
    
    Bernie.
    
    

	I caught the end of that too, starting with Frank Mahovolich and 
	Bobby Hull. Got an important phone call so I had to tape the rest.  
	Sat down later with a frosty, pressed PLAY, and found out I had taped 
	C-SPAN instead!!  Oh well, off to check the schedule...

	/Ken

    
    I have episodes 2-6? on tape (Merci beaucoup Bernie!)
    I've watched it a couple of times when no hockey has been on
    if you would like to borrow it send me mail.
    
    Toby

    well well well, the Wings are for real. 2 on 0, short handed goal. tsk
    tsk.

    I watched just enough of the Cup finals to remind myself why I won't
    watch too much... the glow puck is back. I haven't seen it all year and
    forgot that FOX still used it. I can't believe that the NHL really
    thinks the blue streak following the puck is a good idea. It is too
    distracting to entice me to watch.
    
    Les

    So did anybody watch Michael Johnson hurt(???????) himself running
    this weekend. 
    
    As Donavan Bailey said: "...he'll be ready for his next race, he's 
    just a chicken..."
    
    I know it's not hockey but it's OUR way of getting back to the USA
    for that World Cup loss.  :*)))
    
    BTW, I'm still watering those damn flowers every night; can't get that
    Avs loss out of my mind.
    
    
    Andy

    Good to see the Flyers go down and Lindros get frustrated - finally.
    (I've been waiting 6 weeks for this).  Between the Flyers Defense and
    Goaltending - I can't see them winning.  If the Wings get out ahead in
    game 2 - look for the true Flyer Attitude to come through.  Will the
    penalty box be big enough?
    
    Is Rod Brind'amour the ugliest face in hockey or what?
    
    Re: Glow Puck
    
    Actually, it seems that Fox has toned down the blue streak somewhat.
    Before, it was always on.  Now, they seem to just turn it one about
    half the time.  Although, it's still quite distracting, it did help 
    get my kids to watch the game instead of Disney.  
    
    Warren

    I wouldn't be surprized to see a sweep...and Pete P agrees w/ me.:*)
    
    Ray.
    

    Pete P never said that......
    
    Start meditating now.....Hmmmmmmmmmm....We are one with the
    universe......We respect our opponent.....
    
    Hey Lindros.....Was that a rifle you had shoved up Konstantinov's
    sweater, or were you just happy to see him?
     
    The players don't like the Fox puck.....it sticks to the ice and it has
    a different bounce.....the puck is also not frozen before the games
    like a normal puck.
    
    And in response to an earlier question.....Mike Ricci has the ugliest
    face in hockey!
    
    pete

    You guys have got to be kidding. Dale Hunter is by far the ugliest face in
    hockey.

    
    ...Nah,...had to be his brother Tim. Definitely only a face a mother
    could love.
    
    ...Mel
    

Tiger Williams!?

Ben

    Tim Hunter is the ugliest....GET THE CAMERA OFF THAT NOSE!!!

    But Tim Hunter and Dale Hunter are not brothers.
    
    

    and they are not sisters... I vote for Tim, he should wear a goalie
    mask.

    
    
    What the F@#$!%.  I knew I wasn't going to be home to see the game on
    Saturday, so like a good Canadian boy, I taped the game.  I avoided all 
    forms of media and looked forward to a morning viewing.  Funny my VCR
    hasn't rewound the tape, guess I didn't program it to go right to the
    end.  Rewind, now it won't play, it just shuts off!  Arrgh... nothing
    but church shows and some over 50 crap.  Not what you want with a
    hangover.  Abandon hope, and do outside yard work.  For some reason
    there is no mention of the game on radio and the tv just has telethons
    so I still don't know the score.  10pm and desperation sets in, some
    magic combination of turn off/on and play/ff/rew/stop get the tape
    rolling!  Alright, it did tape.  
    	What joy, nice pass Samuelson you dolt,  Hextal could you please
    fall in front of the puck instead of away from it!  Ok end of the
    second intermission,  nice hand jestures Bobby, he looks like a
    politican.  Here comes the third period, lets go Flyers, lots of time
    left.
    	What the..damn... it quit taping!.  Who won???  I had to wait for the
    end of sports line to find out that my Flyers lost.  I'm not surprised
    really as they were being out played and looked rusty after the layoff.  
    That was the wake-up call, tuesday will be different.
    
