The 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs thread

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Something I just thought of... I find it funny that a future HOFer such as Dave Andreychuk spent as many seasons toiling away trying to get a cup as Ray Bourque, but he didn't get nearly the pub throughout this postseason that Bourque got, and I sincerely doubt he's going to get a big ol' SI cover like Bourque did

 

Why is that

Probably because Borque was a superstar in the league for a long time, while Andreychuk wasn't.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Bourque also spent 20 years with one team, and only left for the pursuit of a Cup. Plus, it was pretty well known that it'd be his last season, so if he didn't win it would mean that he retired without one.

 

Andreychuk has been on, what, 5 or 6 teams now, and also never collected the hardware that Bourque did.

 

So, I actually think it makes sense to have RB's Cup run get so much more attention.

[starvenger 0]

Something I just thought of... I find it funny that a future HOFer such as Dave Andreychuk spent as many seasons toiling away trying to get a cup as Ray Bourque, but he didn't get nearly the pub throughout this postseason that Bourque got, and I sincerely doubt he's going to get a big ol' SI cover like Bourque did

 

Why is that

Probably because Borque was a superstar in the league for a long time, while Andreychuk wasn't.

That's pretty much it. Andreychuk is a grinder in the same vein as Dino Ciccarelli, the guy who got a lot of goals standing in front of the net taking punishment from defencemen and goalies. Like a lineman in football, these guys do a lot of dirty work, but are often overlooked when you're talking "superstar" because they kinda fade into the background.

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

Don't worry, I think Tampa did a good job diving in this game (especially Stillman in the first period)

And if anyone knows how to recognize diving players, it's a Habs fan. Maybe Ribeiro and Kovalev gave the Lightning some pointers during their series a few weeks ago.

 

As an American fan, of a team that's been around longer than most current Canadian teams, I think it's a fucking insult that people up North are making this a "Canada vs. the US" thing. Do you think Boston fans love the idea of a team from Florida winning the Cup? I was pretty much apathetic about who won (just wanted good hockey) but now that I see that it's an us-vs.them thing, I'm stoked that the American team won.

6 Canadian teams to...how many American teams?

 

It's about pride.

[Lightning Flik 0]

It's about pride.

You also forgot to mention that it's been a long time since any Canadian team even made it this far, CWM. And we had to watch our teams lose out badly that isn't named Toronto (although, even Toronto fans are probably feeling the pains from getting knocked out after a series or two).

Edited June 8, 2004 by Lightning Flik

[JustJoe2k5 0]

On ESPNews Brad Richards was getting his picture taken with Hulk Hogan and one of the Nasty Boys, very strange sight indeed. I really wanted Calgary to win the Stanley Cup, but I really didn't have anything against Tampa Bay winning it so I'm still happy. Dave Andreychuk looked like a little kid running around with the Cup, so I was definitely happy he finally got it. I still think Khabibulin should've won the Conn Smythe, Calgary would've scored about two or three times in the ending flurry on a lesser goaltender.

[nl5xsk1 0]

As an American fan, of a team that's been around longer than most current Canadian teams, I think it's a fucking insult that people up North are making this a "Canada vs. the US" thing.  Do you think Boston fans love the idea of a team from Florida winning the Cup?  I was pretty much apathetic about who won (just wanted good hockey) but now that I see that it's an us-vs.them thing, I'm stoked that the American team won.

6 Canadian teams to...how many American teams?

 

It's about pride.

But we Americans don't necessarily love the idea of their being teams in Florida, Carolina, Arizona, Texas or California, either ... trust me, I'd rather have an old-time team win than an expansion team, regardless of where they're from.

 

I just find it kind of offensive that all US teams have been lumped together, it's as if the Bruins or Red Wings or Blackhawks are every bit as bad for hockey as a team like the Lightning.

 

You can have your pride, but to make it a "US vs. Canada" thing rather than just a "that city shouldn't have a team at all and is part of the expansion that's killing the sport that I love" thing is fucked up.

