Offical 2003 Stanley Cup Finals thread (Finals start on Pg. 17)

[supamaki]

Could it be? The Devils vs. the junior Devils in the SCF? How nuts would that be? Jaques Lemaires upstarts against the team and system he created in New Jersey. A true Darth Vader/Obi Wan Kenobi battle (the student vs the master not the good vs. evil part)
Let's go Devils!!!

 

[TLinden16]

Well, looks like I really counted my eggs before they hatched. I was so confident that the Canucks were going to win the series when they were up 3 games to 1.

The Wild didn't win the series, though. The Canucks lost it. The Canucks had that series in their pocket, and they gave it right back to Minnesota. The Canucks should have won that series.

I think the two main reasons why the Canucks didn't win this series--Todd Bertuzzi and Dan Cloutier.

Bertuzzi made a stupid move by making the "There will not be a game six" comment. The only thing he did was fire up the Minnesota fans and the Minnesota players. It's one thing to talk about being confident, but to make a comment like that is just plain stupid. He took far too many penalties in the playoffs, and despite getting tons of ice time, he only got two goals in the playoffs.

As for Cloutier, well, I've been saying all along that he is a good goalie, but he's not the type of goalie who is going to steal wins for the team, and that's something you need from a goalie in the playoffs. A goalie can't let in 4, 5, or 7 goals in the playoffs and get wins. Cloutier let a lot of pucks that he should have stopped get by him (including two last night).

The only good thing about the Canucks being out of the playoffs is now I can go to bed at a reasonable hour because I won't stay up until 1:30 in the morning to watch a Ducks/Wild game.

Karen

 

[Magickndm]

Originally posted by TLinden16
The Wild didn't win the series, though.

So that's why they will be playing the Ducks tomorrow.....(whatever makes you feel better I guess).

 

[yensid1071]

Originally posted by Scottwdw
The Minnesota Wild will be hosting the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Talk about irony. In the movie, "The Mighty Ducks", the team played in Minnesota.

Yep, and at the time, a baby-faced Mike Moe-dan-oh (or Moe-don-oh, depending what part of the country you're from) had a big part in the film.... a whopping 5 words. LOL!

Pardon me while I'm still mourning the loss of the Stars. Should they have won? Sure. But the Ducks did the grunt work, finished their checks, played smart hockey and outlasted the Stars. Should the disallowed goal count? Possibly. But then we'd have to look at the one the Ducks had disallowed. I don't like the rule myself, but I don't think Gary Betteman will listen to me. Now if the Stars had played Game 6 the way they played Game 5, it might be a different story. Guess we'll just have to wait till next year. *sigh*.....

 

[Grog]

That was a great win for the Wild! I hope they can take that momentum into the series with the Ducks. Myself and the other half dozen or so hockey fans in Houston are excited right now. We've got the Wild in the NHL West Championship series and our Aeros in the AHL West Championship series. This is too good

 

[bananiem]

tkyes- I was going to put the whole thing down but thought I'd get in trouble for being too long a post. I shoulda done it anyway!
I also thought about downloading the song for everyone but thought that might be too much. LOL!!

 

[Scottwdw]

<TABLE><TR><TH colspan=2>WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS<BR>Anaheim Mighty Ducks vs. Minnesota Wild</TH></TR><TR><TR><TH><img src="http://home.twcny.rr.com/pscalc/images/ducks2.gif"></TH><TH><img src="http://home.twcny.rr.com/pscalc/images/wild.jpg"></TH></TR><TR><TD colspan=2>The Minnesota Wild have less than two full days to prepare for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks who have have been off since Monday. The Wild have played two 7 game series for a total of 14 games whicle the Ducks have played 10 games. The season series between them were identical at 2 wins and 2 loses. The goaltending for the Ducks have been spectacular. The Wild feature two good goalies that get the job done. Both teams don't score a lot but have many players who can put the puck in the net. Each team has the ability to shut down an opponet.<br><br>Sigh! I have to go with the team with the HOT goaltender. The Ducks win this series in 7 games. (Hey, I can't see Minnesota not playing a 7 games series. )<br><br></TD></TR><TR><TR><TH colspan=2>EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS<BR>New Jersey Devils vs. Ottawa Senators</TH></TR><TH><img src="http://home.twcny.rr.com/pscalc/images/devils.gif"></TH><TH><img src="http://home.twcny.rr.com/pscalc/images/senators.gif"></TH></TR>
<TR><TD colspan=2>The Ottawa Senators had the New Jersey Devils number during the season. The focus here will be the Devils defensive play against the Senators explosive offense. And, while that may be the focus, how Ottawa handles itself in it's own end will be the difference. The Senators are talkng big and I think they can walk the talk and take this series 4 games to 2.</TH></TR></TABLE>

Scottwdw

 

[Big Dude]

I'll still hang around for awhile even though my Flyers are hitting the links

What great game ones on Saturday for both confrences. I wanted to wait to see what the teams looked like against each other before I went ahead and made any predictions.

As far as the west is concerned, the Ducks have to be the pick just because they have the BEST goalie in hockey at the moment. Jiggy will stay hot and continue to stand on his head throughout this series frustrating the opposition. I wouldn't even be surprised if this series only went 5 games.

