High Flying Bruins Stun Canes

Once again I endeavor into the pain and agony that is blogging the Boston Bruins live. Coming into the third game of a five gave road trip and on the back of four straight losses, the Bruins are hoping to take their frustrations out on the Currolina Hurricanes (28-24-5) tonight. The Bruins (39-10-8) may still have a comfortable lead atop the Eastern Conference, but a losing streak paired with a road trip could spell disaster. Two games in, a potential disaster may very well be taking shape. Confidence is low, though hopefully starting to grow after the Nashville loss. The Bruins, especially Patrice Bergeron, played extremely well, looking more and more like their old selves, but couldn't seperate themselves from the Preds.

Looking at the game simply on paper, I do like the Bruins' chances. Then again, I could say that for most games. However, a couple of stats tug at my mind and toward the B's. Canes goalie Cam Ward has been exceptional lately, stopping 38 shots against the Sabres on Sunday in a 3-0 win. It's one thing to question Cam's hot streak against the Bruins losing streak. You could give the edge to goalie over the Team Who Can't Score a Powerplay Goal. BUT... the Bruins have Mr. Ward by the balls (so to speak), Ward is 0-3-0 against the Bruins this year, sporting a modest 5.13 GAA and a sparkling .868% save percentage.

In Cam's favor are the Bruins profligate forwards. Bergeron hasn't scored in what seems like years, Phil Kessel hasn't scored in 9 games since returning from mono, David Krejci has gone M.I.A. since the All-Star Game. The Bruins need these guys to find the net tonight if they have any chance of continuing on as strongly as they had been this season.

Also, in a previous blog, I mentioned the Bruins needing a sniper. A true, honest-to-god sniper. Mark it here, if the Bruins can't find a sniper, they're out in the first round of the playoffs. Won't matter who they play, it's over.

And onto the Blog...
A short video montage of the team's recent struggles with Jack Edwards narrating. I wasn't so much as paying attention to the words as I was to the incredible number of cliches Jack managed to throw out in about 45 seconds.

The Hurricanes are retiring Glen Wesley's number this evening. Played seven years in Boston to begin his career. Good player, good stick and passing skills, a nice solid defenseman. Hall of Fame no? Hurricanes Hall of Fame? Sure. They're retiring his number aren't they?

Glen and his family have been given an all-inclusive trip to somewhere in British Columbia. Because he couldn't afford it?

Glen is also introduced as the second player in the Hurricanes' "Ring of Honor." Two players does not a ring make.

Standing ovation, Glen is moved and touched by the adoration of his fans.

The ceremony is overshot by 15 minutes, the players are given a hefty 60 seconds after a 35 minute standstill. How're those hammies feeling boys?

First Period
18:34 - The B's are guilty of icing and we'll take a faceoff down to the right of Tim Thomas. Not much going on so far, gotta get those legs back together, I suppose.

17:17 - Tuomo Ruutu goes flying behind the B's net for a check on Mark Stuart, who deftly swidesteps.

16:45 - Mark Stuart is guilty for slashing and it's a Carolina Hurricanes Pepsi Powerplay. Canes went 4/5 on the powerplay against Phoenix back on the 7th, thank you for the stat Jack Edwards.

16:20 - Sergei Samsonov tings the right post of Tim Thomas.

15:27 - Blake Wheeler catches an errant puck and carries it out, passes it to Krejci down the left boards, Krejci swings it back to Wheeler who gets Ward going wide, but it hits the outside of the post.

14:42 - Dangerous times. Bruins kill the penalty, Matt Cullen with a little drag through, Zdeno Chara catches it and basically throws it at Tim Thomas. Good thing he didn't miss.

13:10 - Samsonov is destined to score early here, the Bruins defending in layers, making things difficult. Samsonov gets to the loose puck, can't capitalise and the Bruins get it out.

12:45 - End to end action early on, Krejci, Sobotka, Kessel looking to be the most fiesty of Boston's lines tonight. Chipping in, crashing the boards after the puck, always looking to make things happen.

Commercial break... anyone else living in the New England/Northeast area want to take one swing at Bob of Bob's Discount Furniture? The queue starts behind me.

10:50 - The ageless Rod Brind'Amour working hard to make something happen. Chuck Kobasew breaks down, gets a shot with a huge rebound, but there's no one to receive it.

10:00 - Looking more and more likely the Krejci line is going to score. Excellent, crisp passing between the three of them, they've had Cam Ward out of position a couple of times, just a matter of time.

8:57 1-0 Canes - Savard is wide on the short side with his slapper, Ray Whitney is streaking down the left, finds Dennis Seidenberg who feeds Matt Cullen with a backhand pass and Cullen will not be denied. End to end to end hockey here, great action.

7:31 - PJ Axellson collides knee to knee with Chad LaRose, struggles to get off the ice and through the door. Yeah he's a hard worker, maybe good for the kids, but PJ is no offensive player. Maybe a bonus in disguise? I know it's awful to question an injury being a benefit to the team, but I'm pretty sure Casey would be pleased if Hal Gill got injured for the Penguins.

Andy Brickley tells us there was no malice intent on the part of LaRose. Ah, but was there malicious intent, Andy?

5:20 - Shane Hnidy tries to clear the zone and passes it directly onto the stick of a Cane, who puts a poor shot on Tim Thomas.

4:46 - Things are getting chippy in front of the Canes bench. Shawn Thornton is jawing with someone. It all started with Andrew Ference accosted a Canes player in the circle. A few friendly punches and we're back underway.

3:10 - A questionable slashing call on Eric Staal. Giving the Bruins a powerplay. I'm sure the Canes aren't particularly worried about the threat.

2:35 1-1 - Lucic moves in one-on-one against Joni Pitkanen, who slyly takes Lucic down. Wheeler comes in from the sidewall and is able to slide a backhander past Cam Ward. Wheeler now has 3 goals in his last 6 outings.


