07-05-2003 02:23									#271
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quote: Edit: I can't believe I beat obiwan to the update!

Moving takes time... I'll have to change my location sig.

Anyways, people are starting to get worried about the series as a whole as the canucks have only led for 30 minutes in 5 games so far. We'll see if Cloutier can bounce back for the last game to sink Lemaire and the Wild.

Then we can get on with the third round.
It's kind of cool having the Canucks as the only series people are waiting for.

I figure the Canucks will win a grinder in Minneapolis.

	07-05-2003 04:45									#272
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quote: One thing I didn't know is that a South Korean is playing for the Wild. Must be the first Korean in the NHL.

No, I do believe that honour has already been bestowed on the wonderful ex-Penguin defenceman Jim Paek.

But I will go check the info to make sure.

	07-05-2003 04:46									#273
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Not Only The First Korean Player In The NHL, But The First To Win The Stanley Cup, Too!

	08-05-2003 08:32									#274
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OK - as I write it is Minnesota 5 - Vancouver 1.

What's up with the Wild. Be afraid, Canucks, be very.....

	08-05-2003 08:57									#275
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Vancouver tied with Minnesota 3-3

Conference Finals start Saturday

East: New Jersey at Ottawa

West: Anaheim at either Vancouver or Minnesota

Well, I thought game five was all about the Canucks trying too hard and making stupid mistakes. Game six was more about the refs making stupid mistakes and Minnesota capitalizing on them until the Canucks felt out of it again.

A missed elbow to Cloutier, but called interference on Baron - Wild goal.

A missed offside call - Wild goal.

Tons of crosschecking and tripping of the Sedins - no calls.

Kudos to the Wild for their powerplay success. The Canucks are looking like they did a couple of years ago - an emotional team that doesn't respond well to pressure.

Crawford has to find a way to get them to play their game with zest, but with cool heads. And he has to get better line matchups - the top line has been useless because they're so paranoid about Gaborik.

	09-05-2003 00:17									#276
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quote: Originally posted by dejon Vancouver tied with Minnesota 3-3 A missed offside call - Wild goal.

If it's the goal I'm thinking of, it was a good call: the replay showed it conclusively according to the analysts on "The Score" (admittedly that's Garry Valk and co. but they were pretty adamant).

	09-05-2003 00:30									#277
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quote: Originally posted by dejon Why? Because the aging, overpaid almost-dynasty teams are finally fading? Because young, exciting, talented teams are finally seeing the fruits of years of labour? Or because, excluding New Jersey, you have to go back to 1927 (Ottawa) to find a past Cup winner that is left in these playoffs? This changing of the guard has been a long time in the making, and is making the game better. It should be embraced, not scoffed at because it isn't the status quo.

Yes and No... other than New Jersey... crap franchises are left. It would be like the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers playing in the World Series. It's crap! Sorry, but I like to see the top guys in the hunt for the Finals. I bet the Wild will win, so what does this say about the strength of the league if the best players aren't in the hunt.

The only player that I would pay money to see on either Ottawa, New Jersy, Minnesota, or Anaheim; is Martin Brodeur... maybe Kariya, but that's it! I don't really care to watch a bunch of mullet-wearing Euro's play in the finals. Gaborik, Hossa, Alfredsson, Bonk, Naslund, etc... WHO CARES? NOT I!

Why do you think the NHL has reached it's peak in popularity? It was the fastest growing game in the United States in the 90's, now it has stagnated. Ratings are down. Attendence is down. Goals are down. It sucks. Once Lemieux is gone, there is hardly going to be any star power. And the semi-super-stars that are out there don't even make it to the latter rounds of the playoffs. What a piece of crap the NHL has turned into.

	09-05-2003 02:20									#278
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quote: Originally posted by Sava Yes and No... other than New Jersey... crap franchises are left. It would be like the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers playing in the World Series. It's crap! Sorry, but I like to see the top guys in the hunt for the Finals. I bet the Wild will win, so what does this say about the strength of the league if the best players aren't in the hunt. The only player that I would pay money to see on either Ottawa, New Jersy, Minnesota, or Anaheim; is Martin Brodeur... maybe Kariya, but that's it! I don't really care to watch a bunch of mullet-wearing Euro's play in the finals. Gaborik, Hossa, Alfredsson, Bonk, Naslund, etc... WHO CARES? NOT I! Why do you think the NHL has reached it's peak in popularity? It was the fastest growing game in the United States in the 90's, now it has stagnated. Ratings are down. Attendence is down. Goals are down. It sucks. Once Lemieux is gone, there is hardly going to be any star power. And the semi-super-stars that are out there don't even make it to the latter rounds of the playoffs. What a piece of crap the NHL has turned into.

