Chase For The Stanley Cup 2015

Looch Ready For Rematch With Dalton Prout After ‘Gutless’ Punch ...

I don't blame Prout. That stick check to the head Lucic gave him with 0-0 on the clock was dirty.
Lucic only follows Hockey tradition when it suits him.

After an insanely fun marathon of partying and socializing all over Boystown last night, I think tonight will be spent at home with Netflix and the New York Rangers. They're playing in Vancouver so it will be a late start and will distract me from the fact that Manhole is now closed.

Good to have you back.
NBCS doesn't carry as many games, alas.

I know I'm going to listen to this on repeat. The best 5 songs in a row I've heard in years. Mashup of Ping Pong and Tremor, Hardwell's edit of Pompeii, Arcadia, "Lovers on the Party" mashup by Twoloud, and Ummet Ozcan's remix of Wasted. Now all I need is a Rangers win tonight.

post some of those...if they're on youtube

I will

The New York Rangers won! Clearly the best team in the NHL. I think I'll go celebrate today at a manly straight place that loves sports. Hmm...

13 out of 14. Never seen them so good.
Rick Nash is a super dog.

You know I was reading about the Original Six era (1942-67) of the NHL and it's more clear why the Rangers never won a Cup during that time. The owner of the Detroit Red Wings also essentially controlled the Rangers, Bruins, and Blackhawks and let those teams die while the Red Wings, Canadiens and Maple Leafs won everything. Yeah... let 1 owner control 4 of the 6 teams in your league. They also had ridiculous territorial rights for young players. Teams had exclusive rights to sign young players within 50 miles of their arena.

Hmm... sounds like this might benefit teams in or near Canada.

Interesting stuff. Now the American Hockey League provides the Red Wings with their stars.

Did you know Martin Brodeur retired? he was probably the best goalie in NHL history. He leads in both all-time wins and shutouts and he won 3 Stanley Cups.

However, this is my favorite Brodeur moment. Gotta watch for the wraparound, Marty!

good one.
I saw him retire last night at the Blues game.
A little late...but he was great.

With the regular season winding down and the start of the playoffs 20 games away, here's a look at how the Rangers solidified their chances for another Stanley Cup finals appearance.
http://thehockeywriters.com/who-has-the-nhls-best-defense-2/

The Rangers finally signed 21 year old, 2012 first round pick Brady Skjei to a 3-year entry level contract. This of course resulted in me Googling him and realizing he's now their cutest player. Important sports stuff!

I'm a solid het but hockey dudes are haaaaandsome!

The Playoff brackets are set and I'm saddened to see the B's aren't here.

I've enjoyed watching them for the last 6 years, a real powerhouse coached by a steady hand.
But under-performers were paid too much and the Bruins plodding defensive style is lacking the quickness of the top teams.
Chara is feeling his age and Bergeron and Lucic weren't scoring enough.
Marchand, the spark plug never stopped trying.
Now wholesale changes are coming.
Adios my friends

Yes they are! The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Wednesday. I predict the Rangers will eliminate the Penguins in 5 games. The 1 other series I'm most interested in is the Islanders vs the Capitals. An old Patrick Division rivalry (if you remember back that far, hehe). That series is going to be exciting and brutal. Let's go Islanders! Let's go Rangers! Sadly with the new bracket system, a Conference Finals matchup isn't possible so we'll just need to eliminate them in the 2nd round.

I'm tearing up here, Panza.

I remember when it was the original 6

My grade 1 teacher's brother was Pat Stapleton

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Stapleton_%28ice_hockey%29

our principal was Don Cherry's brother and he brought Don in to be our substitute gym teacher

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Cherry

I went to school with Kenny the Rat Linseman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Linseman

and the marvellous Tony McKegney

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_McKegney

our neighbourhood was big on hockey

I think I even babysat Scotty Arneil a few times

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Arniel

(that kind of freaks me out - thank goodness we started babysitting when we were very young)

I was in my 20's before I realized not everyone knew multiple people who'd played in the NHL.

Syl Appls lived 2 streets over and I helped deliver papers to his house for a while.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syl_Apps

______

which is all a long way to say I'm very interested in the playoffs this year