Well to be honest I had to leave for a few minutes directly after the goal and have just returned, three minutes into the second period. It's still 1-1, so I'm guessing I didn't miss too much.

Second Period

14:26 2-1 Bruins - David Krejci wins the faceoff to Cam Ward's left, back to Shane Hnidy who steps into a wrist shot that flies past Ward for the goal. Hnidy has matched his career high with 12 points.

13:57 - Stephane Yelle is sent to the sin bin for hooking. Opportune time for the Canes to potentially even this game up on the man advantage. Some good passing around the edge of the zone, but the B's are able to clear after 35 seconds.

12:13 - Bruins break shorthanded 3 on 2, Marc Savard blasts it up and it takes a deflection into the stands. How about making a pass to somebody?

12:06 - Patrice Bergeron takes the puck off the face, gets up under his visor. Looks like there might be a bit of blood up around the forehead area. Jack Edwards also informs us Michael Ryder will be wearing a shield for the remainder of the season.

11:37 - Rod Brind'Amour with a terribly obvious trip on Chuck Kobasew about five feet in front of the net. The Bruins kill one off and have one of their own now...

11:21 - Quick action as Chad LaRose squirts away and breaks down the right side. His wrister is saved by Thomas, but it's a faceoff to his left.

10:08 - Bergeron with a wicked shot and an equally wicked lunging save from Cam Ward.

9:43 - Ward with a slick glove save on a Zdeno Chara ripper. Bruins are certainly looking to extend this lead and they may just do that.

9:20 - Phil Kessel breaks away, picks his head up, makes his shot and Cam Ward has him bested. Aside from the Hnidy goal, Ward is putting on a show in the second period.

6:34 - Kessel creates a turnover in the neutral zone, gets a quick feed to Krejci who goes wide with it, shoots at zero angle and manages to hit the post. Great energy from the Bruins tonight, where was this against Philly and Jersey? Seriously?

The Bruins are attempting to go 3-0 this season when playing against a team who's retiring a jersey and hosting Boston. They beat the Blackhawks and Canadiens previously.

4:20 - Bruins lead 20-17 in shots on goal. Very even match in shots and on ice. A couple of acrobatic saves from Tim Thomas, backhanding the puck into the corner to get it away from the net. Maybe a little to showy and uncoordinated, but he keeps it together. There's still plenty of time for a Timmy Thomas meltdown.

2:30 - Seems as if the Canes are gaining a small advantage toward the end of the second period. Crisper passing, in comparison to the B's who appear as if they're trying to pass it through players rather than around them.

:57.8 - Icing on the Bruins. Quick notes, Milan Lucic has looked really good tonight, all around the ice, making some plays. Marc Savard has made some terrific passes left and right, but can't seem to get a shot on net without it being deflected... or going wide and ending up at the other end of the ice for a Canes goal. Kessel, Krejci and Sobotka have slown down since the first, but Kessel and Krejci are still looking viable to get themselves into the boxscore tonight.

Third Period

16:23 - Finally some action in the third. Kobasew going to the net makes some contact with Niclas Wallin, which results in Wallin hurrying down into the locker room. There's a spot of blood on the boards behind the Carolina goal.

A quick showing of the standings with the Bruins at 86 points, now just 9 points ahead of New Jersey with 77 and Carolina way, way down at 61.

15:31 - Joe Corvo down on the ice and it's looking like the Canes are down to just four defensemen for this game. Looks like a knee/thigh injury for Corvo, maybe a charlie horse, but he's gone straight into the locker room to join Wallin.

15:06 - Savard continues to make stellar pass after stellar pass. He fed Lucic long, but Lucic couldn't make anything happen.

12:31 - Jack Edwards has nicknamed Sobotka, "Little Big Man," no sir, I don't like it.

The very fine Kathryn Tappen lets us know that Florida is dismantling New Jersey 3-0. Fantastic.

11:24 - Tickets still available for next Tuesday's home encounter with the Panthers. First 5,000 fans in the door will get a movie poster of one of their favorite players! Manny Fernandez posters for EVERYBODY!

Bruins highlights provided courtesy of our good friends at NHL.com


10:31 - Puck comes end over end to Ray Whitney, catches it on the bounce and it gets to Thomas easily. Could've been very dangerous had the puck not been bouncing.

8:52 - Eric Staal trying to make something happen in front of the B's net. Thomas smothers the puck, Staal keeps going Shane "Sherriff" Hnidy gives Staal a fist to the face, knocking him flat on his back.

7:40 - Jack Edwards has yet to make a "setting up in Gretzky's Office" comment. Shocking.

6:50 - Two minutes for crosschecking on Mark Stuart. Carolina looking strong before the powerplay, however they are 0/2 with 1 shot with a man up.

6:46- Tuomo Ruutu called for holding. Perhaps a bit of a make up call for the crosscheck? So the Bruins will have a four second powerplay coming up in 1:56. I expect a goal in those four seconds. Gotta cure those powerplay maladies, you know.

4:50 - I missed a Bruins penalty, wasn't quite paying attention. They have 1:00 for a powerplay as Ruutu steps back onto the ice.

3:48 3-1 Bruins- David Krejci breaks in one on one with Seidenberg. Krejci goes to the right of Ward and flips it to the backhand, beautiful shot, beautiful goal. Did I said Krejci was M.I.A.? We've found him!

3:20 - Bruins doing an incredible job of collapsing on defense. Blake Wheeler breaks in alone on Ward, goes to the forehand. However, Frantisek Kaberle is called for a hook. Not quite a penalty shot. A goal would put the nail in the coffin for the B's though.

2:48 4 -1 Bruins - It's another Bruins powerplay goal and it's Chuck Kobasew! Bergeron on the half-wall, pushes it out to Chara in the middle of the point. Cam Ward smartly decides not to block it and Kobasew makes a nifty deflection to get the goal.

1:42 - The Carolina Hurricanes have taken Cam Ward off the ice. I smell 5-1 pretty quickly here, maybe. And as I type that...

