How about them Avs .........

[phillybroncosnut]

These incidents were 3 SEPERATE times. It wasn't 3 jabs in a row. these were 3 different moments in the game when the whistle blew that first Colin White took about 4 punches at JR's Jaw. Then another time, Brodeur took 2 punches with his Waffle board to JR's jaw. Then Sean Brown through 6 punches right into JR's jaw.
PHUCKERS!

[phillybroncosnut]

HOLY ****!! He took it all off? He just came back! That guy is amazing. I gotta give him credit. He should just change his name to Warrior.

LOL...I figured he did. After the Wings, that's who he likes next best. Bastard.

That's why he may be my favorite sports athlete today. He is just a flat out team guy. Not to mention he is a great guy off the ice.

[phillybroncosnut]

He was asked before the game why he was taking the protective gear off and his answer was (I'm paraphrasing here).

"Because I can't go into a playoff game feeling the least bit uncomfortable. I owe it to my TEAM and the Flyer fans to give it 110%. I didn't feel 110% comfortable with that stuff on. That's not fair to my team or my fans".

Jesus I love this dude's character.

[Hogan11]

These incidents were 3 SEPERATE times. It wasn't 3 jabs in a row. these were 3 different moments in the game when the whistle blew that first Colin White took about 4 punches at JR's Jaw. Then another time, Brodeur took 2 punches with his Waffle board to JR's jaw. Then Sean Brown through 6 punches right into JR's jaw.
PHUCKERS!


They definitely targeted JR's jaw...no doubt about that.

My heart sank at that...and at the two goals in 35 seconds...but we held on to win anyways.

You were at the game I take it Philly? They showed the game on MSG in my area.

[phillybroncosnut]

They definitely targeted JR's jaw...no doubt about that.

My heart sank at that...and at the two goals in 35 seconds...but we held on to win anyways.

You were at the game I take it Philly? They showed the game on MSG in my area.


yeah, I was down there. Man, we went from total joy to sh!tting our pants in the matter of literally one minute. When Primeau scored, the place went nuts. It was over. 3-0 with 15 minutes left. Next thing I knew, it was 3-2 with 14 minutes and some change left. I couldn't beleive that second goal. What did the puck do, change direction 6 times? I know it hit Timander in the butt and went in. But the puck seemed to be in a pinball machine on that play.

[Mtbrncofn]

I have to say I was never really fond of JR because of his cockiness. But that makes me a hypocrite because thats one of the things I love most about my favorite players. So I will definitely give the guy his props for being a team player and giving his 110%. I had never really heard the off ice stuff til recently, and that really upped my respect for him.

[Hogan11]

I don't care for the flavor...but I appreciate the production.

It was rough watching them get those two goals in the blink of an eye like that...the Devils make me more than nervous as I said before...I just can't get comfortable with this until they're out of it.

Think Esche can hold up over the long haul?

[SJ Bronco]

WHEW!!! I was REAL nervose. The crowed was too tame. too many rich people. Next few games, I hope some better fans get there. That was about the worst game I've seen us play this year. Got lucky, got out alive, we'll regroup. I will admit, Im a bit nervose, but i think the sharks are not looking past the blues anymore. My Broncos hat got fuqed up in the first period when cheechoo fanned on that open net a few min in. Some jerk, probably a raider fan, spilled nacho cheese all over it. If the pissed off dude with nacho cheechoo jersey....

[Mtbrncofn]

I know I'm stepping into the middle of your question, RHogan, but I was wondering what you guys think about the B's since they're in your conference? They certainly came on strong at the end, and their rook goalie was mighty impressive in his debut. I don't think the Habs have a chance if the B's keep up their play.

[Mtbrncofn]

WHEW!!! I was REAL nervose. The crowed was too tame. too many rich people. Next few games, I hope some better fans get there. That was about the worst game I've seen us play this year. Got lucky, got out alive, we'll regroup. I will admit, Im a bit nervose, but i think the sharks are not looking past the blues anymore. My Broncos hat got fuqed up in the first period when cheechoo fanned on that open net a few min in. Some jerk, probably a raider fan, spilled nacho cheese all over it. If the pissed off dude with nacho cheechoo jersey....


Was thinkin about ya there, SJ. Exciting though, eh and at least your team came out on the winning end of it.

The spill on your hat should be an excuse to get a new one or 3. ;D

[SJ Bronco]

We got plenty of defense. That kill on the double minor was HUGE, but to only get, what im guessing was somewhere in the relm of 5 shots on goal(counted three till the last two min) in the PP?! WTF?! Where's the offense. Reminds me of the series against the Avs last year. Too many wiffs on open oppertunitys.

[Mtbrncofn]

Uh huh, we know all about too many whiffs on oppurtunities. Welcome to the last 2 months of Avs hockey.

[Tredici]

Pretty sad story here.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=79331&hubName=nhl

Looks as though it's pretty much all over for Adam Deadmarsh as far as his hockey career is concerned. Sad to see really, he was an original member of the Avalanche and a part of the '96 Stanley Cup team.

Best of luck Deader.

One of my all time favorites. Guy just loved playing the game so damn much. Loved watching him skate around with that big grin on his face. So here's the new deal. Kings release him. Pierre brings him home. Miraculous cure. Foppa happy, signs new deal. Hey - no crazier than thinking about a year ago... maybe Kariya and Selanne say we don't need no stinking money and sign with the Avs...

Come playoff time I sure miss our old grinders. Anyone else like to see Yeller or Podein hustling around? No offense to the guys anchoring the lines now, but those are two I dearly miss.

[Clockwork Orange]

I wish that could be true Tred, but these concussions are just too much sometimes. This reminds me a lot of Pat Lafontaine. He missed a great deal of time due to concussions, tried to come back but suffered another concussion when he collided with a teammate during a game. If a guy can't take an inadvertant hit from one of his own guys, how could they be expected to hold up when opposing players are trying to drive them through the boards? Deadmarsh is likely in the same boat.

I remember exactly where it all started. It was a fight with Ed Jovanovski during the 2000-01 season. Deadmarsh got caught with a bomb from Jovo and was knocked out cold. He was out for a while with a concussion and when he returned he wasn't quite the same. He was traded to the Kings later that season and, while productive, was still haunted by his own soft skull.

He's missed most of the last 2 seasons and still can't even get on the ice now. Sad as it is, it's time for him to move on. He's got a wife and children to think about. I'd prefer that he's able to play with his kids, read bedtime stories to them and watch them grow up rather than risk permanent brain damage by trying to return to the NHL.

I'm certain he'll have a nice insurance settlement for a career ending injury (as most players do) and he'll always have his Stanley Cup ring to wear proudly. Take those things and ride into the sunset Deader, the risk is not worth the reward in this case. You'll be missed, but it's the right thing to do.

[Mtbrncofn]

One of my all time favorites. Guy just loved playing the game so damn much. Loved watching him skate around with that big grin on his face. So here's the new deal. Kings release him. Pierre brings him home. Miraculous cure. Foppa happy, signs new deal. Hey - no crazier than thinking about a year ago... maybe Kariya and Selanne say we don't need no stinking money and sign with the Avs...

Come playoff time I sure miss our old grinders. Anyone else like to see Yeller or Podein hustling around? No offense to the guys anchoring the lines now, but those are two I dearly miss.


Hell yeah. I have lots of fantasies like that one. I really miss Podein too. Character guys. This goes along with my TD will eventually come back and play for us again fantasy. ;)

[Mtbrncofn]

Here's to keeping that ball rolling from the last game. To go up 2 would be awesome, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself.

Detroit goalies are taking a beating this year. Manny took a puck to the head today in practice, but is still supposed to start. Their goalie carousel has been like the rest of our team injuries.

Go Avs

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Beauty! 2-1

[twotimes3233]

First off...
If you are watching the game on ESPN2
Enough with the freakin' "Keep on Truckin" song OK!
How many times do I need to hear this in one three hour period!
Your freakin' killin' me!

This series is going to be good.
And ugly.
I got a feeling that this is going to turn into a war.
I don't predict a HUGE fight, but that's possible.
But someone is going to knocked out.
These guys are hitting.
And hitting often.
Even away from the camera, you can hear the boards boomin' because someone is going through em'.

Lets get that ass.

GO AVS!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Scccoooorrrreeeee 3-1

[Clockwork Orange]

That was a brilliant performance by the Avalanche. Simply brilliant.

Everything they weren't doing that raised questions about them coming into the postseason, they did tonight. They scored on the power play, they killed penalties (Dallas got a PP goal, but it was on a 2 on 1 rush after the Avs had just missed on a 3 on 1 rush), they blocked shots, they were responsible in front of Aebischer and they didn't just sit back in the 3rd period as they did in game 1. The whole team should be the 1st star of this game.

Aebischer was solid when called upon, but the Avalanche did such a great job in front of him that he didn't have to be great tonight. Forsberg, Tanguay & Sakic had 2 point games and the defense played a smart, physical game.

The Avs are 10-0 when they take a 2-0 lead in a playoff series since coming to Denver. Now they need to play the same game on Monday night.

[Tredici]

Solid all around.

The best thing to see is Blake's cannon back on track. And Danny Hinote's hustle paying off.

Dinging on Dallas' defense is paying off, too. Those guys are taking a lot of stupid penalties.

If the Avs can win on Monday maybe my cousin will be so disgusted I can talk her into giving me their seats at American Airlines Arena for the closer...

[Mtbrncofn]

Holy ****!! What a game! I knew they could do it. The PK rocked tonight and Dallas was a penalty machine. ( Even though the refs weren't that great ) They were right, they certainly have turned it on come playoff time. Boughner was having quite a game for himself Taking shots, finishing checks.... a guy like that deserves to get on the Cup.

Jerko is showing some rust I think even though he played well in game one. Alright, who said Dallas was gonna sweep us? Glad they proved you wrong I bet. The crowd was great again. If they can keep this up, they have a damn good shot at bringing Lord Stanley home.

I'm keeping an eye on the Nucks game, they were down 2-1 last I checked. Damn, playoff hockey is the best!

[Breck Bronc]

A nice 5-2 win for the Avs.

Special Teams were dominant for Colorado, the difference in the game. Andrei Nikolishin is the most underrated player in Avalanche history, even if he's only played about 3/4ths of one season with them. What a move he made on the shorthanded goal.

Svatos continues to make things happen. How could you not love this kid? He's gotten layed out in both games and come back to put points on the board. His hands are, as advertised, Hejduk-esque. The quick move he made on the Konowalchuk goal where he passed to Blake at the point was sick.

The best move of the night, though, has to go to Peter Forsberg. He hit the crossbar but it was still one of the most amazing one-man shows you'll ever see. If that puck goes in the net it's the goal of the playoffs, no doubt.

I'm happy being up 2-0 though I still am worried about going to Dallas and their huge home ice advantage. All we need is one win out of two. It's going to get much tougher and Colorado has always had trouble putting teams away, at least in their last 8 playoff series.

Go DU Saturday night!

[Mtbrncofn]

Did ya all see Jerko and his fancy stickwork on Barnaby right at the end? Geez, doesn't he learn?

One more thing that would be awesome, for the Duke to snap this goal-less streak.

But hey, Breck....we are a great road team too. I'm not too worried about it really. We should be matched pretty evenly as stats go for road/home stuff. We have the momentum. I do agree about the putting away the series. Maybe this year is the year they really put em away though. I sure as hell hope so.

[bpc]

I AM STOKED! Colorado played awesome tonight and beating a hot team soundly for the second straight game at home is the best thing that could have happened for the Avs. They hustled, they checked, blocked shots, played great on special teams, and their stars stepped up. I bet teams around the west could be heard taking a collective gulp as the scoreboard kept getting rung up on the power play. THEY'RE BACK!!!!

Hopefully Kariya can come back and provide a little bit more of an offensive spark but the best thing that could have happened for his injury is us taking the Stars down 2-0 with a chance of wrapping up this series early.

It would be nice to wrap up the series in Dallas, but I'm aiming for 1 win out of the next two games. That would put the strangle hold on Dallas and Colorado in cruise control.

[Mtbrncofn]

Hell, I'm actually fine without Kariya. With the way Svatos is playing, Kariya really isn't being missed too much, other than his leadership.

[Mtbrncofn]

Only 14 to go and we can hoist the Cup again. I'd be ok with that. ;D

[Clockwork Orange]

That raises an interesting question, who sits when Kariya comes back? I can't think of one player who isn't deserving of being in the lineup right now......but I imagine it'll be Riku Hahl who gets a seat in the press box.

No way they take Svatos out of the lineup. That kid not only has talent, but he's fearless and works his tail off on every shift. One can only wonder how this season would have been different had he not missed 78 games with a shoulder injury.