I understand, and in fact share some of, your frustrations. The NHL grew too fast and diluted the talent pool, which has had many adverse effects: reduced scoring, increased defensive play, lower attendance, and a lack of perceived "star power".

In today's NHL (as most other team sports), individual (high-priced) players do not determine a team's fate.

Just look at the Rangers - big bucks, no chemistry, no prospects. Then checkout teams like Ottawa or Vancouver - good talent, no bank-busters, great farm prospects, and very good chemistry.

Doesn't the lesson of the Anaheim Angels ring a bell? Individuals do not win championships, teams do.

So your question "what does this say about the strength of the league if the best players aren't in the hunt?" is meaningless, and always has been. Gretzky didn't win on his own, and neither did Michael Jordan. The complaint should be that the owners/managers/coaches of the teams with the best players don't know how to build a team around them.

As for the veteran champion teams eliminated (Detroit, Colorado, Dallas) - there is a number of reasons they were beaten, but common factors include average player age, speed, and a management approach of renting missing components at the deadline, sacrificing the future. Last I checked, the only trade deadline move that is having any effect this year is Steve Thomas - that's a pretty poor average.

If you can't see or appreciate the talent of players like Hossa, Gaborik, or Naslund - the NHL is simply not your game.

	09-05-2003 02:26									#279
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quote: Originally posted by Sava Yes and No... other than New Jersey... crap franchises are left. It would be like the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers playing in the World Series.

Are you kidding me? Sure, nobody would be watching the world series. You're right. But that sounds like one hell of an exciting play off season.

	09-05-2003 06:35									#280
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Watch Minny complete the comeback tonight, kids. JUST WATCH.

	09-05-2003 06:43									#281
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quote: Last I checked, the only trade deadline move that is having any effect this year is Steve Thomas - that's a pretty poor average.

Don't forget Rob Niedermayer!

	09-05-2003 07:50									#282
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Minnesota can become the first team ever to rally successfully from 3-1 deficits in the same postseason.
THE GAME HAS STARTED

	09-05-2003 09:51									#283
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Well, Vancouver has proven once again that they lack the experience and composure necessary in the playoffs. They were beaten tonight by a team that has barely any experience, but plays under a coach and with a system that gave them all the composure and confidence they needed.

It will be the Wild (6th seed) hosting the Ducks (7th seed) in the Western Conference finals - who would've guessed it?

	09-05-2003 09:51									#284
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Wow

	09-05-2003 09:57									#285
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That was so painful to watch, it's beyond words....

I just knew the wheels would come off as soon as Minnesota scored their first goal.

	09-05-2003 10:37									#286
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ahahahahahaha

	09-05-2003 11:07									#287
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quote: It will be the Wild (6th seed) hosting the Ducks (7th seed) in the Western Conference finals - who would've guessed it?

Absolutely NO ONE! Wow.... now, who wins?

A part of me wants to see NJ v. Minnesota. Lemaire vs. his old team .

	09-05-2003 16:45									#288
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui A part of me wants to see NJ v. Minnesota. Lemaire vs. his old team .

Oh lord no! That would be the ultimate .

	09-05-2003 21:17									#289
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quote: Originally posted by ixnay ahahahahahaha

That's how I feel.

	10-05-2003 03:24									#290
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quote: I just knew the wheels would come off as soon as Minnesota scored their first goal.

Such a freak goal.

Everyone's calling for the head of Cloutier, so we will see what happens next.

They could have gone to the finals again this year, but no dice.

What about the refs call against Bertuzzi in the third, and the penalty in the second period IMMEDIATELY after the Canucks go up 2-0? Both seemed pretty bogus, compared to 0 calls against the Wild.

Bettman doesn't want to see two Canadian teams in the finals, but the bottom line is that they did not get the job done in the 5th and 6th game.

	10-05-2003 03:28									#291
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The call against Bertuzzi was TOTALLY valid. You do not cross-check a defenseman into his own goalie! That's just asking for a penalty.

	10-05-2003 03:32									#292
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Right.

I'm sure they would call a penalty against the Leafs, when down by a goal in game seven.

