NHL Hockey

[hockeybrat]

Just getting this up in anticipation of the upcoming season.

I am excited! :p

[hockeybrat]

Of course on my very first thread, I mess up :rolleyes:. Typical me.

Mods, if you can edit the title, can you put the h & l of NHL in all caps?

Thanks!

[islandgirlsj]

YAY!
Hockey Again!
CAN
NOT
WAIT for the season to start!
:D :D :D

[kugrrly]

I have been lost without it!

[LDS Angel 19]

Yay good idea for a thread. I can't wait!

[Katyanne]

I can't wait either! Last year was pretty rough, I love Hockey but my hubby has been practically inconsolable without it.
Hopefully it'll be a decent season this year, with the salary cap its going to be pretty hard to keep the amount of talent that some of the teams have.

Katie

[Chimichanga]

Yay hockey!!

DH has been finding solice in the fact he can now get live updates from Radio Vancouver (or whatever) and Radio Toronto. I've come home from work the past couple of weeks and he's at the computer, listening to the radio. Such a nerd sometimes. :p

[mgrace]

Woo Hoo!

[mindy]

I am so excited that it's finally starting again Hockey its such a huge thing for me and my Husband we met getting Penguin autographs and have been going crazy without it. We are deciding if we want to go for a 20 game season ticket plan or just go ahead and get the full season.

Now I am even more excited because the Penguins have the first pick in the draft so we are going to get Crosby to play with Lemiuex should be a good season :D

[jeneca128]

Hockey! The whole reason I suggested a sports forum. I'm so happy to finally be looking forward to the start of next season. Luckily we had our little minor league team here to keep our sanity last year.

Mindy- Lucky Penguins! I wish the Sabres had ended up with first pick. Oh well...I'm at least glad that one of the bigger powerhouse teams didn't end up first.

[Chimichanga]

DH was hoping the Canucks would get the first pick - darn! ;)

Crosby is going to be a good thing for hockey I think. If they market him right and he performs. He really needs to perform well!

Should be an interesting season.

[islandgirlsj]

Sharks Fan chimming in here.

My husband and I are SO excited to get back to the tank and begin watching Hockey again.
I don't even think we care if they suck after a year off or not.... just that we are in Hockey season again! HaHa! :D

[t3h_wookiee]

w00t!!! Hockey time soon!!

We're thinking of trying for the partial season tickets for the Stars. The only games I really care about are when they play my Avs (though I will NOT go, as all 3 times I have, the Avs got killed).

I can't wait to see NHL hockey again!

[hockeybrat]

w00t!!! Hockey time soon!!

We're thinking of trying for the partial season tickets for the Stars. The only games I really care about are when they play my Avs (though I will NOT go, as all 3 times I have, the Avs got killed).

I can't wait to see NHL hockey again!

YAY, another Avs fan! :)

Would you all be interested in joining a Fantasy Hockey league when the season starts?

[t3h_wookiee]

That sounds like fun! (and Yay to an Avs fan!!:D ) I've never done any of those fantasy sports, so I have no idea how they work actually, but it sounds fun to me.

Hey, is that Zhang Ziyi from HOFD? I love her work in all of the movies I've seen her in (which is up to 4 now). :)

[taraw]

Another Avalanche fan checking in. :) I cannot wait for the new season to start.

[hockeybrat]

That sounds like fun! (and Yay to an Avs fan!!:D ) I've never done any of those fantasy sports, so I have no idea how they work actually, but it sounds fun to me.

Hey, is that Zhang Ziyi from HOFD? I love her work in all of the movies I've seen her in (which is up to 4 now). :)

Yes it is, I think she is so cool.

Fantasy Hockey is a lot of fun and pretty easy. Once I get word that TSN has it ready, I'll start up a league for us :)

[TX Sweetheart]

A Stars fan checking in!

[t3h_wookiee]

Awesome! :)

[LeslieandPaul]

I'm not much of a hockey watcher, but since I'm Canadian I pretty much have to be a fan :P And of course the team I root for is the CANUCKS!!! They are good! I'm sure I'll watch several games on tv in the upcoming season.

[mindy]

Hi,

I will join the league my husband used to run one but he doesn't anymore and it's always been fun.

[Katyanne]

I'm so bummed, I knew that the Red Wings would have to lose alot of their players but I just heard Whitney, Hatcher and Mccarty are up. That really stinks.. Carty is always so much fun to watch and he's an ecential part of the 'grind line"

I also heard that we may get Kahabibulin as a goalie which means in the last 4 years we will have had 3 out of the 4 top goalies in the league. The 4th being Roy, and being a Red Wings fan I can definately hate him but I have to respect him (just a tiny tiny bit) ;)

Katie

[jeneca128]

Fanatsy Hockey League sounds like fun.

[jeneca128]

Katyanne- I was rther bumed about the loss of Mccarty as well. (My husband is a major Wings fan, and so thats what we end up watching more of than my Sabres.)

[Katyanne]

Jeneca128, I think its cuz he's just fun to watch, I mean he always looks like he's having the time of his life out there and when there's a fight the gloves come off and you know he's going to take someone down. Did you see that fight against Lumex because of Draper several years ago? Lumex had done alot of damage to Draper and Carty had decided enough was enough. It was amazing.

Also when Carty got that hat trick against Roy was amazing.

Ahhh the memories.. I love hockey!

Katie

[evagatesgreen2]

Are there any fans of the NY Islanders?

[t3h_wookiee]

Man I miss Roy. :( He's my fave player ever! You can't help but love that crazy ass French-Canadian-who else yells at his goal posts in French, and thinks that they yell back at him? :D

[t3h_wookiee]

Are there any fans of the NY Islanders?

Ands? How you doing girlie?! I like the Islanders a lot more than the Rangers. :D Plus either my Blazers or the Oilers are a feeder team for them (I forget which!), so I recognize some of the names there. :)

[LDS Angel 19]

I'm so bummed, I knew that the Red Wings would have to lose alot of their players but I just heard Whitney, Hatcher and Mccarty are up. That really stinks.. Carty is always so much fun to watch and he's an ecential part of the 'grind line"

I also heard that we may get Kahabibulin as a goalie which means in the last 4 years we will have had 3 out of the 4 top goalies in the league. The 4th being Roy, and being a Red Wings fan I can definately hate him but I have to respect him (just a tiny tiny bit) ;)

Katie

I'm bummed too! It looks like we'll have practically a brand new team with all of these guys possibly not coming back. It will be a very interesting year.

Kahabibulin eh? That might be cool.

[evagatesgreen2]

Ands? How you doing girlie?! I like the Islanders a lot more than the Rangers. :D Plus either my Blazers or the Oilers are a feeder team for them (I forget which!), so I recognize some of the names there. :)


Yes~ :p Doing pretty well, just waiting to get my hands on the pro wedding pics. :o How are you doing?

I had to represent DH's team. :D He can't stand the Rangers, he grew up close to the Islanders stadium.

[hockeybrat]

Man I miss Roy. :( He's my fave player ever! You can't help but love that crazy ass French-Canadian-who else yells at his goal posts in French, and thinks that they yell back at him? :D

I miss Roy too. Not really a fan of David Aebischer.

[Katyanne]

Yeah, I think it'll be cool top, DH and I were just talking about it last night.
I also had to ask him how to spell Kahabibulin ;)

I wonder if we're keeping Legace? I really like him, I think he's got alot of potential. I also hope that Yzerman stays, I know he'll either stay or retire because there's no way he'd go to another team. I think it would be so great if one day he'd coach the Wings.

Katie

[t3h_wookiee]

Yes~ :p Doing pretty well, just waiting to get my hands on the pro wedding pics. :o How are you doing?

I had to represent DH's team. :D He can't stand the Rangers, he grew up close to the Islanders stadium.


I thought so! :D You have a journal? Mine's in my siggie.

It's hard finding Islanders fans it seems, but I know of 3 here in OK, which is weird.

[t3h_wookiee]

I miss Roy too. Not really a fan of David Aebischer.


Abs ok, but I don't like him near as much. :( And he's nowhere near as good as Roy, but then again, NOBODY is near as good as Roy. :D

If we could manage to steal Turco that would be awesome! My DH would be very unhappy though.

[LDS Angel 19]

Yeah, I think it'll be cool top, DH and I were just talking about it last night.
I also had to ask him how to spell Kahabibulin ;)

I wonder if we're keeping Legace? I really like him, I think he's got alot of potential. I also hope that Yzerman stays, I know he'll either stay or retire because there's no way he'd go to another team. I think it would be so great if one day he'd coach the Wings.

Katie

Oh man, if Stevie does not come back I might cry. I can't really blame him if he doesn't though. He's been talking about retiring for a few years now. I could totally see him coaching though, that would make me feel better.

[evagatesgreen2]

I thought so! :D You have a journal? Mine's in my siggie.

It's hard finding Islanders fans it seems, but I know of 3 here in OK, which is weird.

I don't have a journal on here yet but I do have one on LJ. I should be getting the photos tonight so maybe I will start a journal here and post away! :D

Are the fans in OK transplants or they just like them?

[t3h_wookiee]

1 is a transplant, and the other 2 just like them. Weirdos! :p You should start a journal here! :D

[Katyanne]

LDS Angel
I think he'll come back, I mean this new team is going to need some solid leadership and I know that's what coaches are for but they need a veteran to look up to. I know that the money's not important to Stevie, heck he took a pay cut when they recruited Brett Hull a few years ago. They have to keep him.
I hope :)

Katie

[mindy]

My husband is going to be devestated if Stevie doesn't come back for one more year it's his favorite palyer I don't think he will but we will see. We are planning on driving up to detroit this year to catch a game hopefully when they play the Pens.

[LDS Angel 19]

LDS Angel
I think he'll come back, I mean this new team is going to need some solid leadership and I know that's what coaches are for but they need a veteran to look up to. I know that the money's not important to Stevie, heck he took a pay cut when they recruited Brett Hull a few years ago. They have to keep him.
I hope :)

Katie

Good point. Let's think positivly. ;)

[Katyanne]

Mindy,
So will my hubby, I honestly think Stevie will come back in some capacity, he's been part of the team for over 20 years, it just wouldn't be the same.