[bpc]

Svatos has been playing great.

I like Kariya, because he has the will of a champion. He was huge for Anaheim last year and he would give a lift to any team with him on it. We'll only be better with him. However, if it ain't broke don't fix it! I'm not complaining! ;)

I can't help but feel great about how our defense is playing. Aebi is playing great, and our defense is smothering people and shots. They are also still finding enough room to be effective on offensive plays as well. Team looks great right now!

[Mtbrncofn]

Boy you have a good point there, CO. But did his bulking up with his recuperation time help him now at all? This sounds awful to say of 2 superstars like Selanne and Kariya and I do appreciate what little they did do for the team. That being said, Svatos has been better in his what? 4 games back than they have looked all season. Obviously the points aren't there, but that guy is a stud. And a young one too. I am looking forward to many seasons of seeing him around.

[wabbit]

Anyone else notice that when Forsberg gets the puck, the Stars seemed to freak...drawing players from all over the ice...I could see several Avs skating around all by themselves.

This was great...a nice solid ass-kicking to send them back home wondering if they have a serious shot now.

[Mtbrncofn]

LOL...seems like there were a lot of Stars wandering around with that desperate look in their eyes.

I also noticed that, wabbit. As well they should freak. He owned them. What a treat to get to watch the best player in the world play on our team!

[Tredici]

Okay Flames!

[Mtbrncofn]

Bwahaahaaahahaahaa....Chokes lose!

[Tredici]

Man, that was a breath holder right until the end.

[wabbit]

There is no way I could know for sure of course, but it seemed Sakic joked with Forsberg about it once...beginning of the third period, Third line, fourth line on the ice...Sakic gesturing with Forsberg...seemed to demonstrating the wide open spaces.

Couple of other players thought it was funny too.

It is great having him here...I'm also glad that have some people who can, and do protect him little now as well.

Thank God for the Avs...the idea of four months of baseball was giving me bowel troubles.

[bpc]

I agree on the Forsberg take... he is awesome. I just pray that when the NHL does come back, #21 will still be lacing them up for the Avs. He is an amazing player, the best in all the world right now in my oppinion.

[phillybroncosnut]

LOL...seems like there were a lot of Stars wandering around with that desperate look in their eyes.

I also noticed that, wabbit. As well they should freak. He owned them. What a treat to get to watch the best player in the world play on our team!


My vote goes to Sakic and Not Forsberg. remember, when syaing the best "overall or all around player" you HAVE to include in there their ability to stay injury free.
Since that's the case, Forsberg propensity to get injured ALOT drops him down some.

If I could take anyone on the AV's it would be Sakic in a heartbeat!

[phillybroncosnut]

Also, remember Joey has won a cup without Forsberg. Did Forsberg ever win a cup without Sakic?

[phillybroncosnut]

I may be a bit biased though because #19 is hands down my favorite player in the NHL that doesn't wear a Philadelphia Flyers Sweater (Jersey for all you non hockey fans) :)

[Mtbrncofn]

Well if we were going on the staying healthy issue, Joe's the man. Just based on pure talent though, I'll take Foppa.

[Mtbrncofn]

Saks is your fave, Philly? Or just the 19 in general?

[phillybroncosnut]

Don't slight Sakic's talent. He is unbeleivable with and without the puck.

[phillybroncosnut]

Saks is your fave, Philly? Or just the 19 in general?


Sakic! Sorry, should have clarified that a bit.

I love Sakic's game. Always have. Ever since his days with the Nor'Dorks

[bpc]

Choose between Sakic and Forsberg? That ain't right! I love them both but I still think with the way that Forsberg can handle the puck and score, he is more valuable. They don't call him SCORESberg for nothing.

Nice to see Rob Blake firing up the cannon early in the playoffs. Its always nice to have a powerful blue line shot to backup the gunners by the net. We haven't really had the impact from the blue line since Bourque hung it up. Thinking back on that time, Bourque was amazing in those playoffs in 2001.

[Mtbrncofn]

Don't slight Sakic's talent. He is unbeleivable with and without the puck.


I'm not at all. I just feel like Forsberg is the better two way player. I love Joe and the way he plays. That guy is all class. They shouldn't even have a Lady Byng contest anymore, just hand it to Saks. That was a homer statement, eh?

[phillybroncosnut]

Choose between Sakic and Forsberg? That ain't right! I love them both but I still think with the way that Forsberg can handle the puck and score, he is more valuable. They don't call him SCORESberg for nothing.

.

I understand that but Sakic can handle the puck and score as well. We call him something else here in Philly. I'm sure you've heard it. FORESKIN!

I'd rather have the guy who you know will be on the ice that can win face offs, skate, pass, and score. Rather then the guy who is slightly better at skating passing and scoring but everytime you turn around, he has a major injury.
Give me Sakic and I'm a happy dude.

[Mtbrncofn]

I agree, bpc. Blake has been on the schnide a bit since returning from the leg injury. It's awesome to see him fire up that slapshot of his.

Funny thing I read in my Hockey news today. They were doing the 2 minutes thing with Maltby, and he was asked what his most painful moment or injury was. He responded by saying when he played with Ed., he took a Blake slapper that shattered his ankle. Gotta love that slapshot and that super butt he plays with.

[Clockwork Orange]

Don't forget philly, Forsberg was yours for a short period of time.

Sakic is great, a first ballot HOFer, but when it comes to pure talent and ability Forsberg wins hands down. No one in the NHL who isn't named Mario Lemieux is even close to Forsberg's skill level.

As for Sakic winning a Cup without Forsberg, try again. Patrick Roy and the Avs defensive corps were the main reason they were able to win 2 playoff rounds without Forsberg. People overlook the fact that Forsberg was in the top 10 in the NHL in scoring that season and was the playoffs leading scorer through the first 2 rounds before having his spleen removed and missing the remainder of the playoffs.

No slight towards Sakic at all, but I'd take Forsberg if I had to choose. They showed a graphic during the game about the players with the top 5 points per game average in the playoffs. Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy, Mark Messier and Peter Forsberg. That's pretty elite company.

It's something to me when the only criticism of Forsberg's game that anyone can find is his health.

Either way, I'm just glad to have both of them.

[phillybroncosnut]

I'm not at all. I just feel like Forsberg is the better two way player. I love Joe and the way he plays. That guy is all class. They shouldn't even have a Lady Byng contest anymore, just hand it to Saks. That was a homer statement, eh?

Forsberg is a better two way player. Offensively, they are on par IMO. Sakic isn't in Forsbergs league when it comes to the defensive aspect of the game. But, Forsberg is not in Joey's league when it comes to durability.
Now, I ask you.......

What's more important, playing a sound defensive game as a center and constantly being hurt.

Or

Playing an above average defensive game as a center and being on the ice for every game?

I choose the second one.

[Mtbrncofn]

I understand that but Sakic can handle the puck and score as well. We call him something else here in Philly. I'm sure you've heard it. FORESKIN!

I'd rather have the guy who you know will be on the ice that can win face offs, skate, pass, and score. Rather then the guy who is slightly better at skating passing and scoring but everytime you turn around, he has a major injury.
Give me Sakic and I'm a happy dude.


Phil, are you still harboring some resentment over The Trade? ;) We'll keep Saks with us thanks. =D

[Mtbrncofn]

Hey Philly, you never answered my question from last night. What do you think about the B's? They are looking pretty tough, and everyone seems to be overlooking them. I don't know if its because of their rook goalie, who I thought was pretty impressive though.

You guys worried about them at all?

[Swedish Extrovert]

Both Sakic and Forsberg have incredible offensive talent.

Sakic plays a little smarter, and has a more accurate shot BUT
Forsberg plays tougher, and carries the puck better

Overall, I still think Forsberg is the best plaer overall in the NHL when he is healthy.

[phillybroncosnut]

Don't forget philly, Forsberg was yours for a short period of time.

Sakic is great, a first ballot HOFer, but when it comes to pure talent and ability Forsberg wins hands down. No one in the NHL who isn't named Mario Lemieux is even close to Forsberg's skill level.

As for Sakic winning a Cup without Forsberg, try again. Patrick Roy and the Avs defensive corps were the main reason they were able to win 2 playoff rounds without Forsberg. People overlook the fact that Forsberg was in the top 10 in the NHL in scoring that season and was the playoffs leading scorer through the first 2 rounds before having his spleen removed and missing the remainder of the playoffs.

No slight towards Sakic at all, but I'd take Forsberg if I had to choose. They showed a graphic during the game about the players with the top 5 points per game average in the playoffs. Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy, Mark Messier and Peter Forsberg. That's pretty elite company.

It's something to me when the only criticism of Forsberg's game that anyone can find is his health.

Either way, I'm just glad to have both of them.

How could I forget. At least you have to have some love for the Bertuzzi family. Todd's Dad was the Arbitrator who awarded the Flyer Eric Lindros instead of the New York Rangers. Just think, you wouldn't have Forsberg right now if it wasn't for Bertuzzi's pop. Plus, you probably wouldn't have had Roy wither. the Av's used a bunch of the picks the Flyers gave up for Lindros to use in the Roy deal with the Habs.

Back to the Sakic Foresberg debate. You can all it how you see it as to why the AV's won when Forsberg missed the entire playoffs. fact remains, Sakic won a cup without Peter. Another thing, let's not forget who has won the MVP for the Cup Finals and entire Playoffs in (the year slips my mind), maybe '99 (when the Av's beat the Panthers in a 4 game sweep)

I am not trying to bring Forsberg down. When he is on the ice, he IS the best all around player in the league. The only other player in his world right now if Federov as far as all around. Mario isn't allowed to get hit and he doesn't play a lick of D so he is out of the "all around" competition.
But, Peter seems to be more injured then not. Sakic is there night in and night out.
Give me the guy without the injury concerns and all the ability.

Good debate so far. Just seems like I am not getting my point accross. maybe that last paragraph will sum up my arguement.

[phillybroncosnut]

Hey Philly, you never answered my question from last night. What do you think about the B's? They are looking pretty tough, and everyone seems to be overlooking them. I don't know if its because of their rook goalie, who I thought was pretty impressive though.

You guys worried about them at all?

Absolutely. I actually think they have a great shot of getting out of the east. they could have the easiest road. i'm just concerned with the Devils at this point.
The B's have a very sound team though.

[phillybroncosnut]

Phil, are you still harboring some resentment over The Trade? ;) We'll keep Saks with us thanks. =D

Not at all. Hindsight makes everyone a genius. If we had it to do over again without knowing the results, I'd pull the trigger again.
Lindros put the Flyers back in contention quickly. Took him exactly 1 year. the Flyers missed the playoffs for 5 straight years before he got here. He imediately turned us into a contender.
This kid coming out this year will have teams offering the Caps a truck load. 15 years from now, everyone will be geniuses on who won the trade.

[Mtbrncofn]

You are getting your point across Phil. I understand your points completely, but if we threw injury out of the equation, I still think Forsberg is the better player. I understand we can't do that, its just a what if.

[phillybroncosnut]

You are getting your point across Phil. I understand your points completely, but if we threw injury out of the equation, I still think Forsberg is the better player. I understand we can't do that, its just a what if.


You Can't take injuries out of the equation. you'll kill my point! :hitself:

[Clockwork Orange]

That was '96 that Sakic won the Conn Smythe Trophy. He finished 2nd in the running for the award in '01 when Patrick Roy won his 3rd.

'96 was a ridiculous playoff run for Sakic. He scored 18 goals in 22 games and set an NHL record for game winning goals in one playoff year. That was the season that saw Joe Sakic vaulted from superstar status to elite player status just like that.

I think it's really Forsberg's creativity and physical play that endears him to Avalanche fans. Sakic is really the lead by example type who goes out there and produces night in and night out without being particularly colorful or awe inspiring. But what is awe inspiring about Sakic is his production and accomplishments. Fosberg's resume isn't too shabby either.

I understand where you're coming from and I respect that. But if we're talking about both of them on equal footing, Forsberg is the choice for me.

Just wanted to give Super Joe some love here even though I'm on the other side of this discussion. I've always thought that he's probably the most underappreciated superstar in the history of Colorado sports.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Forsberg is one of a kind.

You see power-fowards who can fight for the puck and get the ugly goals and hit
You see the skill players who can shoot, pass, and draw
You see the finnesse players that are creative, and skate you out of your pads
You see the smart players who have good vision and can lead the team

Very rarely do you see a guy who combines all these skills at a very high level. Forsberg is one of those guys.

[Mtbrncofn]

You Can't take injuries out of the equation. you'll kill my point! :hitself:



Hey I said it was a what if deal! ;)

[phillybroncosnut]

Forsberg is one of a kind.

