Hockey 2010-2011

[shadows]

----Part 2----

He took the Olympiques to the 1986 Memorial Cup final and was an assistant coach of Canada's junior team at the world tournament in Piestany in what was then Czechoslovakia.

Faced with choosing between policing and coaching, Burns chose hockey at the urging of the new owner of the Hull team -- none other than Gretzky.

"I flew to Edmonton to see Wayne about it," Burns recalled in Dick Irvin's book, "Behind The Bench."

"He said, 'Look, you're gonna coach in the NHL one day.'

"I sort of laughed and said, 'Yeah, sure. Easy for you to say.' He says, 'I'm telling you, you're a good coach and someday you'll be in the NHL. So why don't you quit the police force? I'll give you the same salary you're getting as a policeman. Even a bit more if you want. Stay on for three years and I guarantee you someday you'll be in the NHL. You're a good coach.'

"So, I resigned from the police force and signed to work full-time for Wayne."

He was on his way.

Burns moved up to the Montreal Canadiens' AHL farm team in Sherbrooke, Que., and after only one year in the pro ranks was promoted to the big club.

"Six years before, I had bought scalpers' tickets to watch the Canadiens play at the Forum," recalled Burns. "The first time I walked into the dressing room when the players were there, I was shaking."

He soon gained the confidence he needed to succeed at the big-league level and he led the Canadiens to the championship series in his first season in 1988-89, losing the Stanley Cup final to the Calgary Flames. He won more games than any other coach in the NHL (174-104-42) during the four-year span spent behind their bench.

Burns eventually got fed up with being under the microscope in the hockey-mad city.

"In Montreal, the rap was I couldn't handle superstars, which was not true," he told Irvin. "The fans got impatient, I think the media got impatient, and I got impatient with the media. It was time for me to go."

He jumped at the chance to coach Toronto when then-general manager Cliff Fletcher offered him the job, and he took the Maple Leafs to conference finals in 1992 and 1993. He was fired after his fourth season but he'd left an indelible impression.

"Pat forged a tremendous bond, not only with a very good veteran team in Toronto, but also with Leafs fans everywhere," Fletcher, the Leafs' senior advisor, said in statement. "He commanded respect from the players and the team quickly had great success while taking on the identity of the head coach.

"The Leafs' rise at the time was a testament to Pat's strength, toughness and determination. Hiring him 18 years ago was easily my best decision in hockey, and we developed a great friendship that I will always treasure. Pat will be greatly missed."

Burns knew he wouldn't coach the Leafs forever.

"I think after you're four or five years in the same town, even if you have a lot of success, and I had a lot of success in Montreal, I think it's time to move on -- unless you win the Stanley Cup every year," he told Irvin.

After a year on the sidelines, he returned to the NHL with Boston. Eight games into his fourth season there, he was fired.

He often left the impression that he felt the world was against him, and had a rage to strive for success against all odds. His emotional style was a trademark.

He sometimes came across as being gruff or surly, mainly because he would not take guff from anybody, and he often spiked his comments with dark humour.

In talking about the amount of physical play in the Boston-Buffalo playoff series in 1999, he offered, "If this is World War Three, then what's going on in that other series (Colorado-Detroit) is the end of the world."

He'd yell at referees, hoping to stir up his players to greater efforts. Asked his view of the ramifications of criticizing NHL referees, he once suggested, "You either get suspended, fined or have to give your first-born child to the league."

Burns did some radio and television work before Lamoriello called in the summer of 2002. Once again, he was front and centre with an NHL team.

"I owe a lot to Lou," Burns would recall. "I was out of the game for two years and I read a lot of articles saying I was done and I wasn't the style of coach people wanted. He believed in me."

Burns rewarded Lamoriello's faith in him by using a tight-checking style that helped the Devils win the Stanley Cup. He was always defensive about his reputation as a defence-first coach but it was a way to win -- and he took it.

"I coach hard work," he once said.

And he loved to coach.

Feeling better again, he put the word out that he was ready to get back behind the bench, and was named to the coaching staff of the Canadian team for the 2008 IIHF World Championships in Halifax and Quebec City. He also attended Patrick Roy's jersey retirement ceremony at the Bell Centre in the 2008-09 season at the request of his former star goaltender.

After it was reported he had been diagnosed with cancer for a third time, he asked for no one to pity him and kept up as many of his daily activities as possible, including scouting games in Tampa Bay near his home.

