By Steve Price, SimCity Destroyer
May 2nd, 2006 – Volume II, Edition I
Exclusive to Inside Pulse Sports
Hi ho silver! Welcome back to the albatross known as Happy Hour here at the beating Pulse. I’m your loveable host with the most, back from the dead with a return to La La Land. Today’s offering is a slice of that oh-so-sweet NHL Playoff pie, plus the obligatory Red Sox – Yankees paragraph or two. You think you can escape the (North)East Coast bias? Bah, I shall break your spirit yet. Actually, I may even throw in an occasional Band of Brothers comment here and there, since I’m on that particular kick right now.
On the K.I.A. side of things, it looks as if all of my preparations for the final exams (which have kept me away from you, my diehard drinking buddies for a few weeks) were for naught, as the ghost of old Steve Price came back to cost me, big time. Even worse for you guys, I’m back on my regular trip now, which means no more breaks from yours truly until July. So, if we’ve got a long way to go and two months to get there, we should probably go ahead and do it to it. Get it? Got it? Good, now let’s charge into the NHL Playoffs headlong. Currahee!
[Ed. Note – We take a two hour break for a trip to Huntersville (about thirty minutes away), and end up in a mess that would take two weeks to explain.]
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2006
The Return of Lord Stanley’s Cup
The 2006 NHL Regular Season has come to a close. That means that the NHL Playoffs begin, and what a sweet ring that phrase has to it. The road to the Stanley Cup has begun, and sixteen teams of drastically varying backgrounds set out on April 21st, 2006 to attempt a run at hockey’s most prestigious championship.
The Western Conference has become the breeding ground for what I like to call the “Bottom Seeders”, in a nod to the San Jose Sharks. The top four seeds – Detroit, Dallas, Calgary, Nashville – all have had a world of trouble during these Quarterfinal series. Colorado, Edmonton, San Jose, and Anaheim have all marched out of the gates strong, looking to make a statement to their higher-seeded opponents. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference has become a tale of the goalies, as veterans like Martin Brodeur and rookies like Cam Ward are magnets between the pipes. Carolina, Ottawa, Detroit and Dallas, oh my! Let’s throw out the seeds and play some hockey!
1. Detroit Red Wings
2. Dallas Stars
3. Calgary Flames
4. Nashville Predators
5. San Jose Sharks
6. Anaheim Mighty Ducks
7. Colorado Avalanche
8. Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Wins 4-2
It could go down as one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. Steve Yzerman, the legendary Red Wing may have played his last game on Monday, as the Edmonton Oilers shocked the hockey world by defeating the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in Edmonton to wrap up an improbable series win. Detroit won Game 1 in Detroit, but Edmonton followed with a pair of four-goal efforts against Detroit goaltender Manny Legace to take the next two games, including a double overtime thriller in Game 3. Detroit won’t hold either, evening up the series by cruising to a 4-2 win in Game 4. Edmonton went on the road to Detroit and took Game 5, setting up the climatic Game 6 – Detroit jumped out to a 2-0 lead heading into the third period, but Fernando Pisani brought the Oilers back with the first Edmonton goal of the game, then the equalizer with just over thirteen minutes left in the third. Johan Franzen puts Detroit back up 3-2 shortly thereafter, off assists from Daniel Cleary and Kirk Maltby. Ales Hemsky brings Edmonton back once more with a power play goal to knot the game up three-all. And then, it happened two minutes and forty seven seconds later – Sergei Samsonov managed to find Hemsky down low off a broken play, and a beautiful one timer finds the back of the net, past a diving Legace. Edmonton takes the series, and with it the knowledge that they’ve just knocked off the best statistical team in the NHL.
Game 1: Edmonton 2, Detroit 3 (2OT) (4.21.06 – Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan)
Game 2: Edmonton 4, Detroit 2 (4.23.06 – Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Game 3: Detroit 3, Edmonton 4 (2OT) (4.25.06 – Rexall Palace, Edmonton, Alberta
Game 4: Detroit 4, Edmonton 2 (4.27.06 – Rexall Palace, Edmonton, Alberta
Game 5: Edmonton 3, Detroit 2 (4.29.06 – Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Game 6: Detroit 3, Edmonton 4 (5.01.06 – Rexall Palace, Edmonton, Alberta)
Colorado Wins 4-1
Despite Stars captain Mike Modano’s courageous efforts, the Colorado Avalanche completed the second biggest upset of 2006, ousting the second-seeded Dallas Stars in five games. Jose Theodore logged three overtime wins in the series, which marked the tenth game that Theodore had played in for the Avalanche in the 2005-2006 season. Dallas seemed sluggish throughout the series. Theodore remained strong in the upset over Dallas, whose overtime play in Denver was less than stellar. Avalanche captain Joe Sakic logged three goals and four assists, while Andrew Brunette scored his third goal in the OT session of Game 5 to send Dallas packing. Colorado joins Edmonton and San Jose in the Conference Semifinals.
