whatmaroon
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 819
|
Post by whatmaroon on May 11, 2009 23:33:02 GMT -5
That game (CHI-VAN) was completely fargin' insane. The Hawks gave up the first goal, AGAIN, then the comeback-2 power play goals on 2 chances, and I thought it was over at 3-1. Then, of course, 5 minutes later, it's 3-3. VAN takes the lead in the third period, twice, but it lasts for a grand total of two minutes. Ladd draws a penalty, Toews' pass is deflected in, and Kane makes it a 2-goal lead on his own, making a nice move to beat the defenseman and wristing a nice backhand past Luongo going the other way.
Back to the conference finals for the first time in 14 long years, and looking like it'll be the Red Wings again. Hopefully this'll be a little more competitive-my memory from last time around has the Wings absolutely dominating the play in 4 of the 5 games and Belfour being the only reason it wasn't 6-1 every game.
|
|
The Stig
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,844
|
Post by The Stig on May 11, 2009 23:42:29 GMT -5
That was an absolutely sensational night of hockey. Wild, unpredictable, and high-scoring games in Pittsburgh and Chicago. The United Center looked like it was really rocking - it's great to see hockey doing well again in Chicago after that fanbase got screwed so badly by their management for the past decade. A Chicago-Detroit Western Conference Finals will have the folks in the NHL offices in Toronto celebrating almost as much as the Chicago fans were tonight.
Speaking of celebrations in the NHL offices, how awesome is Game 7 of Caps/Pens going to be? The cheapest tickets in the house are already going for well over $200 on Stubhub. I was there fore Game 7 of the Rangers series, and that was by far the loudest crowd I've ever heard in any sport, and I'm sure the it'll be even louder for this one.
Overall this has been a sensational playoffs already. If this doesn't re-energize hockey in the US, nothing will.
|
|
hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
|
Post by hifigator on May 12, 2009 10:46:33 GMT -5
whatmaroon wrote:
That game (CHI-VAN) was completely fargin' insane. The Hawks gave up the first goal, AGAIN, then the comeback-2 power play goals on 2 chances, and I thought it was over at 3-1. Then, of course, 5 minutes later, it's 3-3. VAN takes the lead in the third period, twice, but it lasts for a grand total of two minutes. Ladd draws a penalty, Toews' pass is deflected in, and Kane makes it a 2-goal lead on his own, making a nice move to beat the defenseman and wristing a nice backhand past Luongo going the other way.
Back to the conference finals for the first time in 14 long years, and looking like it'll be the Red Wings again. Hopefully this'll be a little more competitive-my memory from last time around has the Wings absolutely dominating the play in 4 of the 5 games and Belfour being the only reason it wasn't 6-1 every game.
Ditto!
And for those twits -- and admittedly, many of them live down here in the south -- that say they can't watch hockey because it's too "boring" ... um, I think that game proved that the problem might not be with the game! It might be with the viewer! That was awesome.
|
|
Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
|
Post by Boz on May 12, 2009 11:16:53 GMT -5
The hat trick aside, I just want to point out that Patrick Kane's goal to seal the game last night was sick. That kid is going to be great. (OK, well he's great already, but he's going to be really great).
Congrats to the Blackhawks! Truly an amazing post-season thusfar.
Hopefully, my guys can force a game 7, but I'm not that confident for this evening, given how depleted Boston will be on the blue line if Aaron Ward can't play.
I'm pretty sure Shawn Tornton and/or Milan Lucic are going to do something really, really bad to someone tonight.
EDIT: One hockey snob note to add -- hockey games that don't feature 12 goals are not "boring" either. I'd argue they're even better.
|
|
SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,899
|
Post by SFHoya99 on May 12, 2009 11:32:13 GMT -5
Spoken like a baseball fan.
