THE LOCKOUT IS OVER

[grizavsfan]

Carolina looked real impressive today. They took advantage of the power play. Cam Ward looked great in goal. Will Gerber ever see the ice again as a Hurricane? First loss for the Devils since late March. Brodeur did not look like Brodeur out there. Kind of reminded me of the 2002 playoffs when Detroit nailed Roy for all those goals. It just does not happen.

I'm thinking Marty had a really off night, but then the Canes were rocking. They have alot more speed upfront than the Devils have seen all season. (The Rangers sure weren't very speedy. ) I think they got caught off guard. It will be interesting to see how they respond in Game 2.

I was highly entertained by the Ottawa/Sabers game on Friday. (Sabers won 7-6 in OT ). That was speedy, high scoring, and fun to watch. Heck, every time I was going to get up and go get something from the other room, someone else would score! My husband is following the Sabers, so we're watching that series too.

Still moping on my Avs uppyeyes: ...0-2 in the second round and goals, they have to get it together and find a way to get past the Neidermeyers and Bryzgalhov (sp) who has his Goalie Foo (tm) on big time. If the Avs don't do it on home ice on Tuesday, I think we're probably done too. We'll see. We've been down two before and pulled it out.

As to Gerber, the Avs could probably use him next season.... :-?

 

[MissoulaCanucksFan]

I read on a Canucks board that there's going to be a sea of maroon in Denver for the playoffs. What a ripoff from the Sea of Red in Calgary. The only sea of maroon that's cool is at Grizzly football games. You ain't going to see that at Griz or Lady Griz basketball games though.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

Since Todd Bertuzzi has been reenstated, I just don't give a Damn anymore about so-called hockey!!!

 

[grizavsfan]

Since Todd Bertuzzi has been reenstated, I just don't give a Damn anymore about so-called hockey!!!

Sorry to hear you're leaving the game because of a single player incident that was well over a year ago. Bertuzzi isn't worth leaving the whole game for.

Frankly , even having been reinstated (which I personally think was a wrong decision by the NHL, but we can't do anything about that as fans) he was non-effective this year. I suspect he will be leaving Vancouver shortly and probably spending the rest of his life in Canadian civil court. He's gone they just haven't moved the body.

:twocents:

 

[grizavsfan]

I read on a Canucks board that there's going to be a sea of maroon in Denver for the playoffs. What a ripoff from the Sea of Red in Calgary. The only sea of maroon that's cool is at Grizzly football games. You ain't going to see that at Griz or Lady Griz basketball games though.

And you believe what you read on the 'Nucks board? <just kidding>
Must be the IN thing. As far as the Avs, I think their "avalanche of snow" is a heck of a lot more effective than dark jerseys in a dark arena. I've actually heard various versions of the "Sea of Red" since the Flames coined it back in 2003-2004. Heck, the Sharks are using the "Great Blue Sea" lately in some of their playoff telecasts. I suppose one could call it a form of flattery...

Frankly , Grizzly Maroon rocks in any forum. Football, Basketball, Hockey, you name it. :thumb:

 

[CerealCityGriz]

Looks like an all-California battle for the Western Conference possibly. Glad I didn't stay up for the 3OT game last night. Would have been a hell of one to watch though I'm sure.

Are the Devils no longer going to be the elite Eastern Conference team they have been for the past six years. Carolina really has something special with Ward in the net. Kind of hard to bet against the Canes right now.

NHL.com reports that Hasek is getting closer to being ready to go. Well down 3-0, the Senators may not be playing when he is fully ready. The Senators are making me feel that they are the Atlanta Braves of hockey. Great regular seasons and crap post-seasons.

At least I can go to the finals live in person. The UHL finals. Go Kalamazoo Wings!!!

 

[grizavsfan]

Looks like an all-California battle for the Western Conference possibly. Glad I didn't stay up for the 3OT game last night. Would have been a hell of one to watch though I'm sure.

Yep, the Oilers game was rocking, loud crowd...it was good but made getting up at 4:45am really hard tho! **Yawn** I'm still holding out for that miracle with the Avs but won't be surprised if it doesn' t happen tonight. We are getting Ossi Vannanen back from IR tonight. Might be too little too late.

Are the Devils no longer going to be the elite Eastern Conference team they have been for the past six years. Carolina really has something special with Ward in the net. Kind of hard to bet against the Canes right now.

I'm thinking Canes and Sabers in the East. They both have that "spark " right now. Now that should be a heck of a series.

NHL.com reports that Hasek is getting closer to being ready to go. Well down 3-0, the Senators may not be playing when he is fully ready. The Senators are making me feel that they are the Atlanta Braves of hockey. Great regular seasons and crap post-seasons.

Doesn't look like Hasek is going to make it. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable puttin in someone whos been out for a while, in that kind of position. At least Emery has been making the most of the time he's been given. Here's the clip on Hasek.
http://www.nhl.com/news/2006/05/272134.html

At least I can go to the finals live in person. The UHL finals. Go Kalamazoo Wings!!!

Good luck to your guys!! (Our Mudbugs lost in the CHL final to the Laredo Bucks. )

 

[CerealCityGriz]

Looks like the devils got some payback tonight. I look for Carolina to wrap it up in six.

 

[grizavsfan]

Yep, Carolina got it done. Not sure if the Devils ran out of gas, or Carolina just got their second wind. I think the Sabres/Canes series is going to be a good one. We'll see how the days off effect everyone.