Wing games at the Joe are awesome! I hope you get a chance to see one, they're so much fun.
Katie

[evagatesgreen2]

1 is a transplant, and the other 2 just like them. Weirdos! :p You should start a journal here! :D

Started one, not sure how long it will take to show up.

[hockeybrat]

Bob Goodenow just stepped down:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2118641

Now I hope Gary "Buttman" (as I like to call him) will step down too. I think a change is in order now that the season is back up.

[Katyanne]

For the fellow Wing Fans, here's a letter from beloved #25 in the Detroit Free Press today.

A LETTER TO HOCKEYTOWN: McCarty to fans: Don't shed a tear

July 28, 2005







Don't be sad it's over -- be happy it happened.


In the past few days, since the official word came of the buyout and as the status of my contract teetered, the reality that I'm not going to be a Red Wing anymore has set in, and I've taken some time to reflect.


I don't know if it's maturity ('cause if you know me, that's never been an issue) or the painstaking reality of the past 12 months without hockey. Either way, I'm saddened to leave an organization in a place where I've grown up, raised a family, been part of a first-class and first-rate team, won three Stanley Cups and achieved great personal success.


But looking back, what I really feel is gratitude -- thankful for the opportunity to realize a childhood dream to play for my childhood team. Grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Ilitch and their entire family for letting this boy become a man and always treating my family as one of their own. Grateful to the entire Red Wing organization from Ken Holland and his staff, to John Hahn and Anne Marie Krappmann in the PR department for their ever tireless effort. Grateful to Piet Van Zant and Paul Boyer for patching me up and getting me back out on the ice. Grateful for the support and memories from everyone at the Joe whom I will miss seeing daily, and thankful to the media for not only their endless support of myself but in the way they've always supported the McCarty Cancer Foundation and my band Grinder.


What will I miss most about playing hockey in Detroit? That's simple. The fans. From the day-to-day coffee stop or gas station conversation to the people who say hello on the street or ask for an autograph at the checkout, there are no greater fans than those in Detroit.


These are the great things about my time as a Red Wing that I will always remember no matter where I go. Thank you to all of you. But please don't shed a tear 'cause it's over -- crack a smile 'cause it happened, and no one can ever take that away. I'll always be a Red Wing at heart, and Detroit will always be my home.


Much love to you all,


Darren McCarty, Red Wings No. 25

http://www.freep.com/sports/redwings/darren28e_20050728.htm

[LDS Angel 19]

Man. That stinks. I wonder where he'll end up.

[Katyanne]

I dunno, I'll cheer for him wherever he goes.
I hope he doesn't go to the Avs though, that would be a pretty uncomfortable situation for him. LOL!

Found out Shanahan most likely isn't returning, he has to accept a deal by 5pm today. He's entertaining offers from Boston, where his wife is from originally.

"The Wings also are expected to name two assistant coaches any day now. Holland said that if new head coach Mike Babcock opts to bring in his own guys, the Wings might offer different jobs to Barry Smith and Joe Kocur, who assisted both Dave Lewis and Scotty Bowman." From a Detroit Freepress article.

Katie

[LDS Angel 19]

Shanny too? Man, we're going to end up with an entirely new team... I don't know if thats a good thing or not... :(

[Katyanne]

Its definately going to be different, I think we're going to go from a team with a bunch of stars to a team with one or two stars and a bunch of newbies.. Its definately going to take some getting used to.

Katie

[Katyanne]

Shanny's staying!!!!! I guess he signed at the last minute! YAY!!

Katie

[LDS Angel 19]

Yeah I saw that on the news. Halilujah!

[Katyanne]

Yeah, I heard it this morning and I was so happy. And I heard that Lindstrom is staying so if Stevie stays we'll have the captain and the two co- captains (or whatever their official titles are) That's a good base to start building the new team on.

Katie

LET"S GO RED WINGS!

[jeneca128]

Bah! I can't believe I am watching the draft today on my computer while espn and the other sports stations are showing WNBA and competitive eating!

[hockeybrat]

Bah! I can't believe I am watching the draft today on my computer while espn and the other sports stations are showing WNBA and competitive eating!

I know. I guess some of the East Coast Fox sports stations televised it but I had to go to tsn.ca to watch the draft online. :(

[Chimichanga]

DH was the same way. :) We were pretty happy with the Canucks' picks. I guess there was a guy DH wanted more - I can't remember his name but I guess he's got a temper and is a scrapper.

And Tuukko went to Toronto. I just like his name - I have no clue what type of player he is. :)

[gnatters]

I am so psyched that the season is back on! I also am psyched that I am not the only Sabre fan here thanks to you jeneca128.

Hockey is the only sport I have gotten into;the only thing I can thank my stupid ex-bf for. I am dissapointed that my sabres let Satan go to free-agency. He was one of my favorite players, and one of the few sabres except for Hasek *shudder* that ever was voted to all star games.

My boyfriend mentioned that the season roster was up and the starting game of the season is at home against the Islanders. Of course, it's on our third dating anniversary and I can't see anything more romantic than a ton of ice and tall sweaty guys thrashing eachother with hockey sticks! Oh, and sometimes passing the puck too ;) .

So Psyched!

~Natalie

[taraw]

The Avalanche lost Adam Foote. He signed with Columbus. :( Very sad day for Avs fans.

[hockeybrat]

The Avalanche lost Adam Foote. He signed with Columbus. :( Very sad day for Avs fans.

I couldn't believe it when I hear it. Sakic is the only original from back in the Nordiques days.

[scarlett]

The Avalanche lost Adam Foote. He signed with Columbus. :( Very sad day for Avs fans. Happy day for us BlueJackets fans though ;)

[jeneca128]

gnatters- Hooray another Sabres fan! :) Didn't know if there were any others around here. :)
Yeah I was a bit dissapointed about Satan, but I'm excited to see how everything plays out this year. It'll be so different with all of the players moving around because of the cap and the rule changes.

[jeneca128]

Wings Fans!! :) Stevie signed to one year deal today!

:)

[t3h_wookiee]

The Avalanche lost Adam Foote. He signed with Columbus. :( Very sad day for Avs fans.


NOOOOOOO! :(

[LDS Angel 19]

Wings Fans!! :) Stevie signed to one year deal today!

:)

YES!!!!! That just made my week. :D Thanks for the update.

[mindy]

YEA! My husband is going to be so happy he is miserable today so maybe it will cheer him up!

[t3h_wookiee]

*&(%$#Q*(&#Q%&*(#Q&%$#Q*(&$

frigging Forsberg. Damn I'm so pissed about that! :mad:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2123803

[t3h_wookiee]

Yep, I think I'm going to end up cheering for the Stars more this year. 2 of my favorite players traded in 2 days. :( Only Sakic is left really at this point.

[Katyanne]

The Flyers are going to be interesting to watch.. They now have Forsberg, a former AVS and Hatcher a former Wing.. Interesting.. ;)

It's official! The Wings have signed Stevie Yzerman for 1 MORE YEAR!!! YAY!

Katie

[hockeybrat]

*&(%$#Q*(&#Q%&*(#Q&%$#Q*(&$

frigging Forsberg. Damn I'm so pissed about that! :mad:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2123803

I am too but at the same time, I always thought Forsberg is injury prone and he tends to "over-exaggerate" his falls somewhat (don't really want to call it diving). When he is healthy he is an amazing player but he has had so many problems with injuries over the past few years that there were constant rumors that he would end his playing career in Sweden.

Ironically, during the lockout last year, he got hurt while playing for one of the Swedish teams. What I would have preferred was that they had traded him for draft picks and players and start building the team around guys like Hejduk and Tanguay. Instead, they waited till the free-agent draft to offload him.

Oh well, at least there is Sakic. He's my favorite player.

[yby1]

JR got traded to the Kings. Now we gots Demitra & Roenick :p . If Taylor can only sign Palffy now.

[Katyanne]

I got one of the biggest suprises of my life today (maybe not that big but its huge)
Red Wings bring back Osgood

Here's the story from cnn
DETROIT (AP) -- Chris Osgood agreed to terms on a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Monday, returning the goaltender to the team he helped win the 1998 Stanley Cup.

Osgood will compete with Manny Legace for Detroit's top spot in the nets.
"We've got a new coach in Mike Babcock, who has no preconceived notions about either guy," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "They're both in their early 30s and they both are on one-year contracts, so I expect a healthy competition and I hope in the end the team is the benefactor."

Osgood, Detroit's third-round pick in 1991, played with the Red Wings from 1993-94 through 2000-01. He was the No. 1 goalie in 1998 when Detroit won the Stanley Cup, and was Mike Vernon's backup in the previous championship season.

Osgood was 221-110-46 in Detroit, 38-25 in the playoffs, and is 305-177-66 with a 2.40 goals-against-average in 11 NHL seasons. The New York Islanders claimed him in the 2001 waiver draft and he was traded in 2003 to St. Louis. Osgood was 31-25-8 with a 2.24 GAA, his lowest since 1998, during the 2003-04 season.

Legace went 77-35-18 with a 2.22 GAA in four-plus seasons with the Red Wings after he spent his rookie year with the Los Angeles Kings during the 1998-99 season.

"Chris has been a No. 1 goaltender wherever he's been while Manny has never been given that opportunity," Holland said. "In 2001, when they were teammates, Manny made a great case to be the next No. 1 guy, but we ended up signing Dominik Hasek and later Curtis Joseph. This is a great opportunity for both Manny and Chris, and they've had a good rapport in the past, so I'm sure it will be a healthy competition."

The Red Wings have been busy over the past month -- since the NHL resumed business -- and Holland expects to be very active until veterans report to training camp on Sept. 11 in Traverse City.

Detroit hired Babcock to replace coach Dave Lewis; bought out the contracts of Darren McCarty, Derian Hatcher and Ray Whitney; re-signed Steve Yzerman, Mathieu Schneider and Chris Chelios and welcomed back Brendan Shanahan when he exercised an option to return.