    Scooter
    p.s.  Best sign in the stands - Series Special - All you can eat wings!
    

    
      Jeff Odgers and Eric Daze' won't win too many beauty contests
    either.
    
    Dennis ;-)

    re -2
    
    Amazing how a lot of people keep saying that Philly had a longer
    layoff so they were rusty.....they had 1 more day than the Wings.
    
    p.r.

    Tim Hunter is my pick for 'Ugly Man' too.
    
    Ted Lindsay was no beauty either.
    
    Andy

   Stan Johnathan

    
    
    	Well Peterov, its how they spent that extra day off that is the
    difference.  It takes many days to recover from alcohol poisoning!
    
    Scooter

    Okay, Tim Hunter, that's who I meant. Sorry.

    
    Go wings Go!  Is anyone else in shock the Wings swept the Flyers at
    home?  I never expected that to happen!!  
    
    I wonder if Terry Murray will put himself in goal for game 3...any
    other suggestions for them?
    
    Back to Detroit to hopefully finish this thing off.  Remember, the
    Flyers are 0-6-2 at Detroit since 1988.  They obviously do not play
    well at Joe Louis.  
    
    Keep it coming Wings!  It's not over till the fat lady sings.
    
    Patrick
    

    GO WINGS GO......
    
    
    cheers,
    
    	fred

    42 years Eh...
    
    	As a Hab fan, waiting 42 years before winning the Stanley Cup is a
    sensation I've never gone through...could some of the Wings fans 
    explain how they feel right now...:*))
    
    Ray.
    

    Well, we feel quite proud of the team's achievements to date knowing 
    that they have not had to resort to the "cheating" tactics used by
    Montreal in their "winning" years (Slanted ice, refs and the league
    office in their pockets, etc)   ;-).   In Montreal's '93 win, they
    backed into the championship when all of the favourites were knocked
    out for them so that one must have felt tainted for the Hab fans. This
    is unlike this year's run at the Cup where the Wings, if they can win,
    will feel quite satisfied knowing that at least they knocked off 2 of
    the favourites.     
    
    
    It is not over yet.....Philly usually plays better away from home.  The
    team seems to have learned from past years and do not seem to be
    getting too caught up in the excitement.....they still have a job to
    do.
    
    papa raiderov ;-) 

    I could tell you how I feel...
    But someone could be offended by
    the language I would have to use   :(
    
    
    Chris

    A few observations after last nights game:
    
    - How can Ninnima(sp) have been omitted from being on the "best rookie"
    list.  He's by far better than Berard!  I'm very impressed.
    
    - Larionov is one of the most underrated centers in the NHL.  He was
    dominant yesterday.  
    
    - Bobby Clarke must be kicking himself for thinking that they could win
    the cup with Snow and Hextall.  I guess he forgot that the only
    reason the Flyers won in the seventies was because of a guy called
    Parent!  
    
    - Wings fans should be worried.  It has happened only twice that a team
    has lost the first two games at home and then went on to win the cup.
    Both times the Wings were the victim.
    
    - Lindros is a dirty player.  He practically deballed Yzerman.  You would
    think that with his size and abilities he wouldn't need to resort to
    that kind of tactics.  There used to be an unwritten rule that you
    don't put your stick between your opposition's legs.
    
    Bernie.

    and so far this year, of the teams that won game #2, 13/14 have gone on
    to win the series...
    
     Lindros is due for a BIG game, Detroit has managed to slow him down so
    far. (I still don't like him but he is due for one. I hope he falls on
    his arse and they send him back to the Sault)
    
     This is a good series, big hits all over the ice for 3 periods,
    lickety split break-outs, I haven't seen this since the KDHL wrapped up
    for the year :>) Very entertaining.
    
     As Bernie forgot to note in his last message, the officiating last
    night was very good and was not a factor in the final score, as it
    should be...
    

    
    	Don't get your brooms out of the closet just yet, you pinko commie
    lovers!  I must admit that the wings are playing great defence and
    really move the puck well.  They out played Philly in both games.
    