Just sayin'.
|
|
Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
|
Post by Boz on May 12, 2009 11:42:35 GMT -5
Spoken like a baseball fan. Well, yeah. I mean, except for all of the standing around scratching yourself while nothing at all happens. (I'm simply saying I do not equate scoring with excitement. I equate action with excitement. Baseball also sometimes lacks the former, but it ALWAYS lacks the latter.)
|
|
SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,899
|
Post by SFHoya99 on May 12, 2009 12:00:33 GMT -5
Baseball just gives you time to intelligently debate what's going on. Hockey fans are mindless drones who just like looking at objects moving. It's okay.
(I do like hockey live. And playoff hockey is great. Regular season hockey is more or less the equivalent of preseason.)
|
|
Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
|
Post by Boz on May 12, 2009 12:06:00 GMT -5
So, if I understand correctly,
Baseball = Model UN ??
Yeah, I can live with that.
;D ;D ;D
|
|
The Stig
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,844
|
Post by The Stig on May 12, 2009 12:11:35 GMT -5
The games last night were fun for more than just the scoring. Aside from two brief 2-goal leads for Chicago, both games last night were always tied or within one goal.
|
|
SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,899
|
Post by SFHoya99 on May 12, 2009 12:13:18 GMT -5
So, if I understand correctly, Baseball = Model UN ?? Yeah, I can live with that. ;D ;D ;D Says the man whose favorite sport gets TV ratings worse than the WNBA.
|
|
Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
|
Post by Boz on May 12, 2009 14:48:58 GMT -5
Oh, blah blah ratings blah blah. Arrested Development got terrible TV ratings too.
Doesn't mean it isn't worlds galaxies better than Two and a Half Men or The World According to Jim.
Screw this.....GO BRUINS!
;D ;D
|
|
hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
|
Post by hifigator on May 12, 2009 15:23:03 GMT -5
For the record, I wasn't saying that hockey games are boring and would actually agree with Boz, that low scoring contests are awesome. Unfortunately my favorite team (NJ Devils), came up a bit short, or we would still be enjoying some 1-0 thrillers. All I was saying was that the Blackhawk-Canucks game had all you could ask for. Even a casual fan would have to admit that game was exciting. But like I said, I personally prefer the 1-0/2-1 affairs as well. It doesn't get much better than a playoff hockey game that goes into overtime scoreless or 1-1.
|
|
jgalt
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 4,380
|
Post by jgalt on May 12, 2009 16:06:23 GMT -5
I remember reading somewhere that study found that NHL fans are the "smartest" based on percent with College degrees. Of course i cant find any evidence of it on the internet now, so youll just have to take me at my word.
Anyway, Go Bruins, and Go Wings
|
|
SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,899
|
Post by SFHoya99 on May 12, 2009 16:48:36 GMT -5
I like hockey. I just like tauting taunting hockey fans.
fixed ;D
|
|
Jack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,411
|
Post by Jack on May 12, 2009 17:09:29 GMT -5
I remember reading somewhere that study found that NHL fans are the "smartest" based on percent with College degrees. Of course i cant find any evidence of it on the internet now, so youll just have to take me at my word. Anyway, Go Bruins, and Go Wings Not to start anything, but couldn't that also be termed "whitest?" I have tried to get into this hockey thing in the playoffs, but it's tough- I would love to be following the Bruins, but I am a Celtics season ticket holder and I am going to watch them first in a head to head matchup, which happens to be happening every single game in this round. I don't know who is to blame, but it sure seems dumb. As for the other series, it's my own fault, but I just don't reflexively check Vs. to see what is going on, so I get home from work at 10 pm, turn on the tv and forget all about the NHL when my team is not involved. I can't be alone in this (and I hate myself for suggesting that ESPN have any more control over sports than they already do, but that seems to be the argument I am making). So DC loves the Caps, Chicago loves the Hawks, the North Shore loves the Bruins, but I really don't think NYC or Philly or LA or San Francisco or Atlanta is paying attention at all, even though the games are great, whereas I bet many more (albeit still not a huge number) casual sports fans are tuning in to the NBA playoffs. But that shouldn't stop the hockey krishnas from loving the action.
|
|
Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
|
Post by Boz on May 12, 2009 22:08:15 GMT -5
Not sayin' nuthin.