1:26 - Sobotka sent off the ice for hooking. 6 on 4 for the Canes for the remainder of this one.

:50.6 5 - 1 Bruins - It's an empty netter, BUT it's Patrice Bergeron's first goal since November 21st! He gets the monkey off his back, but really... does this count as a goal? Come on now. It is the Bruins' second shorty tonight though.

First time ever the Bruins have swept the season series from the Hurricanes. They won by a combined score of 18-6 in the four games between the clubs.

The Bruins showed some incredible energy and passion tonight, winning this one handily. Two shorties and two powerplay goals tell the story, the Bruins were a force all around and as evenly matched as it was a times, the Bruins showed their class in the third period tonight. The Hurricanes had absolutely no chance to win this once the final 20 began.

The B's are now off until Saturday and will head south as a team for the rest of the week. A little vacation, a little sun, can't hurt, that's for sure. I know I could use both.

Legwand Stellar as B's Lose Again

So where do we go from here? The Boston Bruins are now losers of four straight. Tonight is was 3-2, losing in a shootout. Granted they've taken a pair of points, one from Philadelphia last Saturday and one last night. And once again the Bruins may have been the best team on the ice, creating space, shots, opportunities, but they failed to really convert and make things happen for themselves.

As well as the Bruins played, however, there was no stopping Predator's center David Legwand. He scored both goals in regulation, and then beat Manny Fernandez in the fourth round of the shootout to give the Preds the win.

Patrice Bergeron started looking like his old-self last night, creating chances, putting shots on net, skating hard, not shying away from contact at all. He was the spark plug for the Bruins offense last night, but we're all still waiting for him to get back into the swing of things with goal scoring.

Now the Bruins return home for a couple of days before heading down south for the Hurricanes on Tuesday night. I believe that the Bruins have rediscovered their competitiveness and intensity and they were able to sustain it for a full 60 minutes last night. They dominated the Devils in shots and clearly could have beaten Nashville last night. All the B's need is a little bit of luck to swing their way and they'll be back in the win column.

Video highlights courtesy of our good friends at NHL.com

Eastern Conference Nightmare First Round Scenarios

OK, yes this is going to be a painful post for me as I can't stand the New Jersey Devils. The objective journalist in me, as well as Gopher, begged me to do something about this since there is a real possibility the Devils end up as the 1-seed in the Eastern Conference.

Why stop there though? Gopher and I put our minds together and came up with the idea for the nightmare situation for the top 4 seeds in the East.

New Jersey Devils

Right now there is a chance they could play one of about five teams in the first round. Those teams are: Boston, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Florida and Washington.

Washington getting into the playoffs would be a great story wouldn't it? Also, of the five teams listed there, I think New Jersey might have a small collective accident should the Caps get in.

Here's why, Cristobal Huet and Alexander Ovechkin. Do I really even need to explain this? Huet has been a wall since being traded to the Caps and Ovechkin is the current NHL points leader.

In case you've been under a rock for the last couple years and haven't seen what Ovechkin is capable of, here you go:



New Jersey will fall to a team who can control the pace of the game and get them out of their trap defensive scheme. If the game becomes an end to end game, the Devils cannot and will not prevail. They win games by playing lockdown defense and scoring goals off turnovers in the neutral zone.

Philadelphia, Boston, Buffalo and Florida should they make it stand no chance. There's not much explanation needed here.

Buffalo has lost three defensemen in the last week.

Boston has some serioulsy shaky goaltenders though Auld has played well lately.

Florida's hopes would solely rest on the shoulders of Vokoun.

Montreal Canadiens

Who would give the Canadiens fits int he first round you say? How about a fellow Original 6 team? The New York Rangers.

If there is a team in the playoffs right now who should be able to put up 5 goals a game, it's the Rangers. Not to mention Henrik Lundqvist has proven that he can be an absolute machine in net and can take over any given game.

There's a reason he's got the nickname of King Henrik. Here's just a sample of his jaw dropping ability.



I know I keep harping on this point, but Montreal has an inexperienced goalie in 20-year-old Carey Price. If he falters even a little bit, how long will the Habs stick with him before going to Jaroslav Halak?

The Rangers have guys that would have no problem getting into his kitchen and trying to rattle the young guy. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Sean Avery camped in his crease and taking extra hacks after the whistle every chance he gets.

Carolina Hurricanes

Picking this one proved rather difficult as I don't believe the Canes should even be a 3-seed. See my earlier post on how I'd restructure how teams qualify for the playoffs for further details.

Sorry Canes fans, but I'm taking the field on this one. Take your pick of teams to finish as the 6-seed, doesn't matter.

Calling this now. Whoever plays the Canes in the first round is moving on. Period. Both of the other divisions in the East are top to bottom better than the teams in the Southeast division.

I couldn't come up with any snazzy highlight video for this one, so here's one of my all-time favorite clips and since I work in news here you go:



When will the NHL wake up and stop rewarding mediocrity? I for one hope it's soon.

So to recap, Carolina's nightmare is making the playoffs.

Gopher's reaction to the above is simply this: "The nightmare isn't just making the playoffs, but also missing out on a lottery miracle."

Pittsburgh Penguins

This may sound a little unorthodox here, but I'm going to draw on my personal experience of growing up near Boston and seeing the Penguins play roughly a dozen times over the years in person up there.

The Pens have a serious mental block against the Bruins. It seems like they cannot beat them. Ever. Especially in Boston. I think my career record in Boston is 1-10 when in attendance for a game between these two. That one win came last March. I'm still in awe that it actually happened.

I had to watch these highlights again just to be sure it actually happened. Side note, when I was doing my worst announcers post I entirely forgot about this crew. Consider them No. 6 on the list.



Are the Pens a better overall team than Boston? Yes. Do I think the Pens would probably prevail given the recent injuries and shaky play of Tim Thomas? Yes. Would I literally have a heart attack during this series? You can put money on it.