"The two areas I'm still concerned about is goal scoring and our size and toughness," Holland said. "We only have so much money left to stay under the salary cap, so I don't know if we'll be able to address all of our needs in our new world. We're going to have a lot of question marks that might not get answered until midseason, but I think that's going to be the case for a lot of clubs."

The Red Wings are still hoping to re-sign restricted free agents Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.

"We've had talks with both and it's an ongoing process," Holland said.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


**I just can't believe that they're bringing him back and he and legace are going to compete for top goaltender. I think that's good because Legace definately could be primary goaltender its just even more apparent now that with the salary cap and everything that all the old rules are thrown out the window. This truly is a new season for hockey.

Katie

[LDS Angel 19]

Holy cow. Can't say I expected that.

[Katyanne]

Neither did I, When I heard it on the radio I called DH and I blurted it out. I had to tell him 3 times before he believed me. LOL

At least his Osgood jersey is back in style again ;)

Katie

[mindy]

WOW! That's the last thing I expected I always liked him though.

[t3h_wookiee]

I am too but at the same time, I always thought Forsberg is injury prone and he tends to "over-exaggerate" his falls somewhat (don't really want to call it diving). When he is healthy he is an amazing player but he has had so many problems with injuries over the past few years that there were constant rumors that he would end his playing career in Sweden.

Ironically, during the lockout last year, he got hurt while playing for one of the Swedish teams. What I would have preferred was that they had traded him for draft picks and players and start building the team around guys like Hejduk and Tanguay. Instead, they waited till the free-agent draft to offload him.

Oh well, at least there is Sakic. He's my favorite player.


True, very true. He just used to be one of my fave players, so it sucked seeing him lose. At least we kept Tanguay and Hejduk though. :D

[jeneca128]

Wow I can't believe how little action this thread has been getting now that preseason is under way...

I just had to share this with you, if you haven't seen it yet. Living here in Vegas, we don't get to see NHL hockey except for one preseason game played here every year between the LA Kings and the Avalanche. At the game on Sat. night I witnessed one of the funniest things I've seen in hockey...Jeremy Roenick getting funky.

Near the begining of the second period one of the glass boards became dislodged and after about 10 minutes trying to repair it JR decided to skate over to lend some advice. Then he started dancing.

The video is priceless.

http://home.comcast.net/~sokaliboy08/jr_dancing.wmv

[hockeybrat]

That was great! I was at the Kings vs. Avs game in Vegas back in 2000 and it was so much fun! We hope to do it next year.

[mindy]

Ha! That was so funny I love JR they are showing any pens gams on tv so I really haven't got to see them at all so I guess thats why I am not that into it right now I follow along with the papers and stuff but it will be much better once I can see them.

[yby1]

JR is cool. I hope he recovers in time for the regular season start.

[hockeybrat]

I always call JR "The Mouth". :D

[gnatters]

I'm so excited. My bf has graced me with tickets to the home opener of the Sabres and Islanders! *Go Sabres!* It's also our three year anniversary, so I told him before that would be the absolute perfect gift!

Whoo Hoo!

Who else is going to their team's respective openers?

~Natalie

[Sparkles P]

Detroit will always be # 1 in my heart, and I am crushed that my home team of the Ottawa Sens don't play them this yr. Toronto, and Montreal don't even play the Wings..... hmmm looks like a mjor road trip for me to see my sweetie, the best player in the NHL ever, yup # 19.
Joey Kocur, ahhh my fave little scrapper from back in the day, looks pretty good still.....
Seriously if I don't see Stevie play this year,hell will break loose. Then again he can always come back and coach in his/mine/ our home team of Ottawa.
So yup I am a HUGE Red Wing fan, Dh likes Dallas ( Modano).... Just watched Detroit get beat by the Leafs 4 to 3. My poor cats had a year off from me yelling at the TV......

[LDS Angel 19]

The schedule for this year is starting to sound pretty lame. At least, Detroit not playing Toronto once is very lame.

[yby1]

LDS Angel 19 - Are you serious?? That isn't right. The leafs and wings have such a huge rivalry!

[LDS Angel 19]

Yup. I'm serious. I agree. I guess now they want to create in-divison rivalries. Each team plays the other teams in their divison 8 times. I think there are some other Eastern Conference teams that we don't play too, not sure.

Hockey's changed, thats for sure.

[yby1]

It has. I need to get used to all the obstruction calls. I'm glad they are finally enforcing that a bit more.

I'm very glad that touch-up offsides is back.

I can't to watch the Kings game tonight!

[stevesbabygirl]

Ducks fan reporting for duty :D! I'm going to the home opener against Edmonton next Monday, woo hoo! I think the new rules suck, and I don't think they will have their intended effects enough to make a difference.

I made an icon to commemorate this blessed event that is opening night! I actually have them for Detroit and Dallas if anyone's interested:

http://static.flickr.com/26/49758671_eac09fffef.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/24/49709178_11f19f7807.jpg?v=0

[hockeybrat]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b135/hockeybrat29/Avs10th.gif

GO AVS!

[LDS Angel 19]

Steves I am SO swiping that Detroit one! They look awesome!

[stevesbabygirl]

Thanks :D! I made it for a friend, and I was surprisingly nice about it, since I hate Detroit :p.

[LDS Angel 19]

LOL.... That was very nice of you.

You know what annoys me? All day long they advertise that the game will be on at 7. But really the pregame show is at 7 and the game is at 7:30. False advertising!

[kugrrly]

Dear NHL,
Oh how I have missed you so. I tried going to the IHL games, but they lacked the intensity that you have. Yes people make fun of me for loving you so, but I can not help that I live in Kansas and no understands you. I can not wait for the first official face off of my beloved Blues.
Love,
Erin

[kugrrly]

naturally the first game is against Detriot. :)

GO BLUES!!!!!

[kugrrly]

I am gaoing to have a hard time with the new rules.

I like the new goalie rule though!

[stevesbabygirl]

Okay everyone,

I've decided to be very obnoxious, and I made icons for all the teams! My apologies to fans of Toronto, New York Islanders, Los Angeles, Edmonton, and Boston. Your logos are too round to allow me to get the text in there at a good angle.

Without further ado, here you are!

Anaheim, Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, and Carolina:
http://static.flickr.com/28/49797129_20c36da858_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/27/49795668_f133487d00_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/29/49795669_045040cdcc_m.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/28/49795670_3bbdba762d_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/26/49795671_4eab5348a0_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/26/49795672_20cccc7255_m.jpg

[stevesbabygirl]

Chicago, Colorado, Columbus, Edmonton, Florida, Los Angeles:

http://static.flickr.com/33/49795675_5cb2d2c608_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/28/49795845_c19eb7a0b7_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/32/49795846_bde790f58c_m.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/28/49795848_b5ce3ed08e_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/30/49795849_a1b269a6c0_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/33/49795850_2378e0b45d_m.jpg

[stevesbabygirl]

Minnesota, Montreal, Nashville, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers:

http://static.flickr.com/27/49795851_f720fc0462_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/25/49796021_14c680b82a_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/27/49796022_1616fe3cb8_m.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/30/49796023_b9862000a2_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/25/49796024_b6b8e20159_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/25/49796025_98239c957c_m.jpg

[stevesbabygirl]

Ottawa, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, SanJose, St. Louis:

http://static.flickr.com/30/49796026_0fcf42f5bd_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/32/49796172_3a2bcbe60f_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/29/49796173_e1cc7d5c0b_m.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/33/49796174_246e4a2890_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/27/49796175_b7620008ad_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/24/49796176_ece8e7c836_m.jpg

[stevesbabygirl]

Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington:

http://static.flickr.com/28/49796177_db712dc765_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/31/49796238_72f34bcafe_m.jpg http://static.flickr.com/28/49796239_100d4b6c0c_m.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/24/49796240_92e396bf78_m.jpg

[kugrrly]

wohoo thanks!

[LeslieandPaul]

Canucks all the way baby!!!!

Cross post from Canadian Women
I'm watching the 6 o'clock news and all they've talked about so far is hockey. Some hockey store had $5000 in jersey sales last year, compared to $400 000 the year before!!! And the Shark Club, across from GM Place had $1.1 million less in sales! I couldn't believe it! That's just one restaurant. And apparently the birth rate went up during the NHL lockout because husband's were "more amourous."

[stevesbabygirl]

You're welcome!

I can't believe these games tonight, totally crazy! Our DirecTV has these hockey channels on a free preview, so we can watch all the games that are on tonight. Ducks are beating Chicago 4-3 right now, yay :D!

ETA: Oops, make that 5-3 :D!

[LeslieandPaul]

Canucks beat Coyotes 3-2!!! Woo-hoo!

[sublime311]

Canucks beat Coyotes 3-2!!! Woo-hoo!
BOOOOOO!!!! lol :D

[LDS Angel 19]

That would be so cool to be able to watch all the games...

Detroit and St Louis last night was great. Well, for us at least. :D
Detroit 5, St Loius, 1. There was a decent fight between Shanahan and I forget who on the Blues about halfway through the third.

[gnatters]

Yeah, I went to the Sabres opener against the Islanders. Oh yeah...Sabres scored the first goal of the season....like not even three minutes into the game. It was awesome. Hell, two of the six goals scored occured while I was in the bathroom!

Sadly, there were really no fights, just a couple of "discussions". We also creamed one of our old players right into the boards. That was cool.

I can't wait until Friday's game, although I have to listen to it at work on the sports radio station.

~Natalie

[kugrrly]

We also creamed one of our old players right into the boards. That was cool.

That was a nice shove to Satan. :) I turned off my Blues to watch my other team Sabres. That was a good game!

[jeneca128]

That hit Satan was particularly satisfying. :)

Good game last night as well. Woo-hoo! Sabres starting off the season 2-0

[mindy]

I am going to the pens home opener I can't wait, I hope they can start to get some goals scored!

