The 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs thread

[LaParkaMarka 0]

I actually agree with nl. Go figure.

[nl5xsk1 0]

nl5: thinks about leaving the country to avoid his punishment, but realizes that the folks North of the border will just send him right back.

 

Can't I plea bargain down to a lesser sentence? I did preface my statement with the acknowledgement that I was committing a cardinal sin. And ended it by leaving the wonderful world of the internet to go and scrub the Fraser-defending filth off of me.

 

Maybe make me a Blackhawks fan for a season or 2? The Blue Jackets? The Devils? Anyone but the Rangers. Hell, I'd rather have to wear an Ulfie sweater to a game in Boston. Or a Claude Lemieux sweater to a game at the Joe. Just don't make me be a Rangers fan. (Even Chris' cattle prod punishment would be easier to stomach than rooting for the Blueshirts).

[Red Baron 0]

heh, I've worn a Robinson jersey to the Fleet Centre. The young guys didn't get it, but some of the older people, weren't pleased...we'll say that.

[the max 0]

Wear a Gary Bettman teeshirt with the words "BETTMAN IS GOD" on it.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Larry Robinson didn't end the career of Cam Neely. Ulfie did. Thus, the reason why I chose his sweater as the one most dangerous to wear. Most visitors get treated Ok in Boston now, the Fleet's too serene, it's difficult for us to get too angry. Wearing an old-school Habs sweater in the Garden, though, would have been treacherous.

 

And, c'mon Max ... I defended Fraser, not Hitler. I'd die before I'd wear a shirt praising Bettman.

[smh810 0]

I have avoided this thread and most NHL articles throughout the finals but I must get this off my chest now. My hatred for the Calgary Flames is twice as intense as it ever was for any Philly sports team. Make no mistake the Flames are not playing hockey, they are street fighting cause thats the only way they can win this series. If I could I would literally beat the shit out of Ville Nieminen and Robyn Regehr right now. To Dogbert, instead of blaming the refs for costing you the game (while completely ignoring the fact that there were 57 minutes left) blame Commodore and Clark for being morons or are you too infatuated with the Commy's hair to do so. At any rate I actually wish that Ville is in the lineup for Game 5 so Andre Roy or Chris Dingman can throw HIS head into the boards and never mind Nieminen I would prefer a cheap shot on Iginla since they want to take our star players. At any rate I still believe talent will win out over thuggery and the Bolts will take it in 6.

[the max 0]

And, c'mon Max ... I defended Fraser, not Hitler. I'd die before I'd wear a shirt praising Bettman.

That's true.

 

Maybe a Bob Goodenow shirt...

[nl5xsk1 0]

Max: Bob Goodenow > Gary Bettman

 

smh: There's no way you can really think that the way that Calgary plays is more of a farce than the way that Philly played, is there? Calgary plays old-school hockey; Philly sends Brashear out there to push into every guy EXCEPT the other team's fighter. Philly is cheaper and dirtier than the Flames.

[CanadianChris 0]

Max:  Bob Goodenow > Gary Bettman

Eh...not really a fair comparison, since Bettman has a whole league full of blunders we can crucify him for, whereas we only see Goodenow around CBA time. As far as rhetoric for this particular CBA goes, I'd say Goodenow = Bettman.

[smh810 0]

smh: There's no way you can really think that the way that Calgary plays is more of a farce than the way that Philly played, is there? Calgary plays old-school hockey; Philly sends Brashear out there to push into every guy EXCEPT the other team's fighter. Philly is cheaper and dirtier than the Flames.

 

I don't know if you noticed this or not but thats exactly the way Calgary is using Oliwa to a T. He was out there in the final few minutes of game 4 never mind the fact that they were behind. I'm all for physical play but the way Regehr measured Fedotenko. (he may not have been aiming for the dasher but there was no doubt intent to injure) and the cheap shot that Nieminen put on Lecavailer is unacceptable. Don't get me wrong Philly is a dirty as hell team but I'm sorry Calgary is even nastier. Calgary has Simon, Oliwa, Nieminen, Clark, Commodore Regehr (and I'm sure I'm missing some) all of whom are playing dirty and street fighting. The refs need to either call a tighter game or the Lightning have to fight back with the same (which they started to in Game 4).

