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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swish
Like sh<a>it. Thanks for asking.
I'm sure it's nothing that a few days of R&R won't cure.
Sorry about the Flyers Swishdaddy. I was pulling for you. Although Hubby was rooting for the Hawks...I'll let you take that up with him on your own.
I'll say this...watching the Flyers come up through the ranks as underdogs sure was fun. I wouldn't really call myself a fan of either team (as long as the Habs didn't win, I was happy), but this was a fun series to watch. Watching the Flyers push game 6 into overtime was great! I love a good nailbiter and this years run for the cup (by all teams) was full of them.
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My observations:
1. First and foremost, HOW 'BOUT THEM HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. No one can say they didn't earn this cup. The first series, against Nashville, was twice as hard as anyone expected. The Canucks brought attitude, great goal-tending, and more than a little bad blood in the second round. The Sharks held home-ice advantage in the semis. But the Flyers flat-out brought it... night after night. They stretched themselves to get into the playoffs, they overachieved throughout the post-season, and their fans should be proud.
3. That final goal was one of the strangest moments I've ever seen in sports, and definitely a weird-ass way to end a season. Kane was the only person in the entire building who knew that was a goal, even 5 seconds afterward.
4. Some would question the Conn Smythe trophy going to Toews, since he had a less-than-stellar finals. But 29 post-season points is nothing to sneeze at. More to the point, he does all the little things that help teams win games. And the ONE big thing that wins championships... leadership. He's only 22, and (barring serious injury) his arrow is pointing upward for the next 5 years or more.
5. MVP for the series? Either Briere or Hartnell. No doubt about it. Hell, maybe even that Leino kid.
6. Antti Niemi came up big when he had to. That save with 1:30 left in the third was, arguably, the biggest play in the series.
7. Overall it was a really enjoyable series to watch, with tons of excitement in all 6 games. The first period last night was non-stop aggressive play, and I think it took a lot out of both teams toward the end of the second. The third period was ragged and sloppy, especially by the Hawks. But all's well that ends well !
8. Tickertape parade on Michigan Ave. tomorrow morning!!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr MidFi
3. That final goal was one of the strangest moments I've ever seen in sports, and definitely a weird-ass way to end a season. Kane was the only person in the entire building who knew that was a goal, even 5 seconds afterward.
You can say that again! It looked like even the officials were discussing whether the puck had gone in or not. What a weird way to end the series.
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There's a little more to it, Swish. The Rangers didn't really deserve to make the playoffs, and I don't think I've ever seen a fourth line carry a team as much as theirs did down the stretch. Actually, it's more about that nobody expects to see a 7 seed vs. an 8 seed playing for the conference championship.
Everyone loves an underdog, and there's usually a good upset story every year. But in the end, if my team's not involved, I usually want to see the teams that seem to be the best competing. Obviously neither Pittsburgh nor the Capitals can be considered the best if they were eliminated, but who really didn't want to see those teams meet, especially after the Olympics?
I know the game isn't played on paper, but Chicago was a 2 seed, right? Vs. a 7 seed that needed a shootout to get past an overpaid group of malcontents who without their fourth line would've been booking April golf outings a month in advance?
I watched a Pitt at Wash Sun 12 noon game before the Olympics, when the blizzard had just hit. Ovechkin was the best player in the league; I'm shocked how quickly and by how much he seems to have eclipsed Crosby for that title. Means nothing now, of course, but I do like to see those guys go at it, particularly with something at stake. Ovechkin was never the same after the Canadians beat the crap out of the Russians in the Olympics, was he? Still, I looked forward to that matchup for months.
The Flyers run reminded me a bit of the Minnesota North Stars in 1991, only more improbable. Beating the Devils didn't surprise me, and I don't want to take anything away from them, but Montreal knocking out the Caps & Pens yet not being able to get past the Flyers is just one of those quirks of the playoffs. The Cup is still the best tournament in any pro sport, for me. And I'd still say that even if Montreal had continued its Cinderella march past Philadelphia only to fall to the Hawks, underdog romance be damned.
No, I don't like the Flyers, but it's nothing like how I feel about the Red Sox, and specifically rooting against any team, while occasionally fun, is sophomoric at best. The bottom line is, the better team won, and that was a rarity in the playoffs this year, more so than I think we'll ever see again.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swish
Like sh<a>it. Thanks for asking.
Well...good...
...but the Flyers shouldn't. In the interests of brevity I'll not recount all my reasoning save to say that I agree powerfully with the word "overachievers" and Kex's comment on goalies...since Hextall it's pretty much been a litany of AHL cast-offs and sub-stars. They can be proud of the run they put together.
I loved seeing the Hawks win. Not just because i love that city but it's clear that this version of Chicago's team is one made up of quality individuals on and off the ice.Good deal for the kids and a wily veteran or two...I loved watching JR get all emotional-lika at the end too...some allegiances never die.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
How are you feeling sticky B? This is your first post in a month, and you didn't respond to my PM back to yours... a month ago. :confused:
:ihih:
I was advised by legal counsel to stay away from these here internets for awhile. Evidently up here in the Land of Filth and Bunnies there's a limit to the amount of weapons a character can carry in the back of his truck without engaging the interests of the local gendarmerie. ..clearly not as "enlightened" as in your neck of the woods.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swish
Carter... was pretty much worthless in the playoffs.
