Hockey Season is upon us

[ivyleager]

Congratulations to Gary Bettman and the refs for handing the most prized trophy in all of sports to a sub par team, a team that shouldn't of even made the playoffs let alone win the whole thing.
Sorry to be such a downer, but even as a Pens fan, they should not have won this cup.

:sad:

Really. The Pens and the Canes were THE hottest/winningest teams in the NHL since the All-Star break. A sub-par team does not have 2 100+ point player, nor the highest scoring players in the playoffs. It appears they can have a "good" goalie. Fleury was not perfect and definitely needs to improve (his GAA and save % in the playoffs is atrocious).

I find is ironic that both of the Penguin goals were on DEE-trot defensive errors. VERY uncharacteristic, indeed.

 

[MikeInTN]

Actually, not all that uncharacteristic this year, Cary. After Lidstrom and Rafalski, their D corp was very suspect this year. They had a couple of games during the season where they had complete defensive breakdowns (the 8-0 thrashing the Preds gave them being the highlight of my year ). The Pens also made them play from behind for the whole game, which is the way you want to play the Red menace - it nullifies their puck control game, and makes them take chances they don't normally take, such as their D men pinching in with their forwards down low, which leads to defensive breakdowns. Of course, it didn't help matters that Datsyuk (sp?) was playing on an injured foot, and he's one of their better defensive forwards.

I couldn't help but laugh as they kept showing Hossa last night near the end of the game. Irony in it's grandest form. Makes me think of Forsberg and Sundin being rent-a-players to try to get their name on the cup, and failing as well.

 

[ivyleager]

Actually, not all that uncharacteristic this year, Cary. After Lidstrom and Rafalski, their D corp was very suspect this year. They had a couple of games during the season where they had complete defensive breakdowns (the 8-0 thrashing the Preds gave them being the highlight of my year ). The Pens also made them play from behind for the whole game, which is the way you want to play the Red menace - it nullifies their puck control game, and makes them take chances they don't normally take, such as their D men pinching in with their forwards down low, which leads to defensive breakdowns. Of course, it didn't help matters that Datsyuk (sp?) was playing on an injured foot, and he's one of their better defensive forwards.

I couldn't help but laugh as they kept showing Hossa last night near the end of the game. Irony in it's grandest form. Makes me think of Forsberg and Sundin being rent-a-players to try to get their name on the cup, and failing as well.

Yes, Talbot was quoted as saying that he was not going to be too kind to Hossa at the handshake line. I can only hope he followed through on that. I had the privilege of seeing Hossa play 8x/year when he was with Atlanta. Good, solid player but "beavered" alot. (Slapping stick on the ice demanding the puck). It was really irritating. But man, he sure knew how to score on us.

 

[jabsaw]

[center:153t7z7u]GO PENNS!!![/center:153t7z7u]

Where should they go? LOL

Penguins are great. My kids love the movie where the one penguin tries to be the surf champion. Penguin is the fruit of the ice. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, penguin-kabobs, penguin creole, penguin gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple penguin, lemon penguin, coconut penguin, pepper penguin, penguin soup, penguin stew, penguin salad, penguin and potatoes, penguin burger, penguin sandwich. That- that's about it.

BTW IvyLeager... Penns go great with a big silver cup!

 

[19redwings]

My hangover is finally over.

Congrats to the Pens (my wife is a fan, so we have had a house in turmoil)! I remember last year when I commented on Pens fans booing, you were right, it was only when Bettman was front and center like Wings fans did. The rest was all respectful cheering.

I don't think Crosby meant to miss out on the handshake either. He is well verssed in hocky trradition and was probably all caught up in the moment.

Deep down, I have conspiracy issues (Bettman, VS, NBC) since all Bettman did was tout the ratings (C'mon, there are only a couple hundred of us watching in the states -AND- they did not allow the game to be televised outside the arena like most other locations in order to drive fans to their houses and turn the TV on)

But, back on task. Congrats Pens! See you next year!

