NewUserName

I agree with Paterno. As long as this current system is in place, the Big Ten either needs to just say that we are an academic conference and get out of the BCS or they need to start to play the game at the same level as some of the other BCS conferences. This includes scheduling, adding teams that may not fit the current Big Ten academic criteria, and lowering the current academic standards to that of some of the other major conferences. Truth be told the only thing that will change the Big Ten is when it becomes a financial issue. If they keep managing to get 2 teams in the BCS every year there probably isnt much reason to change. I think the ultimate solution is if the NCAA is going to endorse a National Championship system that isnt done in tournament format, they need to start controlling scheduling more so everyone is on an equal footing.

I knew they couldnt keep it up, Anaheim is being Anaheim. Just a matter of time before the penalties start.

Hometown scorekeeper?

Wings look out of gas... Hossa/Datsyuk have been pretty good. yeah I think they are fortunate to only be down by 1

Who would have thought that Anaheim could go almost 2 periods with only one penalty. That one probably shouldnt have been called.

I'm still excited about this too. Can't wait for Tuesday night, especially with the small chance that I will be there in person. Haven't been to a Hawks home game since December 2001. It was a game against Detroit. And we lost 5-0. I know we have a better chance of beating Anaheim than Detroit if we get to the conference finals, but I still want Detroit. I think our skill guys can poke a lot of holes in Osgood. But first things first. I think the Hawks take Game 3. They'll get amazing energy from the home crowd. Then hold onto Game 4 and you're set. I think I was at that game in Dec of 2001. Was it like 2 days before Christmas or New Years. Federov was a one man show?

Pretty much. I think it was used in Europe against the Russians back in the 70s. The Red Wings made it famous in North America in the 90s. I guess it is pretty popular in youth hockey now. When I was younger and played I had never heard of it, of course that was in the 80s. You guys don't know as much as jaydee, so chill out. my bad

I was looking at someones scorecard online and he had the first round 10-7. You dont see that very often, was there 2 knockdowns?

Pretty much. I think it was used in Europe against the Russians back in the 70s. The Red Wings made it famous in North America in the 90s. I guess it is pretty popular in youth hockey now. When I was younger and played I had never heard of it, of course that was in the 80s.

I know, I also know that you are very passionate during games and sometimes write things that a fan of the other team may take offense to. Hope to see you in the WCF

Are you even watching the game? The blackhawks were outplaying them by quite a bit before the powerplays. This thread has become unreadable with your terrible posts and cynosure. The Blackhawks are going to appear to be outplaying Vancouver a lot, because Vancouver is content to play extremely sound defense, let Luongo make the saves and wait for the Hawks to have defensive breakdowns and penalties, which they will. Hockey is subtle and hard to understand to the unknowledgable fan. Awesome, a bunch of vague meaningless analysis from you as usual. You forgot to use the word textbook and the term fresh legs. Enjoy living in North Dokta =D> Let's be honest, you probably never played competitive hockey and wouldn't know how to play a left wing lock (if you can skate that is). Enjoy posting in this thread all night, I'm out. Peace. Wow, the old "you never played X sport so you can't comment" crap. Fail. Well the left wing lock is pretty complicated. Precursor to the dreaded trap.

Can you even imagine a semi with Detoilet? Oh good lord...... If it happens it is quite possible that me and you get banned :)

Yeah not sure why you get the impression that they are not a physical team. Anaheim is also the team that probably gets them fired up more than anyone currently. I also think the Wings will play whatever brand of hockey you want Lidstrom is a Wing for life...he is 39 though so his career is probably ending in a couple of years. He is the highest paid Wing, so when he does retire it creates a large cap clear. I can write a long post about this, but I think this is part of the Holland/Bowman/Babcock genius. They identify veterans who not only are good contributors but also are good examples for younger players. You can see how guys like Datsyuk, Zetterburg, Franzen, Kronwall, Fillpula, Cleary, Lebda, Hudler, and Helms have been greatly influenced by Lidstrom, Yzerman, Larionov, Maltby, Draper and Chelios. They work hard on and off the ice. They have a team first mentality were winning is more important than individual accolades. They play intelligent hockey. They also understand that players like Shanahan are valuable to winning, they may not be that valuable as teachers to younger players. So they dont invest large money in players like that once they get a little older. I think that is something that Bowman may have brought to the Hawks. It takes time but understanding the value of a player like Puahlson. I think it is obvious the impact he has had on some of the younger Hawks. They may be a couple of years away still, but the Hawks are starting to really get it.