"I miss the practice times; I miss the morning skates," Burns told the CBC. "There was something about before a hockey game -- that electricity that existed -- that I really, really miss and probably that's why I like going to games because I can feel some of it, anyway."

After his triumph with the Devils, he took the Stanley Cup to his cottage at Magog in Quebec's Eastern Townships, held it aloft while standing in the back of a pickup truck during a police-escorted parade, had a party at the yacht club and celebrated with his wife, son and close friends.

It was one of the most memorable days of his life.

After coming close so many times but never going all the way, Burns had the title he most craved.

He said later the Stanley Cup was the crowning achievement of his career.

"He definitely was the best coach I had in my career," said former goaltender Felix Potvin, who played for Burns in Toronto. "He was hard, but honest."

In 1,019 games as an NHL head coach, his teams won 501 games, lost 353, tied 151 and lost 14 in overtime. In 149 playoff games, his teams won 78 and lost 71.

He is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.

[ila]

Toronto is in Montreal this evening. I hope Toronto continues their losing ways tonight, shadows.

Of special note, there was a tribute to Pat Burns before the game started.

[ila]

^In the third period now and the score is still 1 - 0 for Montreal.

[ila]

^ And now it's 2 - 0 for Montreal with just over ten minutes left in the game.

[ila]

^ The final score was 2 - 0 for Montreal. It's good news for me and not so good for shadows. Your one consolation, shadows, is that Toronto managed to keep Montreal from playing a good game.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by ila

^ The final score was 2 - 0 for Montreal. It's good news for me and not so good for shadows. Your one consolation, shadows, is that Toronto managed to keep Montreal from playing a good game.

To be honest my friend, I don't care about the final score of the game. I am just happy that they had such a wonderful tribute for Pat Burns.

[transjen]

The Mapleleafs lost so that means the Flyers won and they did 5-4 over the Capitals, i'm starting to see a patron here
Flyersfan Jen

[ila]

Originally Posted by shadows

To be honest my friend, I don't care about the final score of the game. I am just happy that they had such a wonderful tribute for Pat Burns.

Last night's game and location was the perfect place for a tribute to Pat. He had a really coaching career with both of those teams.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by transjen

The Mapleleafs lost so that means the Flyers won and they did 5-4 over the Capitals, i'm starting to see a patron here
Flyersfan Jen

The pattern that Philly better make sure they get out of is their habit of coughing up leads. They almost gave this one away, just like they did against Tampa Bay.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by ila

Last night's game and location was the perfect place for a tribute to Pat. He had a really coaching career with both of those teams.

That is a very good point. The hockey world lost a good one. At least he isn't in pain anymore.

[ila]

Originally Posted by shadows

.....The hockey world lost a good one. At least he isn't in pain anymore.

Very true on both points.

I liked the pictures of Pat throughout his coaching career that were shown during the tribute.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by ila

Very true on both points.

I liked the pictures of Pat throughout his coaching career that were shown during the tribute.

I was visiting my parents at the time and we were playing a couple of games of cards. I unfortunately had missed the tribute(and the game, but with the final score I can't say I missed it quite so much).

Isn't it a shame that he was not inducted to the HoF while he was still alive? That would have been amazing.

[ila]

Originally Posted by shadows

....Isn't it a shame that he was not inducted to the HoF while he was still alive? That would have been amazing.

He should have been inducted into the HoF right after he finished in Boston. The next opportunity would have been when it was announced that his cancer had spread. The NHL tends to miss the best opportunities.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by ila

He should have been inducted into the HoF right after he finished in Boston. The next opportunity would have been when it was announced that his cancer had spread. The NHL tends to miss the best opportunities.

The NHL is far too political at times. The whole issue with Colin Campbell for instance. How can anyone do such a lousy job(from a fan's standpoint) yet keep their job? Easy. He is liked by those in power as he cowtows to their every whim(which is why the suspensions are a joke. The owners don't want their players gone for an overly long amount of time.).

[smc]

Originally Posted by ila

He should have been inducted into the HoF right after he finished in Boston. The next opportunity would have been when it was announced that his cancer had spread. The NHL tends to miss the best opportunities.

Burns has received some very nice tributes here in Bruins country.

[ila]

Originally Posted by smc

Burns has received some very nice tributes here in Bruins country.

I'm glad to read this. He deserves all the tributes for the contributions that he made to hockey.