[nl5xsk1 0]

Yes, I noticed that the likes of Oliwa and Simon got plenty of ice time when the game was out of reach, but they also got their share of ice time early in the game, too. (one thing that I like about both coaches is their willingness to use all 4 lines ... I wish Boston would have done more of that.)

 

People have to get off this "intent to injure" bullshit - the hit on Fedotenko was just a normal hit that ended up smacking his face off the dasher. The same thing happened to Salvador of the Blues 2 or 3 post-seasons ago, and I thought that it was a fluke then, too. The hit on Vinny was obviously much worse, and a penalty was rightfully called ... but to say that Niemenen hit him with the sole purpose of hurting him is a farce.

 

Calgary plays the Sutter-style: hit everything that moves. And then hit 'em again.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Oh, I like Thorne too, and hope that he stays.

Thorne is great, he makes the games feel important (even when he did NY Mets games)

[the max 0]

Niemenen gets a game suspension for thursday's game.

 

Saw it, and still think that Stillman's waylaying Marcus Nilson into the glass earlier in the series is much worse.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Firstly to nl, I think we can let you off on a lighter sentence as long as you agree never to defend Fraser again. I can understand defending say some novice or something, but Fraser?! Ugh... That's just dirty. You'll have to make sure everyone can agree with it. ...I like that Bettman idea with the t-shirt. That's our capital punishment from now on.

 

smh, you don't like how Calgary plays hockey? God, no wonder hockey is a shell of its self. They play old-school hockey where we actually fucking see hits and checks and finesse (with shoting and scoring). How the hell can you even say "oh, they are worse than Philly"? All they do is hit you repeatably till you wear down. Besides, I like Sutters style of getting his team to play. It is much more refreshing to see than New Jersey or Philly.

[smh810 0]

People have to get off this "intent to injure" bullshit - the hit on Fedotenko was just a normal hit that ended up smacking his face off the dasher. The same thing happened to Salvador of the Blues 2 or 3 post-seasons ago, and I thought that it was a fluke then, too. The hit on Vinny was obviously much worse, and a penalty was rightfully called ... but to say that Niemenen hit him with the sole purpose of hurting him is a farce.

 

This is what seperated the Fedotenko hit from Salvador, Regehr was holding Fedotenkos arm behind his back as he checked him into the boards granted he probably wasn't aiming for the dasher but it was still a dirty play.

 

 

smh, you don't like how Calgary plays hockey? God, no wonder hockey is a shell of its self. They play old-school hockey where we actually fucking see hits and checks and finesse (with shoting and scoring). How the hell can you even say "oh, they are worse than Philly"? All they do is hit you repeatably till you wear down. Besides, I like Sutters style of getting his team to play. It is much more refreshing to see than New Jersey or Philly.

 

I have no problem with physical play. The Lightning have more than held their own against that style in the playoffs (see Philly, NY Islanders) and have dished out their share as well but I'm sorry I don't call crosschecks from behind (Chris Simon on Stillman in Game 2) and driving heads into the glass hockey, its thuggish streetfighting. The Bolts aren't backing down though, in fact the Lightning hung in there really well in Game 4. How can I say they're worse than Philly, simple. Philly would get their sticks up and take a cheap shot every once in a while every team does that and the Bolts are no exception. (i.e. Stillman's hit on Nilson in Game 1 is a dirty play) Where Calgary crosses the line is when they are cross checking, slewfooting and driving heads into the glass the whole game. I'm not saying all 20 guys on Calgary's bench plays that way in fact I know all of them don't but more guys play like that on the Flames than in Philly and when Vancouver, Detroit and San Jose complain to the league about the way Calgary plays, don't you think something is fishy?

[nl5xsk1 0]

First of all, I'd like to thank those that were willing to allow me to plea-bargain my sentence down. I've been in the hockey threads with most of you all season, so it should be known that I'm an actual fan of the sport, and anyone that's a fan of the sport knows how vile Fraser is. It was very difficult to 'defend' him that way, but I said what I thought needed to be said.

 

smh, what do you think Regehr was thinking: "maybe I could slam his face into the glass like it was a turnbuckle in pro wrestling"?!? It wasn't a dirty hit, it was a fluke thing that happened to take out a player that was on a very strong hot streak. Intent to hit? Yes. Intent to injure? No. Like Max said, the hit by Stillman was worse than I've seen anything done by Calgary (including the hit on Vinny).

