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The Mick · Apr 27, 2004, 08:02 PM

The Avs are dead, and anyone who watches them regularly, like I do, knew it would end this way. They played awful, timid, scared hockey over the last 6 weeks of the season. People openly wondered if the could "flip the switch" going into the playoffs. How many times have you heard that old cliche? And it always ends in am emphatic "No."

The Stars blew their wad making the playoffs after a horrible start to the year, similar to how the Avs blew their wad going all-out for the division title last year. Dallas was a relatively easy target, putting up no fight at all, and Turco sucked nuts. Now that the Avs have to play a quality opponent, with speed, toughness, skill and desire, you see the Avs' true colors shine through.

Sakic, Blake and Foote should be a quality core of veteran talent for any team, but they just look tired and old. Forsberg may be the best player in the world, but he regulary shows that if you beat on him a bit, he'll lose his head and play stupid. Younger players like Tanguay, Hejduk and Svatos are just too fancy for the NHL of today and lack grit. Our gritty players like Barnaby and Konowalchuk I like alot, but they aren't enough. Which brings me to "The Disappointments." Two words. Selanne. Kariya. They suck. Selanne has sucked ass all year, and Kariya has not been worth even the measly $1 million salary he was paid. Abby has been a good goalie, but he's not good enough to win games 2-1 night after night.

Looking at the big picture, the next Avs team is likely to be dramatically different from this one. With the impending lockout and likelihood of salary caps, I think most teams will be forced to dump major salary. I think Forsberg has finally had enough and will go play in Sweden. Sakic, Blake and Foote will be back, but they'll be a year (or 2, or 3?) older when the league returns. Others like Tanguay, Hejduk and Abby will be good, but good doesn't win the Cup. The Avs will diminish into just a regular playoff team, maybe missing them here and there, but not a real contender unless they get an infusion of hungry, bigger, faster and mainly tougher young players.

Nicko · Apr 29, 2004, 05:31 AM

Woohoo Toronto!...

dlefebvre · Apr 29, 2004, 08:18 AM

Using Ichat, I've been streaming the last 3 Canadian's game to my canadian friend who lives in Paris. I told him it's his fault if they lost all 3 games.

ironknee · Apr 29, 2004, 12:02 PM

Flyers +1

Spin: Hey we had to lose one game

GoGoReggieXPowars · Apr 29, 2004, 12:26 PM

Good to see the Leafs get out there and score! I guarantee next game the Flyers will come out of the gate hitting.

bwahahax · Apr 29, 2004, 12:38 PM

I'm not sure if the Leafs can beat the Flyers, but at least they should be able to give them a run for their money. I've still got my fingers crossed for a Leafs series win though!

ironknee · Apr 30, 2004, 11:00 PM

Flyers -even

Observation: Darcy Tucker's name sounds like a name from a novel. Darcy Tucker...

Agasthya · Apr 30, 2004, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by ironknee:
Flyers -even

Observation: Darcy Tucker's name sounds like a name from a novel. Darcy Tucker...

Amazing game by Mats Sundin.

Flyers were so undisciplined! But then again, I don't mind because I hate the Flyers.

Mr. Blur · Apr 30, 2004, 11:21 PM

as an old toronto boy, i would love to see the leafs beat the flyers. they were lucky tonight that they only got one goal against in the first period when they came out so flat. if they are to win this round, they'll have to start playing the whole game like they did after waking up during tonight's tilt.

Stogieman · May 1, 2004, 06:02 PM

Dammit! Lost another one in overtime. Looks like the Avs might not be dead after all. Series is now 3-2 Sharks.

Rev-O · May 1, 2004, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by Stogieman:
Dammit! Lost another one in overtime. Looks like the Avs might not be dead after all. Series is now 3-2 Sharks.

Well, at least the overtalented and underhearted Avs are making it interesting.

Are both of the hockey fans in San Jose starting to get down on the Sharks yet?

itai195 · May 1, 2004, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by Rev-O:
Well, at least the overtalented and underhearted Avs are making it interesting.