    - The best two players for Philly are Ninnima and Brind'amour.  Ninnima
    is playing like a veteran and logging lots of ice time.  Brind'amour is
    the Flyer offense so far.
    
    - Coffee is playing like crap.  If your not good defensively and your
    not contributing offensively then.....
    
    - Larry Murphy is playing very well.  Did I mention I went to high
    school with him when he played for the Petes.  Good thing he made the
    NHL because he was lousy in physics.  I on the other hand was great in
    physics, but look where that got me...seeesh
    
    - Maybe the Flyers could leave Snow and Hextal in Philly.  By accident
    of course.  Then they could put up one of those plywood boards with 
    cuts-outs over the Flyer net.  The holes never move but any team I've seen
    using one, never loses.
    
    
    Scooter

    If the Wings go on win in a short series, who's your pick for Conn
    Smythe Award (playoff MVP). I wouldn't rule out Konstantinov...
    
    Ray.
    

    Could someone help me understand the Wings offensive game plan.  Many
    articles I have read continue to refer to a plan called "LEFT_WING
    LOCK".  I am unfamiliar with the term and would appreciate anyone being
    able to describe the plan.
    
    Thanks
    
    Dave 

Left Wing lock is actually a 'defensive' scheme.  Simply put three players
(two defensemen and one winger, usually the left wing) are skating backwards
when the opposing team is on a rush.  The remaining two forwards are
fore-checkers, who, in many cases for the Wings, break up the plays in the
neutral zone before they start.  But, if they cannot, they are 'hi-tailing' it
back to help.  If they opposing team gets to the Wings blue line, the Wings
defensemen can more easily 'stand them up' at the blue line with so many
players back.

If the Wings win series, I think Vernie is the MVP.  He has made some
incredible saves even though he has not had the shots that Roy had against
Wings.  He has thus far really answered the call.  Vlady has been great to
though along with Stevie.  It really could go to any of these guys.

But it ain't over yet.  However, with Murray being so openly critical of his
goaltenders (and to me, Snow was not that bad.  Maltby's shot was hard and
well placed) this looks like a team in trouble.  I think a couple more
frustrating periods for the Flyers and it might be toast-time.  

Wings fans are NOT commies.  And the Russians on the Wings aren't either. 
I've spoken to each.  We have Russians who know them working at Digital. 
These people left Russia for a better life for their families.  Their wives
stood in line for hours for bread for their kids...need I go on?  Fetisov was
the first to stand up to the treacherous treatment they received as athletes
in Russia.  It is courage that he and the rest showed that helped topple the
Soviet Union.  We should all stand up and applaud, not ridicule them.  And
that goes for Cherry too!
[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

RE-1 >> Wings fans are NOT........applaud, not ridicule them.

 "Lighten Up Francis." 


 

         Lil Ed

    Well its certainly not over till its over, but its sure nice to enjoy
    the 2-0 lead in the Finals!!!  And, its even nicer to have all the
    controversy - goaltender changes, early line mix ups, words between
    players and coaches - with the other team!!!
    
    Wish I were at the Joe tonight - the roofs gonna come off that
    place....
    
    Here's one of those odd coincedences - the Wings haven't won the Cup in
    42 years - and they have won both games by a scorre of 4-2!!
    
    Go Wings!!
    
    TJ

    
    Hextall is back in the goal tonight.  Murray can't seem to make up his
    mind.  I am afraid that Murray is looking the wrong way alltogther.  He
    thinks the problem is with he netminding.  It's not.  His team sucks!!
    
    That was pretty harsh.  Actually, I think the problem comes from the
    defense, or lackthereof.  Bad clearing passes and giveaways account for
    4 or 5 of the first 8 goals on them.  You can't do that and stil expect
    to win.
    
    Now they are even saying that Coffey is a ? for tonight.  They think he
    might have gotten a concusion from a hit that McCarty put on him in the
    third period of Game 2.
    
    The Joe is going to be rockin' tonight.  This will be a great game.
    
