Well so far, my Indians look pretty good to repeat as champions. They’re in first place and haven’t had a lot of injuries until recently (my top 2 defensemen). The Wings are looking to get into the playoffs. Injuries and a real dip in scoring from last season have hurt thus far.
Kudos to Tim for making an integrated schedule. For the first time in a while my Indians and Red Wings have played against each other and other teams from the other conference.
There are a whole bunch of things I don’t like about this blog tool. I do like the editor is embedded, and that you can drop the posts into catagories. It is fairly simple to move posts around to different categories as administrator also. There has been a great deal of work to create a tool like this (or the bulletin board, etc), and I don’t really want to re-invent the wheel.
The big things lacking are:
Any other complaints with this tool?
BTW, if you can’t post, you haven’t requested a login. Please send me an email classic_hockey@yahoo.ca and I’ll set you up. I’ve specifically set it up so you need to ask me for a login because I don’t want millions of auto-users additions from the spammers like on the bulletin board.
FINALLY!!!! This was our year and it came to fruition last night with a dominating 6-2 win at home in front of a raucus crowd at the Duff Gardens. Eric Lindros and John Rogers dominated play with 3 points each as the Canadiens threw a triple team on Guy Lafleur, leaving 2 men to cover the other 4 Indians on the ice. Once again we dominated play outshooting the Habs 30-20 on the strength of 8 powerplays. We only scored once but the barrage wore down Patrick Roy and he was pulled in the third period. Even though our powerplay and penalty killing blew chunks (Habs were 2-4 on the man advantage) we outplayed the opposition even strength. Jacques Plante stopped the puck when he had to for the 4th game where he saw very little action. This was great because it is maddening every year to see your team at the top of the league defensively (24 shots allowed this year) then lose it all when your goalie can’t stop a beach ball on just 15 shots.
Thanks to Jon VP not only for his great work as being the opposition for this Final, but for making the deal with me for Rogers. Rogers really put me over the hump in winning I think. Jon should be given credit for building the Habs into a contender and for upsetting many teams along the way, it looked like they just ran outta gas against my guys.
MVP of the playoffs is Guy Lafleur…first in goals scored and plus minus, second in points, he was definately the gas that drove the Indian’s engine in these playoffs. About time he earned that $9 million contract. This team should be about the same next year, so we should be there to contend. I think my first line was in the top ten in +/-; if that can happen you’re not going to lose too many games.
Thanks as well to commisioner MacDonald…he’s really set up a great League with plenty of fun. Hopefully we can repeat next season.
We’re just one away! I still refuse to get my hopes up though…I’ve been through too much in 9 seasons to celebrate early. Hopefully the boys will wrap things up tonight in Game 5. Do not want to go back to Montreal that’s for sure. Winning tonight at home is a must!
In Game 3 we dominated play because we had 9 powerplays! Wow! 9! What sucks is that we managed to score on only 1 of them. Still, Jonny and Scotty have to be pulling their hair out over taking 9 penalties to my 6. They’re probably ready to throttle the refs, their players or both. When you dominate play like that though, you have to win and since I’ve gone off about Jacques Plante not keeping his focus when he doesn’t get a lot of work, he has won 3 games in a row like this one. Final score was 4-2 for us but if not for Roy, it could have been much worse. My third and fourth lines are definately playing better than theirs. My secondary scoring definately won game 4 while my big line(s) took the night off. They had a combined 6 points (2 goals). This is what my teams have been lacking before. My two top lines get shut down and the other guys don’t pick up the slack. That hasn’t happened these playoffs. In fact my 3rd line centre, Jim Sherritt, is averaging almost a point per game (7G, 9A, +6 in 18 games). My bottom 2 lines have outscored the Canadiens bottom 2; 16-9 (points).
Guy Lafleur took over game 4, scoring 2 goals and assisting on the game winner. The man has definately earned his paycheque this playoffs and is my unquestioned MVP. This is something he hasn’t done since I acquired him from Edmonton. He’s put this team on his back and carried them this far. Hopefully he’s got one more game left in him. He and Lindros have seemed to really click this year. For a change, the Big E is healthy these playoffs…hasn’t had a concussion in months (knock on wood); maybe he can finally be a winner. Final score Game 5 - 5-3 Indians.
Well the stars will all be at the game tonight watching the Indians - Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge, Krusty, Moe, Flanders, Mr. Burns….they may even let Sideshow Bob out on a day pass to see the game. This is the most excitement Springfield has seen since Isotopes recruited big League ball players.
Game 1 - Indians 5, Canadiens 2
Did the Canadiens even show up in game 1 of the finals? Sure didn’t look like it.
The Indians also out shot the Habs 32-20. The Indians just plain out played the Habs, and with all four lines contributing on the score sheet, the Habs just couldn’t seem to find an answer all night long. The Habs were within 1 goal on 2 occasions managing to bring the to bring it close at 2-1 going into the 3rd. The Indian scored at the 7:35 marker of the 3rd and the Habs answered back about 5 minutes later bringing it back to with one. But with 2 minutes left they just fell apart in there own end, giving up 2 goals in about 30 seconds with about 2 minutes left. Coach Bowman said afterwards that the team has to play better in both of the rink, and in every aspect of the game.
End of regulation Indians win game one, so all the Canadiens can hope to do is come out of Springfield with a split.