You see power-fowards who can fight for the puck and get the ugly goals and hit
You see the skill players who can shoot, pass, and draw
You see the finnesse players that are creative, and skate you out of your pads
You see the smart players who have good vision and can lead the team

Very rarely do you see a guy who combines all these skills at a very high level. Forsberg is one of those guys.


On this arguement, if we overlook Forsberg propensity to getting injured, we then have to talk about a player that is not only in Forsberg's league but arguably better and that is Eric Lindros. Laugh if you will but there was nobldy in the Game when Eric was in his prime (Pre concussion problems) that could dominate EVERY aspect of the game like he could.
One of the best fighters in the league. Tuned up Rob Ray and Tony Twist on more then one occasion. Not to mention that he OWNEd Marty McSorely. And this was a time when Twist, McSorely and Ray were considered the cream of the crop when it came to dropping the gloves.

He could hit as good as anyone. Just ask Vladimir Konstantinov. I was at a Flyers/Red Wings game and Lindros hit Konstantinov so hard into the boards that when Konstantinov got up, he was skating like a drunkin sailor. he couldn't find the bench and never made it to the bench. Lindros was good for one KO hit a week.

Lindros was well over a 60% Face off guy. One of, if not the best faceoff man in the game.

Lindros made EVERYONE better that he played with. This is the true test for the elite player. it's one thing to score 50 goals a year. it's another when your whole line scores 50 each. Lindros made John LeClair and Mikal Renberg house hold names (The legion of doom line). LeClair hasn't hit the 50 goal plateau since Lindros left. In fact, he hasn't come close. Renberg still plays in the NHL but you NEVER hear his name anymore unless you are a Maple Leafs fan.

Lindros was a phenominal 2 way player. He was always in the top 3 on +/-.

Always in the top ten of scoring leaders and penalty minutes.

Lindros' vision on the ice was on par with the best in the game.

Now, this is why the injury issue is so big in my opinion. Lindros became ijured very often and it hurt the Flyers chances when he missed the playoffs. So, I would rather have the SUPERSTAR/ELITE who will be there every night Then the Most dominating player in the game that won't be there every night.

[bkhuntfish]

One more thing that would be awesome, for the Duke to snap this goal-less streak.

Did Hejduk not get credit for that 4th goal? I was sure he got his stick on that feed from Forsberg.

Svatos is gonna be a stud in this league if his shoulder holds up. He is also gonna knock some goals in during this Cup run. I guarantee it, he has had a quality chance in both games so far. I would love to see this guy get a breakaway chance or 2. His stick handling in close could just turn a goalie inside out on a breakaway.

Liles and Blake are looking like machines on the point for PP's. Tough to defend against when both of them can shoot. Liles might not have the absolute rocket that Blake has, but if Liles shoots you know its going on net.

If we continue to play like that night in and night out there is no reason the Cup does'nt return to Colorado.

On a side note, was'nt that great the crowd booed Turco everytime he touched the puck after that BS goalie interference penalty. I never realized that rule applied when the goalie was half way up the wing.

2 down, 14 left!

[Tredici]

During the post game interviews they asked Danny Hinote about all the open space. His reply was quick - Dallas is a tight checking team. We've got the players who know how to create that space.

I think Dallas is a defensive team but they have some guys nicked up right now and they just can't stay with the speed of the Colorado forwards.

[bkhuntfish]

I'm so glad Hinote is back and looks healthy. That is a guy that looks like he is having the time of his life every shift. Takes an elbow and he gets up smiling that big cheese grin knowing he just drew a PP. Ever since he finished that game 6 against Detroit with a broken leg he has been one of my favorite hockey players in the league, not just on the Avalanche.

That line with Niko and Hinote had some fantastic shifts last night as well. You know things are really firing when your 3rd line is keeping the puck in the O zone. The Dallas blueliners have to be exhausted, sore and demoralized after that performance.

[Swedish Extrovert]

On this arguement, if we overlook Forsberg propensity to getting injured, we then have to talk about a player that is not only in Forsberg's league but arguably better and that is Eric Lindros. Laugh if you will but there was nobldy in the Game when Eric was in his prime (Pre concussion problems) that could dominate EVERY aspect of the game like he could.
One of the best fighters in the league. Tuned up Rob Ray and Tony Twist on more then one occasion. Not to mention that he OWNEd Marty McSorely. And this was a time when Twist, McSorely and Ray were considered the cream of the crop when it came to dropping the gloves.

He could hit as good as anyone. Just ask Vladimir Konstantinov. I was at a Flyers/Red Wings game and Lindros hit Konstantinov so hard into the boards that when Konstantinov got up, he was skating like a drunkin sailor. he couldn't find the bench and never made it to the bench. Lindros was good for one KO hit a week.

Lindros was well over a 60% Face off guy. One of, if not the best faceoff man in the game.

Lindros made EVERYONE better that he played with. This is the true test for the elite player. it's one thing to score 50 goals a year. it's another when your whole line scores 50 each. Lindros made John LeClair and Mikal Renberg house hold names (The legion of doom line). LeClair hasn't hit the 50 goal plateau since Lindros left. In fact, he hasn't come close. Renberg still plays in the NHL but you NEVER hear his name anymore unless you are a Maple Leafs fan.

Lindros was a phenominal 2 way player. He was always in the top 3 on +/-.

Always in the top ten of scoring leaders and penalty minutes.

Lindros' vision on the ice was on par with the best in the game.

Now, this is why the injury issue is so big in my opinion. Lindros became ijured very often and it hurt the Flyers chances when he missed the playoffs. So, I would rather have the SUPERSTAR/ELITE who will be there every night Then the Most dominating player in the game that won't be there every night.

I agree that in his prime, Lindros was the best player in the NHL. Injuries have depleted his skill. Forsberg comes back from every injury like he never had one. Forsberg is also way ahed if Lindros in pionts per game.

Lindros was a better hitter, and a better power-foward. But forsberg has much better offensive skill.

[Swedish Extrovert]

I'm so glad Hinote is back and looks healthy. That is a guy that looks like he is having the time of his life every shift. Takes an elbow and he gets up smiling that big cheese grin knowing he just drew a PP. Ever since he finished that game 6 against Detroit with a broken leg he has been one of my favorite hockey players in the league, not just on the Avalanche.

That line with Niko and Hinote had some fantastic shifts last night as well. You know things are really firing when your 3rd line is keeping the puck in the O zone. The Dallas blueliners have to be exhausted, sore and demoralized after that performance.

Too true. I love Hinote's motor. That ****faced grin of his is classic. He seems to be a little iffy offensively, but he is one of our best defensive players and really an agitator. He comes cheap and he draws a lot of penalties.

And thats our FOURTH line! The difference between this season and last is our production from out later lines. I think that the additions of Karyia and Salanne have had something to do with that though.

Idealy, our first line would be the AMP line, Karyia-Sakic-Salanne on the second, Konowalchuck-Gratton-Barnaby on the third (I love this for a third line) and Steve Moore-Andrei Nikolishin-Dan Hinote on the fourth. Of course we have Moore and Karyia out right now, making us recall Hahl for Moore and Svatos for Karyia... but I'm suprised that way the Hahl-Nikolishin-Hitnote line played that night. Just never let go.

The Av's are just playing tough smart hockey right now... and their talent is showing the way we all expected it to.

Plus the defense is shutting down. Bob Bougner and Ossi Vaananen have played outstanding defense these last two games.

Rob Blake and Adam Foote have been themselves too...

Did Kurt Sauer play the last game? I didnt really notice the players. I watched the game at ESPN ZONE @ the 16th street mall. And along with my chicken wings, ribs we had the Av's, Nugets, Canucks, and Rockies games at our table... it was tough trying to keep with all of them.

[SJ Bronco]

Bout' FUQN TIME! We've ben in the PP the entire first period! We FINNALY got one!

[SJ Bronco]

6 PP in the first period! Good god man! Hey St. LOUIS! Stop fuqn my guys up!

[phillybroncosnut]

Kyle McClarran (Sp?) Absolutely demolished that dude!

Oh yeah, more importantly......

PHUCK THE DEVILS!

GO FLYERS

[winstoncup bronco]

Kyle McClarran (Sp?) Absolutely demolished that dude!

Oh yeah, more importantly......

PHUCK THE DEVILS!

GO FLYERS

Be happy now.

You don't want any of DiPietro. Trust me. :nono:


Nyah! Nyah! Nyah!

[phillybroncosnut]

Be happy now.

You don't want any of DiPietro. Trust me. :nono:


Nyah! Nyah! Nyah!

Phuck the (P)Isle's of sh!t too!

Actually, I picked the Isles to get past Tampa's Gay. I hope the Ning win though. I don't want to face Ottawa in round 2. I'd much rather play Boston then Ottawa.

[winstoncup bronco]

I'm not scared of Boston. They only had 3 more wins than us this year, and they're not exactly the top goal scoring team in the conference.

I think if DiPietro can get hot, he can lead us to the conference finals.

I know I'm getting ahead of things here, but the Islanders are a team that can either go to the conference finals, or lose the next three and go home.

[phillybroncosnut]

I'm not scared of Boston. They only had 3 more wins than us this year, and they're not exactly the top goal scoring team in the conference.

I think if DiPietro can get hot, he can lead us to the conference finals.

I know I'm getting ahead of things here, but the Islanders are a team that can either go to the conference finals, or lose the next three and go home.


I agree totally. The Isl'es are Jekyl and Hyde for sure. They seem to have our number a bit. i can't see you guys beating us in 7 games but every game would be close.

[Mtbrncofn]

Too true. I love Hinote's motor. That ****faced grin of his is classic. He seems to be a little iffy offensively, but he is one of our best defensive players and really an agitator. He comes cheap and he draws a lot of penalties.



Did Kurt Sauer play the last game? I didnt really notice the players. I watched the game at ESPN ZONE @ the 16th street mall. And along with my chicken wings, ribs we had the Av's, Nugets, Canucks, and Rockies games at our table... it was tough trying to keep with all of them.



Hinote may not be a big scorer, but the man scores when it counts. He leads the team in short handed goals. Just his presence out there is great to watch.

Sauer is still dealing with a groin problem I think. Hendrickson, Worrell, Cummins were all healthy scratches.

[Mtbrncofn]

6 PP in the first period! Good god man! Hey St. LOUIS! Stop fuqn my guys up!


Holy crap. Talk about some sh!tty hockey played by the Blues. They just didn't care what they did. I'm pretty sure they had at least one in the box for just about the whole game.

I've always liked Patrick Marleau. I remember him a couple of years ago in the playoffs, he was a stud then, and he just seems to keep getting better.

Stl. just seems to be giving up for you guys, SJ.

[phillybroncosnut]

There is only one series that is OVER right now (Detroit/Nashville, come on, it was over before it started).
Don't bet on STL rolling over and playing dead. Players like Dougy Weight, Keith Ktchuck (whatever, I know I butchered his name. How the phuck did they fit a "t" in that name anyway) and Pronger are too good to play dead. The thing that will make that series over though is Ozzy's health. if he is out in game 3, it's curtains for STL.

The Flyers/Devils, Av's/Stars and Boston/Habs series' are far from over. Every game is Huge but all 3 of those teams that are trailing 0-2 in the series are headed back home. If they pull out game 3, they will steal all momentum and the crowds at game 4 will be deafening.

[Mtbrncofn]

Did Hejduk not get credit for that 4th goal? I was sure he got his stick on that feed from Forsberg.



On a side note, was'nt that great the crowd booed Turco everytime he touched the puck after that BS goalie interference penalty. I never realized that rule applied when the goalie was half way up the wing.




No he didn't end up getting credit for that one. I thought it was his too. He had 2 assists, but no goal.

The crowd was awesome. I hope that rattled Jerko's cage a little more. The crowd needs to get in the games like they have been for these ones. The Aebi chants are well deserved.

I think the interference should be like football, the QB runs, he's fair game. Same thing, the goalie wanders that far out to play the puck...tough sh!t buddy. He had his nasty stick working too that night.

[phillybroncosnut]

Anyone see that dude from Nashville go face first into the post? Ouch! If it was 20 years ago, before they made the posts move, dude would have been dead.

[Mtbrncofn]

There is only one series that is OVER right now (Detroit/Nashville, come on, it was over before it started).
Don't bet on STL rolling over and playing dead. Players like Dougy Weight, Keith Ktchuck (whatever, I know I butchered his name. How the phuck did they fit a "t" in that name anyway) and Pronger are too good to play dead. The thing that will make that series over though is Ozzy's health. if he is out in game 3, it's curtains for STL.

The Flyers/Devils, Av's/Stars and Boston/Habs series' are far from over. Every game is Huge but all 3 of those teams that are trailing 0-2 in the series are headed back home. If they pull out game 3, they will steal all momentum and the crowds at game 4 will be deafening.