Are both of the hockey fans in San Jose starting to get down on the Sharks yet?

When you're a Bay Area sports fan, you come to expect this sort of thing

Anyway, I sort of suspected the first two games were somewhat flukey, so I didn't get too high on the Sharks at that point. Still another chance to close it out before a game 7.

Rev-O · May 1, 2004, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by itai195:
When you're a Bay Area sports fan, you come to expect this sort of thing

Understood. In Colorado we have more per capita ankle injures from people jumping on and off bandwagons than any city out there. The local arena is full of corporate cockroaches who care more about being seen at a hockey game and swilling down white zinfidel then they do about the game. It is a sad thing.

Agasthya · May 1, 2004, 06:29 PM

As much as I hate the Wings, I really really really hope that Stevie Y is OK. Although it looked very serious.

itai195 · May 1, 2004, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by Agasthya:
As much as I hate the Wings, I really really really hope that Stevie Y is OK. Although it looked very serious.

Agreed. I always hate seeing good players get hurt -- regardless of their team.

Agasthya · May 1, 2004, 11:58 PM

Originally posted by itai195:
Agreed. I always hate seeing good players get hurt -- regardless of their team.

What is making me nervous is that there hasn't been any news yet and if it wasn't that serious they probably would have announced it.

I still have my fingers crossed though.

The Mick · May 1, 2004, 11:59 PM

I am stunned.
Sakic has shown us all again that he is one of the best players in the world, and among the best ever to play the game. I thought the Avs were dead meat, and suddenly they show some life and play with a little pride. They still need someone other than Sakic to step up, but I'm pretty confident we'll be playing a game 7 in San Jose. And in game 7, anything can happen. We'll see.

Mr. Blur · May 2, 2004, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by Agasthya:
What is making me nervous is that there hasn't been any news yet and if it wasn't that serious they probably would have announced it.

according to tsn - scratched cornea and multiple fractures to the orbital bone in his left eye - out indefintely but expected to make a full recovery.

brapper · May 2, 2004, 01:50 PM

You know when Mogilny is the new Domi, and Domi's the new Mogilny, the leafs are going to have a good game.
If it looks that way today, then the Leafs will soon have a commanding lead.
here's to a six game series victory for the buds

ryju · May 2, 2004, 03:08 PM

Now that Montreal is gone I'm left cheering for TO.

Go Leafs!

todrain · May 2, 2004, 05:22 PM

Wow... 6-1 Flyers, not even half way through the game... looks like game 7 from last year! I hope Esche isn't hurt, though!

Capt Shane · May 2, 2004, 05:45 PM

go Lightning we rule :-D

Win Finals in 5
Then on to The Cup
Win in 6

:-)

ironknee · May 2, 2004, 06:45 PM

Flyers +1

Hat trick baby!

Agasthya · May 3, 2004, 04:36 PM

Kariya is back tomorrow.

villalobos · May 3, 2004, 10:54 PM

That was one nice elbow by Hatcher.

villa

OldManMac · May 4, 2004, 01:24 AM

It's over for the best team in hockey!

Rev-O · May 4, 2004, 01:25 AM

Nice job, Flames!

Avs fan.

villalobos · May 4, 2004, 01:27 AM

Originally posted by Rev-O:
Nice job, Flames!

Avs fan.

What a game.... Congrats. They are not gonna make it out of next round though.

villa

villalobos · May 4, 2004, 01:27 AM

Originally posted by KarlG:
It's over for the best team in hockey!

and it's just the start for a big shuffle in Hockeytown.

villa

itai195 · May 4, 2004, 01:29 AM

Good job Flames!

Hope to see you in the next round... cough...

JHromadka · May 4, 2004, 01:43 AM

I was out of town and got back just after the game ended. Woohoo! Go Flames!

OldManMac · May 4, 2004, 01:49 AM

Originally posted by villalobos:
and it's just the start for a big shuffle in Hockeytown.

villa

Yes, it may indeed been the end of an era.

Agasthya · May 4, 2004, 02:06 AM

Cujo played out of his mind. That game could have easily been 5-0.

