What a hockey game!

[dentist90]

Anyone think that putting Malhotra back into the lineup might have messed things up for Van? When linemates are in the groove you don't want to stir things up by switching around. Just a thought.

Thomas has been superhuman. I'm not feeling too optimistic for the Canucks. Boston did exactly the same thing to Montreal in the playoffs, coming back from 2 behind, except the scores weren't so ridiculously lopsided. Gut check time for Van.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by billybek

This is turning out to be a good series!

Originally Posted by trader220

I am really glad this is turning into a series.

I totally disagree with you. It was a series. Lets recap:
Game 1: nucks get a goal with 1/2 minute left to play. Until then it was a hard fought low scoring game that could have gone to either team.
Game 2: nucks get a goal in OT from a mistake in B's defense and a lucky bounce. Until then it was a very hard fought, low scoring game.
Game 3: BLOWOUT. Luongo looked like he had a concussion.
Game 4: Blowout/shutout. Backup goalie needs to come in to bail out Luongo and stop the bleeding.
-All 4 games the Sedins have been a no-show, the nucks have had a PP % worse than the Bruins (if that is possible). Their two wins were squeak-by wins one good goal and one gifts from TT and the defense.

It has become a runaway for the B's. The final nail (mentally) could come Friday. Luongo has earned the start (from being so good all year) but he will have a very short leash. If the B's score first then it may just crush whatever hope the nucks have left. Is it possible for the nucks to turn it around at home? Yes but they can't look at games 1-2 for any encouragement. The nucks won the first 2 but never dominated. Their only hope is for them to score as well as they dive (sorry, I couldn't resist a little trash talk there).

[Por_sha911]

flatbutt: Marchand is young and will mature in time. There are few players that showed the wisdom and maturity of (dare I say it) Sid Crosby in their first few years. That said, he is an agitator and it is a mental game. Old time Bruin hockey has always been about hit 'em hard and mess up their head.
If anything, I figured I'd get a rash of trash for TT checking Sedin or whacking Burrows (maybe he's been watching Eddie Belfour tapes?).

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

flatbutt: Marchand is young and will mature in time. There are few players that showed the wisdom and maturity of (dare I say it) Sid Crosby in their first few years. That said, he is an agitator and it is a mental game. Old time Bruin hockey has always been about hit 'em hard and mess up their head.
If anything, I figured I'd get a rash of trash for TT checking Sedin or whacking Burrows (maybe he's been watching Eddie Belfour tapes?).

dude that was a thing of beauty!

[Por_sha911]

When he checked Sedin I LOL and shouted "now that's what I'm talking about!"

[billybek]

It is still a series, a best of 3.
Van has been embarrassed twice away from home.
I guess we will see how it goes but I gotta tell you I like the B's chances right now.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by turbocarrera

it's pretty obvious that from game1, Boston knew they couldn't play hockey with Van and decided to goon it up. Scrums after every whistle and it's hard to skate when you get slashed in the And to anyone who thinks Chara isn't a cheapshot artist...
One thing is also obvious, Van is getting some terrible coaching. When you play goons, you don't try to embellish - you get up and play hockey, Mr. Ballard, Henrik, et al. They think they can get the refs to actually call the hacking by doing it and it only makes it worse - and it's a disgrace...
Rome's interference penalty(maybe less than that) gets the worst suspension in Cup Finals history when a deliberate attempt to injure by Marchand/Chara gets zippo...Now Van's once stellar defense is in tatters with Rome/Hamhuis gone ...
There's my biased rant, to even out Joe's.

I'm not sure what you think hockey is supposed to be but it sure isn't (and hasn't been for the last 85 years) what you are wanting.

I appreciate that you are at least objective enough to admit that the nucks embarass themselves with all the diving but I am utterly amazed that you can believe that the Rome hit was clean. As 1990 said, look at the video. He crouched down just before the hit and launched himself upward into Horton. So here we have a 4th line GOON taking out a first line top scorer. Hello?! Talk about the ultimate CHEAP SHOT and "the pot calling the kettle black"!

Next, what does the Chara hit on a Hab during the regular season have to do with the Cup series?
Finally, last time I checked, Hamhuis was injured when he hit a Bruin but injured himself. Look at the picture (and read the article) here: Canucks defensive depth may be tested again with Dan Hamhuis banged up | ProHockeyTalk Looks like he was trying to be a GOON.
C'mon turbo, the NHL is a big boy sport. It is tough and hard hitting. Sometimes it sucks when a player gets hurt but you go to the Finals with the team you have and not the team you wish you had. The Bruins lost a strong chance at the cup when Savard was done dirty. They almost lost Bergeron from the Giroux hit (no suspension). Rome tried to do it to the Bruins and the league said enough. Three days ago we argued this point and several people agreed it was a dirty hit. I suggested that we agree to disagree and move on. It's time to quit whining or go play croquet.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by turbocarrera

Savard bites 2 players (but he's a great guy)
Hockey is hard hitting (but not if it's Rome)
Chara/Marchand deliberately try to injure (all good in Goon Town)
At least I admit I'm biased.
You can call me Tony.