    Patrick
    
     

    Patrick,
    
    	It's now official, Coffey won't play tonite. As far as your
    assessment of the Flyers play so far in the finals, I think your being
    to hard on them; at some point in time, credit must be given to the
    Wings for making them look so bad out there. Plain and simple, the
    Flyers have been outcoached and outplayed so far, and nothing tells me
    things will change at the Joe. 
    
    	As for the Flyers goalie situation, their margin of error is zero
    right now, and because of their coach's very critical open comments
    about them and because the Flyers can't seem to generate constant
    offensive pressure on the Wings, the pressure is on them to perform at
    "zero defect" at all times, and at this time in the year, that's a
    pretty heavy load on their shoulders...
    
    Ray.
    

    
    
    re: pinko commies - relax!!  I'm just poking fun at the team, not the 
    players country of origin, seesh is right.
    
    	I think Ray is on the right track with regard to the Flyers.  Its
    pretty hard to mount a sustained offensive attack when your constantly 
    worried that any shot on your net will go in.
    
    	My prayers about Coffee seem to have been answered.  Perhaps
    Hextall can be the hero of the playoffs and lead his team to victory.
    
    	I to think Veron is the Wings best player over the course of the
    playoff run.
    
    Scooter

    
    Ray,
    
    You're right.  Well put.
    
    Patrick

>    Ray,
>    You're right.  Well put.


   Imagine if this started with the name "Andy"........ what a thought ! 8*)


_sbn

    Not fair Steve, it's happenned a few times; and each time the poor guy
    that said "I agree w/ Andy" or "Andy's right" added a disclaimer that
    in no way, shape or form it meant he agree w/ me on anything else. ;*)
    Have I pissed each and everyone one of you at some point or another???
    Hm.... I guess so.
    
    Flyers vs Wings: Haven't seen much of the series; flowers are blooming
    though w/ all that watering I've been giving them since game6 of the
    real SC finals.
    
    Saw Roy on TV last night; he said they didn't play well enough to win
    but that the Mar26(27?) game affected the Avs when they met the Wings
    in the playoffs. Right he is; the Avs were, at times, playing on
    scared. (like when an NHL team played the Flyers in the mid-70's).
    
    Won't be watching the game tonight; she's got me bottling the wine that
    was due for bottling when the playoffs started. It's amazing how much
    time hockey playoffs took me away from the 'joys?' of life; watering
    flowers, lawnmoving, vacuuming, washing dishes, laundry and that ever
    popular, washing the floor. 
    
    I   WANT   MY    AVS   BACK   !!!!!!!! <sniff!!!>
    
    DAMMIT!  I'M.....I'M......HENPECKED!!!!!
    
    Andy

    Andy....where do you move your lawn?
    
    pete

    >>Andy....where do you move your lawn?
    
    I meant lawnmovving Pete.
    
    Andy

    Andy, talk to Bernie, last I heard from him, he had HIS wife bottling
    HIS beer because he was busy golfing, I'm hoping he'll write a book...
    
    Is the Conn Smythe award announced during the last game or do they wait
    until all the others are announced?

    And a fine brew it turned out to be!
    
    The Conn Smythe is awarded the day the Cup is won.
    
    FOORREEE....
    
    Bernie.

Sorry guys.  You're right, I got a little too carried away there.  'Specially
the last comment 'bout Cherry.  I did not realize he had just lost his wife. 
Incidentally, I think Cherry is most hockey-knowledable of any announcer or
commentator I've seen.  But, I really think he's too closed-minded on
non-Canadian players.

I agree about Philly D.  They look alot like Wings did against Devils a couple
years ago.  Wings approach now to keeping puck outta their net is team
oriented.  All players play D.  Scotty got rid of those that would not...


[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

    Well, another great game by the Red Wings last night to take a
    commanding 3-0 lead in this Finals series!!!!!
    
    Except for LeClairs goal early in the first, the Wings totally
    controlled the game, just as they did against the Avalanche last
    series.
    
    The boys are on a mission, and that mission is just about complete!!!
    
    Go Wings!!
    
    TJ

    
    Unstoppable!!  The Wings are absolutely on a roll.  It's been a long
    time since I have seen a team dominate so whole-heartedly in a
    series.  Let's see....that would have been last year when the Avs
    murdered the Panthers.  
    