Game 2 - Canadiens 6, Indians 3
The Canadiens decided to come out and play some hockey tonight out shooting the Indians 30-23, and giving a some of the medicine they dished out in game one. Both Brian Bye and Frank Taylor had hat tricks in the game. Bye also added 3 assists. He was a big part of the teams play in game 2 coach Bowman said in the after game press conference. Our teams play both offensively, going 3 for 6 on the power play and defensively holding the Indians to 23 shots and 0 for 4 on the power play. Game 2 was a big game for us, going back to Montreal with a split is just what we wanted too do.
Now the scene shifts to the Forum for games 2 and 3. The Canadiens will be looking to come out strong in game 3 and set the tone very early on.
The Habs will be looking for the 3rd line to do some damage tonight and give the top 2 lines a little break. If not the team feels confident secondary scoring will come from some where.
The Montreal Candiens have the Toronto Maple Leafs right where they want them. Down 3 games to 1. Heading back to Montreal where the Canadiens hope to finish them off.
With help from unlikely players like Bob Geoffrion and Scott Jessee the Habs are starting too click at the right time. The Habs 2nd line of Al Hillier, Geoffrion and Jessee have combined for 23 points in the first four games. The are looking to add to that total tonight. Hillier said in a recent interview that ” we just need to keep playing like we are, all four lines are playing well and everyone contributes”.
Head coach Scotty Bowman, said “we have past many obstacles this year, and we have prooven we can play with the power houses of our conference. We play many different styles, against the Rangers we use dour team deafence, and Patrick stood on his head in nets for us. In the second round against the Barons all but game 2 were one goal games, so we have shown we can play close games too. Than this series we have played numerous styles. We have had a a 1 goal lose, 1 goal win, a shut out, and 7-5 win, so we have showed people that we can score too.
I am sure that tonight game will be no different, a tight 1 goal game. But only time will tell what will happen with the Canadiens, will the Cinderella season continue tonight. Tune in at 10 pm eastern and find out.
Yee Haw! Finally going to the finals! It’s about time!!! Maybe this is my year finally! To be honest I wasn’t getting my hopes up. I seriously envisioned my team losing the next 4 in a row. That’s how things have happened for me in the past.
Well Espo lost his cool in overtime, getting kicked out for a highsticking major on Kent Douglas. Even though Phil had a good series, he cost his team the game. Lafleur wins it in overtime 32 seconds after the penalty on one of his patented rushes, flying down the right side, hair flying out behind him, blowing a slapper past Georges Vezina, top left corner. He’s been great and is definately our team MVP for the playoffs. Next up-the Canadiens from the looks of things.
Wow…I’m stunned! We chased Georges Vezina for the 3rd straight game in a 5-3 win. The boys are playing great defensive hockey (21 shots against), only 5 power plays allowed (and we killed them all), Lafleur had 2 more points: Great effort!
I’ve noticed since I aquired Jacques Plante 5 or 6 seasons ago that he plays better when he has a lot of work. For the amount of shots he faces year in, year out, he should have a lot better save percentage and less goals against. This Game 3 was no different; 18 saves out of 21 for an .857 save % is not good. I think that is what has cost me in previous series and playoff years. If any team gets hot and shuts down our offense, our goaltending drops the ball. Kind of like Carey Price and Les Habs this year in the playoffs: the offense dried up, especially on the PP and Price didn’t make the saves like he did in the Boston series. Being a goalie myself I know it’s really hard to keep one’s concentration when you don’t see a lot of rubber and I think my boy Jacques doesn’t keep his well.
Well things are looking good for my boys; a 5-3 win in game one and a 6-2 win in game 2. I’m liking how we are playing with an agressive style but we took too many penalties in games1 and 2. Luckily the PK has been pretty good (3-14 against, 79%) but needs to be better. John Rogers won game one for us with a hat trick. I wasn’t sure about trading Denis Maruk to the Civics for him this year but he’s done a great job and is a better overall player than Maruk and younger. He had 2 helpers in game 2, so 5 points in 2 games, +4…yeah he’s been a star for me in these playoffs (I think he leads the League in plus/minus).
The offensive barrage continues for us as well. We’ve been able to chase ol’ Georgie from the net in both games with a constant attack. Finally Guy Lafleur is living up to that enormous contract I’m paying him. Leading the playoffs in points and he led my team in hits in Game 1, he’s playing like he’s possessed.
Our tight checking has been getting under Espositio’s skin. I told the coach to make sure Kent Douglas sticks to him like glue in the series and to let him know he’s always there. I guess Phil had enough as he and Kent threw down in the first period. He had 3 ponts in Game one, but nothing in Game 2 and was -2 (which he is for the series). If we can keep him and Jagr jammed up, we have a good chance.
We’re on a roll, hope we can keep it going. A split in Boston will be great.
So we get the big, bad Bruins in the Conference Finals. We needed a quick series last round and a 4-1 game drubbing of Sam’s Penguins was what the doctor ordered. I was concerned when my Number 1 shut down defenseman and Centre (Douglas and Lindros) got hurt but Sweeny and Rogers filled in great for them. I’m pretty sure I have one of the best checking lines in the League with Sherritt, Dumart and Larmer (D’s of 73, 90, and 76) and when Lindros got hurt, we called in ol’e Doug Risebrough (95 D…best checking centre in the League) he did great at shutting down Mario and Crosby in games 4 and 5. I might keep him in to play against Espo and Jagr but we’ll see. We were 2-2 against the Bruins this year so this should be a close series, especially if that old bastard Georges Vezina gets hot…I need my former Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante to play better…he was shaky against the Pens, getting pulled in 2 of the 5 games. I don’t think I’m ready to turn the reigns over to Mike Vernon.
The time off was great…I’m healty and ready to finally make the Finals this year!!!
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