[Sparkles P]

Yeah,

As the hugest Red Wing Fan, and # 19 fan... I am ticked at the NHL lineup this season, not only does Detroit play my hometown Ottawa Sens, Detroit doesn't play the habs, or the Leafs ( which would make for an easy road trip).
I may end up at the Joe yet, I just HAVE to see my Steve Yzerman one more time....

[mgrace]

I can't believe Brett Hull retired.

We watched Edmonton retire Paul Coffey's number last night. Wayne Gretzky was there since Coyotes were playing the Oilers. I'm really getting into watching all the Canadian teams. :)

[LDS Angel 19]

Yeah what was up with Hull? That was rather unexpected.

[hockeybrat]

I read that he wasn't getting as much playing time and he wasn't playing like he was back in his "heyday".

You're kickin' my butt on Fantasy hockey, btw! Good job!

[LDS Angel 19]

Wow, I guess I am, lol. Gotta love my hometown boys. :D

[Katyanne]

I know, I was so bummed when I heard that Hull retired, DH and I talked about it and I have a feeling it has something to do with Gretzgy as coach. You know Hull has years of experience and was probably willing to be a mentor to some of the younger players but maybe there was some politics with Gretzgy. Just a thought

Katie

[yby1]

I justed wanted to thank that d***head Brad May for helping wake the Kings up and pull out the win last night against the Avs. :p

[yby1]

I know, I was so bummed when I heard that Hull retired, DH and I talked about it and I have a feeling it has something to do with Gretzgy as coach. You know Hull has years of experience and was probably willing to be a mentor to some of the younger players but maybe there was some politics with Gretzgy. Just a thought

Katie

I don't know. I think it has more to do with the "New" NHL. The game is faster than it was before and when I saw him play a couple of weeks ago, you could tell that he was out-of-shape and his heart was just not in it.

[LeslieandPaul]

GO CANUCKS!!! They just won their 6th game in a row!! They're at 8-1-1 (for the first time since the 91-92 seson-woo hoo!).

[LDS Angel 19]

Anyone watch any games that they've shown on OLN? (I don't even know what that stands for.. Outdoor something....) Wings v Columbus the other night was on OLN and first of all I couldn't figure out what channel it was, and the yellow graphics were really annoying.

[hockeybrat]

I justed wanted to thank that d***head Brad May for helping wake the Kings up and pull out the win last night against the Avs. :p

I still can't believe the Avs picked up Brad May, I can't stand him!

[mgrace]

Anyone watch any games that they've shown on OLN? (I don't even know what that stands for.. Outdoor something....) Wings v Columbus the other night was on OLN and first of all I couldn't figure out what channel it was, and the yellow graphics were really annoying.
OLN = Outdoor Life Network

I have watched a couple games on OLN and the sound always seems wierd. :confused:

[mindy]

They charge 170.00 for us to get OLN unfortunately with moving I can't swing it right now so we couldn't watch the last Pens game my husband really wants to get it so I might end up giving in and ordering it just sucks that I have to pay that much to watch the games I want to see how many are going to be on there before I go and order it.

[mgrace]

They charge 170.00 for us to get OLN
$170 for OLN!? You can get NHL Center Ice for less than that and watch all NHL teams. Do you have satellite or cable?

Anyway, here is the NHL schedule on OLN (http://www.olntv.com/nw/article/view/1367/?tf=NHLTVSchedule.tpl).

[mindy]

Hi we have adelphia cable I know I figured before I paid for the ONL I would just pay for center Ice its just crazy.....

Thanks for the link!

[nic]

DH and I are going to the Bruins v. Toronto game tonight, for free! Woo-hoo

[L'il Bit]

Originally posted by hockeybrat:
I still can't believe the Avs picked up Brad May, I can't stand him!

ITA! I didn't like him much as a Canuck, and I hate that he's an Av now! Not trying to get into the Moore/Bertuzzi thing here, but May was the one that called the bounty on Moore's head after the dirty hit on Naslund before this whole incident. And now he's an Av. Ugh.

Comment on Hull: I think it was really hard for him to retire. He wanted one last hurrah before retiring, and not only could he not handle the new NHL, I just don't think he likes it. I can't stand this shootout thing.

[Chimichanga]

Hmm - and I was sad to hear May left Vancouver. He was a really electric player, but from what I've heard he was a bit of a bear in the locker room. I'm sure it will be a difficult transition to the Avs.

DH and I tried to get the Center Ice pack but Charter cancelled it in our area because it wasn't in high enough demand! :( We don't get to see the Canucks hardly at all this year.

[L'il Bit]

Chimichanga: I don't think I've ever met Canucks fans outside of BC or Alberta!! Are you from these parts?

I just don't get the schedule. Tonight we play Minnesota for the 4th time in three weeks, and Saturday and Monday we play Calgary IN Calgary. It's weird.

I'm annoyed with the TV schedule too. There are 18 games on pay per view, I hate it. We could have bought the ice pack at the beginning of the season for $140 plus taxes, but we would have to guarantee that we would be home on those nights, which I can't.

[LeslieandPaul]

I just don't get the schedule. Tonight we play Minnesota for the 4th time in three weeks, and Saturday and Monday we play Calgary IN Calgary. It's weird.
They're grouping all the games together (my guess is it's more cost effective). They also played two games in Colorado in a row

[QUOTE=L'il Bit]
I'm annoyed with the TV schedule too. There are 18 games on pay per view, I hate it. QUOTE]
But about 6 of the games have already been on PPV, and the next one isn't until the 16th (for the Canucks at least). We've seen a couple of the PPV games by going out to pubs.

So Cloutier's out this week (for non-Canuck fans, our goalie got taken out by one of our players and got a concussion). Auld gets his chance to shine!!!

[L'il Bit]

Cloutier has a concussion AND whiplash, can you believe it?
Sometimes I think it might be cheaper for me to order PPV instead of going to the pub for games. :p

Oh, the Canucks are plagued with more injury (sorry to infiltrate this board with Canucks news, but it seems to be moving rather slow). Matt Cooke is out indefinitely with a broken jaw. OUCH!

From www.canada.com/vancouver:
Cooke, a fourth-line grinder who has three goals and two assists this year, took a puck in the face during practice Tuesday. He underwent surgery that evening to have a plate installed.

The Canucks will miss Cooke's speed and tenacity. A good penalty killer, Cooke has the ability to get under the opponent's skin with his gritty play.

:(

[Chimichanga]

DH and i are in Wisconsin. He said the local team used to be the Vancouver farm team. I took DH to a game in Vancouver in 2003 for Christmas; he loved it. :)

I hadn't heard about Cloutier. Sometimes I don't think he's the best goalie for the team. I am very sad to hear about Cooke. I like the scrappers; Jarkko is one of my favorite players because he's not afraid to scrap.

We haven't seen any Vancouver games. Wait, I take that back. We saw the Minnesota game - the *one* game they lost this year (to that point in time). since they are playing MN again, we may be able to see the game.

We're thinking of going to the Blackhawks game in March...we've got some friends who are blackhawk fans that aren't "ashamed" to be seen with us :D

[LeslieandPaul]

poor Matt Cooke. That sounds so painful!!! And just what we need, another injured player! Anyone know the score of tonight's game?

[Moocher87]

LOVE THIS LINK!!!!!!! :D :D :D

I'm a Pens fan!! Gotta love Crosby!!! As a matter of fact we have tickets for tomorrow's game. It'll be nice to have Kovalev back in town. Let's hope he doesn't light us up .

[L'il Bit]

Moocher: Crosby is fully winning Rookie of the Year! I can't believe the amount of talent from a kid that just turned 18. He was awesome in last night's game!!

Meanwhile, the Canucks are falling apart. I don't know what's going on with them lately. 4-0 in the first period vs. Colorado last night, it was heartbreaking to watch. They really tried to catch up, but no go. :(

[Moocher87]

Moocher: Crosby is fully winning Rookie of the Year! I can't believe the amount of talent from a kid that just turned 18. He was awesome in last night's game!!

Meanwhile, the Canucks are falling apart. I don't know what's going on with them lately. 4-0 in the first period vs. Colorado last night, it was heartbreaking to watch. They really tried to catch up, but no go. :(

Hey L'il Bit! I take it you're a Canuck's fan?

And I just have to say that Crosby is simply miraculous in what he does. :eek: Tonight's game against Philly? He got the overtime goal to win the game for us, and figured in on the other two as well!

Plus, the fact that they beat the Flyers in PHILLY? And without Mario Lemieux?!? Simply incredible!!!!:D

[LeslieandPaul]

[B][COLOR="DarkOrchid"]Hey L'il Bit! Canuck's fan?


All true Vancouverites are Canucks fans!!! :)

[yby1]

Doh! ;) They can't get him back.

Dynamo wants Ovechkin back (http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=143913&hubname=)

Ovechkin is just stupid good. He's very exciting to watch.

[Katyanne]

Fischer Suffers Seizure on Red Wings Bench
Fear gave way to relief at Joe Louis Arena when Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer collapsed on the bench and was revived after his heart stopped.

Fischer suffered a seizure Monday night, just moments after leaving the ice on a shift change following a goal by Nashville's Greg Johnson.

The arena fell silent as medical personnel rushed to the bench when the Red Wings frantically alerted officials to stop the game. CPR was administered by team physician Dr. Tony Colucci before the 25-year-old native of the Czech Republic was removed on a stretcher.

"They hooked up the auto defibrillator and shocked him," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said.

But by the time Fischer arrived at the hospital, he had improved so much that he was talking and described as being in good spirits when visited by his teammates.

"He'll be here in the hospital the next two days undergoing some further testing," team spokesman John Hahn said.

The game was called off with 7:30 left in the first period. No makeup date was immediately announced.

The only two NHL games that were played to completion Monday night were decided by shootouts. Edmonton topped slumping San Jose 2-1, and Calgary edged Colorado 3-2.

Fischer logged 4 minutes, 52 seconds of playing time — covering six shifts. He recorded one hit and was on the ice when Johnson scored the game's only goal. That occurred just 1:02 before the game was halted.