[Highland 0]

As an American fan, of a team that's been around longer than most current Canadian teams, I think it's a fucking insult that people up North are making this a "Canada vs. the US" thing.  Do you think Boston fans love the idea of a team from Florida winning the Cup?  I was pretty much apathetic about who won (just wanted good hockey) but now that I see that it's an us-vs.them thing, I'm stoked that the American team won.

6 Canadian teams to...how many American teams?

 

It's about pride.

But we Americans don't necessarily love the idea of their being teams in Florida, Carolina, Arizona, Texas or California, either ... trust me, I'd rather have an old-time team win than an expansion team, regardless of where they're from.

 

I just find it kind of offensive that all US teams have been lumped together, it's as if the Bruins or Red Wings or Blackhawks are every bit as bad for hockey as a team like the Lightning.

 

You can have your pride, but to make it a "US vs. Canada" thing rather than just a "that city shouldn't have a team at all and is part of the expansion that's killing the sport that I love" thing is fucked up.

Don't worry about it, all the Flames "fans" will hop off the bandwagon, if they haven't already.

I really hated the us versus them hype all through the playoffs. You'd swear we only had one team here and that we were all fans of that team. Bleh.

I don't mind Tampa Bay winning, they had a good regular season and didn't play the trap, but I'm rather ambivalent, and I would feel the same had Calgary won. As far as I'm concerned, the team I wanted to win lost in the first round (after some atrocious calls be the refs).

[Highland 0]

I used to live in Calgary, and naturally I cheered for the Flames, but in 1988 they failed me too many tiimes, so I switched allegiance. Like any self-respecting Flames fan I could never cheer for the Oilers, so I picked the Bruins and even though Calgary won the Cup a few years later, I didn't jump back with the Flames then and I wasn't about to now.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

As an American fan, of a team that's been around longer than most current Canadian teams, I think it's a fucking insult that people up North are making this a "Canada vs. the US" thing.  Do you think Boston fans love the idea of a team from Florida winning the Cup?  I was pretty much apathetic about who won (just wanted good hockey) but now that I see that it's an us-vs.them thing, I'm stoked that the American team won.

6 Canadian teams to...how many American teams?

 

It's about pride.

But we Americans don't necessarily love the idea of their being teams in Florida, Carolina, Arizona, Texas or California, either ... trust me, I'd rather have an old-time team win than an expansion team, regardless of where they're from.

 

I just find it kind of offensive that all US teams have been lumped together, it's as if the Bruins or Red Wings or Blackhawks are every bit as bad for hockey as a team like the Lightning.

 

You can have your pride, but to make it a "US vs. Canada" thing rather than just a "that city shouldn't have a team at all and is part of the expansion that's killing the sport that I love" thing is fucked up.

Hey, we love our California teams!

 

AVG Attendance Kings for 03-04: 17,877

 

AVG Attendance Ducks for 03-04: 14,987

 

AVG Attendance Sharks for 03-04: 15,835

 

 

Attendances for NHL

[tbondrage99 0]

As an American fan, of a team that's been around longer than most current Canadian teams, I think it's a fucking insult that people up North are making this a "Canada vs. the US" thing.  Do you think Boston fans love the idea of a team from Florida winning the Cup?  I was pretty much apathetic about who won (just wanted good hockey) but now that I see that it's an us-vs.them thing, I'm stoked that the American team won.

6 Canadian teams to...how many American teams?

 

It's about pride.

But we Americans don't necessarily love the idea of their being teams in Florida, Carolina, Arizona, Texas or California, either ... trust me, I'd rather have an old-time team win than an expansion team, regardless of where they're from.

 

I just find it kind of offensive that all US teams have been lumped together, it's as if the Bruins or Red Wings or Blackhawks are every bit as bad for hockey as a team like the Lightning.

 

You can have your pride, but to make it a "US vs. Canada" thing rather than just a "that city shouldn't have a team at all and is part of the expansion that's killing the sport that I love" thing is fucked up.