[ila]

Originally Posted by shadows

The NHL is far too political at times. The whole issue with Colin Campbell for instance. How can anyone do such a lousy job(from a fan's standpoint) yet keep their job? Easy. He is liked by those in power as he cowtows to their every whim(which is why the suspensions are a joke. The owners don't want their players gone for an overly long amount of time.).

You are absolutely right, shadows.

[transjen]

Canada beware, next nov i'll be in Toronto for the card show, that's right i'm coming beware
Flyersfan Jen

[shadows]

Originally Posted by transjen

Canada beware, next nov i'll be in Toronto for the card show, that's right i'm coming beware
Flyersfan Jen

Depending on where you are going, and how comfortable you'd be with it, perhaps a few of us could get together for a meet-and-greet(coffee and chatting, well not coffee for me as I am not particularly fond of it). I've had a few before and it's a nice way to see online friends face-to-face(since it obviously doesn't happen very often).

It would sure be interesting. We could talk about how the Leafs won the cup(not the Stanley Cup, of course).

[shadows]

Hey Jennifer!

Edmonton coughed up their 2-0 lead last night, but ended up winning 4-2! That's gotta make you happy.

In some not-so-shocking news, the Islanders lost 2-1 in OT to Atlanta. The Islanders lost? NO WAY!!!

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

The NHL is far too political at times. The whole issue with Colin Campbell for instance. How can anyone do such a lousy job(from a fan's standpoint) yet keep their job? Easy. He is liked by those in power as he cowtows to their every whim(which is why the suspensions are a joke. The owners don't want their players gone for an overly long amount of time.).

Kevin Paul Dupont has a good piece on Campbell in yesterday's Boston Globe. His starting point is the court records in Canada that have him writing that Marc Savard of the Bruins is a "little fake artist." Savard has been out with a serious concussion.

"What's wrong with that?" Dupont asks. And he answers: "Nothing, according to Campbell's boss, Gary Bettman. Ditto for Bettman's deputy, Bill Daly, who, like his boss, believes Campbell is not only doing an acceptable job, but continues to remain an exemplary guardian of the game's officiating system and its overall on-ice integrity.

Dupont points out that the NHL, like it or not, does have a problem with Campbell, though, because "enough people in the viewing and listening audience believe Campbell has a problem."

He also points out Bettman's own history: "We only need to roll back the calendar nearly 18 years when a bold Bettman, less than six months on the job as NHL commissioner, had the mettle, common sense, and temerity to slap Dale Hunter with an unprecedented 21-game suspension for a dreadful and concussive late hit to Pierre Turgeon in the 1993 playoffs."

And now: "Bettman sat on his hands, mouth conspicuously sealed, when Campbell last season watched David Booth and Savard get lugged off the ice, in far worse shape than Turgeon in '93, and then dither about the rulebook not empowering him to punish their attackers (Mike Richards and Matt Cooke, respectively)."

How far we've come!

[dauls]

Before the Caps thrash the Devils tonight, I think I'll have a quick moan about Saturday night's loss to St Louis.

The Devils lead the game twice, outshot the Blues 37-27 and still managed to lose 3-2.
Don't they teach them how to score in New Jersey?

[transjen]

Originally Posted by shadows

Depending on where you are going, and how comfortable you'd be with it, perhaps a few of us could get together for a meet-and-greet(coffee and chatting, well not coffee for me as I am not particularly fond of it). I've had a few before and it's a nice way to see online friends face-to-face(since it obviously doesn't happen very often).

It would sure be interesting. We could talk about how the Leafs won the cup(not the Stanley Cup, of course).

I'm still looking in to it, all i know at the moment is 1] it'll be next nov,2] it's in Toronto. it's supposed to be like a hugh hockeycard sports expo and they hold it twice a year, so if i go most likely i'll drive as i hate flying
Flyersfan Jen

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

Kevin Paul Dupont has a good piece on Campbell in yesterday's Boston Globe. His starting point is the court records in Canada that have him writing that Marc Savard of the Bruins is a "little fake artist." Savard has been out with a serious concussion.

"What's wrong with that?" Dupont asks. And he answers: "Nothing, according to Campbell's boss, Gary Bettman. Ditto for Bettman's deputy, Bill Daly, who, like his boss, believes Campbell is not only doing an acceptable job, but continues to remain an exemplary guardian of the game's officiating system and its overall on-ice integrity.