"I think the players on Nashville's team, like us, they were rattled," Detroit forward Brendan Shanahan said. "Jiri has some friends over there that he played on the Czech national team with."

The Red Wings said they would hold a news conference following practice Tuesday afternoon to update Fischer's condition.

Fischer was diagnosed with a heart abnormality in September 2002, causing him to miss two days of practice. The problem was found on an electrocardiogram as part of a routine battery of tests during the Red Wings' preseason physicals.

When the result was abnormal, Fischer was given a stress test that he passed. He said that his heart essentially is a little thicker than normal.

"I wasn't scared about the abnormality," Fischer said at the time. "But I was scared about not playing hockey again. That was a shock for me."

Medical personnel worked on Fischer at the door to the bench for several minutes Monday before he was wheeled back toward the Red Wings dressing room.

"First of all, everybody is definitely caught by surprise," Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman said. "We turn and see Jiri laying between the boards and the bench and we're not sure why.

"You fear for the guy's life at that moment. I can't remember anything like that."

The decision was made to resurface the ice then, and the remaining time was to be added to the second period. But the game was postponed instead.

"It was obvious to everybody involved that it was the right decision," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "It was very disturbing to both sides and I think the NHL recognized it, the players recognized it. To be quite honest, the game became very secondary. When a friend or a teammate was in danger like Jiri was in, then the decision was made for everybody to reschedule it."

It was not immediately clear whether the game would be played in its entirety or resume from the point of the stoppage.

"Our primary objective is that Jiri is taken care of," Trotz said.

Shanahan helped escort Fischer's fiancee across the ice to the bench area.

"Obviously, she was very worried and concerned. She just wanted to be next to Jiri," Shanahan said.


*End of news story***

My own thoughts: On my way to work this morning I was listening to THE FAN and they had people calling in about the incident. Most people were glad they'd postponed the game. There were a few people that would've like to see it continue. I can understand that feeling but I'm glad they called the game. God forbid if Jiri had taken a turn for the worst and they'd all kept playing.

Katie

[LDS Angel 19]

Thanks for posting that Katie. I was watching the game last night but was distracted by a phone call shortly before it happened. Then I turned back to the tv and everyone was silent and didn't really know what happend. Since it was on the bench away from the play they didn't get a good shot of it on the tv cameras.
Scary stuff. But I'm really glad that it sounds like he's going to be alright.

[yby1]

That is so scary. My prayers go out to Jiri and his family. I'm glad that he's doing better.


Here's the TSN Sport Centre recap for anyone interested - link (http://prodtsn.tsn.ca/audio_video/vi...asp?reel=23349)

[hockeybrat]

I heard about it when I got home. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

[yby1]

Send Jiri Your Get Well Messages to:

Jiri Fischer
c/o Detroit Red Wings Community Relations
600 Civic Center Drive
Detroit, MI 48226

The Detroit Red Wings ask that you do not send anything to the hospital and that the team will make sure that Jiri receives all of your messages!

http://www.detroitredwings.com/community/article.jsp?id=2780

[ceaserbride]

Wow! That is very scary! Crazy how stuff like that happens to even the most seasoned athletes.

BIG Leafs fan here!

My opinions on Crosby and Ovechkin? Crosby, Im glad to say he's Canadian (aren't all the best ones?) and Ovechkin, correct me if I'm wronge but I believe it was during Saturday nights game he ran the goalie? Won't catch Crosby doing something like that!

[JillyB]

And the first "battle of the rookies" goes to...Crosby!!!

GO PENS!!! :D

[ceaserbride]

Not exactly the "first" battle of the rookies. Just the first NHL battle of the rookies. They faced off durring the World Juniors as well~ and of course Canada took the Gold so Crosby won that one too....:D :D

[Sparkles P]

Ahemmm....

Yzerman also helped bring Avery ( Jiri's fiancee) over. He was released from hospital and was at home watching the game last night. Detroit kicked the Av's butt !!! WHO HOOO !!!!
I turned away from the game on Monday for a second and was freaking out that it was my "honey" Steve Yzerman, my DH was like relax, it is not your precious Stevie!!!
I think all major sporting events should have those defibrillators....

Thank Godness all is well!!

[L'il Bit]

Have they mentioned if Jiri will play again?
Mmmm, Stevie Y. Mine is Markus Naslund. Yum.

From the Canadian Press:
NHL bristles at Pound's doping assertion

LONDON, Ont. (CP) - NHL executives and players vehemently denied doping allegations made Thursday by World Anti-Doping Agency president Dick Pound.

Pound told the London Free Press in an interview that he suspects as many as one-third of the NHL's 700 players may take some form of performance-enhancing substance - comments which drew strong responses from NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA executive director Ted Saskin.

"I would respectfully suggest that Mr. Pound's comments have absolutely no basis in fact," Daly said. "I find it troubling, to say the least, that he would find it necessary to comment on something he has absolutely no knowledge of.

"Perhaps Mr. Pound would be better served to limit his comments to topics as to which he has knowledge, instead of speculating on matters as to which he has none."

"Dick Pound's comments are incredibly irresponsible and have no basis in fact," said Saskin. "He has no knowledge of our sport and our players and frankly has no business making such comments."

Pound was in London to address students at the University of Western Ontario's law school.

"I spoke with Gary (NHL commissioner Gary Bettman) and he said `We don't have the problem in hockey,"' the Montreal lawyer said afterwards. "I told him he does. You wouldn't be far wrong if you said a third (of hockey players are gaining some pharmaceutical assistance)."

Asked if he meant performing-enhancing drugs, Pound replied "Yes."

NHL players were equally critical of Pound.

"Who's Dick Pound?" said Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi. "Tell him to come in our dressing room with our shirts off and we'll see how performance enhanced we are. Tell him he can come hang out with me and see my workout.

"Trust me, we're not (taking performance-enhancing drugs)."

Canucks teammate Mattias Ohlund was surprised at Pound's statements.

"I've played for eight years and I haven't seen anything around our team," said Ohlund. "I'm sure there will be some out of 700 who are taking something ... but to say one-third is obviously ridiculous."

The NHL has introduced random tests for performance-enhancing drugs in its new collective bargaining agreement. Players are subject to a minimum of two drug tests a year without warning. A first-time offender would receive a 20-game suspension. A 60-game suspension would be given to a repeat offender, with a permanent ban for a third offence.

Pound said the NHL doesn't go far enough.

"The NHL has reached a deal with their players that looks as though they found an early copy of the baseball policy on the floor somewhere," Pound said.

At least one NHL general manager disagreed with Pound on Thursday.

"We've seen what the league has provided and we support Bill Daly's comments 100 per cent," said Vancouver Canucks GM Dave Nonis.

San Jose Sharks defenceman Scott Hannan acknowledged the possibility of some players taking performance-enhancing drugs, but insisted Pound's assessment is inaccurate.

"Am I naive in saying that nobody's ever used it or nobody is? Probably," said Hannan. "But as far as extensively, I think that's a baseless comment."

[yby1]

Word is out that Jiri will annouce his retirement today. It's all specualtion of course.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/hearsay.jsp

[gnatters]

I thought to throw this in here:
US names their Olympic Hockey Team
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10537703/

When U.S. goaltender Rick DiPietro looks out from his crease at the Turin Olympics, he’ll see a defenseman nearly twice his age protecting him.

That is the long and short — make that the young and old — of the U.S. Olympic hockey team revealed Monday night in St. Paul, Minn.

The New York Islanders’ 24-year-old goaltender was the youngest player chosen by general manager Don Waddell. Defenseman Chris Chelios will be 44 by the time the first puck drops next February in Italy.

“A defenseman that’s only two years younger than me?” Waddell said. “No, I did not imagine that when we started this whole process.”

All three U.S. goaltenders are Olympic newcomers, making that key position the team’s biggest question mark.

Of the remaining 20 players — 13 forwards and seven defenseman — 11 have been to the Olympics, including two four-time participants and four making their third trips. All 23 players are in the NHL.

One noticeable omission on defense is Boston’s Brian Leetch, a two-time Norris Trophy winner and three-time Olympian who missed time earlier this season with a knee injury.

“We did a rating system all year and these guys deserved to be here,” Waddell said. “It wasn’t that Brian was a bad player or anything like that it was just that these guys performed better.”

John LeClair (Pittsburgh), Jeremy Roenick (Los Angeles) and the recently retired Brett Hull were three familiar forwards left off the squad.

“I know nobody on that team has more points in the National Hockey League than me. So if they want to go that way, good luck,” Roenick said.

Roenick told The Los Angeles Times last week he "better be" on the Olympic team that will compete in Italy in February.

"It would be a travesty if I'm not," Roenick told the Times. "I know they want a youth movement, and they need to have one, but it'd be disrespectful of the guys who have gotten Team USA to this point internationally."

Roenick, 35, told The Times that if he doesn't make the cut, Team USA "better hope that I don't get a job as a commentator on NBC for [the Games], or it'd be 'Go Canada' all the way, and I don't want that."

Waddell met with assistant GM Paul Holmgren and the rest of his staff Sunday night to make the final decisions. Defense and goaltending sparked the most debate.

“We said all along that we were going to base this team on not so much what was the history of players ... but how guys were actually playing,” Waddell said.

Chelios, a Detroit defenseman, made his Olympic debut in 1984 and returned in 1998 and 2002 when NHL players were permitted to play.

“He’s the ultimate competitor,” Waddell said.

USA Hockey was the first national federation to announce its roster. Team Canada will be next on Wednesday, and the remaining countries in the 12-nation tournament will make their selections known later this week — the deadline set by the International Ice Hockey Federation.

For the third time, the NHL is taking a lengthy break to allow its players to take part in the Olympics.

The American forwards are anchored by veterans Mike Modano (Dallas) and Doug Weight (St. Louis ), who both played in 1998 in Nagano and four years later at Salt Lake City.

“Not only do we feel we have a lot of speed and the grit, but enough scoring,” Waddell said. “We think our depth on defense is as good as it’s ever been. And when you get in these short tournaments, a hot goaltender can lead you a long ways.”