I disagree on that one, Philly. Nashville has played pretty darn good. They have been in close contention for both wins. Vokoun screwed it up for them today, when he pushed that puck in.

To me, it looks like STL is done. They are being so stupid out there. They are playing nasty, but not getting anything done except their campouts in the sin bin. I agree about Tkachuk and Weight, but sh!t with the way Pronger is playing ( like a complete moron ) he's killing them in spite of those 2.

Quite the game your boys had tonight. Got nasty at the end there. Eshe was ready to drop em with Elias. I just love the series match ups this year. So many great rivalries.

[WaffleBoy]

Flyers lead series 2-0. Enough said. ;D

Waffle Man

[Mtbrncofn]

Anyone see that dude from Nashville go face first into the post? Ouch! If it was 20 years ago, before they made the posts move, dude would have been dead.


Yep, I caught that one. Vlad Orzagh...ouch. He looked a little woozy there, but the guy was out on his next shift. Hé's gonna be hurting tomorrow, and they play again tomorrow afternoon.

[phillybroncosnut]

I disagree on that one, Philly. Nashville has played pretty darn good. They have been in close contention for both wins. Vokoun screwed it up for them today, when he pushed that puck in.

To me, it looks like STL is done. They are being so stupid out there. They are playing nasty, but not getting anything done except their campouts in the sin bin. I agree about Tkachuk and Weight, but sh!t with the way Pronger is playing ( like a complete moron ) he's killing them in spite of those 2.

Quite the game your boys had tonight. Got nasty at the end there. Eshe was ready to drop em with Elias. I just love the series match ups this year. So many great rivalries.


I'll bet my $200 to your $25 that Nashville is done.

My boys look solid as sh!t. The Devils are trying to cheap shot us to death. Anyone catch Brodeur's BLATANT spear on John LeClair? It was sick. Right in front of Mick "the d!ck" Magu. Doesn't matter. We are domintaing them at this point and they know it. Elias is a great but he is a total bitch. JR mugged him and instead of him going face up with JR, Elias picks the Goalie.
Funny thing is, Esche would have tuned Elias. Dude can throw down. The problem was, Esche has 2 game misconducts this year. If he would have dropped the gloves, he would have definately got his 3rd misconduct which is a mandatory suspension. I'm glad Robert thought before acting.

[phillybroncosnut]

Flyers lead series 2-0. Enough said. ;D

Waffle Man


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're a mush man! Don't ever talk about my Flyers. If we blow the series, I am gonna hunt you down man. You're a jinx Waffle. A MUSH.

Delete that post. Do it now. DELEEEEETEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! :drown: :alghh: :injured:

[WaffleBoy]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're a mush man! Don't ever talk about my Flyers. If we blow the series, I am gonna hunt you down man. You're a jinx Waffle. A MUSH.

Delete that post. Do it now. DELEEEEETEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! :drown: :alghh: :injured:

LMAO Flyers, Steelers, Phillies, and Broncos!

Waffle Man

[Mtbrncofn]

Eshe has 2 game misconducts? Wow!! Well, he certainly don't take no ****.

I'm not a bettin kinda girl, Philly...it scares me. You are probably right, I am just trying to hang on to some hope of Detwat getting knocked out early. The Preds have put up way more of a fight than I expected. I think the Wings thought that way too. I posted this somewhere before, but Nashville ended up winning the series in the regular season between the 2. I know that doesn't mean anything, but something to think about.

[phillybroncosnut]

LMAO Flyers, Steelers, Phillies, and Broncos!

Waffle Man

Phillies? You pr!ck. No wonder why they can't win right now. Their 1-4 start falls directly on your shoulders. Do me a favor, reply with a "GO MARLINS" post. The Phils will have a lock win tomorrow if you do what I just said.

[WaffleBoy]

Phillies? You pr!ck. No wonder why they can't win right now. Their 1-4 start falls directly on your shoulders. Do me a favor, reply with a "GO MARLINS" post. The Phils will have a lock win tomorrow if you do what I just said.

Hey, Philly, while you're at it, blame me for Steelers not winning a SB in 24 years. :laugh:

Waffle Man

[bkhuntfish]

I've watched both Preds/Wings games and it looked to me like the Preds were giving the Wings about all they could handle. If Nashville had a better goalie I think that series is probably tied right now. I usually hate the ESPN moronic announcers and analyists, but yesterday they were right when they said the Preds goalie really made a huge mistake trying to save a shot that was going wide on that last goal.

To me the wings look slow and sloppy. Last year they drew a hot goalie in the 1st round and did'nt play especially well. This year they drew a mediocre goalie and have still gone into the 3rd period 1-1. That against a team that does'nt play defensive minded hockey, they forecheck with four guys all the time. There have been good stretches in both those games where the Preds dictated the play and really put good pressure on the wings.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Big game tomorow. Im glad we won the first two and Dallas is a very good home team. We were able to take advantage of their horrible road play, and now we have to use our road play to our full advantage.

[solipsist]

Whoa, Vokoun is a really good young gaolie, he's just not a playoff goalie yet, adn that goes fora lot of the team in front of him too. A goalie in the regular season has to have a save percentage over 90%. A goalie in the postseason has to step it up and hopefully be reliable enough for at least a 93% or he'll have his defense too jittery, looking back too much to see if the puck went in instead of trying to play the rebound angles.

[Tredici]

The Preds lost a good deal of their defense in front of the net when Marek Zidlicky got hurt. Guy has been a solid defenseman all season and a scoring threat as well. It was real blow to have him injured.

[solipsist]

Yeah, but honestly I really like Detroit not getting up too much for these games, I doubt that Nashville has a chance of beating them in the sries, but we face the winner next and Detroit's looking like their going to come out lukewarm at best.

[solipsist]

The fans of the Blackhawks owe this guy:

http://www.tuckermax.com/Stories/hockeyfight.htm

probably the best home game of the season... ROTFL

[bronco militia]

The fans of the Blackhawks owe this guy:

http://www.tuckermax.com/Stories/hockeyfight.htm

probably the best home game of the season... ROTFL

bwhahahahha... Hilarious!

[Mtbrncofn]

The Preds lost a good deal of their defense in front of the net when Marek Zidlicky got hurt. Guy has been a solid defenseman all season and a scoring threat as well. It was real blow to have him injured.


Exactly...plus he is their big gun on the PP. I think Vokoun has done pretty damn good. I watched the first 2 games and thought he performed pretty decently, with the exception of the goal he scored for the Wings. But sh!t happens, I recall stuff like that happening to St. Patrick every once in awhile. The good ones let it go, and keep going.

[Mtbrncofn]

Funny article on Barnaby in the DPO. My favorite thing said about him...

"The NHL's human equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard will give any punch, take any punch or do anything else his team wants him to do to win a game."

LOL.....I just love that about him.

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~84~2078235,00.html

[solipsist]

ANd the Preds are a slow build team, they'll show up in the playoffs again soon, a little bit older and a whole lot wiser

[Mtbrncofn]

Anyone catch the Nucks game last night? I did, just in time to see Clutzier go down on his knee just like Osgood did in his last game. He couldn't get up from it though.

I can't find much on it though. He apparrently left on crutches and went back to Vancouver for tests. Anyone else hear anything about it?

[Pezman]

I saw it MT, I was checking all morning for updates on him. No word out of Canuckland about him. I suspect the longer we go without news, the worse off he is. The dynamic of that series just took a serious bounce against them eh?

God, I hate the west coast btw, the friggin avs game starts right as I leave work today ugh. I'm gonna have to start TiVo'ing the games when they are on and just try to not here the scores on the way home... GO AVS

[Evenrude]

Huge game tonight.... I haven't been this excited about a game since the NFL playoffs. The key I think will be surviving the first period.... Dallas should come out flying.

I agree with the earlier comments about Hinote, he's the kind of player you love to have on your team and hate if he plays for someone else. My brother is almost fully converted to an Av's fan (he used to follow the Flyers, sorry Philly) mostly because of Hinote and the way he plays..... 110%, no fear, every shift....

2 down 14 to go.....

[Mtbrncofn]

I saw it MT, I was checking all morning for updates on him. No word out of Canuckland about him. I suspect the longer we go without news, the worse off he is. The dynamic of that series just took a serious bounce against them eh?

God, I hate the west coast btw, the friggin avs game starts right as I leave work today ugh. I'm gonna have to start TiVo'ing the games when they are on and just try to not here the scores on the way home... GO AVS


Yeah, I would think so as Clutzier was actually playing decent for them. But Canuck fans don't seem to be worried about it. A lot of them are sighing with relief at Hedberg being in there for them.

Awww, poor Pez....this is quite sad on my part, but I just scheduled my daughter's birthday party AROUND a game. I watch em live, man!! LOL....terrible mom I am. I'll cheer for you too while I'm watching it tonight, Pez.

[Swedish Extrovert]

I saw the Canucks game where they lost. Didnt see Cloutier though. I love ESPN zone. I was there and I watched the Av's, Canucks, Nuggets, and rockies games simultaniously, with about 300 other Denver sports nuts. Couldent have been more perfect - if the Nuggets would have won. The Av's won and the Canucks lost. Great. I dont thin,k the rockies won, but they were winnign when we left, and I dont really care for the Rockies, but I liked the athmosphere.

[phillybroncosnut]

Huge game tonight.... I haven't been this excited about a game since the NFL playoffs. The key I think will be surviving the first period.... Dallas should come out flying.

I agree with the earlier comments about Hinote, he's the kind of player you love to have on your team and hate if he plays for someone else. My brother is almost fully converted to an Av's fan (he used to follow the Flyers, sorry Philly) mostly because of Hinote and the way he plays..... 110%, no fear, every shift....

2 down 14 to go.....

Your first paragraph is dead on for mee too. Just substitute the teams to Flyers and Devils.

That's ashame about your brother Evenrude. My condolinces. But, if you are going to convert to a different team, the Av's are the only team that is acceptible IMO. I hope he is still pulling for the Flyers in the East though.
The true test will be to see how he cheers if we meet in the Finals. What do you think, will he cheer for the good ole Orange and Black?

[bpc]

Huge game tonight, I definately agree. Dallas has been good at home but Colorado has bee equally good on the road even with our late season struggles. Plus, I like us with the momentum. We have totally overwhelmed the Stars so far. It will be interesting to see if Colorado shows some killer instinct tonight. It will go a long way to showing me if Colorado deserves to play for the cup this year. If we are a determined team, we put the strangle hold on the Stars tonight.

[orange 4 life]

man, i have totally ignored this thread which is unacceptable for a fan like myself.
between battling hogan and others on the music threads, and borthdays, easter, lost and found w/ dogs, work, etc., i guess i just missed it!!

anyway, ill be keeping up on it from here on out.
our avs have come out strong as i thought they might.
health is a factor, but so is the fact that most of these guys inevitably will play at a higher level come playoff time.
i certainly dont think anyone held back in the regular season, but i do think that athletes have some form of mental "trigger" that automatically goes off in pressure situations, and the better the athlete the bigger the difference.

games one and two was like watching a new team. it was the avs we knew all year (and had a few glimpses of) were trying to get out.

bpc said it well earlier on this page.
this is where we see if they have the killer instinct.
win tonight, and VIRTUALLY lock it up (ill say virtually to avoid a curse).
winning in a sweep or in 5 games would also allow for some added rest, which i believe would help this years team quite a bit.
also, aebi's play (and the support he's received from fans) has been outstanding.
lets face it, while we were all impressed with him in the regular season, the playoffs were a concern.
he has responded well, and the team is finally on the right track.
lets bury those fuggers tonight!!

GO AVS!!!

jake

[Mtbrncofn]

man, i have totally ignored this thread which is unacceptable for a fan like myself.

jake


Yeah, Jake....you should be ashamed of yourself!! ;D

[Mtbrncofn]

Good Lord, some people are so rude.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=79918&hubName=nhl

You know what I find totally absurb about the Canadians dislike of Americans, what the hell kind of league do they think they would have without all the American teams in it? Six teams? I know hockey is Canadá's great love, but geez they remind me of a kid with a toy saying, " its mine, its mine, and you aren't allowed to enjoy it. "

[SJ Bronco]

Hockey would suck without the US. Why? Cause the big money for hockey comes from the US. The Big stars from europe wouldn't come over without the money. Kids growing up in canada would go to business school, or play ice bowling (whatever its called) instead of dreaming of hockey if thier was no money, fame and women in it. Please, its like the USA basketball team. Them losing last year will make basketball more popular internationaly, and there will be more money and better basketball to see in 10 years. I gurantee!