Game 1: Colorado 5, Dallas 2 (4.22.06 – American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas)
Game 2: Colorado 5, Dallas 4 (OT) (4.24.06 – American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas)
Game 3: Dallas 3, Colorado 4 (OT) (4.26.06 – Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado)
Game 4: Dallas 4, Colorado 1 (4.28.06 – Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado)
Game 5: Colorado 3, Dallas 2 (OT) (4.30.06 – American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas)
Series Tied 3-3
As of this writing, Calgary and Anaheim will meet on Wednesday night in what will be the final Quarterfinal Round game of the 2006 Playoffs. Ilya Bryzgalov earned his first win of the series, surrendering one goal and saving 21 shots in fifty nine minutes. Calgary can advance on in the playoffs as the highest seeded team remaining, though an Anaheim victory will have successfully eliminated the top four seeds in the Western Conference. Francois Bauchemin looked to KO Jerome Iginla in an explosive Game 6 that saw Scott Niedermeyer score the winning goal against Mikka Kiprusoff. The Mighty Ducks will have to get it done on the road if they mean to advance, in a place where success has eluded them in 2006 – the Ducks lost both regular season games in Calgary, and have gone 1-2 in the series there.
Game 1: Anaheim 1, Calgary 2 (OT)(4.21.06 – Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta)
Game 2: Anaheim 4, Calgary 3 (4.23.06 – Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta)
Game 3: Calgary 5, Anaheim 2 (4.25.06 – Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California)
Game 4: Calgary 2, Anaheim 3 (OT) (4.27.06 – Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California)
Game 5: Anaheim 2, Calgary 3 (4.29.06 – Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta)
Game 6: Calgary 1, Anaheim 2 (5.01.06 – Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California)
Game 7: Anaheim @ Calgary – 5.03.2006 – Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
San Jose Wins 4-1
The Nashville/San Jose series was shuffled to the background in the wake of the Edmonton/Detroit and Dallas/Colorado series, and also in part due to San Jose’s superior play. Rookie goaltender Vesa Toskala bolstered his career playoff record to 4-1 with a shutout to his name and a 2-1 victory over Nashville in the fifth and deciding game. San Jose will move on to play in the Semifinals with Edmonton, Colorado, and the winner of the Anaheim/Calgary series.
Game 1: San Jose 3, Nashville 4 (4.21.06 – Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Game 2: San Jose 3, Nashville 0 (4.23.06 – Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Game 3: Nashville 1, San Jose 4 (4.25.06 – HP Pavilion, San Jose, California)
Game 4: Nashville 4, San Jose 5 (4.27.06 – HP Pavilion, San Jose, California)
Game 5: San Jose 2, Nashville 1 (4.30.06 – Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville, TN)
Eastern Conference Playoffs
1. Ottawa Senators
2. Carolina Hurricanes
3. New Jersey Devils
4. Buffalo Sabres
5. Philadelphia Flyers
6. New York Rangers
7. Montreal Canadiens
8. Tampa Bay Lightning
Ottawa Wins 4-1
The elongated title defense of the Tampa Bay Lightning came to an end Saturday night, as the top-seeded Ottawa Senators cleaned their clocks but good in the opening round push for what some consider the best team in Hockey. The Senators swept the regular season meetings between Tampa Bay 4-0, and bowed in defeat only once during the series, in Game 2 in Ottawa. John Grahame and Sean Burke split time between the pipes, but Ottawa dominated with 23 goals in the series. Martin Havlat was dominant in Game 5, logging an assist and a power play goal in the second period. Wade Redden logged two assists as well in the series-clinching win.
