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Post by Lee on Apr 18, 2004 0:03:23 GMT -5
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Post by Lee on Apr 18, 2004 0:30:02 GMT -5
Flames doesn't look good as the game dreads on. Gauthier was hurt in 2nd period and Flames is playing with 5 defensemen.
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Post by The Chloe on Apr 18, 2004 0:30:27 GMT -5
Triple OT... get your feed back! Quick!
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Post by The Chloe on Apr 18, 2004 0:31:22 GMT -5
The best scoring chance so far, for either team, was when Nieminen beat Auld and uh, nailed it off the cross bar. CLINK
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Post by Lee on Apr 18, 2004 0:34:43 GMT -5
The best scoring chance so far, for either team, was when Nieminen beat Auld and uh, nailed it off the cross bar. CLINK Yes, a very sharp CLINK
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Post by Lee on Apr 18, 2004 0:35:32 GMT -5
Just saw the highlight of Avs/Stars. Turco was just awful. No wonder Stars lost the series 1-4.
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Post by Lee on Apr 18, 2004 0:49:36 GMT -5
Both teams are so tired when 3rd OT starts, it's like slow motion. And the slower team with one less defensemen lost.
Congrat Nucks coming back after the disaster in 2nd half of regular time.
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Post by The Chloe on Apr 18, 2004 1:14:05 GMT -5
Okay, I'm annoyed. This ate me f-ing post.
I stayed home to watch the game, but my friends went out. They apparently watched the first OT at the bar but then decided to take off and grab some food and a cab. So they run into the house just as the game ends, they run downstairs and are like "who scored?!??!" and I say through clenched teeth "Vancouver", and they violently boo at the TV.
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Post by Vera on Apr 18, 2004 14:42:25 GMT -5
Thanks Mo , for saving the Nucks face from becoming the laughing stock for letting a 4 goals lead slipped , and for saving our asses from elimination. If nothing, they should learnt that to win a hockey game required playing for a full freaking 60 mins , although they really should have learnt that long ago after losing their leads 432$@25 times in previous 893$%@917 games :red: . Also hope that they will realise that getting home-ice-advantage actually means there IS an advantage for them to take at home. But knowing that the Nucks sucks at home the whole season, I cannot be optimistic. GO SENS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Dissident on Apr 18, 2004 20:40:03 GMT -5
:banana2: :banana2: First Avalanche buried the Stars. Who is the second victim??
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Post by Dissident on Apr 18, 2004 20:43:35 GMT -5
I guess the picture is the following:
1. If the Nucks win the series: Dead Wings vs Avs Canucks vs Sharks
2. If the Flames win the series: Dead Wings vs Flames Sharks vs Avs
So we will face the Wings or the Sharks.
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Post by Lee on Apr 18, 2004 20:55:58 GMT -5
You're right, Diss. My guess you'll prefer Avs to play Sharks than Wings.
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Post by Lee on Apr 18, 2004 22:00:18 GMT -5
Congrat Sens forcing 7th game.
Go Leafs Go!
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Post by Dissident on Apr 19, 2004 20:00:01 GMT -5
I dont know if I prefer the Sharks... They are red hot, very dangerous team. The Wings are old, but we always manage to lose to them. But we will beat either of them, so whatever..
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Post by Dissident on Apr 19, 2004 20:03:02 GMT -5
Oh, and these are the teams I want to win: Nashville Predators (Death to the Wings!! ) San Jose Sharks Calgary Flames (I wouldnt mind the Nucks winning, either, though...) COLORADO AVALANCHE (yay!) NY Islanders (time for the Bolts to get back to reality ) Montreal Canadiens (dont like the Bruins at all) New Jersey Devils - Philadelphia Flyers (tied, hate them both.) Ottawa Senators (I dont mind the Leafs, but I always go with the red against blue. ) Good playoff round one for me. Out of all of those, only the Wings and the Bolts went further, but they were no-brainers. Calgary and Ottawa are still alive. ;D
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Post by Lee on Apr 19, 2004 23:34:32 GMT -5
Great Flames lost the lead at the last 6 seconds. Now we're in OT.