Modano leads the Stars with 30 points in 30 games, while Weight holds the Blues’ lead with 23 points in their first 27 games.

The U.S. finished well out of the medal round the first time NHLers went to the Olympics and left Japan in disgrace after causing property damage. The Americans rebounded on home ice in 2002, losing the gold-medal match to Canada.

New Jersey spark plug Brian Gionta, who at 5-foot-7 has benefited greatly by the NHL’s new rules that will be used in the Olympics, and fellow small speedster Jason Blake of the Islanders will be making their first Olympic appearances. Mark Parrish was the third New York player chosen.

“I think you’re going to see a pretty fast-paced, competitive team,” said coach Peter Laviolette, a former Islanders coach.

Besides the Islanders, Philadelphia and New Jersey also had three players chosen.

Erik Cole, who plays under Laviolette with Carolina, will join Craig Conroy (Los Angeles), New Jersey’s Scott Gomez, and Philadelphia’s Mike Knuble as first-time Olympic forwards.

Chris Drury (Buffalo) returns after a 2002 appearance, and Bill Guerin (Dallas) is making his third trip along with Minnesota’s Brian Rolston.

St. Louis left winger Keith Tkachuk hopes to make his fourth Olympic appearance in red, white and blue — but that depends on his knuckles, which are black and blue. Tkachuk is expected to miss four-to-six weeks after being struck in the right hand by a puck last Friday.

Injured players can be replaced until Feb. 10, and teams can bring a three-player taxi squad to Italy in case players are knocked out.

Tkachuk and Chelios would be the first four-time Olympians in U.S. hockey history. Once he plays, Chelios — the captain of the 2002 squad — will be the third-oldest player in the history of Olympic hockey.

“If you would’ve said 10 years ago that I’d be playing at this level, I would’ve doubted it very much,” Chelios said.

Gionta leads the Devils with 33 points — including 18 goals — in 32 games, while Cole has 25 points for the Southeast Division-leading Hurricanes.

The defense corps is a mix of old and young, starting with Chelios and ending with 25-year-old players Jordan Leopold (Calgary) and John-Michael Liles (Colorado). They are joined by Philadelphia’s Derian Hatcher and Detroit’s Mathieu Schneider — 1998 returnees — and Aaron Miller (Los Angeles) and Brian Rafalski (New Jersey), holdovers from 2002.

DiPietro is likely to receive the bulk of the time in goal once the American team opens against Latvia on Feb. 15. He went 12-10-2 with a 3.18 goals-against average in his first 26 games this season. Philadelphia’s Robert Esche has battled inconsistency and injury so far this season, and he is currently sidelined by a nagging groin injury.

John Grahame, who took over for Nikolai Khabibulin with Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay, is the third goaltender.

[L'il Bit]

Phyllis Gretzky dies at 64
TORONTO (CP) - Phyllis Gretzky was the glue that held her family together.

Gretzky, who had battled lung cancer since being diagnosed in the autumn of 2004, died Monday night. She was 64.

''Throughout my career, she was in the background but she was the glue,'' Wayne Gretzky said at the time of her diagnosis. ''She's always been the toughest in the family.''

The Hockey Hall of Famer and coach of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes took a leave of absence from the Coyotes and from his position as executive director of Canada's Olympic hockey teams on Dec. 17 to fly home as his mother's condition worsened.

Phyllis Gretzky died at Brantford General Hospital surrounded by her five children at about 10 p.m. ET following a bout of pneumonia that resulted in her being admitted into hospital Thursday.

[L'il Bit]

Had to post this here too:

Team Canada Roster
Goalies
Roberto Luongo, Panthers
Martin Brodeur, Devils
Marty Turco, Stars
Defensemen
Rob Blake, Avalanche
Adam Foote, Blue Jackets
Scott Niedermayer, Mighty Ducks
Chris Pronger, Oilers
Wade Redden, Senators
Robyn Regehr, Flames
Ed Jovanovski, Canucks
Forwards
Shane Doan, Coyotes
Simon Gagne, Flyers
Kris Draper, Red Wings
Dany Heatley, Senators
Jarome Iginla, Flames
Vincent Lecavalier, Lightning
Rick Nash, Blue Jackets
Brad Richards, Lightning
Ryan Smyth, Oilers
Martin St. Louis, Lightning
Joe Thornton, Sharks
Todd Bertuzzi, Canucks
Joe Sakic, Avalanche
Alternates
Bryan McCabe, Maple Leafs
Jason Spezza, Senators
Eric Staal, Hurricanes

Where is Crosby? Unreal... but that lineup is pretty hard to contend with...

[LeslieandPaul]

Where is Crosby? Unreal... but that lineup is pretty hard to contend with...

He probably didn't make it because he doesn't have enough experience (he's been in the NHL what, 4 months?), and even though he's played in some big games, he hasn't played with the "big boys" very much. There's probably also a lot of players who were on the 2002 winning team who they wanted back. So, well he's nice to look at, there were better choices for Team Canada.

[hockeybrat]

He probably didn't make it because he doesn't have enough experience (he's been in the NHL what, 4 months?), and even though he's played in some big games, he hasn't played with the "big boys" very much. There's probably also a lot of players who were on the 2002 winning team who they wanted back. So, well he's nice to look at, there were better choices for Team Canada.

But he has played in the Jr. World Championships and stuff before so he has International Ice experience. Wasn't Peter Forsberg still in Jr. Hockey when he played in Lillehammer?

I watched the announcement of the team yesterday and I was surprised that they would have someone like Shane Doan on the lineup and they make Jason Spezza a backup player? SPEZZA?! I was shocked.

I would have picked Crosby over Bertuzzi.

Oh well, I don't usually cheer for Team USA so I will be cheering for Team Slovakia and DH has dibs on Finland. :)

[ceaserbride]

Here are a few of my thoughts on Team Canada's Line Up:


Im glad Crosby didn't make the line up. He'll get his time~ it's just not right now. We have so many great hockey plays that it is safe to say someone will be "left out".
Anyone who is against Bertuzzi being on the team because of the whole Moore incident in crazy (Im not defending him for the record.) I just think he's done his time and now we should give him a 2nd chance. As Lowe said "part of being Canadian, is being able to forgive"
The reserves are Eric Staal (Hurricanes), Jason Spezza (Senators) and Bryan McCabe (Maple Leafs). God knows we wont be left hung up to dry if we need one of these boys!
One Word: Draper :confused: ??? I don't get it
All n' All it's the best bunch of Hockey Players in the world, but how will they play together...I dunno! We will see, we will see!

[LDS Angel 19]

I don't really get Draper either. He's great, but Shanahan would have been a much better Red Wing choice.

My money's on Sweden.

[L'il Bit]

One Word: Draper ??? I don't get it
Me neither. I mean, I understand that he's got a bunch of Stanley Cup rings, but really.
Another notable missing person: Paul Kariya. Hmmm...
I think Sweden will make a good show too. My boyfriend's on that team (that would be Naslund... my 3 yo DD thinks he's quite handsome:p ).

On to NHL... I'm getting rather frustrated with the Canucks right now. 5 losses in a row (even though a couple of times were OT or in a shootout, but they're still losses in my book)!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas.

[ceaserbride]

Ya..my team (Toronto Maple Leafs) isn't doing as well as I'd like right now either, although they did just record a couple needed wins. They are pleagued with injuries right now so the next few games should be interesting with a couple guys being brought up from the AHL.

Canadian Jr.'s ~ Great first game against Finland, Tonight its Swedan (correct me if Im wrong). Should be a good game....but I'm at work till 8. Anyone is more than welcome to post a recap!!

[evagatesgreen2]

I started watching hockey with my DH a few years back and I had the chance to see the Islanders play this past Monday when we were in NY. My first time at a hockey game and the Islanders lost! :p That makes it their fifth loss in a row.:(

[dpangel33]

I saw some Canucks fans and had to stop by and say
GO STARS!!!

[TX Sweetheart]

GO STARS!!!

I'm in agreement!!

Andrea, DH & I went to our first hockey game Dec 23 (Stars vs Coyotes) and the Stars lost too :( But it was still tons of fun!!

[evagatesgreen2]

Just wanted to share some of the photos I took at the game the other night. And the Islanders got spanked last night by Carolina(again)! They don't seem to have any heart. :( And with so many players out with injuries and suspensions it doesn't look good.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e158/snooks7881/CIMG7149.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e158/snooks7881/CIMG7150.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e158/snooks7881/CIMG7155.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e158/snooks7881/CIMG7138.jpg

[L'il Bit]

I saw some Canucks fans and had to stop by and say
GO STARS!!! Boo! Hiss! j/k :p :D
Well, the Canucks have turned it around the last couple games, but they face the Leafs tonight and there are a lot of Leafs fans in Vancouver. We'll see how that goes.
Oh, evagatesgreen2, so jealous that you got to go to a hockey game! The tickets here for an NHL game require you to take out a second mortgage, and unless you're a season ticket holder, it's impossible to get two seats together.:rolleyes:

[gnatters]

I dunno if anyone else heard about this, but Tampa Bay Lightning put Dave Andreychuk on waivers. They claim that he's too old to change his ways for the "new NHL."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/5236692

He's played here for Buffalo, twice, and each time we trade him away. During the last Tampa game here (where we smoked them by the way) the commentators were stating how Andreychuk doesn't have much presence on the ice, but he rallys the team in the locker room. Perhaps that just isn't enough anymore.

Also, is it me or are a lot of older players retiring mid-season this year. Do you all think it's because they are too old, or is it like what happened to Brett Hull and just didn't like the newer, faster format?

~Natalie

[hockeybrat]

I think the year off for them was harder than they thought it would be.

[L'il Bit]

A lot of big names retiring this year. The Pens lost Palffy last week, and now Mario (I didn't think he'd come back anyway):
From the Associated Press:
PITTSBURGH -- Penguins star and owner Mario Lemieux, one of hockey's greatest players, is retiring for the second time, a team official said Tuesday.