[SJ Bronco]

BTW-The devils just scored on the PP. That was sad. Im routin' for you philly, but that sucked man!

[SJ Bronco]

The Canadiens are owned by American businessman George Gillett.

Geez, im not sure what thier problem is. I guess its the french canadiens.

[bpc]

Devils aren't going down without a fight, you can count on that.

Damn, we had a scrum in front of the Dallas net, almost got the puck in and it would have been 3-1. That being said we are still playing very good road hockey right now and Aebi has been up to the task. Hes playing great for a rookie playoff goalie. I like what our offense is doing too, we are making the most of scoring chances...

gotta run we are on the power play....

[Hogan11]

Lousy game for Philly tonight...just f'n lousy.

We're still taking this series though...bank on it....GO FLYERS!!!

[Swedish Extrovert]

Is there a reason that they are booing Aebischer?

[bpc]

Son of a bi!ch... Dallas just scored with two seconds left in the 2nd period. They had a power play at the end of the second that basically was expiring with time running out in the period. Colorado had them stopped but after a couple shots on goal, there was a scrub in front of Aebi and one of the shots magically slid in. Colorado was doing a good job of putting down the Stars, just lifting the score to 3-1.

3-2 at the intermission and Colorado needs to put up a goal to put the Stars back in their place. Overall though, I like the flow of the game.

[bpc]

Damn, the NHL's version of the prevent defense causes us to lose the lead... game 3 is tied 3-3 with about 4 minutes left to go in the game. Looks like OT unless one of the teams can seal the deal in regulation.

Now our decision to play defense in the middle of the ice looks stupid as a relatively easy goal slides this game that was in our hands, into a game in doubt as we basically have no offensive momentum to run out the rest of the game with. I just hope we can take this game into overtime and regroup at the intermission.

I want to curse Grenato but he has had the boys playing really well until this point. Hopefully he can keep pressing the right buttons and we can take a strangle hold on this series 3-0.

GO AVS!

[bpc]

Start of overtime... keeping my fingers crossed. Aebi's first career playoff OT game. What a time to be huge.

GO AVS!!!!

[bpc]

Damn... 2 and a half into OT, some unknown guy for the Stars get away on the break away and scores the game winner.

Looked pretty soft and Aebi had the angle on him.

I'm pretty mad right now, but what the hell. I predicted we would win in 5 so we are still on pace. We had this game in the bag except for the fact that we stuck our fingers up our a$$ and sat on it for a whole period. Our version of the prevent did us in. I know that play sometimes wins hockey games but it just does not work for Colorado. We have the ability to score goes when we keep the pressure on. We were playing great through the first period and a half and then we decided to plug the offensive mentality and go to shutting it down and riding out how well Aebi and our defense can make saves and play keep away... news flash, IT doesn't work! Maybe for New Jersey, Toronto, or some eastern teams... not Colorado.

I don't understand why we always have to learn the hard way and instead of dominating this series all the way throughout, we let something like this happen and in the past it has been shown to be disasterous for us. Doesn't make sense. Oh well. We still have control in the series and we'll have to get a split out of the Dallas homestand to really put the strangle hold on this series. If we allow Dallas to tie this series... I'll be pissed.

I have the Nuggets though, they are making huge strides. Hopefully they can hold off of the Kings and move on the playoffs for the first time since 94'.

GO NUGGS, GO AVS!!!

[Pezman]

I had bad vibes from 4 seconds left in the second... I hope this one doesn't haunt the team come this weekend. Well, I guess game 5 tix will be a good buy for this weekend...

grrrrrrrrr.

[Mtbrncofn]

Yeah, I got the bad vibes when that second goal went in with 2 seconds left in the 2nd. Unfortunately, that third period is exactly the way they played in the regular season. Just sat back. They should know by now, that comes back to bite them in the ass just about every time. A one goal lead in Dallas in the playoffs is not much to hang onto.

They sure were banging up Forsberg tonight. I still cringe when I see him get hit and they were gunning for him.

Smurf, I think they were just retaliatory booing Aebi since our fans booed Jerko so much. No originality. Well, there goes my good mood. I sure hope that was the only blip on the radar we'll see from them.

Sorry about your loss too, Philly. No offense, SJ, but I'm hoping your Sharks go down too, so no one will be up 3.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Yeah, I got the bad vibes when that second goal went in with 2 seconds left in the 2nd. Unfortunately, that third period is exactly the way they played in the regular season. Just sat back. They should know by now, that comes back to bite them in the ass just about every time. A one goal lead in Dallas in the playoffs is not much to hang onto.

.
Exactly! They sat back even though they wouldn't admit in the post-game interview. The late goal in the second period was a killer too!

[Clockwork Orange]

Tough loss tonight, but I got that creeping sense of doom when they gave up the goal with 2 seconds left in the 2nd period. They sat back a bit too much and made too many mistakes with the puck in the 3rd period and it cost them. Bad fortune with Foote's shot getting blocked and leading to a breakaway for the game winner.

No big thing, just get the split on Wednesday and come back home to finish 'em off.

[Mtbrncofn]

CO....could you please vibe/ beam/ send some of your confidence for the whole playoffs, my way? You seem to have an excess, and I seem to be lacking.

[enjolras]

F the Avs..

They have a team by the throat and the puss out and let them back in. This team is nothing but a bunch of choke artists. Year after year they jump out to leads in a series, have a chance to put them away and screw it up.

They've only won the cup when they've had home ice throughout (both times winning the Presidents cup). The reason is they're such choke artists that they have to have home ice in game 7.. because every damn series goes 7 games.

At least the Nuggets are doing something.. screw the Avs.

[Mtbrncofn]

Sharks lose too. No one got to go up 3. I didn't wish that one on you really, SJ. They were already behind when I just kinda hoped it would end that way. :'(

[Bronco_Beerslug]

F the Avs..

They have a team by the throat and the puss out and let them back in. This team is nothing but a bunch of choke artists. Year after year they jump out to leads in a series, have a chance to put them away and screw it up.

They've only won the cup when they've had home ice throughout (both times winning the Presidents cup). The reason is they're such choke artists that they have to have home ice in game 7.. because every damn series goes 7 games.

At least the Nuggets are doing something.. screw the Avs.
Easy!! The AVs will still be playing when the Nuggets head out for golf season.

[Mtbrncofn]

F the Avs..

They have a team by the throat and the puss out and let them back in. This team is nothing but a bunch of choke artists. Year after year they jump out to leads in a series, have a chance to put them away and screw it up.

They've only won the cup when they've had home ice throughout (both times winning the Presidents cup). The reason is they're such choke artists that they have to have home ice in game 7.. because every damn series goes 7 games.

At least the Nuggets are doing something.. screw the Avs.


Geez, buddy....that was pretty harsh. It's not like they didn't score at all.

[bpc]

That goal in the 2nd definately was a bad omen. They had done a great job killing off the penalty before that. That one just seemed to slink by.

I want Aebi to get bigger in net. He has played well, but the goals he has allowed have been pretty weak in my oppinion. With the OT winner, he just didn't seem to take advantage of the angle he had. It was his first ever OT game, but damn that has to be routine. Ott wasn't even square on him.

I'll borrow some of the positivity though and I'm trying to think more of the Nuggets huge win to get into the playoffs. Can't do anything but learn from this ( you listening GRENATO? ) and come out for the split on Thursday. The ball is still in our court.

[Clockwork Orange]

It's simple really mtbrnco.

I knew from the jump that the Avs weren't going to sweep Dallas. Dallas is too good to be swept. But I also see tonight's game, while a loss, as a sign that Dallas' vaunted home ice advantage isn't anything near what it's cracked up to be. While on the same token, all the talk about them being a dreadful road team has been completely reaffirmed by their performance in games 1 & 2.

The Avs are an outstanding road team, they didn't play all that great of a game, Dallas was desperate as anyone could be and it still took OT for Dallas to squeak out a win. I have no doubt the Avs can win in Dallas, no doubt whatsoever.

I'm confident because the Avalanche have proven to me that they're simply the better team in this series, despite what Barry Melrose would have you believe.

Keep the faith.

[enjolras]

I'll still be there on Wednesday... in the building rooting for the Avs:)

It just pisses me off.. this team HAS to learn how to close people out. It's not that they lost.. I can live with a loss. It's when they have the game so far in their favor. Up 3-1 half way through and they get back on their heels and just choke it away. They HAVE to learn how to play with a lead.

[Mtbrncofn]

It's simple really mtbrnco.

I knew from the jump that the Avs weren't going to sweep Dallas. Dallas is too good to be swept. But I also see tonight's game, while a loss, as a sign that Dallas' vaunted home ice advantage isn't anything near what it's cracked up to be. While on the same token, all the talk about them being a dreadful road team has been completely reaffirmed by their performance in games 1 & 2.

The Avs are an outstanding road team, they didn't play all that great of a game, Dallas was desperate as anyone could be and it still took OT for Dallas to squeak out a win. I have no doubt the Avs can win in Dallas, no doubt whatsoever.

I'm confident because the Avalanche have proven to me that they're simply the better team in this series, despite what Barry Melrose would have you believe.

Keep the faith.


Ok, I feel much better now. Just seems like your confidence never takes a hit, and I'm jealous. As soon as the OT goal went in, I thought oh no, here we go....what if this is their turning point. Kind of like give them an inch, they'll take a mile ( all the way into the next round ).

I still have faith, it just took a small drop tonight.

[bpc]

You have a right to feel like that. Just look at the countless times that the Avs have dropped the ball like last season vs. an obviously overmatched Minnesota Wild team. Any time our team has a chance to choke, I cringe. We just haven't come out well in OT or games of luck lately.

Bottom line though and I guess this is a positive... it wasn't the Stars that beat us in their house, it was ourselves. Look at all the plays and calls from the coaching staff on down. Grenato's decision to sit on the puck instead of playing to advance the lead. Aebi's soft goals that he allowed in net. Foote's turnover around the blue line that led to the breakaway opportunity that won the game.

We can change all of these aspects of our game though. Maybe its a good thing that our fat head got deflated so we can get back to working hard on both ends like we did in game one and two.

[Mtbrncofn]

Right on, bpc. I hope you are right about Granato not doing that sit on a one goal lead thing again. When do people learn?

Our PK wasn't great tonight, obviously. I noticed the faceoff wins were down too. I am realizing more and more that faceoffs are a big deal. There is almost always a pretty good correlation between face off wins and winning the game.

Nice to see the Duke get a goal finally though.

[enjolras]

How much of the 'sit on a one goal lead' thing is the coach at this point? They've done the same thing for years.. under Hartley and Crawford they did the same crap. I think it's the players.. in particular the ones who are supposed to be leading this team who go into a shell. At some point you have to start blaming the cast and no the director.

[Mtbrncofn]

I just don't see the players crapping out when they have played so well. That's my reasoning for it being the coach. This is every player's dream. Why would they play aggressively before and not in this game when they knew it was on Dallas ice?

I guess it could go either way, but I'm putting it on Granato right now. Who do they fire when things start going wrong? The coach. Any logical person would and did look at our roster at some point this year and think, what the hell is wrong with that team? We have a whole team of All Stars. Granato's line shuffling screwed stuff up. If he would just let them settle down for awhile and gel, he might get some great results.

[Tredici]

You know last season when the Avs got bounced by a young, energetic Wild, I watched while Jacques LeMaire coached circles around GraNOTo. Thought, okay, rookie coach outdone by a wiley old vet, it happens. Learn the lessons and move on.

But tonight was hard to watch while my temperature started rising. Tippett didn't have to do much. Play his team's game.

But GraNOTo? He's got a team built around offensive firepower. By design these horses were bred to run and gun. So, by all means, rein them in. JFC. I knew those guys would become bored and restless with the stupid flip it into the opposing zone nonsense. All Dallas would need is a chance to take advantage. And that they did.

I hate coaches who wuss out in dancing with what brung them.

Always reminds me of that stupidass Greg Robinson in SuperBowl XXXII. Green Bay gets the ball on their final drive and he's standing next to Shanahan in his usual panicky and dishevled mode. You can see him asking "What do we do What do we do" Shanahan looks at him and calmly says - Keep doing exactly what you've been doing.

And I know you are right Clockwork. But it was still a tough (and unneccesary) loss to swallow.

Not to worry Montana. No one is going to sweep. Everyone still playing wants a bigger piece of revenue...

[Mtbrncofn]

I see you are as pissy about it as I am, Tred. ;D Good to know.

Great points about Granato btw. Put the blame where it belongs. I still think about GraNOTagoodcoacho and giggle.

[bpc]

Tredici great point... what is the downside to going full bore for 60 minutes with our offensive firepower?