In the West, Edmonton, definitely put the stop on San Jose, and are currently leading. Have to love that 3rd period energy boost Edmonton has. WOW. I think with the mojo they have going on now, they should be able to close it out at home on Tuesday. Rexall Place should really be rocking tomorrow night (and the announcers thought it was loud before...) :dance: arty:

 

[CerealCityGriz]

Usually a hometown wants to recognize their hero's but if Cam Ward keeps it up, he will probably be watching his back when he goes back to his hometown of Edmonton this summer. They were saying he is the first rookie goaltender to post a shutout in a Stanley Cup Finals since 1986 when Patrick Roy (known in these parts at that puke) did so. Carolina has really stepped up in the finals. Brind'Amor is playing great for his age. Of course not having the hot goaltender due to injury has hurt Edmonton more than anything.

 

[grizavsfan]

Sorry I am late folks, been out with work stuff and a long vacation. Just got back, missed Games 2-4 of the Finals, but I caught up on the back newspapers and ESPN last night....I've been impressed by the play of Carolina (even tho' I still think they suck...) but I wonder what the outcome would have been if Roloson was still in net for the Oilers. It really shows how much he was doing for the team.

As I see it, it's really do or die time. Stanley will be in the house tonight. :thumb:

Anybody got picks for the 2006 NHL Draft? I haven't been out to peruse the lists yet. I think St. Louis has the top pick, either that or Pittsburgh.

 

[CerealCityGriz]

Interesting off season so far. JR is headed back to Phoenix, which is okay with me as I think his better days have passed. Bertuzzi is out of the Pacific Northwest and it will be good to give him a fresh start. This past week has been a little depressing with the retirement of The Captain. To spend 21 years with one team is unheard of anymore. Stevie Y was a great leader for the Wings and will be missed next season. Mario and the Great One were there during hiss peak years so what Yzerman did was a little overlooked in my opinion. The guy could do it all. Play offense, winning the Selke Trophy, etc. The only thing that can make a sad offseason for my beloved Wings is for them to sign Ed Belfour. This guy is the biggest assclown in the world. Stick with Manny and get Jimmy Howard ready to take over. Or bring Hasek back. Anything but Eddie.

 

[grizavsfan]

Interesting off season so far. JR is headed back to Phoenix, which is okay with me as I think his better days have passed.

When I was up in Calgary, there was a huge buzz about him coming there, but I gather that Gretsky made a better deal. I can see him having leadership in the locker room and on the bench, but he's definitely on the older end of the list....but who knows, he may have some life left in him. If not, he'll be the next to tee up on Brett Hull's golf team. He'd be a great color man for the networks.

Bertuzzi is out of the Pacific Northwest and it will be good to give him a fresh start.

Vancouver cleaned house the past couple of weeks. Sounds like other than Naslund and the Sedin's most of the team is on the move. Looks like a full rebuild there.

This past week has been a little depressing with the retirement of The Captain. To spend 21 years with one team is unheard of anymore. Stevie Y was a great leader for the Wings and will be missed next season.

We were in a bar in Calgary this past week and there were a group of people drinking to "the best hockey players of all time", Yzerman was rated a triple shot. I see him taking up a GM or management position somewhere. His star power is too good to lose.

The only thing that can make a sad offseason for my beloved Wings is for them to sign Ed Belfour. This guy is the biggest assclown in the world. Stick with Manny and get Jimmy Howard ready to take over. Or bring Hasek back. Anything but Eddie.

Here's plugging for Manny...Hasek and Belfour are just to shaky a prospect considering their injury history. I'm not really sure I'd even want them as an expensive backup considering there are some stellar new goalies in the works.

Colorado moved Tanguay and Blake...which bums me out, but we got a good player and multiple draft picks for Tangs (Calgary is jazzed to get him, he's going on Iginla's line as center), and Blake well...he's a monster defenseman, but carried a big pricetag as a free agent. Colorado retained the rest of the defensive corps (Skratsins, Clark, Liles, etc) so it will be interesting to see what the new management does to supplement the roster.

2006-2007 Schedules come out today! :thumb:

 

[CerealCityGriz]

grizavs-----you are spot on about JR. That guy is a great in front of the camera. He isn't afraid to let his opinion be known. I know he helped the Kings out a ton by doing meet and greets with the fans. I'm sure he will do the same in Phoenix.

As far as Stevie Y, I'm sure he will take it easy this season and then get on board with the Wings in some manner. He is a great ambassador to the game and can hopefully helps the Wings stay in great shape.

Thanks for sticking up for Manny. Yeah his postseason was not anything to be excited about but he can't take all the blame. Detroits non-existent offense and lack of good defensive play was also to blame.

Kind of crazy seeing the list of Av's going elsewhere. Should be interesting to see the direction they take this upcoming season.

 

[grizavsfan]

Hey CerealCity....that you Kalmazoo?

What's up with the Red Wings? I see they settled on Hasek and Osgood again. Bummer on Legace, I still think he was the way to go. I guess here's hoping that Hasek remains uninjured and Osgood has a game this year. At least the Eagle didn't land there.... :thumb:

 

[CerealCityGriz]

Yep CerealCity is the one known formely as Kalamazoo. I'm not real big on Hasek being withthe Wings again. They are taking a hell of a chance on someone who is old and could get easily injured. On the other hand when he is on his game, he is tough to beat. I was really sad to see Manny go. And to the Blues of all teams. I will be upset if Manny goes lights out and the Wings struggle.

I am really hoping that Jimmy Howard gets a call up and some ice time in Hockeytown this season. The Dominator and Ozzie are not long term solutions to the goaltending situation. I'm just not real happy with this offseason. We lost a lot of key players. Its time for Zetterberg and Datsyuk to put the team on their backs and build a new legacy (not Manny) in Detroit.