Dupont points out that the NHL, like it or not, does have a problem with Campbell, though, because "enough people in the viewing and listening audience believe Campbell has a problem."

He also points out Bettman's own history: "We only need to roll back the calendar nearly 18 years when a bold Bettman, less than six months on the job as NHL commissioner, had the mettle, common sense, and temerity to slap Dale Hunter with an unprecedented 21-game suspension for a dreadful and concussive late hit to Pierre Turgeon in the 1993 playoffs."

And now: "Bettman sat on his hands, mouth conspicuously sealed, when Campbell last season watched David Booth and Savard get lugged off the ice, in far worse shape than Turgeon in '93, and then dither about the rulebook not empowering him to punish their attackers (Mike Richards and Matt Cooke, respectively)."

How far we've come!

It's been almost 18 years? Holy crap! How times flies when you have a doofus in charge!

[shadows]

Originally Posted by dauls

Before the Caps thrash the Devils tonight,

LOL! Dauls, when you're wrong you're really wrong! There was a thrashing, but it wasn't the way you'd think. The Devils beat Washington 5-0! And Kovalchuk didn't even register a point!

[shadows]

Originally Posted by transjen

I'm still looking in to it, all i know at the moment is 1] it'll be next nov,2] it's in Toronto. it's supposed to be like a hugh hockeycard sports expo and they hold it twice a year, so if i go most likely i'll drive as i hate flying
Flyersfan Jen

Well, it's almost a year away so anything can happen between now and then, but if you do end up going let me know if you want to. I only live about 3 hours away from Toronto so it wouldn't be overly difficult for a meet-and-greet.


---------------------------------
---------------------------------

And here are the scores for all the important games of November 22nd.

1. Toronto beat Dallas 4-1. Sweet! Kulemin had 2 goals and his line looked very sharp! They had some good goaltending in this game as well.

2. New Jersey beat Washington 5-0. Washington's vaunted offense decided to take this game off.

3. Philadelphia beat Montreal 3-2. In a rare change, Philly was the one who came back from a deficit and ended up winning. They were down 2-0 at one point and then came storming back.

4. Tampa Bay beat Boston 3-1. Stamkos got his 20th goal of the season. From what I read, it looks like Boston did not show up for this game and left Rask hanging.

[dauls]

Originally Posted by shadows

LOL! Dauls, when you're wrong you're really wrong! There was a thrashing, but it wasn't the way you'd think. The Devils beat Washington 5-0! And Kovalchuk didn't even register a point!

Sometimes it's great to be wrong.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by dauls

Sometimes it's great to be wrong.

Attachment 181196 Attachment 181196 Attachment 181196

You would think you would be used to it by now.

Heeheehee!

[smc]

I just scored some tickets to Friday's Noon game: Bruins v. Hurricane.

[dauls]

Originally Posted by shadows

You would think you would be used to it by now.

Heeheehee!

I just hope I'm wrong again tonight against the Flames.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

I just scored some tickets to Friday's Noon game: Bruins v. Hurricane.

Let us know how it goes. Of course, I am sure there would be other teams you would prefer to see than the Hurricanes.

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

Let us know how it goes. Of course, I am sure there would be other teams you would prefer to see than the Hurricanes.

Of course, like a team from a place where ice is a regular occurrence. But these are free ticket and really, really good seats.

[dauls]

Back to back wins for the Devils for the first time this season even if it did take us more than 60 minutes last night.

[dauls]

Losing to the fg Islanders who were on a 14-game (0-11-3) winless streak.

[smc]

Well, the Bruins took twice as many shots on goal as Carolina and still lost 3-0 on three power play goals. Cam Ward just seems to be impregnable for Boston. What a disappointment ... although the drinking afterwards was fun. As we say in the Boston sports world: "Winnin' or losin', there still will be boozin'."

[dauls]

Wins over the Flyers and the Caps (+ the Flames) in the same week the Devils lost to the Islanders - as they say, "It's a funny old game!"

And Johan Hedberg made 40 saves, who needs Brodeur?!

[transjen]

Originally Posted by dauls

Attachment 181812

Wins over the Flyers and the Caps (+ the Flames) in the same week the Devils lost to the Islanders - as they say, "It's a funny old game!"

And Johan Hedberg made 40 saves, who needs Brodeur?!

I would have been happier if he made only 38

Flyersfan Jen

[shadows]

You know, shit like this really makes me question exactly how far humanity has really evolved. I sincerely hope they catch the garbage that did this and a little payback is issued to them. The article is from tsn.ca.