Where's the crosscheck?

	10-05-2003 03:33									#293
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quote: Originally posted by obiwan18 Bettman doesn't want to see two Canadian teams in the finals, but the bottom line is that they did not get the job done in the 5th and 6th game.

Come on Obiwan, you know that the truth is simply that Minnesota were the better team. Vancouver has the better players but Minny were by far the better team. The Canucks were only ahead on the scoresheet for less than an hour in the whole series. They just didn't have what it took. Never mind, there is always next year.

And as for Anaheim and Minnesota: Anaheim has dispatched the two best teams in the NHL with comparative ease. Minnesota has beaten the next best two. These are good teams - so what if they have funny names?

I'll be happy for Imran if the Devils win, but I'd really like to see Anaheim or Minnesota win it, as I love to cheer for the downtrodden.

	10-05-2003 03:39									#294
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quote: but the bottom line is that they did not get the job done in the 5th and 6th game.

Well, I did qualify my statement. No way it should have come down to a game seven, if the Canucks came to play for games five and six.

Anyways, kudos to Lemaire, and all those old Montreal Canadiens on the bench.

	10-05-2003 04:08									#295
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Gary Bettman is crying in his beer today.

Okay. Since I have completely underestimated both Minnesota and Anaheim, I have no idea who to pick in the Western Finals. We'll let the magic of Mr. Coin decide....

ANAHEIM IN... 7.

As for the East, much easier. Ottawa is a fantastic team, easily the most talented team remaining, plus they have some huge plusses as for as rooting for them go--a Canadian team, and one of the teams that are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Only a complete jackass (or lifelong Devils fan, same thing) would root against the Sens. Which, of course, means

DEVILS IN 5.

	10-05-2003 05:17									#296
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quote: Originally posted by Guynemer Only a complete jackass (or lifelong Devils fan, same thing) would root against the Sens. Which, of course, means DEVILS IN 5.

The two penalty calls against the Canucks were not bad calls in and of themselves, but in a game with no other calls, they make the refs look very bad. You can't swallow your whistle for almost the whole game, and then give powerplays to the team that is average 35%+ with the advantage. That is just poor officiating.

Not that I'm bitter though. As Obiwan said, the Canucks took themselves out of the series much earlier. They still suffer from inexperience, letting things get to them and sulking, or playing with too much emotion, recklessly.

I predict Ottawa vs. Anaheim, with the Senators winning.

	10-05-2003 05:40									#297
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quote: Originally posted by obiwan18 Such a freak goal. Everyone's calling for the head of Cloutier, so we will see what happens next.

Yeah, that was one of the flukiest goals your going to see, but it was like getting punched in the stomach for the Canucks. If they just could have gotten out of the second period with the 2-0 lead, they may have actually won.

Still, I agree with everyone else - Vancouver did not deserve to win that series. Their biggest problem is that they couldn't seem to learn from either their successes or their mistakes. Dumping the puck in behind the defense and flying in after it's working? Well, then let's try to make fancy plays through the middle against the penultimate trapping team. Keeping two players in front of the net is paying some dividends? Let's be sure to do that as infrequently as possible. Their forwards are coming back to play defense? We sure don't want to do that. Getting burned every time we leave a Wild player wide open in our own zone? Oh no, we wouldn't want to make extra sure we're covering our men.

	10-05-2003 09:41									#298
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Ah, next round predictions .

I'm saying Anaheim in 7 (Minnesota will FINALLY get too tired to play) and New Jersey in 6 (because I can ).

	10-05-2003 13:40									#299
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Anaheim in 6, Ottawa in 7.

Why? I have no idea. My predictions have mostly been wrong before, anyway...

I think Anaheim can keep it going, though... Maybe. Who knows?

	10-05-2003 21:33									#300
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quote: If you can't see or appreciate the talent of players like Hossa, Gaborik, or Naslund - the NHL is simply not your game.

I'd have greater appreciation if they could score 50 goals and over 100 pts on a consistent basis.

Here's what the NHL needs to do:
1. Get rid of the two-line pass
2. Restrict goalie pad sizes
3. Get rid of the instigator penalty
4. Stop calling goaltender interference outside of the crease (if he goes out IMO, he's fair game)
5. Contract the league to 24 or 28 teams
6. Remove the restrictions on stick curves
7. More divisional games

If Minnesota or Anaheim win the Cup, I'm not watching Playoffs any more.