 

[ivyleager]

But, back on task. Congrats Pens! See you next year!

Hmmm, the way free agency signings are going, I'm thinking it'll be Philly and Chicago battling it out come next June.

Of course, the Rangers will find another way to screw it up.

 

[Marillion Fan]

I really pay little attention to hockey during the off season, last season I had to ask a couple of forum friends who we got and lost.

 

[ivyleager]

I really pay little attention to hockey during the off season, last season I had to ask a couple of forum friends who we got and lost.

I stop paying attention a week or so after free agency opens up. The big deals generally happen within that time frame.

 

[19redwings]

WTF Holland????

Bertuzzi? BERTUZZI?? You have got to be kidding me!!! And now that they are over the cap with this great signing, Holmstrom may be on the block...

Looks like I will have plenty of my spring and summer w/o sitting on the couch when it is nice out.

 

[ivyleager]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UXXtCpkeKiA/So0IurCQaeI/AAAAAAAAKxo/MIWPGp-EPRo/s400/Darnfan.jpg

An image to sum-up the Hurricanes season so far. Knew it was too good to be true when 'analysts' were touting what great depth this team has, and how we'd be a top 5 finish in the conference. As a long-time season ticket holder and lover of hockey, this season is stinking pretty quick. Almost time to go to a game wearing a bag over my head.

 

[19redwings]

An image to sum-up the Hurricanes season so far. Knew it was too good to be true when 'analysts' were touting what great depth this team has, and how we'd be a top 5 finish in the conference. As a long-time season ticket holder and lover of hockey, this season is stinking pretty quick. Almost time to go to a game wearing a bag over my head.

And you just lost Ward? Wow, having a worse run than Detroit.

 

[ivyleager]

Okay, time to bump this thread.

My team's season is done (well, more accurately, it was over in November). But, the lowly Preds are giving Chicago a run for their money. The RedWings are surprising me, but I sure wish they would just go away. Pittsburgh keeps getting stronger, and the Crapitals are lucky they are scoring more goals than allowing (they will need to be more defensive minded to win it all).

So, who's picking which team to win?

East: Pittsburgh
West: San Jose (finally)

 

[Melt In The Sun]

Hockey...

 

[19redwings]

At the beginning of the season, I would have bet on a Chi-Caps finals.

West: Winner of the Phoenix/Detroit series. (I think it will be Phoenix!) Had never seen them play before this series and the team they remind me most of is Anaheim in the playoffs.

East: ABC, Anyone but Crosby. Go Ovie!!

 

[ivyleager]

At the beginning of the season, I would have bet on a Chi-Caps finals.

West: Winner of the Phoenix/Detroit series. (I think it will be Phoenix!) Had never seen them play before this series and the team they remind me most of is Anaheim in the playoffs.

East: ABC, Anyone but Crosby. Go Ovie!!

Anyone but Detroit. Bertuzzi has no right to have his name on the cup. He's your curse. Hossa is now Chicago's curse.

 

[19redwings]

Anyone but Detroit. Bertuzzi has no right to have his name on the cup. He's your curse. Hossa is now Chicago's curse.

Bertuzzi should be in prison! Hopefully gone next year.

 

[MikeInTN]

Okay, time to bump this thread.

My team's season is done (well, more accurately, it was over in November). But, the lowly Preds are giving Chicago a run for their money. The RedWings are surprising me, but I sure wish they would just go away. Pittsburgh keeps getting stronger, and the Crapitals are lucky they are scoring more goals than allowing (they will need to be more defensive minded to win it all).

So, who's picking which team to win?

East: Pittsburgh
West: San Jose (finally)

"lowly" Preds?? Pffffttt!!! Was at the game Tuesday night, and am going tonight as well. Got to love the intensity of playoff hockey!

Hmmmm...I'm not going to pick a WC team just yet (I hope either the Preds or Yotes - neither ws given a chance in the offseason of even being in the playoffs). In the east, I'm hoping it's the Caps.