Im Canadaian and never thought of it as a us vs. them thing at all. Sure I have teams that I would perfer to win, but I have nothing against the lightning, I was happy for the chucker to finally get the cup, hes no Rey Borque mind you but that dosent mean he deserves it any less. I think the main thing is Canadian sports shows hyping up the fact that a Canadian team had made it to the finals for the first time since the Canucks did back when the Rangers won it. In fact Sports Center on TSN called it "Calgarys Cup Drive" just as much as they called it the Stanley Cup finals. Its not like the The Lightning won last night I jumped up and said you fucking american expansion team that shouldnt even exist! You dont deserve to win!" Instead I said "I knew The Flames would loose after game six, oh well good for the Lightning"

[iggymcfly 0]

I'm from the US, and I was cheering for the Flames, partially because I thought it would be good to see a Canadian team win it with all the difficulties they have trying to keep up with salaries when they're paying in Canadian dollars. I hate seeing all the classic markets, (Winnipeg, Quebec, Hartford) become places like Phoenix, Colorado, and Carolina, (even though the Colorado one actually worked).

 

Of course, even given that I would never have cheered for the Maple Leafs or Canadiens who I still hate with a passion. Also, Calgary's still the closest NHL city to where I live, (Missoula, MT), and the Saddledome's the only NHL arena I've ever been to.

 

Anyway, the point I was trying to make is that there is a vaild reason to cheer for a Canadian team making it, and it's not just us vs. them blind patriotism. Cheering for a Canadian team getting to the Finals is like cheering for a small market team to beat the Yankees in baseball. If your team is Canadian (my two favorites happen to be Ottawa and Vancouver), then you can sympathize with the difficulties they face, including getting on television in the United States. (ESPN only showed two or three games of the Sens/Leafs series.)

[Tawren 0]

Don't worry about it, all the Flames "fans" will hop off the bandwagon, if they haven't already.

Judging from what I've seen today, most have.

[tbondrage99 0]

Don't worry about it, all the Flames "fans" will hop off the bandwagon, if they haven't already.

Judging from what I've seen today, most have.

So true.

 

Well if any Canadian team made teh finals it would be the same for them all over Canada.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

Don't worry about it, all the Flames "fans" will hop off the bandwagon, if they haven't already.

Judging from what I've seen today, most have.

So true.

 

Well if any Canadian team made teh finals it would be the same for them all over Canada.

Not for Toronto.

[tbondrage99 0]

Don't worry about it, all the Flames "fans" will hop off the bandwagon, if they haven't already.

Judging from what I've seen today, most have.

So true.

 

Well if any Canadian team made teh finals it would be the same for them all over Canada.

Not for Toronto.

As a loyal Maple Leafs fan I can say that Ottatwa & Montreal dont count as part of Canada if the Leafs made the finals.

[Angle-plex 0]

Well if anything, at least this series proved that Americans are the best at hockey in the world.

[alfdogg 0]

You tell 'em, Agnes.

 

You didn't make no bet with me, sucka.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Well if anything, at least this series proved that Americans are the best at hockey in the world.

No it didn't, Agnes.

 

15 of 25 of your players come from Canada. If anything this proves that the Americans couldn't have won the Cup without more than half their team originating from Canada.

[starvenger 0]

Well if anything, at least this series proved that Americans are the best at hockey in the world.

No it didn't, Agnes.

 

15 of 25 of your players come from Canada. If anything this proves that the Americans couldn't have won the Cup without more than half their team originating from Canada.

Or it's like saying that Canadians were better at baseball when the Blue Jays won the World Series...

[Dogbert 0]

Good job, Tampa.

 

Maybe next year, if they decide to count our goals, we will get over the hump.

[Slayer 0]

I think Jim Rome said it best

 

"When you think of 'America's Team', what do you think of:

 

The Dallas Cowboys

 

The New York Yankees

 

...and the Tampa Bay Lightning </sarcasm>"

[Guest Rrrsh]

As an American fan, of a team that's been around longer than most current Canadian teams, I think it's a fucking insult that people up North are making this a "Canada vs. the US" thing.  Do you think Boston fans love the idea of a team from Florida winning the Cup?  I was pretty much apathetic about who won (just wanted good hockey) but now that I see that it's an us-vs.them thing, I'm stoked that the American team won.