Game 1: Tampa Bay 1, Ottawa 4 (4.21.06 – Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, Ontario)
Game 2: Tampa Bay 4, Ottawa 3 (4.23.06 – Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, Ontario)
Game 3: Ottawa 8, Tampa Bay 4 (4.25.06 – St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida)
Game 4: Ottawa 5, Tampa Bay 2 (4.27.06 – St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida)
Game 5: Tampa Bay 2, Ottawa 3 (4.29.06 – Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, Ontario)
Carolina Wins 4-2
In what is perhaps one of the two best Quarterfinal Round series in 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes survived the advances of the feisty Montreal Canadiens by winning four straight games, all decided by one goal and two of which were won in overtime. Goalie Cam Ward came on early in the series to replace the ‘Canes primary starter Martin Gerber, who surrendered six goals in a Game 1 loss, and three goals in a Game 2 losing effort. The best game of the series was arguably Game 2, a double overtime affair that saw Carolina battle back from an early deficit, only to see Montreal win with a goal off a rebound let loose by Ward. The series turned however in Game 3, starting with the eye injury to Canadiens captain Saku Koivu (he would not return in the series). From there, the ‘Canes took over, led by the powerful goaltending of Cam Ward. Rod Brind’Amour and Eric Staal led the way for the Hurricanes during their 4-0 run, with Mike Commodore saving Cam Ward in Game 6 with several timely checks. It was a Cory Stillman blast from just over the blue line past Cristobal Huet with 18:41 left in the first overtime that sealed the fate of the Canadiens.
Game 1: Montreal 6, Carolina 1 (4.22.06 – RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina)
Game 2: Montreal 6, Carolina 5 (2OT) (4.24.06 – RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina)
Game 3: Carolina 2, Montreal 1 (OT) (4.26.06 – Centre Bell, Montreal, Quebec)
Game 4: Carolina 3, Montreal 2 (4.28.06 – Centre Bell, Montreal, Quebec)
Game 5: Montreal 1, Carolina 2 (4.30.06 – RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina)
Game 6: Carolina 2, Montreal 1 (5.02.06 – Centre Bell, Montreal, Quebec)
New Jersey Wins 4-0
The New Jersey Devils made quick work of the upstart New York Rangers on Saturday, finishing off a sweep with a 4-2 victory at Madison Square Garden. Devils’ goalie Martin Brodeur allowed only four goals in four games, while Patrik Elias logged two goals and an assist in the series-ending Game 4. Jaromir Jagr left early in Game 4 with the re-aggravation of a shoulder injury suffered in Game 1, and would not return for the decimated Rangers.
Game 1: New York 1, New Jersey 6 (Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ)
Game 2: New York 1, New Jersey 4 (Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ)
Game 3: New Jersey 3, New York 0 (Madison Square Garden, New York, NY)
Game 4: New Jersey 4, New York 2 (Madison Square Garden, New York, NY)
Buffalo Wins 4-2
The Sabres scored early and often in their Game 6 win over the Flyers, eliminating Philadelphia from the playoffs and pushing Buffalo into a Conference Semifinals series with the Ottawa Senators. Goalie Ryan Miller earned the win over his counterpart Robert Esche by allowing only one goal and saving twenty two shots on goal. Chris Drury came away as the player of the game on Tuesday night, logging two assists and two goals, including a shorthanded offering in the third period to cap off a Sabres mauling. For Philadelphia, Branko Radivojevic scored the lone Flyers goal in Game 6 off assists from Michal Handzus and Mike Richards. The goal was too little, too late, as Buffalo scored five unanswered goals prior to the lone Flyers score.
Game 1: Philadelphia 2, Buffalo 3 (4.22.06 – HSBC Arena, Buffalo, New York)
Game 2: Philadelphia 2, Buffalo 8 (4.24.06 – HSBC Arena, Buffalo, New York)
Game 3: Buffalo 2, Philadelphia 4 (4.26.06 – Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA)
Game 4: Buffalo 4, Philadelphia 5 (4.28.06 – Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA)
Game 5: Philadelphia 0, Buffalo 3 (4.30.06 – HSBC Arena, Buffalo, New York)
Game 6: Buffalo 7, Philadelphia 1 (5.02.06 – Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA)
With the Hurricanes and Sabres both winning on Tuesday night, the NHL has one opening round series left, with Calgary hosting Anaheim tonight in the pivotal Game 7. If Anaheim manages to win on Wednesday, the Western Conference will have seem its top four seeds eliminated, while the Eastern Conference will have had its top four seeds advance. At this point in time, the Eastern Conference Semifinal matches are set, with the Ottawa Senators hosting the Buffalo Sabres, and the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the New Jersey Devils. Because of all the upsets in the Western Conference, the semifinal round matchups will be dependent on the outcome of the Anaheim/Calgary series. If Calgary wins, they will become the highest seeded team in their bracket, which would allow them to remain in Calgary and host their provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oilers. If Anaheim were to win on Wednesday, then Anaheim would return home to host the Colorado Avalanche. By virtue of being the eighth seed, Edmonton would have to travel to San Jose, where the Sharks would then become the highest remaining seed in the Western Conference.