Hey Swish - congrats on a great run. How's Hershey doing? I'm actually just as pissed that the Hamilton Bulldogs (Habs farm team) got eliminated the night after the Flyers took out the Habs.
Just wanted to ask you, if you were the GM, do you try to trade Carter for maybe a legit #1goaltender? I'm thinking if the Flyers have Halak, they just might win that series - and he wouldn't be too expensive, given the Flyers cap issues.
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The Hershey Bears are doing GRRRRRRRRRREAT!
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Originally Posted by Ex Lion Tamer
Hey Swish - congrats on a great run. How's Hershey doing? I'm actually just as pissed that the Hamilton Bulldogs (Habs farm team) got eliminated the night after the Flyers took out the Habs.
Just wanted to ask you, if you were the GM, do you try to trade Carter for maybe a legit #1goaltender? I'm thinking if the Flyers have Halak, they just might win that series - and he wouldn't be too expensive, given the Flyers cap issues.
After losing the first two at home, they won 3 in a row down in Austin (hockey in Austin? Really?), including last night's OT win. Now they have a chance to win their second consecutive Calder Cup at home. They set all sorts of AHL records this year; most points in a season, most home wins (34). most overall wins (57), and they rightfully deserve the cup.
I used to LOVE this team until their affiliation with the Flyers ended and they went to the Capitals. I still cheer them on but it's not quite the same.
As for next season, I'm not sure you get rid of Carter. He's like the Allen Iverson of the Flyers. A very good player who scores a lot, but could he be less selfish and help the team even more? He's big, a fast skater and decent puck-handler, along with being their top scorer. But, they do need a top quality goalie, and Emery ain't the guy. They are reportedly interested in Vokoun from Florida, and A guy on their AHL club (Backstrum or something like that).
They have so much young talent, but I would hate to see them get rid of Giroux or Reimsdyk, so maybe Carter is the guy? Retaining Coburn is also a top priority as he'll be a restricted free agent, as will Carcillo, but I have a feeling he will be history.
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Guilty as charged.
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Originally Posted by MindGoneHaywire
Specifically rooting against any team, while occasionally fun, is sophomoric at best. .
I do that all the time, especially with the Cowboys, the Steelers, the Penguins and the Yankees. There are a few others, but those are my 'most hated' for sure. My favorite teams are the ones playing those four.
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Yes, the goalie situation is pathetic.
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Originally Posted by bobsticks
Well...good...
...but the Flyers shouldn't. In the interests of brevity I'll not recount all my reasoning save to say that I agree powerfully with the word "overachievers" and Kex's comment on goalies...since Hextall it's pretty much been a litany of AHL cast-offs and sub-stars. They can be proud of the run they put together.
I loved seeing the Hawks win. Not just because i love that city but it's clear that this version of Chicago's team is one made up of quality individuals on and off the ice.Good deal for the kids and a wily veteran or two...I loved watching JR get all emotional-lika at the end too...some allegiances never die.
But they could find someone new this year as #1 and keep a couple of the current lineup as back-ups.
Having some bone issues dude? No, not that bone.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobsticks
Well...good...
...but the Flyers shouldn't. In the interests of brevity I'll not recount all my reasoning save to say that I agree powerfully with the word "overachievers" and Kex's comment on goalies...since Hextall it's pretty much been a litany of AHL cast-offs and sub-stars. They can be proud of the run they put together.
I loved seeing the Hawks win. Not just because i love that city but it's clear that this version of Chicago's team is one made up of quality individuals on and off the ice.Good deal for the kids and a wily veteran or two...I loved watching JR get all emotional-lika at the end too...some allegiances never die.
I can't say I agree with the Flyers as overachievers sentiment, despite their less-than elite goaltending. I think they have the best top-4 defencemen in the East - and by quite a fair distance. They also have as much depth at centre as any team in the East, with the exception of Pittsburgh, and the Flyers wingers put Pittsburgh's to shame. Probably more a case of under-achieving during the regular season than over-achieving in the playoffs.
Regarding the West being the stronger conference, of that I thnk there is little doubt. The Flyers regular season points total, and the Habs for than matter too puts them strongly 12th or so if they played in the West, and eliminated from playoff contention around about March 15th. I think the East's recent success in the finals is more a case of the Western rep being worn out from having a much tougher road to get there than their Easter counterpart. When it comes to a one-on -one match-up in hockey, its proven time and time again in the NHL, any team can win, but when you look at the depth of the two conferences there really is no comparison - 5 teams that made the playoffs last year in the West, didn't this year (St.Louis, Columbus, Minnesota, Dallas and Calgary).
As it stands now, I would put the Flyers as co-favorites to come out of the East again next year, especially if they can find the cap room to get a legitimate #1 goaltender in the off-season. If I was their GM I'd make a serious play for Halak. He's proven himself as a big game goalie, he's still relatively cheap, and I think Montreal's management team still leans towards Price because of his youth and size. Though it may come down to which one gets them a bigger return.
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