By Steve Price, Resident Evil Guru
May 16th, 2006 – Volume II, Edition II
Exclusive to Inside Pulse Sports
In this, the glorious wake of another Hockey miracle, I welcome one and all to another edition of the column that’s so friggin’ awesome, Tal Aulbrook combusted from over-exclamation point usage. In fact, that’s mostly what I want to talk about today, namely the excitement level in the NHL Playoffs. You see, because hockey is getting the “rake over the coals” treatment from certain jerks in the press (see: Bayless, Skip), I feel it is necessary to prove to everyone here reading at Inside Pulse that the NHL Playoffs are not only worth your time, but are damn fun to boot.
Of course, that’s only half of the column, with a very special preview of the Eastern and Western Conference finals to boot. But that’s neither here nor… well, it is down there on the page, but we’re not quite there yet, so let’s get frosty.
Memo to Skippy – The Playoffs Are On
I seem to recall an episode of 1st and 10 when Skip Bayless took a shot at the NHL Playoffs, remarking that he didn’t even believe that they were going on. He then took a pot shot at the game in general, saying that scoring a goal in the NHL was exclusively luck (ie little / no skill), and saying that it wasn’t a real sport, a sentiment shared by fellow moron Jay Mariotti. This is his payback; I’m not only taking a shot at him, I’m also giving you all a primer as to why the NHL Playoffs deserve your attention.
Of course, anyone that has been around for awhile knows how much of a prick Skip Bayless is. He attempts to be funny when he’s not, and he interjects every idiotic diatribe he gives with his own stuck up attitude. Have you ever noticed how Skip looks like a Frankenstein clone without the makeup and bolts with those starched collars? Bayless always talks with a smirk, like he thinks he’s being entertaining, when in fact he’s an arrogant jerkwad that makes Woody Paige look like a martyr for having to put up with him. The sad thing is, a lot of people seem to share his sentiments regarding the NHL Playoffs. I’m having trouble understanding why people think these playoffs are not very exciting. You’re getting OT games out the wazoo, with incredible goals and saves from rookie sensations and chiseled veterans alike. If you want to see some tough hits, watch Carolina and Buffalo players die for their art against the boards on Saturday. If Cinderella is who you want to see, Edmonton is in the midst of the most improbable playoff run in franchise history, and everyone likes the Mighty Ducks. A sports fan that can’t get excited by the equalizing goal with THREE SECONDS left in the third period is no sports fan to me. Hockey is on NBC, OLN, a host of Canadian networks, several Fox Sports Network affiliates, plus available on the internet with free radio broadcasts of the games.
If you can’t pick a team to root for, cheer for Edmonton to bring home the Stanley Cup to Canada. Cheer for the Mighty Ducks to prevent the Stanley Cup from leaving the U.S.A. Cheer for Sabres to end decades of suffering for the Buffalo faithful. Cheer for Carolina to bring a championship home to people in two states that have waited so very long for one. The playoffs are on, Skip Bayless, and if you weren’t too busy stroking your own ego, maybe you could sit up and take notice.
The 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2006 NHL Season has come down to four teams, in four corners of North America. The Edmonton Oilers represent California; the Anaheim Mighty Ducks call California home; the Hurricanes of Carolina reside in Raleigh, and the Buffalo Sabres call upstate New York home. The NHL Playoffs are here, and what a sweet ring that phrase has to it. The road to the Stanley Cup is almost over, with only four teams left fighting for the prestigious championship.
In the west, the story of the hour is taking place in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, where the upstart Edmonton Oilers have again shocked the hockey world by defeating the 5th seeded San Jose Sharks, this after going down two games to none in the series. Edmonton is on a Cinderella run this postseason, after stunning the Detroit Red Wings in the first round. They’re led by Chris Pronger, a dynamic forward with good ice vision and a knack for scoring. Dwayne Roloson has been solid throughout the playoffs, but reached a peak in Wednesday night’s Game 6 clincher for the Oilers by posting his first career playoff shutout. Michael Peca, Shawn Horcoff, and Ales Hemsky all play serviceable roles in the Oilers game, one that will meet a formidable challenge in the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The Ducks have been surprisingly solid throughout the postseason, not only outlasting the conference powerhouse Flames in the first round, but also sweeping what had been an extremely hot Colorado Avalanche team in the second round. Anaheim boasts a rookie goaltender in Ilya Bryzgalov, who stymied the Avalanche into a resounding sweep. Anaheim has a solid defensive line, one that isn’t afraid of scuffling (see also: the Francois Beauchemin fight with Iginla in the first round). Scott Niedermeyer, Teemu Selanne, and Andy McDonald highlight a sound hockey team.