You may all be thinking that Ottawa would be a worse nightmare in the first round, but I really think the Pens could avenge last year's early dispatching despite being 1-3 against the Senators this season. We were 3-1 against them last year and were gone in five games against them in the first round.

It's pretty simple right now in why the Pens would beat the Senators.

Martin Gerber.

Gerber has been playing very well lately, but no one can keep up that kind of pace. Just look at how Ty Conklin has done over his last few games. When Gerber returns to Earth, he will be a slightly above average goalie. He has yet to show the Gerber that got the Hurricanes into the playoffs where Cam Ward took over and won the Cup since coming to Ottawa.

Not to mention, Ray Emery may be the unofficial biggest headcase in the NHL.

Anyway, if my theory about Pitt being unable to win in Boston for whatever reason, the Bruins would only have to win one of four potential games at the Igloo.

So there you have it, the Western Conference nightmares will be up next. Check back tomorrow and thanks for reading.

Oilers' Second Time Against the Wall

Figured I should move over some old stuff to this better site. So enjoy!

From 6/17/06

Well as with the last game it's a do or die mentality. Advantage for Edmonton tonight is that they are back on home ice. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love Oiler fans and I want to go to Rexall Place to watch a game and just breathe in the atmosphere.

So apparently Laviolette lied because Cole is back in the lineup for the first time since our boy Brooks Orpik put him down for the count. That addition should give the Canes an emotional pickup.

It's official, the Oilers have the best entrance onto the ice ever. The double sliding doors to the locker room plus the fire and everything, it's just awesome.

8:19- National anthems. I get chills every time the fans take over, again it's just amazing.

8:23- Edmonton wins the opening draw! 5-0 so far, could we see 6-0?

8:24- Penalty on Edmonton, not a good start.

8:26- Shorthanded 3-on-1 for Edmonton leads to nothing thanks to too much passing, but the PK looks good right now as the penalty expires.

8:30- Pens get publicity during the Finals! They just showed Brooks' hit on Cole, I don't know what all the fuss is about. Looked clean to me.

8:31- Penalty on Carolina, could we perhaps see another powerplay goal from the lowly Oiler powerplay unit??

8:57- Ok I know I just missed a bunch of stuff, but I was watching. The reason for a lack of updates is because Erin and I adopted a kitten today and the little guy is exploring and we're trying to get him used to us. For the majority of the period the cat was on my lap intently watching the game along with me, so I think we have a winner here. 0-0 after the first.

9:15- Second period is underway and the Canes are on a carryover powerplay.

9:17- Too many men on the ice penalty on the Oilers.

9:19- Pass into the slot to Pisani.... SCCCCCCOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

9:21- Greg: "My man again. Mr. Conn Smythe"

9:22- Penalty on Carolina, perhaps another powerplay goal??

9:28- Matching minors for a hook and a dive. Of course now the refs call a dive, but of course its on Edmonton because Carolina would never do such a thing. (Obviously Tarnstrom hauled Recchi down in Game 5, I mean come on Recchi should have gotten an Oscar for that performance.)

9:31- The cat (Max) has been asleep on Diana's lap for about 30 minutes now. Apparently he tuckered himself out with all the exploring. Diana came running over as soon as she found out we adopted it as she wants one herself. I guess she's getting her cat fix from poor little Max.

9:35- Staios blasts one from the point and SCOOORRRRRRRREEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
2-0 on the deflection by Torres!

9:38- Powerplay Edmonton, come on boys send this back to Carolina for Game 7 right here.

9:41- Edmonton is by far the better team in the game right now. They are just absolutely controlling the play and making Carolina play out of their style.

9:43- Timeout Carolina...Laviolette is getting nervous if you ask me.

9:53- Penalty on Tarnstrom, Carolina going on the powerplay again. Big kill coming up here.

9:55- The Oilers are taking a page out of Carolina's penalty kill. They're blocking everything thrown at Markkanen.

9:57- Breakaway for Hemsky is nullfied by a penalty on Jason Smith. Not quite sure for what seeing as how he was on his ass in his own crease. Don't even tell me the Edmonton screw job is coming, cause I'll hunt these refs down.

10:00- End of period two, 2-0 Edmonton! Time to fetch the cat from behind the bookcase.

10:19- Third period underway and we're 20 minutes from Game 7! Yeah I know I just cursed the whole thing, but that's the reality of the situation.

10:21- They better be going upstairs to review this goal by Edmonton. If it isn't it would be one hell of a save by Cam Ward on a 3-on-1.

10:22- No goal thanks to nothing conclusive on the replays, but common sense would tell you the puck was in the net. Oh well, on we play 2-0 Oilers.

10:24- Penalty on Carolina! Time to put it away and send this back to Raleigh for a do or die Game 7.

10:25- SMYTH SCOOOOORRRRREEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!! WHAT A SHOT ON THE BACKHANDER!!! POWERPLAY GOAL 3-0!!!! Who needs that last goal that was disallowed? They got it anyway!

10:27- Another too many men on the ice penalty against Carolina! Blood is in the water boys! Open up those floodgates!

10:34- Penalty on Edmonton with 10:30 to go in the game. If Carolina has a snowball's chance in hell of coming back it's gotta come right here.

10:38- Penalty on Carolina on what would have been a breakaway for Pisani, but he was hooked from behind by Whitney.

10:43- SCOOOORRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! HORCOFF GETS THE GOAL ON THE POWERPLAY, 4-0!!!!!! WE'RE GOING TO A GAME 7 BABY!!! WHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

10:46- The Edmonton fans have been cheering "We want the Cup!" for a solid 2-3 minutes without fading at all. Now the game is starting to get a little nasty, Game 7 is going to be a barnburner. Oh and the Oilers are going back on the powerplay, time to add insult to injury.

10:49- Too many men on the ice against Edmonton, oh well 4-0 lead is fine with me.