Western Conference Predictions
1. Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3, Calgary Flames 5
Calgary Wins Series 4-3
Conference Semifinals
2. Calgary Flames def. Edmonton Oilers, 4-2
3. Colorado Avalanche def. San Jose Sharks, 4-3
Conference Finals
4. Calgary Flames def. Colorado Avalanche, 4-3
Eastern Conference Predictions
Conference Semifinals
1. Ottawa Senators def. Buffalo Sabres, 4-2
2. New Jersey Devils def. Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3
Conference Finals
1. New Jersey Devils def. Ottawa Senators, 4-3
Happy Hour’s Quarterfinal Round Awards
This is a special feature that we’ll be adding each week as a new round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs begins. We’ll offer up some standard awards to some teams and players, and some not-so-standard awards for those who screw up big time. For now, these awards are all-inclusive, so we’re going inter-Conference here.
Best Series
Winner – Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Honorable Mention – Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens
Best Goal
Winner – Ales Hemsky beats Martin Legace to push Edmonton past Detroit
Honorable Mentions – Cory Stillman beats Cristobal Huet from the blue line to defeat the Canadiens, Andrew Brunette scores an OT Goal on the road in Dallas for the Avalanche
Best Team
Winner – New Jersey Devils
Honorable Mentions – San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators
Best Goalie
Winner – Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes
Honorable Mentions – Jose Theodore, Colorado Avalanche; Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils; Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton Oilers, Cristobal Huet, Montreal Canadiens
Worst Series
Loser – New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
Dishonorable Mentions – Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators
Worst Team
Loser – New York Rangers
Dishonorable Mentions – Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers
Worst Goalie
Loser – Robert Esche, Philadelphia Flyers
Dishonorable Mentions – Manny Legace, Detroit Red Wings; Martin Gerber, Carolina Hurricanes; Marty Turco, Dallas Stars
Best Fight
Winner – Jerome Iginla vs. Francois Bauchemin
Biggest Upset
Winner – Edmonton defeats Detroit
Honorable Mentions – Colorado defeats Dallas, Anaheim forces Calgary to Seven Games
Quick Shots
– A field of twenty has been cast for the upcoming running of the Kentucky Derby (Sat. 5:00 PM – NBC). The field includes: A.P. Warrior, Bob and John, Sharp Humor, Barbaro, Showing Up, Point Determined, Deputy Glitters, Private Vow, Bluegrass Cat, Steppenwolfer, Sinister Minister, Seaside Retreat, Sweetnorthernsaint, Cause to Believe, Lawyer Ron, Brother Derek, Storm Treasure, Flashy Bull, Keyed Entry, and Jazil. Happy Hour predicts: Winner – Cause to Believe by three lengths
– Jimmie Johnson wins the Aaron’s 499 from Talladega Superspeedway after rain delayed the start until Monday.
– San Antonio, Miami, LA Lakers and New Jersey lead Sacramento, Chicago, Phoenix and Indiana, 3 Games to 2 in the NBA Playoffs.
– The Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees, 7-3 at Fenway Park on Monday night in the first meeting between the two teams in 2006. David Ortiz hit a long three-run home run off reliever Mike Myers in the 8th inning, and Jonathan Papelbon shut the door in the 9th inning by striking out two. Johnny Damon was 0-4 in his return to Boston.
– Barry Bonds hits career home run #712 against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
– The Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, and Detroit Tigers are all above .500 together this late into the season for the first time in years.
– The Houston Astros have offered pitcher Roger Clemens $18 Million to come out of retirement and pitch for Houston. Clemens has also expressed interest in playing for Boston, New York, and Texas.
– The Houston Texans stun the football world by drafting Mario Williams #1 Overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Reggie Bush was selected #2 by the New Orleans Saints, while Texas QB Vince Young went 3rd to Tennessee. USC star QB Matt Leinhart went 10th to the Arizona Cardinals. Tennessee also drafted RB LenDale White in the second round.
Last Call
That’s all for now, you little hockey freaks. Until next week, keep the poor Phoenix Suns in your thoughts and prayers, as they try to avoid the plague that is the Los Angeles Kobe. Peace out, kids.