For the cup, if it's not the Preds or Yotes from the west, then I don't care who's there, I'll pull for the east, and hope it's Ovie skating with the cup at the end. I pretty much despise the rest of the WC besides my Preds and the Yotes.

 

[MikeInTN]

Anyone but Detroit. Bertuzzi has no right to have his name on the cup. He's your curse. Hossa is now Chicago's curse.

Bertuzzi should be in prison! Hopefully gone next year.

+1000 to both comments. Bertuzzi is scum.

 

[ivyleager]

Okay, time to bump this thread.

My team's season is done (well, more accurately, it was over in November). But, the lowly Preds are giving Chicago a run for their money. The RedWings are surprising me, but I sure wish they would just go away. Pittsburgh keeps getting stronger, and the Crapitals are lucky they are scoring more goals than allowing (they will need to be more defensive minded to win it all).

So, who's picking which team to win?

East: Pittsburgh
West: San Jose (finally)

"lowly" Preds?? Pffffttt!!! Was at the game Tuesday night, and am going tonight as well. Got to love the intensity of playoff hockey!

Hmmmm...I'm not going to pick a WC team just yet (I hope either the Preds or Yotes - neither ws given a chance in the offseason of even being in the playoffs). In the east, I'm hoping it's the Caps.

For the cup, if it's not the Preds or Yotes from the west, then I don't care who's there, I'll pull for the east, and hope it's Ovie skating with the cup at the end. I pretty much despise the rest of the WC besides my Preds and the Yotes.

Mike,
I say "lowly Preds" with all due respect. They ate up Chicago the other night. They have been given absolutely NO props going into the playoffs. It's NBC (nothing but Crosby) or all Ovenchicken (my pet name for OV).

I'd love nothing more than to see another small market team to go deep in the playoffs and get to 16 wins. Enjoy the game tonight. I'll be watching from home. But please understand I will be rooting for my old hometown team, the Blackhawks.

 

[MikeInTN]

Okay, time to bump this thread.

My team's season is done (well, more accurately, it was over in November). But, the lowly Preds are giving Chicago a run for their money. The RedWings are surprising me, but I sure wish they would just go away. Pittsburgh keeps getting stronger, and the Crapitals are lucky they are scoring more goals than allowing (they will need to be more defensive minded to win it all).

So, who's picking which team to win?

East: Pittsburgh
West: San Jose (finally)

"lowly" Preds?? Pffffttt!!! Was at the game Tuesday night, and am going tonight as well. Got to love the intensity of playoff hockey!

Hmmmm...I'm not going to pick a WC team just yet (I hope either the Preds or Yotes - neither ws given a chance in the offseason of even being in the playoffs). In the east, I'm hoping it's the Caps.

For the cup, if it's not the Preds or Yotes from the west, then I don't care who's there, I'll pull for the east, and hope it's Ovie skating with the cup at the end. I pretty much despise the rest of the WC besides my Preds and the Yotes.

Mike,
I say "lowly Preds" with all due respect. They ate up Chicago the other night. They have been given absolutely NO props going into the playoffs. It's NBC (nothing but Crosby) or all Ovenchicken (my pet name for OV).

I'd love nothing more than to see another small market team to go deep in the playoffs and get to 16 wins. Enjoy the game tonight. I'll be watching from home. But please understand I will be rooting for my old hometown team, the Blackhawks.

No problem at all, Cary. I was just having a bit of fun with your wording is all. Oh, we know all about Bettman's mancrush on Crosby. When I was asked the other night why the game was starting at 8pm here, my answer was "because Crosby and the Pens were on tonight, and everything revolves around them, or so the NHL thinks.".

The game didn't go our way tonight, so back to Chi-town we go. Might as well get our money's worth and go seven games. I completely understand you rooting for your old hometown team; I just hope my hometown team gives you no cause to celebrate.