I'll say this straight up, I would rather lose playing our offensive game then by sitting on our f'n thumbs waiting to be ran down and just hoping time expires. What the f is that?

We aren't a trapping team... we're not a team built on top of great goaltending (Aebi could be very good but he is not Roy, Brodeur, or Belfour yet!) Let our guys run with the puck and keep the pressure on them.

We were smoking the Stars in this game and we gave it up. Nobody to blame after this loss but ourselves.... and Grenato. ;)

Screw it, hopefully Grenato learns from this. Just want to get this terrible loss out of my mind.

[Pezman]

If we can continue to assert our quickness into the middle of the 3rd period, I still believe we can run roughshed over these clowns. You can just see Modano and Co. getting frustrated with our flurries of shots.

Controlling the tempo next time will have to be better too. We had many, many sloppy looks in the 3rd period. I know enforcers wouldn't be a good answer later in the period but, maybe hammering away at their top guys early in the period with our defenders will give us more fast break opportunities on mid-ice. I just hope that Foppa and the Duke are healed in time for Wednesday's game.

Have you all noticed how much better the ice was tonight? Even with the humidity there right now, it seems that the new arena is superior to that old monstrosity. Sure glad they don't play at Reunion anymore. I'm also glad that we don't have to play there in May either LOL The old Reunion Arena ice was a terrible place to play.

[SJ Bronco]

:cuss: :cuss: :gripe: Oh well, we were bound to get sloppy, quick turn around should favor us. payback tommorrow. looks like the underdogs got loose today.

[bkhuntfish]

What the phuck is with this defensive third period crap?!?!?!?

I know some of you have already been ranting about it, and well I need too also.

This is not gonna cut it for a Cup run. You would of thought after all the leads we gave up in the regular season that Granato would of realized that this team can not play defensive hockey for a whole period. You'd think with the offensive power of this team you'd press for that 4th goal, go for the throat. Not Granato, he'd rather play not to lose, rather than gun for that 4th goal and a win. WTF. Does'nt he realize that if this team is gonna win a Cup this year it is gonna do it winning 4-2, 4-3, 5-3 type games. I mean we have proved were capable of scoring 4 or 5 goals every game against these guys. If we don't go into defensive/give them all the shots they want mode in the 3rd period in games 1 and 3 we probably score at least 4 in both. Lacroix needs to slap Granato around and tell him he has'nt assembled this team of goal scorers to watch them play defense.

[Swedish Extrovert]

F the Avs..

They have a team by the throat and the puss out and let them back in. This team is nothing but a bunch of choke artists. Year after year they jump out to leads in a series, have a chance to put them away and screw it up.

They've only won the cup when they've had home ice throughout (both times winning the Presidents cup). The reason is they're such choke artists that they have to have home ice in game 7.. because every damn series goes 7 games.

At least the Nuggets are doing something.. screw the Avs.

Actually, your wrong. The Av's did not win the presidents cup when they won the Stanley Cup.


The Av's lkost one, big deal. They should win tomorow, and they will have home ice aftet that.

I can see why Aeby was so pissed though. That second was pure luck, the tying goal he was interfered with (the refs are letting EVERYTHING go) and the Av's gave up a breakaway in OT.

That game should have been ours.

[phillybroncosnut]

Anyone besides me notice then when the Av's win the Flyers win and when the Av's lose the Flyers lose? Sup wit dat?
Not just the playoffs but the ladder part of the season too. When the Av's were slumping so were the Flyers.
It's the Av's fault the Flyers lost! You guys are to blame. NOW STOP PUCKING LOSING!

Jeez, if the trend continue's, should make for an interesting finals. Has there ever been a game where either both teams won or both teams lost?

[enjolras]

Actually, your wrong. The Av's did not win the presidents cup when they won the Stanley Cup.

I was wrong about the '96 cup, they went on to win the Presidents cup the following season. However they most definitely did win the Presidents cup in the 2000-2001 season and went on to win the Stanley Cup in 2001.

[Mtbrncofn]

Anyone besides me notice then when the Av's win the Flyers win and when the Av's lose the Flyers lose? Sup wit dat?
Not just the playoffs but the ladder part of the season too. When the Av's were slumping so were the Flyers.
It's the Av's fault the Flyers lost! You guys are to blame. NOW STOP PUCKING LOSING!

Jeez, if the trend continue's, should make for an interesting finals. Has there ever been a game where either both teams won or both teams lost?


LOL....I've noticed that all along Philly. Sucks for all of us, but hey then we have you to commiserate with, cuz I know you'll be in the same sh!tty mood we're in.

Get your boys back on track, Philly!! Your game was played first, maybe YOU jinxed us! ;)

Not sure about that last part, I'm sure Hockey Analyst, er Clockwork would know. He seems to know everything about hockey. And I mean that in the HIGHEST regard, CO.

[phillybroncosnut]

LOL....I've noticed that all along Philly. Sucks for all of us, but hey then we have you to commiserate with, cuz I know you'll be in the same sh!tty mood we're in.

Get your boys back on track, Philly!! Your game was played first, maybe YOU jinxed us! ;)

Not sure about that last part, I'm sure Hockey Analyst, er Clockwork would know. He seems to know everything about hockey. And I mean that in the HIGHEST regard, CO.


I said the last sentence with tongue firmly implanted in cheek.

Yeah, the Flyers lost first but the Hockey god's knew ahead of time that the AV's would lose. If the Flyers lose the next game, that will be a sign of the outcome of the Av's game (or so it seems).

[solipsist]

I certainly won't lay all of the blame for the loss at Granato's doorstep, he did put Forsberg on the wing for the last part of the game, which pissed me off, but... The thing that really got my ire going was the reffing, especially in the first two periods. Absolutely BoucherSh!t. I mean, we have guys getting tackled and we're the one's getting called for a penalty?! Unbelieveable. And then Boucher cracks Foppa in the nuts?!?! From behind?!?! No fookin' call?!?!? I just about punched the bartender out of frustration. I don't mind loosely called games, or games where the refs miss the occassional penalty, that's just part of the game. But such rank favoritism of a team is unacceptable.

[Mtbrncofn]

I said the last sentence with tongue firmly implanted in cheek.

Yeah, the Flyers lost first but the Hockey god's knew ahead of time that the AV's would lose. If the Flyers lose the next game, that will be a sign of the outcome of the Av's game (or so it seems).


LOL...

No no no, Philly, you worded that one all wrong! If the Flyers WIN the next game, that is a GOOD sign of things to come, right? :P

[Mtbrncofn]

I certainly won't lay all of the blame for the loss at Granato's doorstep, he did put Forsberg on the wing for the last part of the game, which pissed me off, but... The thing that really got my ire going was the reffing, especially in the first two periods. Absolutely BoucherSh!t. I mean, we have guys getting tackled and we're the one's getting called for a penalty?! Unbelieveable. And then Boucher cracks Foppa in the nuts?!?! From behind?!?! No fookin' call?!?!? I just about punched the bartender out of frustration. I don't mind loosely called games, or games where the refs miss the occassional penalty, that's just part of the game. But such rank favoritism of a team is unacceptable.


I would have to agree with you, sol. I think the officiating in this whole series has sucked. I don't think Philly's has been all that great either. Another point to commiserate on.

And Granato should know by now, that Foppa is way more effective as a center. I'm sick of making excuses for the guy, he needs to pull his head out and do it now. Maybe he really doesn't like his job very much, but cripes he doesn't have to punish us fans like this!

[Tredici]

What solipsist (I would find it easier to type "self is the only reality") you mean you have a problem with a holding call on Rob Blake they couldn't even find in review that put a big part of the Colorado penalty kill on the bench and let Dullass score a goal and no call on Peter being drug down with an inside slash where a player knows there isn't any padding protecting the inner thigh?

Tsk Tsk.

[Pezman]

I predict a Predators win over the dead wings tonight. They match up with them very well and if they can get some momentum, you gotta think they have got a real shot to upend the Deadwingers.
I also hope that Johan Hedberg chokes at goal tonight for the Nuckers. His first playoff start will hopefully be his last hehe

[solipsist]

Tred: Lets not forget the hooking penalty on Nikolishin when he could get his stick back from the Dallas player, who had it clamped in his armpit, pulling himself down as Niko tried to get free. that was complete BS, but a fairly skilled dive.

On the booing Canadians - this is a pet peeve off mine. Now, I'm not particularly patriotic (in the current "toe-the-line-ask-no-questions" sense) but that's out of line. We don't ask that they stand and sing along, but booing is a Canuck fan thing to do. We don't boo their anthem, then again we don't make up conspiracies to cover up the fact that one of our star players is an assneck, or start up chants for blood, or even continue to cheer when a player is injured.

When Sturm was accidentally injured what did the Americans at Pepsi Center do? We cheered that he was helped off the ice, that he was a classy player. Just because our grandparents didn't grow up watching pond games in Edmonton doesn't mean we don't understand the game or love it any less than our northern neighbors. The Canucks fans cheered for blood, the Flames fans chanted for it, and now Montreal can't even sit quietly through a GD song that happens to be the national anthem of the guy who financially saved their fookin' team?!?!

A$$ clowns.

[solipsist]

Has anyone heard anything about Cloutier? I haven't had time to check too much news, but thus far it seems quiet.

The Moose is really a decent goalie, but I'd be nervous if I were a Canuck fan.

Wait. I'd also be an idiot.

[Mtbrncofn]

So far, all I'd heard and that was yesterday, was that he wouldn't start game 4. I can't find much on it right now either.


Seriously, the Nucks probably have a better chance with Hedberg in goal than Clutzier. He is so inconsistent. Right before the end of the season, he was letting every thing in, then he solidified himself for the playoff games. His annual choke was inevitable, and probably coming soon. The injury just helped get him out quicker.

[Mtbrncofn]

We all know how hush hush the true nature of the injury is kept. I'm wondering if this is what the Nucks are up to. I can't find anything except the generic "lower body injury". It could be a freakin ingrown toenail for all we know. ;D

[Pezman]

I suspect he's prolly got a "bruised ego" injury. It could keep him out for 2-4 minutes... Gotta love the NHL injury reports, especially during the playoffs. For all we know, dude might have a broken arm rather than leg...

[Tredici]

I don't know. I was watching that game when he went down. He got up and when he distributed his weight he went over like a ship listing. The knee wouldn't hold him at all.

The only saving grace is he went out of the net and fell all by himself. So I guess if the fans call for blood Dan has to beat himself up.

[Mtbrncofn]

LOL....I was being sarcastic with my post. I saw it when he went down too. To me, it looked exactly like what Osgood did. The difference was Clutzier tried to get up multiple times, and it just wasn't a happenin' deal.

They must still be planning to use him sometime soon though, or they would have been out with a certain diagnosis and timetable for his return.

[Mtbrncofn]

HA! I found out what's wrong with Granato. He's delusional. Turns out when all us fans noticed our team camping out in the third, he thinks they played pretty solid.

" When we were up 3-2, (Rob) Blake had a glorious chance right in front," Granato said. "(Marty) Turco made a big save. It was a very tight-checking, defensive-minded game, there's no question about that.

"When we had a two-goal lead, we didn't sit back. We played pretty solid, but they were able to capitalize on some chances."


What game was he watching?

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/avalanche/article/0,1299,DRMN_39_2803196,00.html

[solipsist]

Yeah, it's never good when you have to have two skaters help you off the ice. he didn't look good at all, but he did play with some heart, making a save and trying to keep in position when he was obviously hurting.

Hate to see any player go out with an injury, even a Canuck (excepting Bertuzzi, I wouldn't mind if he never played again).

[solipsist]

The only saving grace is he went out of the net and fell all by himself. So I guess if the fans call for blood Dan has to beat himself up.


Until they [Canucks fans] investigate and find out that the Avalanche, aided by Gary Bettman, used an advanced American Military device to disrupt the cartilidge in Cloutier's knee and caused the injury. All because the Canucks wouldn't just give up as a team and let the Avs have the division.

Bertuzzi tried to stop it, but was foiled at the last minute by US military Black Ops CIA agents (it took 56 to restrain him). The NHL has kidnapped everyone close to Brian Burke, if he admits any knowledge of the "Cartilidge Disintigration Ray" all he cares about in the world will be destroyed, and Vancouver will be cut loose from the continent and pushed over the edge of the world.

All to prevent the Cup from going to that vaccuum of intelligence.

[Mtbrncofn]

ROFL! ROFL! Ahahhahaaaaaaaahhaahaa......careful, sol...you'll spawn more conspiracy theories from them.

[solipsist]

The cutting Vancouver loose thing doesn't sound half bad some days.

[phillybroncosnut]

The officiating sucks period. I have said time and time again that the NHL officials are by far the most inconsistent in all of sports which makes them by far the WORST.