Two game sevens, rooting for a third.
That is all. Nope. Nothing else. Not a word.
|
|
The Stig
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,844
|
Post by The Stig on May 13, 2009 0:21:36 GMT -5
I have tried to get into this hockey thing in the playoffs, but it's tough- I would love to be following the Bruins, but I am a Celtics season ticket holder and I am going to watch them first in a head to head matchup, which happens to be happening every single game in this round. I don't know who is to blame, but it sure seems dumb. As for the other series, it's my own fault, but I just don't reflexively check Vs. to see what is going on, so I get home from work at 10 pm, turn on the tv and forget all about the NHL when my team is not involved. I can't be alone in this (and I hate myself for suggesting that ESPN have any more control over sports than they already do, but that seems to be the argument I am making). So DC loves the Caps, Chicago loves the Hawks, the North Shore loves the Bruins, but I really don't think NYC or Philly or LA or San Francisco or Atlanta is paying attention at all, even though the games are great, whereas I bet many more (albeit still not a huge number) casual sports fans are tuning in to the NBA playoffs. But that shouldn't stop the hockey krishnas from loving the action. The switch to OLN/Versus certainly hurt in terms of the casual fan department. A lot of people go home and reflexively turn on ESPN, which is something you don't get with Versus. However, Versus looks like they're working hard to make themselves into that sort of channel. Right now they're sort of like ESPN and ESPN2 were in their early days - doing a lot of offbeat stuff and slowly getting more mainstream. Casual fans aside, the NHL has been doing a good job of building a hardcore fanbase, and those fans are absolutely loving these playoffs. From what I can gather, ratings for these playoffs are higher than they were in the last few years of ESPN's work. The local ratings are through the roof as well. Of course, it helps that there's at least one big and/or hockey-mad media market in every series. But I think the great hockey and the wonderfully dramatic series are helping too. Overall, I think hockey is back on the rise. It's not the mid-1990s glory days, but things are a heck of a lot better than they were right after the lockout.
|
|
DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 32,072
|
Post by DanMcQ on May 13, 2009 5:41:32 GMT -5
As the father of a 9 year old female hockey player, I can say this year's playoffs have been a total blast. She likes a hockey fight as much as the next fan, but asked last night why the guy who blacked Ward's eye was still allowed to play for Carolina. She also thinks Jack should buy Bruins season tickets so that she can use them.
|
|
Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
|
Post by Boz on May 13, 2009 8:21:21 GMT -5
As the father of a 9 year old female hockey player, I can say this year's playoffs have been a total blast. She likes a hockey fight as much as the next fan, but asked last night why the guy who blacked Ward's eye was still allowed to play for Carolina. Smart girl, Dan. I have asked this very same question. Tell her I'm pretty sure it is because Gary Bettman is a big doo-doo head. (OK, maybe doo-doo head is for like a 4-year old, not a 9-year old, but I was just trying to be polite.). I think this is the least Jack could do. Great ending to the Wings-Ducks game. Not the fight so much, but that did set up for quite a great game seven. Unfortunately, as the #1 seed who is also apparently a red-headed stepchild, Boston is getting trumped in favor of Detroit by Versus on Thursday. I guess I can't blame them. Boston is just not a sexy team. But that's OK with me; means I get to hear Jack Edwards call the game. (thank God for Center Ice). Looking forward to a good one tonight. Are there EMTs standing by at jgalt's place?
|
|
tlphoya
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Posts: 431
|
Post by tlphoya on May 13, 2009 10:09:17 GMT -5
Dan I love to hear that your daughter is a hockey player. I wish I had played when I was younger. Now it's painful to know how terrible of an ice skater I am. Maybe in my next life.
Somehow I have managed to get a ticket to the game tonight in DC. I'm equally as nervous as I am for a big Georgetown game. I can't wait to see how crazy the booth is tonight! GO CAPS!!!!!!
|
|