NHL: 2008 - 2009 season is upon us

[JenBKR]

If you would have told me that the Pens would be in the Stanley Cup Finals in January, I would have never believed it. The coaching change made a world of difference. I was pretty shocked to see that they swept the Hurricanes though, I really thought that was going to be a long series. The playoffs have been really exciting this year so far. I'm excited to see a re-match of Detroit and Pittsburgh (I know it's not over yet but Detroit will win that series...).

TORONTO -- The NHL has fined Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville $10,000 for harsh criticism of officiating in his team's loss to Detroit in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

We've seen a lot of complaining about officiating in the East too, especially in the Washington series (against the Pens). The Caps' coach complained about it after pretty much every game.

[Puckstop31]

3 weeks ago... I would have not thought the Penguins would have a chance against the wings. After watching them TOTALLY dominate the canes...

Lets go PENS! Anybody but the Dead Things. Detroit is a classy orgnaization that produces a magnificent team. They are and should be the envy of the entire professional sports world. But its getting old watching them win. The big question is... Can the pens stretch it out in the neutral zone vs the wings defence? IMO, the pens have to play LONG North-South kind of game. Gte the wings D skating forward towards their own net, rather than skating backwards and in control.

I think it will be a high tempo, but low scoring series. Should be REAL fun to watch.

As for the officiating... What coach does not whine about it in the playoffs? I have not seen any major issues with it. And I am a Level 3 USA Hockey official.

Good times.

[Grace]

the Dead Things

Such a pity – someone so ill informed. That expression hasn’t been used to describe the Red wings since the 1980’s. I’m pretty sure this is the 19th consecutive year the Wings have been in the play offs.

Oh yes, do the years 1997, 1998, 2002, 2007 rings any bells? Those are the years the dead things won Lord Stanley’s Cup.

See you in Detroit on Saturday night.

[RICHARD]

Oh yes, do the years 1997, 1998, 2002, 2007 rings any bells? Those are the years the dead things won Lord Stanley’s Cup.

See you in Detroit on Saturday night.

OOOOHHHHHHH!

Ma'am, you dropped your gloves!

And?

Thou shall not have false gods before (me)?

[Grace]

Richard - what gloves?

I have been a Wings fan for 43 years. There was once a time when I thought I would die without seeing them win THE CUP.

No false Gods - no snarky comments - just a prayer that they win one more.

[JenBKR]

Looks like it's rematch time! I guess the finals will be starting this weekend then...I would so, so love to see the Penguins win a Cup. I think the finals are going to be really exciting...GO PENS!

[RICHARD]

Richard - what gloves?

LOL, you are a real fan.

Us cretins only think of dropping the gloves when someone talks 'smack' about 'our' team.

For a moment I thought you and Puck were gonna throw rounds..

You called him out and I was just reminding you that all good hawkey scraps start with gloves and end with gravity!

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YOU mentioned Lord Stanley and I just wanted to remind you about Ice Rink Jesus!

[Grace]

LOL, you are a real fan.

Us cretins only think of dropping the gloves when someone talks 'smack' about 'our' team.
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Richard, to show you how much of a fan I really am . . . . . there once was a time when I worked the night shift. I would drive into work, listening to a hockey game on the radio. The broadcast was from Montreal, often in French!! Of course, I could figure out who scored because I could understand the announcers when they mentioned a specific players name.

One year, my son gave me a hockey puck autographed by Igor Larionov for Christmas. That's the kind of fan I am.

Edit - my favorite player's name, as pronounced by the French announcers, was Yvan Cournoyer

[Puckstop31]

LOL, you are a real fan.

Us cretins only think of dropping the gloves when someone talks 'smack' about 'our' team.

For a moment I thought you and Puck were gonna throw rounds..

You called him out and I was just reminding you that all good hawkey scraps start with gloves and end with gravity!

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YOU mentioned Lord Stanley and I just wanted to remind you about Ice Rink Jesus!

LOL... NO way dude. Goalies don't fight, well usually not.

MY team didn't even make the playoffs.

[Puckstop31]

Such a pity – someone so ill informed. That expression hasn’t been used to describe the Red wings since the 1980’s. I’m pretty sure this is the 19th consecutive year the Wings have been in the play offs.

Oh yes, do the years 1997, 1998, 2002, 2007 rings any bells? Those are the years the dead things won Lord Stanley’s Cup.

See you in Detroit on Saturday night.

Lighten up, Grace. "The Dead Things", as used in the 90's was a light hearted reference to the AGE of the team.

It was all in good fun. Or did you purposely miss all the good things I have to say about the Wings?

[davidpizzica]

GO PENGUINS! I think it'll be great for Pittsburgh to win the Super Bowl AND take home Lord Stanley's Cup in the same year.

[Grace]

[davidpizzica]

Grace, there was a news story that was just on tv tonight. It would almost impossible for Detroit fans to buy octopus in Pittsburgh for the Stanley Cup series. You'd have to show some sort of Pittsburgh or Pa. idenification to buy it.

[phesina]

Gretchen, just WHAT is the deal with the octopi? I gather you're supposed to throw one on the ice after the Red Wings score, but why?

There was a feature on the Ch. 4 evening news tonight about a guy who owns a fish market ("o-FISH-al headquarters") near the arena. He is well-stocked with the cephalopods for all the loyal fans. He demonstrated the proper way to grasp the critter to throw it.

[Grace]

Grace, there was a news story that was just on tv tonight. It would almost impossible for Detroit fans to buy octopus in Pittsburgh for the Stanley Cup series. You'd have to show some sort of Pittsburgh or Pa. idenification to buy it.

Ahhh, but there are many places to buy in Detroit. Then all one has to do is cook it before leaving for Pittsburgh . . . . .