AFTER BURNS' FUNERAL, HOCKEY ITEMS STOLEN FROM WIDOW'S CAR

MONTREAL -- A grieving family is pleading for the return of cherished photos, a stack of hockey jerseys signed by NHL stars, and credit cards of a late, Stanley Cup-winning coach.

Pat Burns had barely been laid to rest when thieves smashed a window on his family's SUV and stole personal belongings.

His widow discovered Tuesday morning that thieves had stolen the items, including autographed sweaters from each of the 30 NHL teams. They were supposed to be auctioned for charity.

The robbers also swiped some of the mourning family's most important possessions, including photos, jewelry, articles of Burns' clothing and credit cards -- right out of the late coach's wallet.

Even bedsheets from a palliative-care residence were taken.

The theft was committed in Old Montreal just hours after Monday's funeral for Burns, who died Nov. 19 after a long battle with cancer.

The family urged the thieves to return the items -- especially the jerseys.

"It's a good thing to bring it back so we can do the job we wanted to do with the shirts," the late coach's son, Jason Burns, told The Canadian Press.

"There were a bunch of hockey jerseys that were going to foundations for needy people."

Jason Burns taped a plastic sheet over the Volkswagen SUV's broken window Tuesday, while police investigators snapped photos of the vehicle and dusted it for fingerprints.

"It's a sad event. It's not the greatest timing to do a thing like that," he said at the outdoor parking lot.

"It's (never) a great time to do this, but we think that the person should bring back the valuables."

Chunks of tinted glass from the rear passenger-side window were sprinkled on the vehicle's rear seat and a pile of tiny shards covered the floor mat.

Among the few visible items left inside the silver SUV on Tuesday was a crumpled McDonald's take-out bag.

Police say the robbers know exactly whose belongings they stole.

"They went through his stuff," said Const. Anie Lemieux of the Montreal police.

"The person who left with the shirts and everything knows that this is Pat Burns' stuff."

Burns' cousin Robin, who delivered a eulogy at the funeral, was disgusted by the crime.

Robin Burns said the late coach's widow had already had a tough day.

"Then to have personal effects taken out of your car (after the) funeral reception is absolutely deplorable," Burns said.

"Whoever it is, they must have no conscience."

He pleaded with the thieves, if they have "any type of conscience," to leave the items with a TV or radio station or with anyone who knows Burns -- and no questions will be asked.

"I'd only say to anyone listening, if you think you can sell them or do anything about them, then I think the police and the policemen's brotherhood and friends of Pat might have different ideas."

A former policeman, Burns was an award-winning coach for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. He guided the Devils to the Stanley Cup in 2003.

At his funeral, people remembered the gruff ex-cop as a tough but fair man who cared about his players and knew how to motivate them.

Dozens of prominent NHLers, past and present, were among more than 1,000 people who filed into a Montreal cathedral for the service on Monday afternoon.

Many went to a wake afterward at a nearby Irish pub, where they swapped old memories.

The crime occured between midnight and 9 a.m.

Asked if he thought it was possible the thieves specifically targeted his dad's SUV, Jason Burns replied: "I don't know, I really don't know."

But he noted, matter-of-factly, that sometimes these types of things happen in a big city.

"The Montreal police has done good work . . . they're working very hard to find the people who did it," said Jason Burns, who wore a New Jersey Devils cap.

"We're going to try and find (the valuables) as fast as possible."

Others were far less stoic.

On Tuesday, as news of the crime spread rapidly online, a flood of Twitter users expressed their outrage.

"I hope the thugs that robbed Pat Burns' widow go straight to hell. She's gone through enough. What sorry excuses for human beings!!!" read one posting.

Another said: "To the person who robbed Pat Burns' widow: I hope an angry mob forms, tracks you down, and beats you senseless. You are gutless."

The stolen items include:

--Thirty jerseys signed by star players from each NHL team.

--Two suitcases containing Burns' clothes, and those of his wife.

--A Movado men's watch.

--Many family photos.

--Bedsheets from a hospice.

--An iPad.

--Women's jewelry.

[transjen]

Sadly this stuff happens all the time and just to NHLers but everyday Joes, a lowlife reads the furnel announcements and even wedding announcements and they hit on that day i see it on the local news all the time
Flyersfan Jen

[dauls]

The Devils offered little resistance in their first game since Saturday.