10:52- Two minutes until Game 7! Time for the happy dance in the middle of the living room. If Edmonton wins on Monday I'm changing this cat's name to lucky. Second "We want the Cup!" chant roars from the seats. No one is sitting down right now.

10:54-One minute!......30 seconds!

10:55- 20!.....10, 9, 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1.0!!!!!!! IT'S OVER!!!! SHUTOUT MARKKANEN!!!!! SERIES TIED 3-3!!! WHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY MADE HISTORY AS NO TEAM DOWN 3-1 WINNING GAME 5 IN OT WENT ON TO WIN GAME 6!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

HOLY @#$$!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAH!!!!!

10:57- Yes again the theory was upheld, 6-0 in the Finals. Anyone wanna bet the winner of Game 7 wins the opening draw??

I already know I will not be able to post a blog in real time on Monday as I have to work until 11pm. Yes I know, I'm pretty much pissed off too right about now, but I will be taping the game and potentially keeping a blog then depending on how tired I am from working at 7am-11pm. Don't ask, it sucks, but what can you do?

Game 4 Oilers Vs. Hurricanes

Ok so first off I'm sorry for not doing one of these for Game 3. I was an idiot and failed to make the connection that we were celebrating Greg's birthday on the same day as Game 3. Instead of devoting all our attention to the game, as is normall the case, we made productive use of our time by going to the horse track and betting on the ponies. First up was the Belmont which I had pegged except for that stupid Jazil. Played him in the Derby and he was a dog, so I leave him out of this one and naturally he wins. My trifecta pick finished 2,3,4 in the race, so once again Jazil screwed me over.

In any event, we stayed for the track's own racing and each hit a race so we walked out with at least some money for the first time in a year or so at that God forsaken track. We a;ready have plans to return based on our good fortune on Saturday.

The track did conveniently have the game on so I was able to cath bits and pieces, specifically the opening draw which was won by the Oilers if you'll remember. I'm 3-0 in this series, believe me now? There's something to this, I'm certain. If anyone knows how to look this up from year's past let me know and I'll do the math out to further prove this.

8:09- Game hasn't even started and Greg is already predicting things again. To his credit he was right about Game 3 so maybe we'll get lucky.

Greg: "It's all about the Oilers tonight, this series is goin back to Carolina 2-2."
Me: "It better."
Greg: "Oh it will."

8:18- I really want to go watch a game at the Rexall Place. I can't emphasize this enough, the atmosphere is nuts. Hockey is a way of life in Canada, so within a couple years I'm moving there to be a part of it.

8:21- National anthem time and if you haven't seen this building take over the Canadian National Anthem, you have not see anything. It's truly something special to see and hear. I just got chills listening to the sellout crowd take it an run with it. One word. Awesome.

8:25- Damnit! Canes win the draw.

Greg sums it all up for you: "Crap."

8:31- Furious pace early, but the Oilers have some jumo tonight on home ice. Best start for them yet in the series.

8:33- First commercial break and I have to catch my breath. This is shaping up to be a great game. Edmonton is hitting anything that moves right now, trying to get into the Canes heads. I LOVE IT!!!

8:38- SCCCCOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! WHAT A GOAL BY SAMSONOV!!! OH BABY WHAT A PLAY!!! 1-0 OILERS!

8:39- Cardinal sin in hockey. Do not take a penalty on the next shift after your team scored. Torres just committed it. PP Carolina, and they score, Stillman on the one-timer 1-1.

8:42- Penalty on the Canes. Will Edmonton's PP wake up finally in this series?

8:48- Edmonton forces a turnover at the Canes blueline and draws a hooking call on Whitney. Back on the PP.

8:52- The PP isnt looking great, but there are signs of improvement and they'll get to work on it more again as Whitney takes a seat again.

8:55- 5-on-3 PP for Edmonton for 1:12, can you say opportunity??

8:59- Ok so they didn't score, but the PP is looking much better now that they moved a man out to the high slot to take some pressure off the point.

9:00- Another stupid penalty on Edmonton. This time with under a minute to go in the period, boy a shorthanded goal would be real nice here.

9:02- End of the first period, 1-1. What a period. Edmonton is stepping up the physical aspect in a big way hitting anything that moves and punishing every Canes player to touch the puck. There is a sense of hunger that wasn't there in the first two games. Time for ice cream!

9:19- The Grim Reaper for the Edmonton Oilers just came home, I know that sounds harsh and I wish I were joking, but look back at the first two games of the series and try and convince me otherwise. Go ahead, I dare you.

9:21- Second period underway and the Canes resume the PP.

9:23- I just went from yelling praises of Markkanen to cursing out Ward. What a sequence, both goalies with excellent saves.

9:25- Holding penalty on Pronger....uh oh, best penalty killer on the team in the box for two minutes.

9:26- Markkanen with a save I can't even begin to describe. Wow.

9:28- Markkanen again! Across the crease double stacked the pads, unbelieveable. Penalty over.

9:35- Bret Hedican takes a retalitory penalty and Jaroslav Spacek also goes for some unknown reason.

9:36- Referee mishap, Spacek just used his get out of jail free card, PP for Edmonton after all!

9:38- Pronger unloads and it gets through traffic to Ward. Finally a shot on net from the point.

9:42- Observation- Edmonton was generating all their offense and flow from dumping the puck and yet they aren't doing it now, not sure why.

9:48- Markkanen stops Recchi with a pretty glove save.

9:50- Pronger turns it over and Recchi gets his revenge. 2-1 Canes.

9:53- Edmonton gets called for holding, now granted it was a call but Carolina is getting away with murder out there right now. This is sickening.

9:54- Finally a retribution call on Carolina. 4-on-4 for 1:30ish.

9:56- Another penalty on Pronger. Fans have it correct by chanting "We want refs!" Complete inconsistancy going on right now.

9:58- End of two, 2-1 Carolina. Maybe the refs will wake up inbetween periods here and keep it even. If I was MacTavish I would have been tossed from this game already.