Tony: Savard got a lot of abuse for biting and rightly so. I didn't nominate him for the Lady Byng trophy, I just said he was the key player/scorer.
I have to ask how you know that Chara & Marchand "deliberately try to injure"??? Especially Chara. His reputation in the league is good. With his size, he could be doing a lot more damage if he wanted. He hits hard but you don't see a lot of calls to the sin-bin. He doesn't try to pick fights with littler guys like some of the weenies in VC. I think that other teams are upset because he has a bigger stick than them. Hockey stick envy? Which VC player did Marchand injure and get a suspension for it? I forget.
As far as I can see, the biggest goon is Rome 4th line takes out first line.
C'mon now, quit . Your eyes will get all puffy and you'll miss the Bruins win tonight (I hope).
Oh, and my friends call me "Joe".
(I sure wish I didn't have to refer to folks by "1990C4s, flatbutt...)

[Hawkeye's-911T]

By turbocarrera: Edited - "so we went through each game and counted slashes/croschecks and came at roughly 10:1 against"

I can't vouch for the 10:1 ratio, but it is abundantly clear the Broons 'hackin' & whackin' has become part of their strategy to nullify or at least blunt Vancouver's style of play during these playoffs. They are doing it with the realization (to a certain extent) the officials are letting a lot go; but more to the point, they realize Vancouver's PP has suffered a 'power-outage', subsequently allowing them (Broons) to take greater liberties outside the confines of the rules of the game. So for them, taking a penalty is a calculated risk. A risk, by the way, which seems to be paying off - for the moment. Vancouver has never been a 'tough' team during the season but if a team started to resort to less than legal tactics, the Canucks PP would make them pay. The Sedins are targets & are being roughed up no doubt. Some of the stick fouls they've received are glaring to the point of being excessive, mind you they're not angels either, but they are targets.

To put the series into perspective, one need only look at shot totals & realize the Canucks haven't played all that badly in the offensive zone. The main reason for Boston's success is due in large part to T(sq'd.) who is playing 'all-world goaltender' at the moment. The Canucks will have to get back to playing their game & to solve the 'riddle' of this guy. Also if one looks at the results of the past two game & treats them as somewhat abnormal (the 8 - 1 beatdown was an abberation at best), tonight's game becomes pivotal for both franchises as the series is now a best of 3. As long as all the garbage & chippy-a$$ed $h1t does not become part of the game, this is what we all want - series tied - the slate is clean & Lord Stanley's Cup is up for grabs - Now let's go out & play some hockey - it doesn't get much better than this!!

Cheers
JB

[Por_sha911]

- vs - looking for one now

I thought this would be a good time to reaffirm commitments. Loser puts the winning team logo as their avatar for 30 days after the cup ends (except for s_morrison who wants "I love Gary Bettman")
Por_sha911 (go Bruins)
1990C4S
turbocarrera
flatbutt
s_morrison... (who will love Gary instead)
JJ 911SC (you have a nice avatar now )
trader220 (you also have a nice avatar now )


We have some that are pulling for a team but not declared the commitment to the bet. Since everyone is telling me its a close series and its down to best of 3, here's your chance to get in on a good deal. If I missed it somewhere and you declared for a team and are in on the bet let me know:
hawkeye
slw911sc
billybek
dentist90

[Por_sha911]

-VS-

(I never could figure out how to add a picture when editing a post)

[slw911SC]

Put it this way - the Canucks more or less have to win tonight or it'll be a damn tough game (well, it will anyway) back in Beantown on Sunday.

So, here in Vancouver, I'm sticking with my boys for the big win!

Go Canucks Go - and score some friggin goals will ya!

Oh yeah, I just put some bad juju on that wooly Hobbit Tim Thomas

Enjoy the game everyone!

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by slw911SC

Put it this way - the Canucks more or less have to win tonight or it'll be a damn tough game (well, it will anyway) back in Beantown on Sunday.
So, here in Vancouver, I'm sticking with my boys for the big win!
Go Canucks Go - and score some friggin goals will ya!
Oh yeah, I just put some bad juju on that wooly Hobbit Tim Thomas
Enjoy the game everyone!

You should be in politics. Let's be clear: Are you willing to wear the Bruins avatar for 30 days if the nucks lose or not? "Put your avatar where your mouth is"

[Christien]

I'm pulling for van, but unfortunately after Wednesday I wouldn't bet a nickel on them. Well, maybe. Let's see bow tonight goes. I *will* bet that whomever wins to tonight will win the cup.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Christien

I'm pulling for van, but unfortunately after Wednesday I wouldn't bet a nickel on them. Well, maybe. Let's see bow tonight goes. I *will* bet that whomever wins to tonight will win the cup.

Hey that's really a risky prediction. All are welcomed to the discussion but let's see who really believes what they profess.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

For sure, an even money bet, for as the pundits say, "You ain't really in trouble 'til you lose a home game".

Cheers
JB

[1990C4S]

I am in on the bet. And regardless I will have a Gary B comment in my signature.

And note that I said weeks ago Vancouver could not win because they were too soft. But I didn't mention it when they won the first two home games....

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye's-911T

For sure, an even money bet, for as the pundits say, "You ain't really in trouble 'til you lose a home game".
Cheers
JB

True that. Also, you won't win the cup until you've gone through a tough stretch. The trick is to not go through it during the finals.

[Por_sha911]

"The current time is twelve past Luongo" - quote from a CBCnews report

[Por_sha911]

Step right up. Last chance to impress your friends and make the ladies swoon. (I sound like a carnival barker).
Anyone? Anyone?