Trailing 2-0, John MacLean yanked goalie Johan Hedberg after only 1 minute 38 seconds.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by dauls

The Devils offered little resistance in their first game since Saturday.

Trailing 2-0, John MacLean yanked goalie Johan Hedberg after only 1 minute 38 seconds.

At least your team didn't lose 5-0 to Edmonton.

Smc, I hope that your team enjoys another #1 pick, as this Leafs team sucks so much ass that it is almost a guarantee that they will end up in the cellar again.

Wilson needs to go, and so does Burke for pretty much screwing us up for years to come. Burke talks the talk, but seems to do little else.

[k.sucks.you]

Sharks 4 - Senators 0

What did you easterners think of the last place team from the Pacific Division?
The Heater didn't score, but he looked pretty sharp and drew a couple of penalties (and quite a few jerseys thrown on the ice). Your 2011 Calder trophy winner scored a couple of goals too in his first game there since the '67s.

I'm hoping a swing through the east does something about that "last place in the division". We could use some consistency. That was our first shutout this year.

K

[smc]

My Bruins appeared to be playing in an exhibition game with an EHL team last night, but every time I rubbed my eyes it was the Tampa Bay Lightning. Boston won 8-1. The "faker" (cf. Colin Campbell) Marc Savard was on the ice for the first time since May, and both David Krejci and Michael Ryder each produced three points. Wow!

[smc]

Originally Posted by k.sucks.you

What did you easterners think of the last place team from the Pacific Division?

Sorry to "beat a dead horse," but this Easterner pays little or no attention to the Pacific Division unless the Bruins are playing one of those teams, or until the playoffs. After all, this is one of the two divisions in the NHL where there is not a single team in a single city that should have a hockey team (see all my previous posts on this topic).

More power to those of you who are fans of San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix, Dallas, and, for that matter, Florida, Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Washington, but, I mean, really? Hockey in Florida? Hockey in any of those places?

Okay, I'm done venting for now. Long live the original 6 plus a few!

[dauls]

Originally Posted by shadows

At least your team didn't lose 5-0 to Edmonton.

Smc, I hope that your team enjoys another #1 pick, as this Leafs team sucks so much ass that it is almost a guarantee that they will end up in the cellar again.

Wilson needs to go, and so does Burke for pretty much screwing us up for years to come. Burke talks the talk, but seems to do little else.

Losing heavily to the Oilers... things can't get that much worse, or can they?


What do you think about the $1.3Bn bid by Rogers to acquire a majority stake in Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto's MLS team, etc.)?

[ila]

Originally Posted by dauls

..... What do you think about the $1.3Bn bid by Rogers to acquire a majority stake in Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto's MLS team, etc.)?

They're buying the Marlies too, so they will have at least one winning team in that package.

[transjen]

Originally Posted by smc

Sorry to "beat a dead horse," but this Easterner pays little or no attention to the Pacific Division unless the Bruins are playing one of those teams, or until the playoffs. After all, this is one of the two divisions in the NHL where there is not a single team in a single city that should have a hockey team (see all my previous posts on this topic).

More power to those of you who are fans of San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix, Dallas, and, for that matter, Florida, Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Washington, but, I mean, really? Hockey in Florida? Hockey in any of those places?

Okay, I'm done venting for now. Long live the original 6 plus a few!

For the most part i agree a hundred percent but i can see the LA KINGS remaining in the NHL as they were part of the first expansion in 67 and the Captials can remain also as Maryland is a northern state and gets frozen lakes and snow but the rest of those southren states should fold or relocate to a more friendly hockey areas having lived in FL the fans there are more in to football, WWE smackdowns and monster truck pulls and hockey means nothing to them unless there team is deep in the playoffs

Flyersfan Jen

[smc]

It was nice to see the Leafs break their losing streak, although I would have preferred they did so against someone other than the Bruins. The game was yet another argument against the shootout. As Jack Edwards, the Boston play-by-play man, put it at the end of overtime: "Now this game will be settled by a gimmick."

Kudos to the crowd in Toronto for giving Tyler Seguin a cheer for his textbook-beautiful assist in the second period, when he set up Campbell for a goal. It's always nice when real hockey fans respond to good playing, even by the opposing team.

[transjen]

Why not just flip a coin heads the home team wins tails the vistors win,
It makes as much sense as the shootout
Flyersfan Jen

[dauls]

Damn! Devils held the lead twice, but couldn't hang on to them.