You never know what is going to be called a penalty. You could play 19 minutes of a period with constent clutching and grabbing away from the puck with zero interference calls and then the last minute they finally call one. Either call them all or don't call any.
In game 3 of the Flyer/devils, they called a goalie interference on Donald Brashear which lead to the winning goal. but in the same period a devil slammed right into Esche and nothing was called.
I could bitch about the officials till my face is blue. We all could. But, it won't change anything. All I want is consistancy. If you call it one way, call it both ways. Thats all I ask.

[Pezman]

I predict a Predators win over the dead wings tonight. They match up with them very well and if they can get some momentum, you gotta think they have got a real shot to upend the Deadwingers.
I also hope that Johan Hedberg chokes at goal tonight for the Nuckers. His first playoff start will hopefully be his last hehe

Woohoo, I should have gone to Vegas with that guess. Gotta love those scrappy Predators!
Hmmm, I wish I could predict the Avs games better...

[Clockwork Orange]

The Predators speed is killing Detroit. Hatcher looks like he's skating in quicksand out there next to these Nashville players. It's that very reason that Hatcher was left off of Team USA in the 2002 Winter Olympics. They figured there was no way Hatcher would be able to keep up with the speedy European forwards on the larger ice surface. Now it looks as though he can't keep up with the Nashville forwards on an NHL rink. Chelios isn't faring much better.

Vokoun will have to keep slamming the door for Nashville to stand a chance in what is now a best of 3 series. I'll give the Preds credit, they've already pushed this series further than I thought they would.

[phillybroncosnut]

Good thing MT isn't a betting lady.

Let me try this.

The AV's don't have a prayer in the series against the Stars. This series was over before it started. Dallas is WAAAAAAAY better

The Flyers don't have a prayer in the series against the Devils. This series was over before it started. New Jersey is WAAAAAAAy better.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Anyone besides me notice then when the Av's win the Flyers win and when the Av's lose the Flyers lose? Sup wit dat?
Not just the playoffs but the ladder part of the season too. When the Av's were slumping so were the Flyers.
It's the Av's fault the Flyers lost! You guys are to blame. NOW STOP PUCKING LOSING!

Jeez, if the trend continue's, should make for an interesting finals. Has there ever been a game where either both teams won or both teams lost?

What happens when the av's play the Flyers in the cup finals? :pray:

[phillybroncosnut]

That's what I meant by my last sentence in the post you quoted. You're the 2nd person that didn't get it. I must not have explained the joke very well.

My bad

[Swedish Extrovert]

The officiating sucks period. I have said time and time again that the NHL officials are by far the most inconsistent in all of sports which makes them by far the WORST.



Very true. However my theory, and only my theory is that they want to prolong serieses for more viewers. First off, they got away with spearing Forsberg, then Nikolishin goes for tripping when Ott tripped by grabbing Niko's stick. They didnt even look at the last goal when Guerin interfered with Aebischer - that could have been the series too! Im pissed.

The NHL is a currupt league right now. I hope I can get SEL (Svink Elete Hockey League) and all the MoDo Elite games, because as long as the av's are out, I'm a MoDo Elite fan!

[Clockwork Orange]

Here's what this thread needs.

http://ideaspot.net/nhl/pacific/medium/nostars-med.gif

There, that's better.:)

[Pezman]

That's what I meant by my last sentence in the post you quoted. You're the 2nd person that didn't get it. I must not have explained the joke very well.

My bad

LMAO I got it....

[Clockwork Orange]

Calgary is up 3-0 on Vancouver after 2 periods.

Looks like that one will be a best of 3 after tonight.

[phillybroncosnut]

Calgary is up 3-0 on Vancouver after 2 periods.

Looks like that one will be a best of 3 after tonight.

I expected this series to go 6 if not 7 with Calgary completing the upset. The Flames are a dangerous team. They could be the Mighty Ducks this season.

[phillybroncosnut]

LMAO I got it....

Thanks Pez! I thought it was me.

[phillybroncosnut]

As I think about it more and more, how fun would this thread be if the Flyers and Av's do indeed face off for the Cup? Jesus, I'd have enemies coming out my arse! I'd hate all of you too.

Me and RHogan could handle all you Av's fans. I'm not worried. We'll Broad street bully your butts! Bring it on with the gloves dropped!

Think about how good a series that would be. Since the Av's were established, the Flyers/Av's games have been Din-O-Mite. Every game has been close and ALOT of them have ended in ties. There would be OT's galore and heart attacks galore for us. That sh!t would be awesome. Although, I really can't take playoff OT hockey. Overtime Playoff hockey is the ultimate train wreck. You feel so uncomfortable at the sight and thought of it, but you just CAN NOT stop watching. I swear, it's like nothing else in sports.

[Clockwork Orange]

When I gave my predictions for the 1st round I picked Montreal to beat Boston in 6 games. Well, not only does it look like I was wrong, I'm now glad that I'm wrong about this series. After the unbelievable lack of class, honor and respect shown in this series by the Montreal players and fans, I'm now hoping that Boston puts them away in game 5.

Ever since this series went to Montreal it's been one disgusting display after another. First the Montreal fans booed during the singing of The Star Spangled Banner, a tradition I thought was reserved for the idiots in Vancouver. It appears as though it's crossed over into French-Canada as well. Nice show of class you morons.

Then you have Mike Ribeiro and his soccer style dive complete with writhing in pain. He drops and pretends to be in agony as the Bruins get the puck and are heading up ice on a 4 on 2 break. The referee is fooled into thinking that he's really injured and blows the whistle, negating the Boston scoring chance. The trainer comes out to attend to Ribeiro who magically recovers instantly, gets up, taunts the Bruins bench and then sits over on the Montreal bench laughing about it. That could be one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen, even his teammates had to be embarassed afterwards. Complete lack of honor and respect for the game.

Then tonight in double OT Alexei Kovalev takes a slash across his fingers, which are well padded by his gloves, pretends he's in agony trying to buy a penalty. But in his poorly thought out acting job, he not only lets the puck slide away, he runs into a teammate who was reaching for it and creates a partial breakaway for the Bruins Glen Murray. Murray beats Theodore with a wrister, game over, Bruins lead the series 3-1. Karma is a bitch and the Habs paid dearly for their disgraceful actions.

I'm just hoping that the Bruins rid the playoffs of this pathetic squad that is disgracing the storied Canadiens logo on their sweaters. Rocket Richard must be rolling over in his grave.

[Tredici]

Well, when the Avs aren't on have to say I can get my fix by watching CalgAVry.

It looked like someone was waving something slightly smelly under Crawford's nose didn't it?

Bwahahahahhahahahahahaha.

[Clockwork Orange]

I like it when guys can talk big and back it up. Case and point, Tomas Vokoun of the Nashville Predators.

After game 2 Vokoun called the Red Wings a whiny, arrogant team. He then turns around and allows only one goal in the next 2 games as the Preds tie up the series.

The Wings must be having Giguere flashbacks right about now.

[phillybroncosnut]

Clockwork, you are surprised by Canadian fans booing our national antheme? These scumbags have been doing it for years.
As I said before, neither the ScHabs, nor Tampa's Gay will get past the 2nd round.
I had Boston winning the series so i guess I had the ScHabs losing in the first round. Come to think of it, I have the Isle's beating Tampa in the first round also. Neither team is Playoff tough (if you know what I mean). Both teams rely on smaller/faster type players. Those type teams get worn down fast in the playoffs.

[alkemical]

I"m still going with TB in the east, and i'm going with...................................... Calgary in the west

[Clockwork Orange]

The thing about it Philly is that I've never heard it happen in Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton or Calgary and I've got NHL Center Ice. I heard it numerous times in Vancouver and now just recently Montreal, one has to wonder.

Vancouver is just full of idiots, Montreal must be full of french speaking idiots.

In fairness I've heard of booing during the singing of Oh Canada in Atlanta and NY Islanders (Long Island). So we've got our own morons down here.

No matter who does it, it doesn't make it right.

[SJ Bronco]

Man, we won, but man, what a game. Even me, mister sharkie has to admit, Osgood made one of the greatest saves I've ever seen today in the third period to keep us from going up two goal late on a wide open break away. Whew! It was awsome. Those of you who saw it know what I mean. I thought he got lucky at first, but the replay showed the truth. Hats off man!

[Clockwork Orange]

Unfortunately for Osgood, he's always been able to make the great save......and then turns around and gives up a soft goal on the next shot. It's that inconsistancy that's kept him out of the upper echelon of goaltenders in the NHL despite the fact that he's won a Cup as a starter.

[phillybroncosnut]

Unfortunately for Osgood, he's always been able to make the great save......and then turns around and gives up a soft goal on the next shot. It's that inconsistancy that's kept him out of the upper echelon of goaltenders in the NHL despite the fact that he's won a Cup as a starter.


RON HEXTALL in the ladder stages of his career!

[Swedish Extrovert]

Someone feed the monkey, while I dig in search of China, white as Dracula as I approach the bottom. Desperate, ravenous, so weak and powerless, over you"

[phillybroncosnut]

The thing about it Philly is that I've never heard it happen in Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton or Calgary and I've got NHL Center Ice. I heard it numerous times in Vancouver and now just recently Montreal, one has to wonder.

Vancouver is just full of idiots, Montreal must be full of french speaking idiots.

In fairness I've heard of booing during the singing of Oh Canada in Atlanta and NY Islanders (Long Island). So we've got our own morons down here.

No matter who does it, it doesn't make it right.

Toronto started all this sh!t in the '96 (I think that was the year) World Cup. that was the year the US won the gold. They booed the hell out of our national anthem.

[Clockwork Orange]

http://www.jrue.com/albums/userpics/10416/normal_jose2a.JPG

[phillybroncosnut]

Someone feed the monkey, while I dig in search of China, white as Dracula as I approach the bottom. Desperate, ravenous, so weak and powerless, over you"


WTF?

[phillybroncosnut]

http://www.jrue.com/albums/userpics/10416/normal_jose2a.JPG


GREAT! I hate the Les HabbyFAGS anyway!

[phillybroncosnut]

Toronto started all this sh!t in the '96 (I think that was the year) World Cup. that was the year the US won the gold. They booed the hell out of our national anthem.


The line was drawn then. After that sh!t, I never stood for the Can'tadian national anthem at a hockey game again. I don't boo, I just sit there and hum God bless america.

[Mtbrncofn]

Good thing MT isn't a betting lady.

Let me try this.

The AV's don't have a prayer in the series against the Stars. This series was over before it started. Dallas is WAAAAAAAY better

The Flyers don't have a prayer in the series against the Devils. This series was over before it started. New Jersey is WAAAAAAAy better.


Damn, I should have been a betting lady! Damnit, damnit, damnit! I sure hope that works Philly, or none of us are gonna be happy.

[Mtbrncofn]

That's what I meant by my last sentence in the post you quoted. You're the 2nd person that didn't get it. I must not have explained the joke very well.

My bad


Damnit, I got it and was trying to be sarcastic with my saying ask CO. Guess my sarcasm didn't go over the right way.

[phillybroncosnut]

Damnit, I got it and was trying to be sarcastic with my saying ask CO. Guess my sarcasm didn't go over the right way.


Damn you women! You got me spinning in circle, chasing my tail, a wild goose chase even! You're all women. You have me confused as phuck (scuse the language ma'am)

[Mtbrncofn]

LOL....you crack me up, Philly.

Please allow me to get in my gloating over the ass whooping the Chokes just took. Guess Hedberg wasn't the man for the job after all. Crawford's face was pricless. I said before, I didn't want to draw the Flames. They are tougher than anyone is giving them credit for. Kipper is doing an awesome job up there. They definitely have Ducks written all over them.

[Swedish Extrovert]

I think Iraq does it too.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Wait, is Van and Cal tied up?

[Pezman]

Yes they are MightSmurf 2-2. The series resumes Thursday with Game 5 at Vancouver.

So, if the Avs can somehow wrap their series up by game 5 (crosses fingers) then we will get some good rest between series..

[Clockwork Orange]

Vancouver gets shut out tonight and are knotted at 2-2 with Calgary.

Looks as though Mary-Kate and Ashley Sedin aren't picking up Bertuzzi's scoring as Canuck fans so boldly predicted. And to think those two were drafted #2 & #3 overall.

[Ugly man]

Mary-Kate and Ashley Sedin?

ZING!

Outstanding.

[solipsist]

As I think about it more and more, how fun would this thread be if the Flyers and Av's do indeed face off for the Cup? Jesus, I'd have enemies coming out my arse! I'd hate all of you too.

Me and RHogan could handle all you Av's fans. I'm not worried. We'll Broad street bully your butts! Bring it on with the gloves dropped!