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Post by Lee on Apr 20, 2004 0:05:18 GMT -5
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Post by Dissident on Apr 20, 2004 7:01:12 GMT -5
Congrats Lee. Iginla is really kicking ass. ;D Vera must be devastated! Poor girl!
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Post by Lee on Apr 20, 2004 19:52:06 GMT -5
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Post by Lee on Apr 20, 2004 19:52:44 GMT -5
I'm so sorry Vera. :kiss:
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Post by RogiFan on Apr 20, 2004 20:25:47 GMT -5
Can you believe it? I actually looked in at the Leafs game for a few minutes and they didn't lose! Don't worry, Vera, I'm reliably informed that the Leafs will rise to their level of incompetency in the next round or whatever you call it! Can you tell I don't follow hockey?
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Post by Lee on Apr 21, 2004 1:36:16 GMT -5
NHL posts record opening-round attendance, television viewership continues to build
NEW YORK -- With one game still to be played, the National Hockey League already has established record attendance figures for the first round of the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In 46 Conference Quarterfinal games played through Monday, the League has set records for average attendance (18,751) and total sellouts (44). The mark for total attendance will be set tonight, when the current total of 862,556 is boosted by the sellout crowd of approximately 19,500 at Air Canada Centre for Game 7 of the Toronto Maple Leafs-Ottawa Senators series.
The figures for sellout percentage (44 of 46, 96%) and percentage of seating capacity (100.3%) are the highest since the numbers first were compiled in 1993.
The numbers reflect significant playoff attendance growth over the past decade. The first-round sellout percentage was 70% in 1992-93 (31 sellouts in 44 games), 63% in 1993-94 (30 of 48) and 55% in 1994-95 (27 of 49).
Also: Stanley Cup Playoff television viewership continues to build in the U.S. heading into the Conference Semifinals
Stanley Cup Playoff viewership has increased in the Conference Quarterfinals on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 compared to last season, according to Nielsen television data.
The NHL on ABC recorded a seven-percent increase in average viewers per game (1, 848,383 vs. 1,732,262) after the first week of Quarterfinal round coverage (4/10/04). Average viewers per game for fans watching Stanley Cup Playoff action on ESPN and ESPN2 during the first round have risen 10 percent (599,272 vs. 545,530) and 26 percent (475,000 vs. 378,149), respectively.
******************************************** I am glad that the rating for playoff hockey is good. That means more coverage on ESPN and ESPN2. I am really surprised when I could watch 2 Canadian teams (Flames vs Canucks) facing off on ESPN.
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Post by Vera on Apr 21, 2004 19:40:39 GMT -5
Vera must be devastated! Poor girl! Thx for thinking about me. Sadly, I’m completely crushed, and it’s unbearable. So much adversity this year for my team that a Game 7 OT loss at home is almost tragically fitting. We bounced back from the Bert incident, overcame losing our #1 goalie, avoided elimination on the road, then we tied the game with 5 seconds left, there was a moment there I almost believe that we can make it thru. But too much bad lucks had came our way since Feb, we can’t fend them all off. I wasn’t delusional to think that we can win the Cup, but I want them to have a good memorable post season bcos this is the best team we had for a long time and I’m not sure if we’ll still have them next time the season begins. Rumors out there that owner McCaw is talking to sell the Canucks to Paul Allen, our lame duck GM who did a great job building this team is going to be let go, Nazzy may retire if there’s a holdout next year, Bert’s status is still unsure and a short playoffs just made it worse cos they counted the number of games missed as the length of the penalty (which is quite stupid, cos his absent is a big reason for our failure, his biggest penalty is the guilt of letting this team down), and it’s unlikely Clout will be re-signed and Morrison’s contract renewal is in doubt. So who knows, if bad luck keep follows, the Vancouver Canucks will possibly be the Portland Yankees next year. Anyhow, I had a feeling that all these uncertainties will ultimately be the catalyst for the team’s downfall, and we haven’t even risen that high. I can’t imagine the team without Burke, our big line and #1 goalie, we could be the next Blackhawks. This is like one blow after the other and it's tough to take. *sigh* I’m sure I’ll get over it someday. If the team can remain intact next year, I would feel a lot better even that we lost. I don’t care about changes, just give them one more freaking chance.