Lemieux, a Hall of Famer who won Stanley Cups and scoring titles and then battled through cancer and heart problems in a comeback, will announce his decision at a news conference later Tuesday.

The team official requested anonymity because a formal announcement had not been made.

Lemieux's retirement was first reported on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Web site.

The 40-year-old Lemieux learned in early December he has atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can cause his pulse to flutter wildly and must be controlled by medication.

Lemieux, the NHL's seventh-leading career scorer with 1,723 points, tried to return a week after being hospitalized with the problem, but it flared up again during a Dec. 16 game against Buffalo and he has not played since.

Lemieux has been practicing the last several weeks with the intent on returning this season but, with the Penguins stuck in a 10-game losing streak and with no hope of them making the playoffs, decided to quit playing for a second time.

He also retired after the 1996-97 season following years of back problems and a 1993 cancer scare in which he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, but he returned midway through the 2000-01 season and has played since.

However, he has again fought through injuries -- including two major hip problems -- that caused him to miss most of the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons. He had seven goals and 15 assists in 26 games this season.

Lemieux, a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 1997, led the Penguins -- the NHL's worst team before he was drafted in 1984 -- to successive Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992. He won six NHL scoring titles, three MVP awards and two Conn Smythe awards as the Stanley Cup playoffs MVP.

Lemieux, who wore No. 66 throughout his career, scored 690 goals and had 1,033 assists in 915 career games. He also became the first major pro sports star to buy the team for which he played, assembling a group that bought the team in federal bankruptcy court in 1999.

Lemieux's group has owned the team since but announced last week it is selling -- a possible prelude to the team leaving Pittsburgh in June 2007. The team has partnered with a casino company that is promising to build the Penguins a new $290 million arena if it obtains a slot machine parlor license for downtown Pittsburgh, but there appears to be little hope the team will stay if there is no new arena.

One reason Lemieux is selling is because he doesn't want to be the owner who relocates the team from Pittsburgh.

After his stunning return in December 2000, which surprised even his close friends, Lemieux helped the Penguins to the Eastern Conference final that season but the team has not made the playoffs since.

Lots of pressure on Crosby now!

[L'il Bit]

Attempting to resurrect this thread....
So NHL trades:
(from TSN.ca)
DEVILS GET WIEMER
The New Jersey Devils acquired forward Jason Wiemer from the Calgary Flames for a third-round draft pick in 2006.

PANTHERS GET PENS' JACKMAN
The Florida Panthers acquired defenseman Richard Jackman from the Pittsburgh Penguins for center Petr Taticek.

KINGS, COYOTES SWAP FORWARDS
The Los Angeles Kings acquired right wing Tim Jackman from the Phoenix Coyotes for center Yanick Lehoux.

LUNDMARK TO CALGARY
The Calgary Flames acquired forward Jamie Lundmark from the Phoenix Coyotes for a fourth-round draft pick in 2006.

COYOTES GRAB KVASHA
The Phoenix Coyotes acquired center Oleg Kvasha from the New York Islanders for a third-round draft pick in 2006.

CANUCKS LAND WEINRICH
The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Eric Weinrich from the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Tomas Mojzis and a third-round draft pick in 2006.

STARS GET WILLIE MITCHELL
The Dallas Stars acquired defenseman Willie Mitchell and a second-round draft pick in 2007 from the Minnesota Wild for defensemen Martin Skoula and Shawn Belle.

DOWD SHIPPED TO COLORADO
The Colorado Avalanche acquired center Jim Dowd from the Chicago Blackhawks for a fourth-round draft pick in 2006.

FLYERS TRADE PICK FOR DIMITRAKOS
The Philadelphia Flyers acquired forward Niko Dimitrakos from the San Jose Sharks for a third-round draft pick in 2006.

SAMSONOV ON TO EDMONTON
The Edmonton Oilers acquired left wing Sergei Samsonov from the Boston Bruins for center Marty Reasoner, forward Yan Stastny and a second-round draft pick in 2006.

ARNASON MOVES TO OTTAWA
The Ottawa Senators acquired center Tyler Arnason from the Chicago Blackhawks for right wing Brandon Bochenski and a second-round draft pick in 2006.

MCCARTHY TRADED TO ATLANTA
The Atlanta Thrashers acquired defenseman Steve McCarthy from the Vancouver Canucks for a seventh-round conditional draft pick in 2007.

WINGS WELCOME CROSS
The Detroit Red Wings acquired defenseman Cory Cross from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round draft pick in 2007.

PREDS WIN WITT SWEEPSTAKES
The Nashville Predators acquired defenseman Brendan Witt from the Washington Capitals for forward Kris Beech and a first-round draft pick in 2006.

OZOLINSH TO BIG APPLE
The New York Rangers acquired defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh from the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for a third-round draft pick in 2006.

WINGS SEND RIVERS TO PHOENIX
The Phoenix Coyotes acquired defenseman Jamie Rivers from the Detroit Red Wings for a seventh-round draft pick in 2006.

CANUCKS ADD CARNEY
The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Keith Carney and the rights to defenseman Juha Alen from the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for defenseman Brett Skinner and a second-round draft pick in 2006.

CANES LAND RECCHI
The Carolina Hurricanes acquired forward Mark Recchi from the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Niklas Nordgren, forward Krys Kolanos and a second-round draft pick in 2007.

FRIESEN JOINS DUCKS AGAIN
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim acquired forward Jeff Friesen from the Washington Capitals for a second-round draft pick in 2006.

NORONEN NOW A CANUCK
The Vancouver Canucks acquired goaltender Mika Noronen from the Buffalo Sabres for a second-round draft pick in 2006.

FLYERS DEAL FOR GAUTHIER
The Philadelphia Flyers acquired defenseman Denis Gauthier from the Phoenix Coyotes for forward Josh Gratton and two second-round draft picks in 2006.

O'DONNELL FOR PERRAULT
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim acquired defenseman Sean O'Donnell from the Phoenix Coyotes for center Joel Perrault.

BROWN HEADS TO VANCOUVER
The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Sean Brown from the New Jersey Devils for a fourth-round draft pick in 2006.

DEVILS GET LUKOWICH
The New Jersey Devils acquired defenseman Brad Lukowich from the New York Islanders for a third-round draft pick in 2006.

HABS LAND SIMPSON
The Montreal Canadiens acquired defenseman Todd Simpson from the Chicago Blackhawks for a sixth-round draft pick in 2006.

March 8, 2006

KLEE TO JERSEY
The New Jersey Devils acquired defenseman Ken Klee from the Toronto Maple Leafs for winger Aleksander Suglobov.

THEODORE FOR AEBISCHER
The Colorado Avalanche acquired goaltender Jose Theodore from the Montreal Canadiens for goaltender David Aebischer.

KINGS ADD SOPEL & PARRISH
The Los Angeles Kings acquired defenseman Brent Sopel and right wing Mark Parrish from the New York Islanders for defenseman Denis Grebeshkov, winger Jeff Tambellini and a conditional third-round draft pick in 2006.

NIEMINEN TO SAN JOSE
The San Jose Sharks acquired winger Ville Nieminen from the New York Rangers for a third-round draft pick in 2006.

RICHARDSON BACK TO T.O.
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Luke Richardson from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a conditional fifth-round draft pick.

ROLOSON TO EDMONTON
The Edmonton Oilers acquired goaltender Dwayne Roloson from the Minnesota Wild for a first-round draft pick in 2006 and a conditional third-round draft pick in 2006.

[stevesbabygirl]

Jeff Friesen is a b*tch, we don't want him back!

[alibaba]

Bumping this back up since playoff time is here!

I can't believe they start on Friday already! I've got tickets to the Devils vs Rangers game on Saturday, definitely should be an interesting series. :D

[stevesbabygirl]

Woo hoo :D! I have tickets to Ducks vs. Calgary for the first round, and we also have tickets for the second round. We are buying season tickets for next season for the first time, so we got first dibs on playoff tickets :D.

I'll cheer for the Rangers for you, especially since you have my Petr Sykora, yummy! Don't you have Steve Rucchin too?

[L'il Bit]

So jealous of you all who can actually go to a playoff game!! Even if Vancouver was still in it (boo! Now they're all golfing) it would have been super hard to get tickets.
Ducks vs Calgary is going to be an exciting series!

I think it might be a San Jose/Ottawa final. Thornton seems hungry this year!

[alibaba]

Woo hoo :D! I have tickets to Ducks vs. Calgary for the first round, and we also have tickets for the second round. We are buying season tickets for next season for the first time, so we got first dibs on playoff tickets :D.

I'll cheer for the Rangers for you, especially since you have my Petr Sykora, yummy! Don't you have Steve Rucchin too?

Actually, I'm a Devil fan :D But I know what you mean about Petr Sykora (being a former Devil), he's pretty hot! My husband is a Ranger fan :rolleyes: So this will make for a very interesting game!!

Wow, that's so awesome you're getting season tickets!

[stevesbabygirl]

Oh, I'm sorry, I can't talk to you anymore, because your Devils beat my Ducks in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals 3 years ago :p.

[gnatters]

Yeah, playoff action is really gearing up here in Buffalo too, especially since we have had a record-breaking season and it is the first time we've made the playoffs in a couple of years. Of course, it didn't hurt to finish the season with two shut-outs, one for each of our goalies.

I'm just excited to "hear" the game since I'll be working while it's on. I work at an electronics store, so people in our TV department are trying to get the game played on the screens back there.

~Natalie

[stevesbabygirl]

Oh damn it :mad:! Giguere is out with a "lower body injury," ie groin pull, and they're putting in Bryzgalov!

[t3h_wookiee]

ACK, so not fair! My Avs are playing DH's Stars in the first round. This will be a long first round (hopefully!)!

[alibaba]

Oh, I'm sorry, I can't talk to you anymore, because your Devils beat my Ducks in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals 3 years ago :p.

Hehehe....sorry bout that ;) I know what it's like though, being in the final round and losing....it hurts man!

ACK, so not fair! My Avs are playing DH's Stars in the first round. This will be a long first round (hopefully!)!