Whatever, I won't even have to jump in on that. MT will handle you no problem.

:)

[solipsist]

Vancouver only got 20 shots on goal, losing their cheap shot gorilla really hurt their depth and their already showing signs of fatigue and frustration. I really wish the Avs could be the ones to bounce them, but I don't want the fans to have the satisfaction of getting that deep in the playoffs. Oh yeah, and I don't want them makin gthat much money either, fook them.

CO: Mary-Kate and Ashley Sedin?! Rep!
LOL

[phillybroncosnut]

Whatever, I won't even have to jump in on that. MT will handle you no problem.

:)


:boxing: thwack :redpunch: :bash: :strong:

[orange 4 life]

frustrating.
VERY frustrating.

me and the dog were pretty upset watching this one. (mt. will get this)
the killer instinct just inst there, but then again maybe its JUST the coach who lacks the testicular fortitude to stay offensive.

anyway, its all been said before it seems, but i thought id weigh in briefly.

tonight is a HUGE game, as vancouver and detroit are both knotted up at two.
a win puts us one game closer to getting a little much needed rest between rounds.
...and can someone please call granato and explain that sitting back for 20 minutes wont work?
id say he probably learned his lesson already, but he seems like a deer in headlights.
call the "deer" and tell him to stay on the attack, and we'll be fine.

jake

[bronco militia]

I'm just hoping for a better performance from Abby tonight....the last two goals he gave up were soft.

[solipsist]

one thing about Granato though, he does roll all four lines really well on the road, our guys are a helluva a lot fresher than those "Stars", a benefit of our depth and some good bench management. Now when Granato wants scoring he should but out the AMP line - not just stick Foppa on the wing and beg for Matvichuk to ram him into the boards.

I will make a prediction: 2 Avs PP goals tonight thanks to stupid Dallas penalties (assuming the refs are going to find their "both teams" whistles at some point tonight)

[Tredici]

Ummm.. Solipsist? Exactly how hard is it for GraNOTo to roll four lines?

A PeeWee Coach should be successful at managing the Av bench...

[solipsist]

Hartley always played with a shortened bench in the playoffs. Granato keep a very good balance of ice time, making sure that eberyone gets enough time to contribute and the top lines keep their legs. That's why i was pretty confident about the OT, because you could already see the Stars slowing down, they were still playing hard, but they weren't getting their knees up as fast.

[Pezman]

I think you are right Soli, there will be plenty of power play opportunities tonight. In fact, I wouldn't be suprised to see the hardest checking and dirty play tonight by the Stars. Clearly they want to goad us into penalty situations and I hope we can make them pay for it.

[solipsist]

Yeah, Dallas is going to gamble and try to take our big hits back to us. Problem is that if they don't succeed they could bruise themselves up too much to make a sustained effort for the rest (however brief) of the series. One thing our trades this season definitely added was size and grit, I expect Boughner, Vaananen and Foote to be laying down some punishment on the forwards tonight, hopefully hitting Corson enough for him to take some stupid penalties. Now we can just hope that Zubov gets matched up against barnaby and Hinote and Gratton some as well.

Anyone know how Klemm is coming along? Getting pretty late in the series to be taking it easy on an injury, hope it's not serious. Like we'll know until the Stars are long out of the picture.

[Tredici]

Hartley always played with a shortened bench in the playoffs. Granato keep a very good balance of ice time, making sure that eberyone gets enough time to contribute and the top lines keep their legs. That's why i was pretty confident about the OT, because you could already see the Stars slowing down, they were still playing hard, but they weren't getting their knees up as fast.

Hartley is one of the best bench coaches in the NHL. I believe it when Scotty Bowman says it. Even if he does have that plate in his head...

:P

[bronco militia]

Hartley is one of the best bench coaches in the NHL. I believe it when Scotty Bowman says it. Even if he does have that plate in his head...

:P


well having Sakic, Tanguay, Forsberg, Foote, Drury, Borque, Blake, Hejduk, and Roy on some nights helped a little too. :alky:

[solipsist]

I'm certainly not trying to dog Hartley as a coach, but he basically played most of his playoff games with three lines. When he began trying to utilize his forth liners more...the Avs won the Cup. Granato is far from perfect, but he is damn good at making sure the players are going to have legs for the whole game, definitely benefiting from the depth of talent that forces teams to work their defensemen harder and take more risks on matchups.

[Pezman]

Here we go! C'mon AVS! Crucial for us to jump ahead early....

[Pezman]

The Duke strikes first for us! Yes! 1-0 Avs. Lets keep it up Avs :thumbsup:
There has to be a sigh of relief for the team to get that goal and kill off that Dallas momentum. Now, lets get another one and get this crowd out of it early

[Pezman]

Short-handed Joe Sakic goal! Twice in one series do we get it! 2-0! Looking good! Gotta love it! They have the Stars on the ropes early. Man, I wish BG was here enjoying the fun!

[solipsist]

Hmmm, so I guess I don't understand the rules of hockey, when a player is pulled down by another, he's interfereing withthe guy who pulled him down?

Awful call against Blake, especailly since it led to a 5 on 3

[solipsist]

That being said the Avs are looking great (despite a green and white officiating corps).

Duke and Joe getting it done, Svatos with a copuple of great chances..

[solipsist]

WTF is up with this weak a$$ second period?!?!? Are these the Avs stunt doubles or something?!?! Motherfooker!!

[Pezman]

The bad juju for the Nuckers continues as they have lost Cloutier for the rest of the playoffs. Think the Hockey gods are pulling against Crawdaddy's team?

My stomach will be in knots if this game stays this tight into the 3rd period btw... We gave up way too many chances in that second and are fortunate to still be ahead 2-1. The dirty play has picked up as we suspected and nothing will change that in the 3rd I bet. Should make for a bruising and tight period. Go AVS

[solipsist]

I really really want us to start playing like this game matters.

[solipsist]

One fookin' shot over halfway through the third? And Dallas ties it up?!?!?


:moody:

[solipsist]

No no, that's great (I'm going to burn my neighbor alive), we'll come back (no reason,except the Avs not playing for the last 30 minutes). :crazy:

[solipsist]

Double digit shots in one period, please. Of course that means 9 shots in the last 5 minutes. FOOK!

[phillybroncosnut]

Don't worry. The Av's will win. The Flyers won 3-0 so the AV's are a lock. Don't sweat it.

[solipsist]

It sure would be nice if the Avs could put a couple refs on their roster, like Dallas.

[Old Dude]

We stunk up the joint in the 3rd.

[solipsist]

OD: What, 3 shots in 20 minutes isn't good?

^$$#%^%$##$@@#%^&^^%^#@#$@^%*(&*&&%&^%@$@*&^$&#^%#*$&%!!!!!!!!!

[solipsist]

Christ! Why did Tanguay just go to the lockeroom?!?!?!?!?!?!?



damndamndamndamndamndamndamndamndamndamndamndamnda mndamndamndamndamndamndamndamn


Thank you Aebi, for being the better goalie....

[WaffleBoy]

Philly, I bet you blame me for Gagne missed open shot?

Waffle Man

[Bronco_Beerslug]

The ice is turning into mush!!!!

[BlueDamsel]

Man, I wish BG was here enjoying the fun!

Stupid work! :( thwack

You gonna be around when I get home? :D

Uhh so what am I missing now? Did we win? Is it over?

[solipsist]

Future: Still an OT nailbiter. Avs have 3 shots in OT, Stars have 6. Aebi's keeping us in the game with not a whole lot of help.

[Hogan11]

Don't worry. The Av's will win. The Flyers won 3-0 so the AV's are a lock. Don't sweat it.

Great game tonight!! GO FLYERS!!

[solipsist]

Refs have put their whistles away, Avs are taking advantage of it a bit.... dangerous strategy, these officials are fickle.

Tanguay's back though, thankfully...

[phillybroncosnut]

Great game tonight!! GO FLYERS!!


Dude! Esche was unfreakinbeleivable tonight. His performance tonight ranks right up there with the greatest goalie performances in Flyers history! He put his name right there with bernie Parent, Ron Hextall, and Pelle Lindberg (RIP).

He was just unconscious tonight. Primeau is have the best series of his career. he's probably playing the best hockey of his career too.
Damn, i should have made the short treck up the New Jersey turnpike tonight for the game! Plenty of empty seats. They probably have the worst fan base in all of sport (save for the Expos :poke: ....)

One more to go. Let's enjoy this win brother with a few ^5 and alot of :alky:

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bpc]

Scooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooorrreeeee! Svatos!!!!

[bpc]

Thank you lord, I was crapping my pants... another sit on the puck game... thankfully it didn't kill us this time.

GRENATO, I HATE YOU!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Abby was great in OT!!! The ice was horrible 5 mins in the 1st OT and slowed the AVs down but they grinded it out. The 2nd OT I just felt like the AVs were going to break one in on them.

Great Game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[phillybroncosnut]

Told you so!

It's eery how this is turning out. Flyers win/Av's win..... Flyers lose/Av's lose! WTF?

[Clockwork Orange]

SVATOS!!!!!!!

The rookie comes up huge after Aebischer kept them in it through the first OT.

3-1 lead for the Avs, this series ends on Saturday.

[solipsist]

MAREKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK SVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTOSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

Hey Turco, does a .857 save percentage feel good buddy? Is that a money goalie's stat?


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Told you so!

It's eery how this is turning out. Flyers win/Av's win..... Flyers lose/Av's lose! WTF?

Congrats on you Flyers so far! I thought Jersey, being the best defensive team in the league, would handle them "same as it ever was" but not this year.

[solipsist]

I totally called it, I told this girl that I'd go outside with her in a minute because the Avs were going to score...well I'll be damned if I wasn't right.

Philly, I stand corrected, see you in finals where we see what happens.

damn.

I need to relax... some celebratory booze....

[bpc]

Still have to seal the deal on these guys. They are definately better then the Wild were last season. We just need to dominate the game like we did in games 1 and 2.

[WaffleBoy]

GO FLYERS!

Waffle Man

[Clockwork Orange]

Dallas is completely deflated right now. They completely carried the play, nearly doubled the Avs shot total and still came out on the short end.

The Avs have now hung at least 3 goals on Turco in every game of this series.

This could be the game that answers a lot of people's questions about David Aebischer. Anyone out there who still thought that he's not a #1 goaltender are getting an education. That was Patrick Roy-esque, bouncing back from a subpar outing to keep his team in it long enough to get the win.

Dallas is finished.

[BroncoFox]

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwww...

That was awesome! I watched every minute of this game, sheesh.

We need to finish it next game.. I mean we REALLY need to.

And woot if that rookie didn't look sweet juking around!

And abby? OMG! he was awesome.. so cool.

But.. is it just me, or is Abby the absolute worstest worst ever at going behind the net and trying to get the puck out of the zone? yikes.. usually, he tosses a light one around the boards right to the other team. :(

Awesome win though.. *huge sigh of relief*

But didn't we do this last year? 3-1.. home game.. lost it.. and lost the series? We musn't repeat this, we MUST win next game.

[Breck Bronc]

Dallas is completely deflated right now. They completely carried the play, nearly doubled the Avs shot total and still came out on the short end.

The Avs have now hung at least 3 goals on Turco in every game of this series.

This could be the game that answers a lot of people's questions about David Aebischer. Anyone out there who still thought that he's not a #1 goaltender are getting an education. That was Patrick Roy-esque, bouncing back from a subpar outing to keep his team in it long enough to get the win.

Dallas is finished.Clockwork, you are absolutely right about Aebi. I really had no confidence in him going into tonight's game. He played excellent, the only two goals were not his fault, the first one came on a 5-on-3 that was bogus to begin with and the second one was deflected in off Boughner (who's been damn impressive through 4 games). Aebi is by far the better goalie right now, Turco is obviously a much better puckhandler (better than Brodeur, imo), but everything else Aebischer is doing better.

Svatos is our rookie version of Martin St. Louis and much, much more polished than Marty was in his early years. Paul who?

There were a lot of negatives tonight, unfortunately. The defense couldn't clear the puck without icing it our turning it over. That needs to change. We sat back with the lead once again.

The big question, which team will show up Saturday? The Avalanche team that put away Edmonton ('97), Detroit ('00), Phoenix ('00), and St. Louis ('01) in game 5's in Colorado, or the Avalanche team that let Edmonton ('98), Los Angeles ('01 and '02), and Minnesota ('03) get back into those series in game 5's in Denver? We all better hope it's the former and not the latter. If Colorado has to go back to Dallas we could be seeing the 5th straight 7-game series played by the Avalanche. Let Detroit/Nashville and Vancouver/Calgary go the distance.