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Post by Vera on Apr 21, 2004 19:45:12 GMT -5
And of course, what I really want is that Markus could feel that he has accomplished something here before he retires from the Canucks. But it won’t happen if this is his last year. THIS, is my nightmare: Naslund's future is murkyIain MacIntyre Source : Vancouver Sun April 21, 2004 What now, Markus? Vancouver Canuck captain Markus Naslund's season mirrored his team's: erratic, complicated by unforeseen challenges, brilliant in bursts but at times disillusioning, and, in the end, wholly unsatisfying. Bounced Monday from the first-round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the lower-seeded Calgary Flames, the Canucks will return whenever the greed and ego of National Hockey League owners and players allow it. Far less certain is Naslund's return. It is possible -- although not yet probable -- that Naslund's final shift as a Canuck was his sparkling end-to-end rush in the final seconds of regulation time Monday, when he forced a rebound from Flames' goalie Miikka Kiprusoff that was banged in by Matt Cooke for a stunning tying goal with 5.7 seconds remaining. That fantastic goal, beyond belief, should have gained mythic status for Canuck fans, but was soon rendered a historical footnote when Vancouver surrendered the winning goal to ex-Canuck Martin Gelinas 85 seconds into overtime on a failed penalty kill. Naslund, not allowed to play shorthanded, didn't see the ice after jetting past defenceman Jordan Leopold to set up Cooke's buzzer-beater. It was easily Naslund's most inspired moment during a series in which he rarely reached top speed. He did, however, amass nine points and topped the Canucks in playoff points. Asked a couple of minutes into his post-game press melee if he had concealed an injury, Naslund stormed away with a terse "no comment." It was unclear if he was offended at the inference that he was not at his best, or merely frustrated at another quick playoff exit and the offer of an easy excuse for it. And this was fitting, too, because Naslund's season was filled with mixed messages, statements with enough ambiguity for opposing sides to argue that: a) he can't wait to scrape the mud from this crummy town off his shoes and return permanently to Sweden; or b) he remains devoted to the Canucks and will work relentlessly towards the success of the team. Naslund first hinted at unhappiness here when he said last season that this could be his final contract in the NHL because he wants to raise his three young children in Sweden. His mood was not brightened during the off-season when general manager Brian Burke, asked by Naslund to retain free-agent Trent Klatt, allowed the leader to sign with the Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks rejected the veteran's last-minute plea for a one-year contract because the Canucks deemed the bonus structure too lucrative. Naslund strained his groin at training camp and started the season slowly, scoring seven times in the first 20 games. His mood was sombre and on Nov. 29 Naslund admitted in an interview with The Vancouver Sun that he felt uncomfortable during the fall and was unhappy with his play. Finally fit, Naslund then scored 19 times in 27 games, but his enjoyment ended with Colorado Avalanche winger Steve Moore's hit to the head on Feb. 16. Naslund missed three games due to a concussion and scored only twice in 15 games after his return. During that slump, on March 8, linemate and friend Todd Bertuzzi attacked Moore, ending the season for both players. Naslund, who looked sickened by the incident, soldiered on and did not complain when coach Marc Crawford switched him to right wing and, absurdly, let him flounder there for seven games so trade-deadline acquisition Martin Rucinsky would be comfortable on the left side. Naslund did admit on March 25 that he suffered a hyper-extended elbow during Moore's hit and six weeks later still hadn't recovered the velocity in his wrist shot. The admission rankled the Canucks, whose medical staff didn't feel the condition warranted continuing treatment. The next day, Naslund predictably retreated from his statements. He was embroiled in greater controversy a few