10:01- Greg's trying to cheer me up.

Greg: "2-1 end of two."
Me: "Horrible."
Greg: "It's ok, still 20:00 left. Optimism, don't be a pessimist. Believe Casey believe."
Me: "I'd have an easier time believing if the refs didn't suck."

10:16-Moment of truth right here. Third period under way.

10:17- You can't spell glove without love baby as Markkanen flashes leather to rob a golden Carolina chance off a rebound. Pretty stuff.

10:24- Looks like Edmonton is going back to the first period game plan. Back to hitting and dumping the puck in.

10:26- The refs have put the whistles away again. Will it stay like this for the remainder of the game or just until Edmonton does something? Yes I'm well aware that I'm harping on this, but nothing annoyed me more as a player than inconsistant refs.

10:29- Delay to fix the boards. Cotton Eyed Joe is playing over the PA system and yes I'm dancing around the living room while Erin sits on the couch painting her nails shaking her head.

10:34- Spacek drilled by Staal and shaken up.....not good. 10 minutes to go. Greatest commercial out there right now? New Dodge Caliber commercial with the cute little animals. The manufacturers ask them what they think of the car. The last one replies "It scares the C@ out of me." Said of course in a cute little voice making it that much funnier.

10:38- Ward looking like he did in Game 1. Stopping EVERYTHING!

10:45- BRAD WATSON IS IN THE DOGHOUSE. How the hell do you call a penalty like that after letting everything else go in the 3rd period. This is a joke and Watson should never be allowed to ref a game ever again. 4:40 to go in the third, unbelievable.

10:50- Penalty over. I am livid if you couldn't tell. Timeout Canes.

10:52- Markkanen out of the net.

10:54- 50 secs to go timeout Edmonton.

10:56- 2-1 Final, 3-1 in the series. A great game tainted by horrible officiating. The theory is 4-0, I'm really starting to believe that it's real and not just a theory.

It could all be over on Wednesday, and that is such a horrible thing because this season has been fun to watch.

Game 2 Oilers Vs. Hurricanes

Before we get this thing started up here, I'd just like to thank all of you who have read my account of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, I can't thank you enough. As a writer it is always a great feeling to know that people are reading your things, and to those of you who were kind enough to IM, e-mail, or leave comments somewhere here on Myspace.com, thank you for your words of encouragement. You have no idea how much it means to me to know people like what I am doing, even if it is only for fun.

Ok so enough of the sappy stuff here, it's time to get down to business. Game 2 is only a couple minutes away and I'm back on the couch for the last OLN broadcast of the season, (thank God cause the technical problems all season have been horrible. Anyone remember that 15 minute freeze up during the San Jose and Nashville series in the third period mind you?) The hole in the wall has been repaired and Erin is still at work and as much as I like having her around....I can't help but think that she was the reason the Oilers lost Game 1. If you'll recall they were up 3-0 until my darling girlfriend returned home and then they fell apart like John Daly after a couple of beers. She just textmessaged me and said she probably won't be home until later than usual...could this be a good sign? I guess we shall soon see.

8:03- Doc and JD doing their intros and look who's in net for Edmonton, Jussi Markkanen, not Ty Conklin. I wonder what swayed MacTavish's mind into giving a guy who hasn't started a game in months over a guy who can't stop a beach ball. Rock in a hard place much? Saying it now, if the Oilers pull off a miracle and win the Cup, Jussi will make a couple bucks off a jersey sale to me.

8:17- Opening draw won by Brind'Amour again. Based on the theory there is no need to watch the rest of this game, but I will.

8:18- Markkanen tested early and passes despite a tricky rebound that was cleared. Back the other way and Ward makes a nice stop on his first shot of the game. Both look pretty good early.

8:20- More bad news. Another text message from Erin reveals that she will in fact be home around the normal time she arrives home from work. Sorry boys, but it's not your night tonight.

8:21- Penalty on Carolina! Interference, perhaps another quick start? If only they could get set up on the PP....

8:23- I have never seen a team block more shots in all my years of watching hockey! Aaron Ward and Brind'Amour block two huge ones before the Oilers finally get one to the goaltender. PP over and it at least looked better than the ones in the 3rd period of Game 1.

8:25- 2-on-1 for Carolina and Andrew Ladd gets a fortunate deflection off the sprawling defenseman and over Markkanen for the early 1-0 lead, here we go again.

8:33- Markkanen makes a nice stop, but there's a hooking penalty on Edmonton, time to kill it off boys. Carolina is dominating play up to this point so Edmonton is going to need to weather the storm, (note the play on words there).

8:38- Hooray! Penalty on Carolina to even things up! Edmonton going back on the PP in just a few seconds.

8:47- Another penalty on Carolina! Edmonton appears to have gotten out the jitters and Markkanen is looking confident so maybe there is some shred of hope here.

8:50- Well that's the end of the first and all things considered I suppose it was a decent period. Once they stopped trying to play a run and gun game the pace slowed down and they at least looked like a tema competing for the Cup. Twenty minutes in the books and only down one goal, I can live with that....time for some cake to ease the eventual doom.

9:08- Apparently the Canes blocked 11 shots in the first period alone and Wesley had to have blocked about 8. Oilers still on the PP on carryover time.

9:13- Samsonov stoned by Ward. Yes the same guy who's been pulled on a couple of occasions in the playoffs and countless others during the regular season. Eat your heart out Martin Gerber.

9:15- Penalty on Edmonton....don't have a good feeling about this at all.

9:16- Yet another penalty on the Oilers. 5-on-3 PP for the Canes. Really not feeling good about this.

9:19- First penalty over and Matt Greene just out of the box almost scored a shorthanded goal. They kill off the remaining time and here comes the third straight penalty on the Oilers. Someone may need to remind them that a hat-trick only applies when goals are scored, not penalties.