I think the 5 minute major was his "punishment". Like I said last night, dangerous hit and he went high... but I don't think there was intent to injure which is why he got interference instead of charging. If it would have been a charging penalty I bet he would have gotten a one game suspension. yeah, and the refs got it right at the game. If they would have not given a game misconduct he may have gotten a suspension. But still there does not seem to be a consistent application by the NHL. I dont think Lucic intentionally tried to cross check(I forgot who he did it too) in the face. Where Camerillyoyllyy obviously hit Havlat in the head intentionally with intent to injure and didnt get suspended. Or even Burish's cross check was certainly blatant and border line intent to injure. Roy gets suspended for talking before a game, i know it was more than that but. Brashear gets 6 games. Just does not seem to be consistent. I think if the NHL had a consistent standard that was applied evenly they would clean up a lot of that stuff. I agree that Brown probably didnt intend for it to be that bad, but he obviously knew the puck was gone and still was more concerned about laying a big hit instead of playing.

Brown not suspended. I am okay with this, it was handled well by the refs last night. I dont think Brown did it intentionally. However, again I am not sure that the NHL has a consistent standard. Which leaves plenty of room for retaliation.

I thought the no call on the trip was really bad, obviously a team down by 1 with 8 mins left getting away with a little extra type of call. I thought NHL was trying to quit doing that.

I have only watched a couple of games this year on NBC but Olcyzk and McQuire are really good together. edit: I really like instead of kissing Fleishman and Semins butts on that goal they explain how Orpak messed up. Also how they show that Federovs penalty was a result of bad neutral zone play. Really good commentary

its a great save and all, but it is pure luck. Its not like he ever even seen the puck, he was just flopping over and luckily got his stick where Crosby put the puck. Been a fun game to watch. The couple of times Crosby and Ovechkin have both been on the ice have been very entertaining.

Hahahhahahaah! It was incredible how the Wings out-bored the Ducks in game 1. WHAT AN AWFUL SERIES!!! hahahhaah! this tends to happen when there are 8 defencemen between the 2 teams as good as Keith/Seabrook. :) Reading some objective reaction to Browns hit on Hudler last night. Most seem to agree it was not nearly as bad as Brashear's hit. I agree with that, I think Brown was trying to do a legitimate hit that ended up being a tad late. He did elbow Hudler in the head though(which contridicts the Anaheim take). Since it happened in the middle of the first last night and the penalty and game misconduct really hampered Anaheim, I think the NHL may give 1 more game. However, since the NHL does not seem to have a consistent standard and can easily be swayed by national media coverage, I can see the suspension being more.

if the Ducks play the Blackhawks in the finals, cyno is going to have a seizure.

ok here goes I already went with the Hawks in 6...cant change it, I am wavering though Bruin over Canes in 6 going to be a great series. I like the canes coming into the playoffs and wouldnt be surprised if they do a surprising run to the Cup. I actually think this is the Eastern conference final, winner will go to the Cup finals Pens over Caps in 5...get the feeling this series is going to be a dud, luckily the other 3 are going to be great. Caps were thoroughly unimpressive against the Rangers, Pens will spank them pretty badly if they play at the same level HOMER PICK Wings in 4 Realistic homer pick Wings in 6 emotionally charged pessimistic pick Ducks in 6 Best I can do to be an objective observer...Wings in 6...Going to be a tough series for both teams. Winner of this may have a hard time in the next round because this series is going to be grueling.

Was it Barkers fault or should have a forward cycled back when a d man pinched in? Still have only seen one replay of that and it wasnt clear. edit: Walker also went to deep in protecting against the pass. You have to assume that the goalie is going to take the shot and any pass that he can reach, Walker went almost to the goal line. If he holds in front he may pick up that rebound.

Luckily its the effects of the hits that really matter instead of the counting of them

5 on 5 its been even or slanted towards the Hawks. But, Hawks are getting no pressure on Luongo. Everything is easy for him.

Hawks in 6, just wanted to get my prediction in before the series started