Now for the East. It all depends on which Roman.....er....I mean Martin Brodeur shows up the next game. If the usual brick wall Marty shows up, I think Ottawa will be in for a rude awakening. Whoever scores first will have a huge advantage because both teams are extremely good with the trap. I do see this series going 7 games and I will go out on a limb and say (even though it hurts me so) that the Devils will be playing the Mighty Ducks in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Well, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. For those of you who do not agree with me, just look at my track record. You have nothing at all to worry about!!!

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[Magickndm]

Originally posted by Big Dude
As far as the west is concerned, the Ducks have to be the pick just because they have the BEST goalie in hockey at the moment. Jiggy will stay hot and continue to stand on his head throughout this series frustrating the opposition. I wouldn't even be surprised if this series only went 5 games.

Seeing that the Wild do best when they are the underdogs, keep thinking that. But you know what? Even if they do lose this series, how amazing has this season been for them? According to most, they're not even supposed to still be in it. I would never count this team as out till it's over.

 

[supamaki]

So the Devils lose game 1, are they worried? Nope. Am I? A little. But I have faith. It has been 3 years since they won a cup. They're due. And the Sens are way to confident, it's time for some New Jersey Devils humble pie to be served in Ottawa!

 

[bananiem]

"I wouldn't even be surprised if this series only went 5 games."
Yo, Big Dude- That's what Bertuzzi thought.

Go Wild!!!

 

[mickey65]

GO SENS

 

[Big Dude]

I don't know bananiem, I may have to adjust my game total after watching tonight's game!!!

<IMG SRC=http://tubes.ominix.com/art/a/animations/ani-broom-sweeping.gif><IMG SRC=http://i.cnn.net/si/images/hockey/nhl/logos/wild_65.gif>
<IMG SRC=http://www.prohockeystuff.com/photos/goalies/giguere1.jpg>

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[supamaki]

Wow! What a game by the Devils! Nearly perfect, and when they weren't Marty was there to bail them out.
Back to the swamp all even at one.
Let's go Devils!!

 

[Big Dude]

supmaki, I have to agree with you on that. I almost crawled through the TV in the 1st period (and I'm not even a Devils fan) when they called the "too many men on the ice" penalty against the Devils for the 4th straight penalty against them, without any being called against the Sens. When they cut to commercial I told my wife that Ottawa will have a penalty coming up because they had about 2/3 of their team out in the ice when the whistle blew! Anyway, the Devils played a nearly flawless game and I think they have solved the Lalime puzzle...... Stick side, middle or high (4 hole) and that could be huge if corrections are not made quickly.

Ducks-Wild tonight! Hockey every night of the week. It's the most, wonderful time, of the year!

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[supamaki]

I couldn't believe that call! I can understand calling a penalty n the Dev's, but at least call matching minors. I think it gave the Devils a lift killing all those penaltys off, and had the opposite effect on Ottawa.
Even the fools at ESPN noticed, and when they pick up on something, it's got to be blatent. I was floored last night when I heard Pang say he played in only 83 games, without a shutout. 83 games! The guy talks like he was in the league for a 100 years and knows everything there is to know about being a goalie. I understand he can say that a goalie "knows" when a puck has gone in the net with a career GAA of over 4!
You're right about this being the best time of the year, but I don't think my wife agrees. LOL

 

[Scottwdw]

There's a reason why Darren Pang's an analyst, he's a better head than an NHL goalie. Overall, I like the ESPN coverage. I love HNIC's theme song but their play-by-play guys aren't what they used to be. And Don Cherry can take a flying leap off the CN Tower, please!! (Hey, remember the Too Many Men on the Ice penalty against Montreal, Donny? )

Okay, enough commentary from me.

On to the action....

Well, Brodeur bailed out the Devils last night. It seems to me, if Ottawa wants to score they can. I still favor the Senators. Lalime was due for a couple of baddies, just like Brodeur had in his previous series this year.

Unless the Wild can score first tonight, Bid Dude's broom image might not be too far off the mark. I don't care what the Minnesota players are saying, they look very tentative when shooting the puck at Jiggy.

Oh, and one more comment (I know!), the Minnesota crowds were wonderful! I love how the Wild's organization incorporates the feel of hockey in Minnesota at the start of the games. I have family in the Twin Cities area and really want to take in a game there sometime. I hope my Canadiens were taking notes.

 

[Scottwdw]

Sign of the night:

Sorry Minnesota....Cinderella Lives in Anaheim

Scottwdw

 

[Big Dude]

Scott, I saw that also. All I have to say (especially if you are a Wild fan is) UH-OH! 4-0 is waaaaayyyyy too much to overcome when you have "gettin jiggy with it" in the net for the Ducks!

PLAY ON!!!!!

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[supamaki]

Originally posted by Scottwdw

Well, Brodeur bailed out the Devils last night. It seems to me, if Ottawa wants to score they can. I still favor the Senators. Lalime was due for a couple of baddies, just like Brodeur had in his previous series this year.

Bailed them out? Were you watching the same game I was? It was 4-1. He made some nice saves, but that game was all Devils. They were just one deflected shot off a skate in game 1 from being up 2-0.