I soooo know what you mean. DH's team and my team are playing each other in the first round too, it sucks! But it makes for good banter between us. We did make a pack though, neither of us can gloat. :D And let me tell you how hard it was for me not to this week after the butt kicking my Dev's did...hehehe.

[stevesbabygirl]

Haha, it definitely sucks to lose in game 7, but hey, I can be proud that they put up one hell of a fight :).

Normally, I wouldn't cheer for the Avs, but I'm glad they beat Dallas in the first game, woo hoo :D!

And yay to Edmonton for kicking Detroit's ass last night too!

[t3h_wookiee]

Man what happened?!? Freaking Dallas woke up in the second period, and now they're leading, when they were down by 3! :grrr:

[hockeybrat]

Is it just me or does anybody else dislike OLN?

[t3h_wookiee]

I don't like them very much. Their bar is hard to read, like trying to figure out who's on power play and such.

[LDS Angel 19]

I can't stand OLN. they do random interviews during gamplay. I just want to watch the GAME.

[t3h_wookiee]

Ditto that too.

OMG I can't believe we won in OT last night! We went to bed since it was after 11 when OT started, so I missed Sakic getting his 7th overtime playoff goal! Go Sakic!! :D

[stevesbabygirl]

OLN sucks. I told DH last night that hockey doesn't belong on it, because it's not an outdoor sport. He says it does because people often start out playing on a frozen pond somewhere. I said that the only things that belong on there are fishing, hunting, and golf :p.

I'm going to game 3 tonight, Ducks vs. Calgary, woo hoo :D!

[alibaba]

NICE! Have fun!!:D

[stevesbabygirl]

Thanks, I'm so excited :D! We went to some playoff games when they were in the finals last time, and it was so much more exciting than regular season games!

[LDS Angel 19]

OLN sucks. I told DH last night that hockey doesn't belong on it, because it's not an outdoor sport. He says it does because people often start out playing on a frozen pond somewhere. I said that the only things that belong on there are fishing, hunting, and golf :p.


LOL! You make a great point.

[gnatters]

Luckilly, I haven't had to "deal" with OLN here...yet. It is only avaliable on the most expensive cable package, which I do not have. I am not looking forward to the games where I will only be able to listen to them on the local sports radio station.

Then again, if the Flyers and Sabres go to game 5 where it is on NBC, I will have the tv on mute and listen to the local guys call it. They do an awesome play by play.

~Natalie

[stevesbabygirl]

Damn, we sucked tonight :(.

[alibaba]

Damn, we sucked tonight :(.

Ugh, sorry to hear that. It always sucks going to a game and seeing your team lose.


On another note, my Dev's are whooping the Rangers behinds!! They are just dominating, its so unbelievable! :D Of course my DH has been pouting the whole time, I feel bad for him since the Rangers have finally made the playoffs after 7 years of missing them and they are falling short so quick. But hey I shouldn't be saying that since the series isn't over yet.

Oh and poor Jagr is hurt ;) Hehehe....I can't stand him!

[hockeybrat]

Oh and poor Jagr is hurt Hehehe....I can't stand him!

Me too! I call him Jagirl. ;)

[alibaba]

LMAO!! That's a great name for him!! I'm sorry if I'm offending anyone that likes him but I can't stand him! And the reason he is hurt is because he did it to himself. He went to check one of the Devils and missed. ;)

[stevesbabygirl]

You girls are too funny :).

We're going again tonight, so I'm hoping the Ducks pull off a little magic! There is no way they can lose in the first round!

[gnatters]

Jagirl...*snort*

I can't stand him either.

[stevesbabygirl]

Whew, we barely got that win tonight! We were cruising along, all happy at 2-0. Then the third period started, and Calgary scored 11 seconds in :mad:, and then at the 3:27 mark. Thank God we won in overtime!

[L'il Bit]

I saw some of that game last night! That must have been an exciting game to be at Heather!!

[stevesbabygirl]

It was very exciting :D! Especially when O'Donnell scored the overtime goal. DH TiVo'd the replay of it, so we watched the goal this morning.

[t3h_wookiee]

Damn, no sweep after all. Oh well, we're still wooping ass! :D

[alibaba]

We got the sweep baby!!! And how sweet is was to beat our arch nemesis! It was very hard to bite my tongue with DH after they won, I had to catch myself quite a few times. ;)

It looks like we will be playing either the Huricanes if they win or if not then it will be the winner of the Philly vs Buffalo game. Not sure who I want yet....:D

[stevesbabygirl]

Game 6 tonight baby. We need to come alive much earlier than the 3rd period, or we're done for. We cannot lose this at home!

[Dotsie]

Alibaba ~ Yay, another Devil's fan. I would love to see them match up against the Flyers but it doesn't look that way.

[stevesbabygirl]

Woo hoo, game 7, here we come :D!

[L'il Bit]

stevesbabygirl: Were you at the game last night?
I couldn't stay up late enough to watch it. Must have been exciting though. I so thought Calgary was going to take it last night after Edmonton beat the Wings.

[gnatters]

My fingers are crossed that the Sabres will finish this round tonight.

Could someone explain to me how the second round is re-seated?

~Natalie

[Dotsie]

I hope the Sabres don't finish it off tonight:) I would love to see my hometown team go to the next round but I don't think so. Buffalo is just too fast for the Flyers.

[elladee]

My fingers are crossed that the Sabres will finish this round tonight.

Me too!!! (Sorry Dotsie)

[alibaba]

I hope the Sabres don't finish it off tonight:) I would love to see my hometown team go to the next round but I don't think so. Buffalo is just too fast for the Flyers.


Wait are you a Devils fan or a Philly fan?? ;) Or maybe a little bit of both?? I'm not sure who I want the Devils to play next. Hmph.

[Dotsie]

I'm a Devils fan. I have a teeny tiny bit of allegiance to the Flyers because I'm from Philadelphia...although all Philly teams tend to choke when it counts:rolleyes: My DH grew up a huge Devil's fan so I went to the "dark" side as our friends like to put it.

eta ~ Looks like Buffalo is going to win...what did I tell ya about Philly and their choking habits.... {sigh}

Let's go DEVILS!!!

[alibaba]

Heehehe.....my DH has tried numerous times to get me to change teams and route for the Rangers, he thinks I should because I live in New York but pish pash the Devils are soooo much better. I would never become a Ranger fan, it definitely makes for fun game nights though. :D

[gnatters]

Well, the Sabres won!!! Whoo hoo!

It looks like we're playing Ottawa in the next round. I'm nervous because the team never did well during the season against them. Hopefully, Hasek won't be in net, so there might be a chance.

~Natalie

[stevesbabygirl]

More like blew them out!

I forgot to mention, someone in the crowd got hit in the mouth by a flying puck at the last game. The usher ran down to her and started waving his paddle frantically. She got up and walked out on her own, so I think she's okay.

[kugrrly]

wohoo sabres!!!!

Glad to see them back in it! IT has been a while.
I was happy to see both Detroit and Dallas out. I am still bitter form the Star/Sabres stanley cup game. Dumb Brett Hull and his foot in the crease. :)

[kugrrly]

I would have liked to have seen Calgary win tonight.....

[stevesbabygirl]

*Does a happy dance*

Woo hoo, we kicked Calgary's ass tonight :D! On to round 2 baby!

[kugrrly]

they sure did......

[L'il Bit]

I'm surprised at Calgary... I really thought they would take the series. They just didn't look hungry at all.
I'm kind of glad that Detroit and Dallas are out too, except I kinda feel sorry for Yzerman. Not that Yzerman already doesn't have enough rings, but this was his last year, and he's the last of the veterans (and Chelios) to make one last go in this new style of hockey. I can't believe that he wasn't out there to take the face off in the last shift. So he's probably done this year. I wonder if Chelios is going to keep going!!
Well, on to round two!!

[Lucy Van Pelt]

UGH - Stupid Calgary! I can't believe they lost to the fricking Ducks. I hate Teemue Selanne! Blech!

Round 2 - Sharks vs. Edmonton - Go Sharkies! I can't wait to see the matchup between Thornton and Pronger.

Anaheim vs. Colorado - I just have to hope that Jose plays up to his abilities.

Buffalo vs. Ottawa - Go Sens!

New Jersey vs. Carolina - not a fan of either team so it really doesn't matter to me who wins this series...:rolleyes:

[hockeybrat]

Wooo, I can't wait til tomorrow!

[stevesbabygirl]

Oh hell yes, the Ducks kicked some serious ass tonight :D! I honestly didn't think we'd blow them out like we did, especially because they blew Dallas out a few times, and we barely beat Calgary.

[stevesbabygirl]

Woo hoo, up 2-0 in the series :D!

Where did all the hockey fans go?!

[alibaba]

I'm still here, just a little bummed about my Dev's getting whooped the other day to Carolina. They better come out with a vengance tonight!!

I was watching some of the Ducks game yesterday. It's sad for me to see Scotty Neidermayer on another team besides the Devils. He was just with the team for soooo long. I'm glad he's doing good though with the Ducks. :)

[L'il Bit]

Where did all the hockey fans go?!
Well, my team's long gone (the Canucks, baaaah!!), and some of them are playing in the IIHF World Championships. Weee.
Still pulling for Edmonton though!

[LDS Angel 19]

I'm still here too, just a very dissapointed Wings fan. Ready for next year.

[hockeybrat]

I'm here, I had to entertain my ILs this weekend.

Really disappointed in the way the Avs are playing.:mad:

GO SENS!

[ceaserbride]

Kara- I'm pulling for Edmonton now too that the Leafs are long gone (we're in the same boat!) and chearing against the SENS! (obviously, I'm a leafs fan). Good to see them lose again in their building last nigh:D

ETA: Can you tell I chear for the underdogs. Who wants the team to win that everyone perdicts will win? Thats no fun...

Ooops- Just noticed everyone chearing for the Sens. Wasn't meaning to be rude.

Question Though- WHY?????

[elladee]

Ooops- Just noticed everyone chearing for the Sens. Wasn't meaning to be rude.