9:22-Diana: "So how's the game."
Me: "1-0 Carolina, Edmonton keeps taking stupid penalties."
Diana: "Your team is losing?"
Me: Yes.
Diana: "Don't cry."
Me: "I'm not.... yet."
Diana: "I'll get you a Kleenex."

9:24- Kaberle scores on the PP and just like that it's 2-0. Nice shot through a crowd...still feeling sick.

9:26- Ward continues to stand on his head on a delayed penalty call against the Canes. If ever there was a time for a goal, it's now Oilers. Get it done already! You already knocked off Legace, Toskala, and a combo of Giggy and Bryzgalov, if you can't knock off Ward there is something seriously wrong.

9:29- Ward just stopped the puck and Samsonov who got dumped into him. Apparently pucks aren't the only thing this kid stops.

9:31- I think Roloson is still playing hockey in this series, but somehow he's changed teams without any of us knowing. "Ward" just stopped a shot with his stick somehow from point blank, and of course play goes the other way and Edmonton takes a penalty. To quote Anger Management "The anger sharks are swimming in my head."

9:34- Make or break time here for the Oilers. If they have any chance of winning this game they need to kill this off, not just for them but for me and all of Canada, but mainly for me.

9:37- Horcoff is going to wake up when he's 90 still having nightmares about Cam Ward's glove robbing him.

9:39- Hide the kids for this comment from JD. "Oilers had another chance but it was Michael Peca who couldn't finish." Use your imagination.

9:41- Markkanen makes a solid stop on a rip from the point off the rush from Wesley who decided to shoot the puck instead of stop it for once.

9:42- What a mad scramble around the net. 3-0 Carolina on a goal by Stillman with 2 seconds to go in the period. I give up.

9:44- Me: "3-0 after two."
Gary: "Yuck. Carolina does deserve it though."
Me: "@#$hem."
Gary: "It's better than NJ winning."
Me: "Good point sir."

He always did know how to cheer me up.

9:50- Greg is back with another guaruntee.

Greg: "That's alright Oilers WILL comeback. I guaruntee it. This game is going to overtime."

If his predictions so far have taught us anything it's that this game is over.

10:01- Third period under way and Edmonton is controlling play early.

10:04- Penalty on Edmonton, good way to kill momentum, and I just thought I'd mention Erin just sat down on the couch. Coincedence? I think not.

10:07- Carolina goal under review....looks to me like it shouldn't count, but knowing my luck it will.

10:08- .....................................................it counts, 4-0. I really don't understand the logic behind calling that a goal at all.

10:10- Frustration penalty on Edmonton, time for some fights if you ask me. Good look from above on the goal. Apparently he did touch it with his stick despite kicking it to get it there in the first place.

10:12-5-0 on a deflection by Recchi. I'd come up with a witty remark, but im in total shock.

10:14- Another penalty on Edmonton. Let's go for a six pack and try to forget this night ever happened.

10:26- Penalty on Edmonton. This game has been over from the opening draw.

10:32- Penalty on Carolina, time for a meaningless goal potentially. All I'm asking for at this point is just to break up the shutout of this rook. Don't I deserve at least that much?

10:35- Laraque is tossed for a cheap hit from behind after the penalty expires.

10:40- Penaly on the Canes. Anyone noticing a trend here in the late stages of the game? If there's one good thing about this it's that the refs are keeping it from getting way out of control.

10:42- Game over 5-0 final. Shutout for the rook Ward. No need to get violent tonight, Edmonton didn't play a bad game, they just got beat. No complaints from the effort, but if they want to get back in this series they may want to take Ward's steroids away from him because I have never seen such a turnaround in play ever. It's unreal.

Signing off for the evening, but to bring things full circle, it's official. Canes won the opening draw again tonight and won the game. My theory is 2-0 and no I'm not happy about that at all.

10:45- Erin: "What is Versus?"
Me:- "OLN is changing their name to Versus."
Erin: "But what will they do with fishing? There's no real versus in fishing."
Me: "Good point, we're still trying to figure out the point of changing."

10:46 Power surge. All the lights just went out in the house. I'd say it's pretty symbolic since the lights are slowly going out on Edmonton's season.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go get that Kleenex from Diana and come up with a gameplan for Saturday, because this spot on the couch certainly isn't working.

Game 1 Oilers Vs. Hurricanes

So as I sit here on my comfy couch I cannot contain my excitement. After two years I finally get to watch a Stanley Cup Finals game and what better way to share my excitement than to keep a running blog of what's going on?

For those of you who don't know by now, the Edmonton Oilers better win this series for two reasons. First, it would be the biggest kick in the ass to the players from the owners because having an 8-seed win the Stanley Cup would prove their theory about parity. Secondly, I ran an NHL playoff pool and right now I'm in the lead and as long as Carolina doesn't win the Cup I win. I don't even care about the money, just the bragging rights that come along with it and where I won the NCAA Tournament Pool with my friends it would be the total sweep.

8:13- Nice camera shot of some of the Canes cheerleaders. Where were the cheerleaders when I used to play? That would have given us some extra motivation to play. Oh and she's singing the Canadian national anthem and she's being drowned out by the Oiler fans...that's dedication right there as a fan.

8:18- Opening draw won by Brind'Amour, not thrilled based on my scientific theory that the winner of the opening draw, goes on to win the game.

8:20- Penalty on Mike Commodore of the Canes! Oilers going on the PP! Look out for Pronger at the point.

8:25- Commodore just smoked Ryan Smyth who was skating out of his own zone. The hitting is picking up in this fast paced period. Man I missed this.

8:27- First commercial break, I suppose I should bring the dishes from dinner into the kitchen before my better half gets home and kills me.

8:31- SCORRRRREEEEEEEEE!!!!!! YESSSSSSS!!!!! 1-0 Oilers! Goalmouth scramble, great save by Cam Ward on Fernando Pisani's initial shot, but he picked up his own rebound and tucked it behind the down and out Ward. Good start for me!