6 Canadian teams to...how many American teams?

 

It's about pride.

But we Americans don't necessarily love the idea of their being teams in Florida, Carolina, Arizona, Texas or California, either ... trust me, I'd rather have an old-time team win than an expansion team, regardless of where they're from.

 

I just find it kind of offensive that all US teams have been lumped together, it's as if the Bruins or Red Wings or Blackhawks are every bit as bad for hockey as a team like the Lightning.

 

You can have your pride, but to make it a "US vs. Canada" thing rather than just a "that city shouldn't have a team at all and is part of the expansion that's killing the sport that I love" thing is fucked up.

There should be about 3 American team moved to Canada (maybe 4) and 5 should be contracted. Then the NHL will be its best. 20 teams.

[Guest Rrrsh]

I think Jim Rome said it best

 

"When you think of 'America's Team', what do you think of:

 

The Dallas Cowboys

 

The New York Yankees

 

...and the Tampa Bay Lightning </sarcasm>"

Jim Rome is a knob. Anyone who foloows sports knows The Red Wings and Avs are the top American Players. They are the equivelant to The Lakers and Kings.

[Guest Rrrsh]

Good job, Tampa.

 

Maybe next year, if they decide to count our goals, we will get over the hump.

Next time dont kick it in...

[Slayer 0]

Jim Rome is a knob.

It's been well documented on this board that I'm not a big fan of Rome, though I still listen to his show because of 1) the guests and 2) the callers, but I had a good laugh at that statement

[Guest Rrrsh]

Jim Rome is a knob.

It's been well documented on this board that I'm not a big fan of Rome, though I still listen to his show because of 1) the guests and 2) the callers, but I had a good laugh at that statement

Well, I work for a radio station that carries him. And he is entertaning, and his callers kick ass, but he is a knob.

[nl5xsk1 0]

I think Jim Rome said it best

 

"When you think of 'America's Team', what do you think of:

 

The Dallas Cowboys

 

The New York Yankees

 

...and the Tampa Bay Lightning </sarcasm>"

I'm wondering which person on his staff told the cocksucker which team won the cup ... because you know that he only talks about hockey during things like Bertuzzi-Gate.

 

And, if he's going to nominate the Lightning because they won the Cup, shouldn't he have used the Patriots and Marlins instead of the Cowboys and Yankees? Or would consistency be too much to ask of him?

[Slayer 0]

I think Jim Rome said it best

 

"When you think of 'America's Team', what do you think of:

 

The Dallas Cowboys

 

The New York Yankees

 

...and the Tampa Bay Lightning </sarcasm>"

I'm wondering which person on his staff told the cocksucker which team won the cup ... because you know that he only talks about hockey during things like Bertuzzi-Gate.

 

And, if he's going to nominate the Lightning because they won the Cup, shouldn't he have used the Patriots and Marlins instead of the Cowboys and Yankees? Or would consistency be too much to ask of him?

I've been listening to him since '98, and I remember he used to be real big on hockey, but for the last couple of years it has dropped off his radar for some reason. Seems like its been supplanted by NASCAR, which used to be the one of the top objects of derision on the show.

 

As for the America's team list, any knowledgable sports fan should remember the Cowboys of old having the nickname of "America's Team", and I can see where the Yankees would be considered "America's Team"... I see a lot of the foreign students around here sporting NY caps just because they consider it a big American symbol... I doubt they even know who Derek Jeter is

[nl5xsk1 0]

As for the America's team list, any knowledgable sports fan should remember the Cowboys of old having the nickname of "America's Team", and I can see where the Yankees would be considered "America's Team"... I see a lot of the foreign students around here sporting NY caps just because they consider it a big American symbol... I doubt they even know who Derek Jeter is

No, I fully understand why he'd say that the Cowboys or Yankees were "America's Team" ... what I don't understand is why he'd throw in an uneccessary pot-shot on the Lightning for winning. Did he make jokes about the Devils last year? Or the Avs/Wings/Stars/etc. before that?

 

It's an un-needed pot-shot at a sport that he barely covers anymore. Fuck him and the horse he rode in on.