I love seeing Canadian teams do well.

ironknee · May 4, 2004, 09:59 PM

Flyers Advance

how sweet it is!

olePigeon · May 4, 2004, 11:25 PM

SCOORRRREEE!!!! SHARKS IN CONFERNCE FINAL!!! YEAH!!! GO GO GO GO GO!!!

I'm a little late cuz the game was during class, but none of the less.

3-1 over Avs baby, 4-2 for the series. Looks like they got their sh*t together after Saturday's game. You just can't score 1-0 and play defense the rest of the game. You aren't in the playoffs cuz you suck. You have to be aggressive no matter what the score is, or they'll come back and bite ya in the ass like the Avs did.

Anyway... GO SHARKS!!! WOOOO!!!

O.T. GO SHARKS!!!

WAAAH!!!! WOOO!! RAWWWRR!!!

YAEEEAAHH!!!!@#*&%#@

Agasthya · May 4, 2004, 11:46 PM

I guess as long as the Flyers don't win it all I'll be happy. The team is well built but to see Bobby Clarke win ANYTHING would make me cringe.

Naturally I want the Flames to advance just because of how hard they work and it would be fantastic to see a Canadian team in the Finals.

Great game by the Sharks. They had amazing presence in the the offensive zone and I think everyone at Pepsi Center knew it was just a matter of time before they beat Aebischer. I think if the Avs could have held it to two goals instead of three they would have been in decent shape but that shorty just took the wind out of their sails.

Colorado seemed so lost defensively in the game. I think they became like Detroit and just tried to out skill the other team and when the other team wants it more, that just won't work. The way that Patrick Marleau stuck to Peter Forsberg like a cheap suit in the third was awesome. He wouldn't even let him goto the corners in the Colorado zone without bothering him. That guy is going to be a superstar - Stevie Y style. He has that hunger and the same work ethic. If he can refine his offensive skills a bit I think he'll be a lock for Canada in 2006.

The Selanne/Kariya/Sakic unit was pretty impressive in my eyes. Teemu was just working so hard in the corners and skating hard to every puck and Kariya was just flying but you could tell that his timing was way off after those two whiffs in the first period.

The next round should be interesting. I don't think the Flames have played anyone that can fly like the Sharks but they are amazing at clogging up the neutral zone...just ask the Wings.

olePigeon · May 4, 2004, 11:51 PM

Just in case I forgot:

SHARKS!!! WOOOO!!!!! GO GO!!!!

WAAAAH!!!!

Agasthya · May 4, 2004, 11:52 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
Just in case I forgot:

SHARKS!!! WOOOO!!!!! GO GO!!!! WAAAAH!!!!

I wonder if they remembered to bring out the "Zombony" after the game?

ReggieX · May 5, 2004, 12:47 PM

Goodbye Leafs, hello Calgary!

Capt Shane · May 6, 2004, 07:32 PM

down with the philly!! TB will own you in another sport...
You should just rename Philadelphia to Tampa's Bitch...

olePigeon · May 6, 2004, 07:48 PM

Originally posted by Agasthya:
I wonder if they remembered to bring out the "Zombony" after the game?

Probably only for the Av's side of the ring. I don't think they were in the Shark's zone for more than 10 minutes.

Rev-O · May 6, 2004, 10:00 PM

Originally posted by KarlG:
Yes, it may indeed been the end of an era.

For the Wings and the Avs both. The impending year long strike is going to bring a salary cap with the new CBA, and that means goodbye to our (Wings & Avs) high priced over-talented teams. Alas, hockey is in a sad state.

Rev-O · May 6, 2004, 10:05 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
Probably only for the Av's side of the ring. I don't think they were in the Shark's zone for more than 10 minutes.

You and I may argue who the more talented team is, but you'll get no arguement from me as to who the better team was. The Avs sucked. Couldn't keep the puck out of their end, couldn't keep it in the Shark's end, etc. It was woeful. At any rate, congrats to the Sharks, except for a slight toe stub, they hammered the Avs.