    It's really sad to see for the Flyers, though.  All these specials on
    how Lindros is the future of hockey....blah blah blah.  I really wish
    they would make a series out of it.  A little more entertaining that
    way, although I would love to see the Wings sweep too.  
    
    The Flyers just don't seem to have any heart left.  The third period
    was terrible for them.  True, they were down 6-1 but they were skating
    around like a bunch of figure skaters.  No passion at all.  Notice the
    class that they showed, Andy! :)  (Couldn't leave without saying that)
    
    Let's put one more up on the board on Saturday....and make it a clean
    sweep!
    
    Patrick
     

            
    
    It's so typical though how Hextall and Snow are taking the majority of
    the slander over the Flyers horrible showing. The flyers are in this 
    hole because of their Defensive game, their inability to crash the net  
    offense then the occasional weak goal that the goalies have let in. 
    
    I can't stand Hextall and I never liked the Flyers but I do think that 
    it's unfair how everyone in the media etc.. are being overly critical 
    of the Flyers goalies. 
    
    It's not the goalies fault that the offense has only been able to score 
    1 goal in the series at even strength. 
    
    Rp 
    

    	You're right Ron, the whole key to this series is that Murray isn't
    even fit to carry Bowman's clipboard to the rink for him. He's never
    been a brilliant coach and Bowman always has been. Bowman has his team
    playing as a team. They are performing like a piece of fine machinery. 
    When this series started I was pulling for the Flyers to win the cup,
    just because they are the Eastern Conference team and when I don't
    really care about which team wins I keep my loyalties with my home
    teams conferece. In this case however it's obvious that the Flyers just
    don't deserve to win it all. The Wings are clearly the superior team.
    Bowman has this team playing team defense like the cup winning Habs
    teams that he coached played. Lindros looks lost out there as does
    LeClair for most of the game. Sure, these guys are great players so
    they do have their flashes of brilliance, even in their losing efforts,
    but neither of them or the rest of the Flyers for that matter look like
    they have all year. The Wings are just keeping them off balance and not 
    letting them play their game.
    
    Barry
   

    I'm hoping for a sweep, geez it's already June 6th for gods sake!  I
    saw very little of last night's game as I had a game myself at 9:00.
    By the time I got home it was 6-1 and there was 17 minutes left in the
    third.  From then on I watched Fraser keep the game in control.  He was
    much more effective at it than Dumbrowski. 
    
    I want to know where Papa Raider will be watching the game on Saturday so 
    that I can watch him in his moment of glory ;-)  I'll bet he wets himself!
    
    It was said last night that Bowman has been in 11 Stanley Cup final
    series.   Eight of them were four game series. What they didn't say is
    that his team lost in four of those eight!  Now here's a trivia
    question for you.  Name the teams that he lost with, what year
    and for bonus points, against what team.
    
    You have to give it to Bowman though.  He's got this team more focussed 
    than any team I've seen in a long time.
    
    Bernie.    

    
    they also mentioned last night that Philly has not won in Detroit since
    1988.
    
    The last time the Wings won a cup, Ike was President!
    
    Bowman's teams are always defense specialists, the Wings seem to have
    carried that to another level. There were very few scoring chances last
    night for Philly let alone good chances, they are making the goalies
    look good on paper.
    
    Hawerchuck took a big hit at the end of the 2nd from Mccarty (I
    think?) as he looked over his shoulder for a pass. Harry Neil on CBC
    called it a "Doctor Kvorkian pass" :>)
     Hope Hawerchuck is ok, he's the last guy on Philly that I wanted to see
    get crushed like that.
    Saturday, small party in Detroit, be there...

    Konstntinov threw the check on Hawerchuk... He looked OK a minute
    later, talking to Fraser (trying to get him to call an interfernce
    penalty on Konstantinov, the announcers thought.)
    
    Philly will be trying very  hard to avoid a sweep in the next game, but
    they are going to have to avoid coughing up the puck in the neutral or
    defensvie zones if they are going to have a chance.  Detroit has been
    very good at pouncing on mistakes and using their speed to turn them into 
    scoring opportunities.