days later when Naslund's hometown newspaper in Sweden, which had assigned a journalist to interview him in Vancouver, reported the Canuck was tired and "just waiting for the season to end." Naslund called the story "crap" and claimed he was misquoted, that he was merely anxious for the regular season to end and playoffs to commence. Against the Flames, Naslund worked hard and his offensive productivity should not be marginalized. He didn't seem, however, to match the escalation in emotion and intensity displayed by top teammates Brendan Morrison, Ed Jovanovski and Mattias Ohlund. Hence the post-game query Monday about his health. Naslund has a year remaining on a four-year extension he signed in 2001 that was worth $5.225 million US this season. It has made Naslund wealthier than he ever imagined and despite a 20-point plunge this season from 104, the 30-year-old has earned every cent. The best left winger in hockey over the last four years while averaging 41 goals per season, Naslund has, arguably, done more than anyone except Burke to resurrect the Canuck franchise. In 639 games for the team -- the last four seasons as its captain -- Naslund has 265 goals and 562 points. Barring injury, he could pass playing icon Trevor Linden as the Canucks' all-time leading goal-scorer next season. If Naslund plays. If truly unhappy, Naslund has the money and resolve to walk away from the final year of his contract and return to his home on the sea in Ornskoldsvik. "It depends on what happens next year," Naslund said three weeks ago, referring to the imminent labour doom. "That last year could be washed out [by a settlement]. If a full year goes by, we could be rooted again in Sweden. With that uncertainty, who knows what's going to happen? "I'm still under contract, and people who know me know I'll honour my word." So, it's clear: Naslund will be back, unless he isn't. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Nazzy in fact is still suffering from the Moore hit. The Province today said that Naslund has bone chips in his elbow and will require surgery to correct the problem. Naslund wasn’t available today to comment on the injury, he missed today’s press session bcos of a virus infection. I can only hope that people stop criticising him. As if the loss isn’t bad enough, he shouldn’t be made to think that he let the team down. I hope this loss won’t leave too much of a bitter taste that would make him loses the desire to return. Don’t leave, Markus. (on the other hand, I can understand if he put his priority on his family and kids, maybe I shouldn’t be selfish to want him to stay).
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Post by Lee on Apr 22, 2004 20:53:37 GMT -5
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Post by Lee on Apr 23, 2004 0:50:07 GMT -5
Flyers 3 Leaf 1 Sharks 5 Avs 2 Ouch, the Sharks took a large bite.
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Post by Lee on Apr 23, 2004 19:16:38 GMT -5
Bolts up 3-0 vs Habs!
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Post by Lee on Apr 24, 2004 22:20:26 GMT -5
Flames lost 5-2 to Red Wings but I expect that.
Avs are in BIG trouble.
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Post by Lee on Apr 26, 2004 0:27:59 GMT -5
Nieuwy from nhl.com Sundin returns, Nieuwendyk out against Flyers PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Toronto Maple Leafs center Mats Sundin returned to the lineup Sunday night, but Joe Nieuwendyk was inactive because of an undisclosed injury. Sundin missed four games with a knee injury. Hurt in Game 4 of Toronto's opening-round series against Ottawa, Sundin said Saturday he had made a "huge" improvement. Nieuwendyk was held scoreless in Game 1 of the second-round series. Toronto coach Pat Quinn said Nieuwendyk should not have played, but "that's the kind of player he is."
The Toronto Star reported Saturday that Nieuwendyk had back spasms, but Quinn would not confirm the injury.For the Flyers, defenseman Kim Johnsson was scratched for the second straight game with a broken bone in his right hand.
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Post by Dissident on Apr 26, 2004 13:53:05 GMT -5
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