8:36- Penalty on Steve Staios for "going to low on a hip check," total BS if you ask me but oh well time for the PK.

8:41-Another penalty on the Oilers. My friend Greg isn't impressed.

"Bad call...Devorski blows."

8:44- Ethan Moreau draws a penalty to even things up.

8:45- Another penalty on the Canes! 4-on-3 powerplay soon to be a 5-on-3!!

8:48- Another penalty on Carolina! Lazy penalties by the Canes. Timeout Edmonton. Craig MacTavish calls the troops over to draw up a play.

8:50- Glen Wesley just set the unofficial record for most body parts injured in one shift. Somehow he's still skating around.

8:54- End of the first period. 1-0 Edmonton, I can live with this. Great action and making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to be watching Cup Finals hockey once again. Time to do the dishes.

9:04- Umm....OLN is changing their name to Versus? Versus what? At least with OLN you knew what you were getting, but come on Versus? What the hell is that?

9:12- Second period under way!

9:17- Looks like Carolina woke up inbetween periods. Coach Laviolette must have screamed obscenities at his club, because no coach ever does that type of thing to get his team going.

9:19- First unbelievable save of the night goes to Cam Ward. Stops the first shot from point blank and somehow got the rebound shot too. Good stuff from the rook.

9:22- Random thought. Worst name in hockey? Michael Peca. No need to explain that as I'm sure you can use your imagination. Perhaps that's why he's going to the box right now.

9:25- Just had this convo with a future nurse.

Me: "Edmonton is up 1-0."

Diana: "Where's Edmonton?"

Me: "Not much of a geography buff are you?"

9:31- PENALTY SHOT FOR EDMONTON!!! The most exciting play in hockey!

9:32 Pronger moves in and SCOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRREEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!! 2-0 OILERS!!!!! YAHHHHHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

9:45 SCOOOOOORRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! 3-0 EDMONTON!! ETHAN MOREAU THROWS IT AT THE NET AND IT DEFLECTS IN!!!!! SWEET!!!

9:47: Greg: "This game is over." Hopefully he's right, but I tend to believe him.

9:48- Uh oh. Can I take that last line back? 3-1 on a rebound goal by Brind'Amour. I really don't want to have to eat my words on this one, come on Oilers get it back please!

9:50- Penalty on Edmonton why am I hearing "It's the end of the world as we know it," in my head.

9:51 End to end rushes with unbelievable saves at both ends! What an end to the period and a start to the series!! 3-1 after two.

10:11- Third period under way and the Canes start out on the PP on carryover time, in other news Erin came home and is still confused about the sport despite my efforts to explain, but I'll keep on trying to make a hockey fan out of her if it kills me.

10:13- The song is getting louder in my head. 3-2 Ray Whitney on an absolute rip on a one-timer off the rush. No chance for Roloson.

10:14- Penalty on Carolina. Please oh please Edmonton get one here!

10:17- Well that was one heck of a powerplay there by Edmonton. I think a group of midgets with one leg each could have executed a better PP and of course Moreau takes a penalty to give Carolina a chance to tie it up now. The wheels are coming off the wagon.

10:19- I am officially ripping the hair out of my head, 3-3 and Erin is now afraid to talk to me. Edmonton's defense is standing around watching instead of reacting.

10:24- Golden chance for Edmonton stopped by a diving outstretched glove of Ward on the ice. I can't believe what I'm seeing out here. There is a massive pit in my stomache right now from being so stressed out from this game. Imagine what I'd be like if the Penguins were playing in the Finals.

10:25- Penalty on Carolina. Doubt this will have any positive effect judging from how this period is going.

10:29- I'm just going to shut up now. Shorthanded goal for Justin Williams. 4-3 Carolina. Ward is turning into a stonewall.

Erin: "Am I bad luck?"

Me: "Yes."

Erin: "Do you want me to go back to work?"

Me: "Yes."

10:31- Me: "I'm blaming you for this, you said it was over after 3-0."

Greg: "It is over oilers are gonna win in double ot, they just wanna have more drama."

Me: "Yeah, ok."

10:33- Erin has left the room. Come on Edmonton the hex is off now go win me a hockey game.

10:34- Ward makes another unbelievable save. This one might as well be over as far as I'm concerned.

Greg: "I want Ward tested for steroids."

10:37- SCOOOOOORRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!! WHAT A GOAL BY ALES HEMSKY ON THE PP!!!!!! YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!

Erin from upstairs: "I'll stay up here."

Me: "Good."

10:38- Uh oh. Rolo gets plowed into and crashes into the post and isn't getting up and of course OLN has to go to commercial. Apparently the Erin hex still applies from upstairs.

10:41- The song from before is louder than ever as Rolo glides off to the locker room and they're bringing in Ty Conklin from UNH. You heard it here first. Game. Set. Match. Carolina.

10:44- JD is commenting on Conklin being in.

Me: "Why is he laughing about this whole thing? It's not funny."

Greg: "I know he is so cruel, what an ass. He is like hahaha Rolo's hurt."

10:50- Conklin faces his first shot and makes a routine save, but leaves a massive rebound that was thankfully cleared away. This is gonna be over soon.

10:54- Ty Conklin is the worst goalie of all time. Comes out to play a puck behind the net and coughs it up, gets trapped behind the net and Brind'Amour picks up the loose change and tucks it into an empty net after Jason Smith fanned on the outlet pass. 5-4 Carolina.

10:56- Ward stands on his head to rob Horcoff from point blank who had an empty net. Game over. Carolina wins 5-4 and leads the best of seven 1-0.

Excuse me while I go put my head through a wall.

11:14- Pulled my head out of the sheetrock long enough to hear Coach MacTavish say Roloson is out for the series. Bye bye hockey pool money. This series is already over.

Going to go try and fix that hole in the wall before Game 2 and let me refer you back to my theory from the opening draw. I was right and the theory is 1-0 in the Finals.