 

when Vancouver, Detroit and San Jose complain to the league about the way Calgary plays, don't you think something is fishy?

Yeah, I think it's sour grapes. They lost, so they're bitching about it. How would these same players/front office guys have dealt with things in the 70s and early 80s when that style of physical play was the norm?

[Lightning Flik 0]

Oh, and nl, I know how you had to defend the ref for that call, but it was fucking Frasier is the problem.

 

smh, Everyone of those bastards (Canucks, Red Wings, and Sharks, do not bring the cities or fans into this, it is the teams) are moaning because they figured "oh with enough powerplays from those hard ass checks, we could've beat Kipper". That's their freaking excuse. They whine about the way Calgary plays, yet they really should be going after the way the refs wouldn't call stuff like that (even though Calgary's style is legal under the definitions of hockey's rulebook and is the old school of play). If you bitch about a teams play, yet it is legal, then that's just meaning you aren't man enough to say "ok, we lost this year but we'll get you back next year."

 

I mean, honestly now. Three teams are bitching about ONE teams style, that actually takes it to them. Excuse me, but when the fuck did hockey players become such pussies?

[Red Baron 0]

And to say Tampa has never done this, and blame Calgary for every for every little thing, its ludacris.

 

Calgary is a hard-nose team, just like Tampa Bay. Tampa can play the exact same style that Calgary is playing, but are not a physical team. They were never a physical team this whole playoffs, and I really think Phili went soft on them in that series.

 

Calgary bought into Sutter hard work system, just like Tampa bought into Torterella hard nose system.

 

As a ref, Calgary deserved one of the two penalties in the opening period. But Calagary fans, you are contradicting yourself on methods of bitching and excuses. THEY LOST SIMPLE AS THAT, MOVE ON TO THE NEXT GAME.

 

The only inexcuseable mistake Kerry made, was the High stick from Greztky. (Which Montreal would have won if the Leafs went to the cup. Toronto > Montreal. Roy > Toronto)

[smh810 0]

smh, what do you think Regehr was thinking: "maybe I could slam his face into the glass like it was a turnbuckle in pro wrestling"?!? It wasn't a dirty hit, it was a fluke thing that happened to take out a player that was on a very strong hot streak. Intent to hit? Yes. Intent to injure? No. Like Max said, the hit by Stillman was worse than I've seen anything done by Calgary (including the hit on Vinny).

 

When you hold somebody's arm back while driving him into the boards thats intent to injure not premeditated intent to injure but intent none the less Regehr had full leverage on him and Fedotenko was in a vulnerable position.

 

 

smh, Everyone of those bastards (Canucks, Red Wings, and Sharks, do not bring the cities or fans into this, it is the teams) are moaning because they figured "oh with enough powerplays from those hard ass checks, we could've beat Kipper". That's their freaking excuse. They whine about the way Calgary plays, yet they really should be going after the way the refs wouldn't call stuff like that (even though Calgary's style is legal under the definitions of hockey's rulebook and is the old school of play). If you bitch about a teams play, yet it is legal, then that's just meaning you aren't man enough to say "ok, we lost this year but we'll get you back next year."

 

On the surface I agree with you but the problem is Calgary is bending and breaking every rule in the book, they're taking cheap shot after cheap shot and I'm tired of it. Notice I didn't even mention the bear hugging of St. Louis every time he crosses the blue line but I wont bitch cause very team has done it.

 

And to say Tampa has never done this, and blame Calgary for every for every little thing, its ludacris.

 

Calgary is a hard-nose team, just like Tampa Bay. Tampa can play the exact same style that Calgary is playing, but are not a physical team. They were never a physical team this whole playoffs, and I really think Phili went soft on them in that series.

 

I never said the Bolts were innocent they aren't and they shouldn't be if the refs aren't gonna call it tighter get down in the gutter with them. Philly went soft on us??? Give me a fucking break! Tell that to Keith Primeau who was incredible, or Jeremy Roenick whose brain was swiss cheese for half the series or most of the Philly players who absolutely busted their ass in the series. I may hate them to death but they fought like hell and were very physical. (and clean too for the most part, what a concept) Every team we have faced in the playoffs has tried to intimidate us physically the Isles, the Habs (although thats like trying to turn Boy George straight) The Flyers and now the Flames and we have answered the bell with every single team by fighting back, playing physical and eventually winning the series. Game 4 was a sign that they will fight with the Flames too. However, I'm just voicing my displeasure about what I see as consistent dirty play by Calgary.