But the Avs will be back and better than ever... for the strike shortened 2005-2006 season!

todrain · May 6, 2004, 11:32 PM

Originally posted by Rev-O:
For the Wings and the Avs both. The impending year long strike is going to bring a salary cap with the new CBA, and that means goodbye to our (Wings & Avs) high priced over-talented teams. Alas, hockey is in a sad state.

I'd rather see it where every team has a chance to win. While I grew up in Philly and am still a Flyers fan, I lived in Miami for 7 years, and I'd love to see the Panthers find a way back to respectability. With the current system, that would never happen! (at least for any length of time.)

I think that this is one of the draws of the NFL - even the 1-15 Panthers can make it to the SuperBowl within the next two years.

olePigeon · May 6, 2004, 11:33 PM

Originally posted by Rev-O:
You and I may argue who the more talented team is, but you'll get no arguement from me as to who the better team was. The Avs sucked. Couldn't keep the puck out of their end, couldn't keep it in the Shark's end, etc. It was woeful. At any rate, congrats to the Sharks, except for a slight toe stub, they hammered the Avs.

But the Avs will be back and better than ever... for the strike shortened 2005-2006 season!

I have no illusions that the Sharks aren't the best team technically, but they definately are dominating in effort. Effort will beat skill more often than not. Certainly makes for more surprising games.

itai195 · May 6, 2004, 11:34 PM

Originally posted by todrain:
I think that this is one of the draws of the NFL - even the 1-15 Panthers can make it to the SuperBowl within the next two years.

Heh, personally that's been a big turn off for me in the NFL. I'd rather see really great teams than the teams we have nowadays... any of our Niner teams out of the 80s could crush these 'champions'

itai195 · May 6, 2004, 11:35 PM

Originally posted by Rev-O:
You and I may argue who the more talented team is, but you'll get no arguement from me as to who the better team was. The Avs sucked. Couldn't keep the puck out of their end, couldn't keep it in the Shark's end, etc. It was woeful. At any rate, congrats to the Sharks, except for a slight toe stub, they hammered the Avs.

But the Avs will be back and better than ever... for the strike shortened 2005-2006 season!

LOL, well I hope so. The Avs are great competitors.

Doc Juansinn · May 7, 2004, 12:18 AM

Well, it's hard to believe that there will be a conference final just down I-680 in San Jose. I struck out on tickets for the first two games so I hope that Calgary will let San Jose win one game so that I can go see the Flames win the series in game 5 in SJ.

Agasthya · May 7, 2004, 10:00 PM

TSN's Maggie takes Flames, Lightning

TSN.ca Staff

5/7/2004

The monkey has spoken.

Well she didn't actually do any speaking, but was wise enough to stick to her guns when she sees a good thing. And in the case of the Conference Finals, Maggie the Macaque sees something special in the Calgary Flames.

The infamous monkey from the Bowmanville Zoo made her much-anticipated third-round playoff selections on Friday, taking Canada's 'last team standing' to defeat the San Jose Sharks and John Tortorella's Tampa Bay Lightning to beat the Philadelphia Flyers.

After kicking off the 2004 postseason with an awful 2-6 record (taking the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks), Maggie rebounded with a sparkling 3-1 record taking the Flames, Lightning and Flyers to advance.

Maggie made headlines around the globe last year when she picked the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in each round. The Ducks won in every stretch of the postseason before bowing out in the final to the New Jersey Devils in seven games.

Sharks fans can take solace in the fact that Maggie never picked them in any round, yet somehow, they fought through

itai195 · May 8, 2004, 02:54 AM

Originally posted by Agasthya:

Sharks fans can take solace in the fact that Maggie never picked them in any round, yet somehow, they fought through

I think most folks who are picking Calgary in the conference finals are doing so because they were wrong about the Flames in the first two rounds

Honestly, and trying to be objective, I think the Sharks will win. They're very similar teams, but the Sharks have an edge in depth of talent (and, IMO, coaching). It'll be a close and exciting series though.

I disagree with the Lightning pick too, FWIW... I think the Flyers can pull it off.