[Dogbert 0]

smh: You're a whining loser who's making up for his team's poor play by saying that Calgary's hard-hitting style is "dirty". Considering what I've seen from Tampa fans so far, you fit right in.

 

As for the Nieminen suspension, it's horseshit. That was 2 minutes for boarding, NOT 5 and a game. Lecavalier faked an injury until he got what he wanted, and then skated off unaided. Of course, Nemo's actions are totally awful, whereas the Stillman/Roy elbows on Nilson and Nemo are totally fine. It's fine when Tampa does it, right, NHL? Right, because you want the Americans to win again. It's all about star power and money, which is why the Flames have been royally fucked over by the refs and the league for the entire playoff run.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Wear a Gary Bettman teeshirt with the words "BETTMAN IS GOD" on it.

in Hartford.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Wear a Gary Bettman teeshirt with the words "BETTMAN IS GOD" on it.

in Hartford.

Or Quebec City. Heh... You'd die from that one, me thinks.

 

As for what Dogbert says, I'll just say he said everything I was going to say for me. Thanks dude. Except the refs stealing one from the Flames. Bullshit calls on both sides, but they haven't just yet stolen one in the Finals.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Wear a Gary Bettman teeshirt with the words "BETTMAN IS GOD" on it.

in Hartford.

Or Quebec City. Heh... You'd die from that one, me thinks.

Winnipeg you'd be drawn and quartered. Apparently they fought like hell while Quebec City was comparatively complacent.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Wear a Gary Bettman teeshirt with the words "BETTMAN IS GOD" on it.

in Hartford.

Or Quebec City. Heh... You'd die from that one, me thinks.

Winnipeg you'd be drawn and quartered. Apparently they fought like hell while Quebec City was comparatively complacent.

Winnipeg's problem wasn't that the city didn't want the team. The problem was the owner didn't believe that Winnipeg could financially sustain the team. Hence the move to Pheonix. Although, if you go back to Winnipeg, yes, you'd be drawn and quartered wearing that thing. Probably be kicked in the shin for wearing a Coyotes jersey there.

[treble 0]

I don't think Quebec City really thought the team was going to leave until they were sold.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I think the Avs should break out the powder blue and fleur-de-lis for the 10th anniversary of the Nordiques departing.

[Red Baron 0]

Wear a Gary Bettman teeshirt with the words "BETTMAN IS GOD" on it.

in Hartford.

Or Quebec City. Heh... You'd die from that one, me thinks.

 

As for what Dogbert says, I'll just say he said everything I was going to say for me. Thanks dude. Except the refs stealing one from the Flames. Bullshit calls on both sides, but they haven't just yet stolen one in the Finals.

Or go back into they hey-days of Quebec vs Montreal. Wear a Habs jersey in Quebec, you might not be coming out alive...literally.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Or go back into they hey-days of Quebec vs Montreal. Wear a Habs jersey in Quebec, you might not be coming out alive...literally.

And apparently, in Alberta the rivalry like that died out. I remember we used to kill if an Oiler wore that C with the Flames on it.

 

Now it's like "HEY~! FLAMES ROCK! ...what's that hat you wearing? O-eh-lers? Who the fuck are they? Dude are you even living in the right timeframe? The Houston Oilers left Houston long ago."

 

^ I was actually told the fucking above.

 

God damned Flammie traitors. Every last one of you who are saying "The Flames are my team~!" when you were fucking Oilers fans. And before anyone brings it up, I only cheered on the Flames because I wanted my God damned Sens vs. Flames match up and I'm only cheering them on right now because I like Kipper. So

[The Czech Republic 0]

Or go back into they hey-days of Quebec vs Montreal. Wear a Habs jersey in Quebec, you might not be coming out alive...literally.

See, hockey needs those rivalries. Divisional battles between the Nashville Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets aren't quite setting the league on fire. You don't hear about how sporting the deep red, electric green, and federal blue got some unexpecting guy an asskicking in the other town.

[nl5xsk1 0]

I think my new favorite pastime is reading Calgary fans bitch about the Lightning and Tampa fans bitch about the Flames. It's like they're watching two different series or something. Just a whole lot of fun to read. Me & redbaron had our moments during the MTL-Boston series, but I don't remember it ever getting this comical.