This is an example of a series that could take on national proportions. Canada has not tasted Stanley Cup success since the Canadiens beat the Kings in 1993, and the ensuing drought has led to national support for teams like Calgary in the past when they have made it to the Finals. Edmonton is riding a wave of success that it hasn’t tasted in fourteen years. Oddly, though, despite being the statistically weakest team remaining in the playoffs, the Oilers have experienced the most playoff success of all the teams remaining. Only Edmonton among the final four has ever won a Stanley Cup championship, so that is a comforting note for Oilers fans. Anaheim is the third team in a row that Edmonton will have to upset if they mean to go all the way this year, and Anaheim is very stout. Bryzgalov, like his counterparts in the Eastern Conference Finals has proven that he is a very capable goalie under the pressure of the playoffs, so it’ll be up to the forwards of Edmonton to pull out a series win.
The east is no less dramatic, featuring two incredible stories in their own right. In a year without a team from Canada making it this far, Buffalo would be one of those sentimental stories that the regular sports fan could get into. When the idea of postseason futility is brought up by the mainstream media, you’re inclined to think of teams like the Chicago Cubs and the Dallas Mavericks (even though they may be erasing that stigma very shortly). Let’s not forget the people of Buffalo, and their suffering. The Sabres, one of the cornerstone franchises in the National Hockey League, have never won the Stanley Cup. They’ve come close several times, and have endured several heartbreakingly bad calls in postseason play (the infamous “No Goal” game comes to mind). Buffalo is home to several heartbreaking sports losses, including the Bills four consecutive Super Bowl losses. Buffalo fans must feel like they’re overdue for a championship.
Carolina fans can relate to that feeling. The Hurricanes have led a strange existence, with their lineage dating as far back as 1971 when the World Hockey Association awarded a franchise to the city of Hartford, and the Whalers tradition was born. When the WHA combined with the NHL, the Hartford Whalers became one of the teams selected to join the NHL itself. Though never winning a Stanley Cup or remaining especially competitive during their time in Hartford, the Whalers retained a devout fan base, which was crushed in 1997 when the team announced its move to North Carolina. In an interesting side note, the city of Hartford actually owned the trademarks to the Whalers, which has prevented the logo from appearing on jerseys and video games in subsequent years. Indirectly, this may help the Hurricanes logo develop its own identity by the time these playoffs are over. The ‘Canes began play in their new home state in 1998, and would experience some success within a few years of their move. Carolina made the playoffs in 2001, but was ultimately defeated by the Montreal Canadiens. In 2002, Carolina went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals before being stopped by Detroit. Due in part to its general small-market location and the downturn in popular hockey interest, Carolina is something of a mystery to fans outside of North Carolina when they make it this far.
Both the Sabres and the Hurricanes are built for the new NHL – both clubs are fast, with good attacking forwards, solid defensemen and two rookie goaltenders, Ryan Miller of the Sabres and Cam Ward of the Hurricanes. For the Sabres, their success hinges on the play of every single player on the ice, for only a strong team effort (one that Buffalo is capable of giving) will advance the Sabres to the Finals. Co-captain Chris Drury will be pivotal to the success of Buffalo in these Conference Finals, since the squad is very young, and he is the only player on the team that has previously won a Stanley Cup. Carolina has its share of young players as well, but the veteran leadership of Rod Brind’Amour and Mark Recchi will prove valuable in tough situations. Eric Staal may be the key to success for Carolina, with a sound but young goaltender in Ryan Miller between the pipes for the opposition. The same holds true for Carolina’s Cam Ward, who has had only two postseason series of experience to his name. As Barry Melrose pointed out following the Edmonton series win on Wednesday night, the Eastern Conference will be decided when one of the two rookie goalies blink first.
Arena – Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California
Seeding – 6th Seed in the Western Conference
(Defeated Calgary in seven games, defeated Colorado in four games)
Centers
(NO. / NAME / SHOT / BORN / BIRTHDATE)
#51 Ryan Getzlaf, R, Regina, Saskatchewan 5/10/85
#22 Todd Marchant, L, Buffalo, New York 8/12/73
#19 Andy McDonald, L, Strathroy, Ontario 8/25/77
#44 Rob Niedermayer, L, Cranbrook, British Columbia 12/28/74
#26 Samuel Pahlsson, L, Ange, Sweden 12/17/77
#76 Dustin Penner, L, Winkler, Manitoba 9/28/82
Left Wings
#29 Todd Fedoruk, L, Redwater, Alberta 2/13/79
#12 Jeff Friesen, L, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan 8/5/76
#38 Chris Kunitz, L, Regina, Saskatchewan 9/26/79
#32 Travis Moen, L, Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan 4/6/82
Right Wings
#17 Jonathan Hedstrom, L, Skelleftea, Sweden 12/27/77
#15 Joffrey Lupul, R, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta 9/23/83
#61 Corey Perry, R, Peterborough, Ontario 5/16/85
#13 Teemu Selanne, R, Helsinki, Finland 7/3/70
Defense
#23 Francois Beauchemin, L, Sorel, Quebec 6/4/80
#33 Joe DiPenta, L, Barrie, Ontario 2/25/79
#6 Jason Marshall, R, Cranbrook, British Columbia 2/22/71
#27 Scott Niedermayer, L, Edmonton, Alberta 8/31/73
#21 Sean O’Donnell, L, Ottawa, Ontario 10/13/71
#24 Ruslan Salei, L, Minsk, USSR 11/2/74
#5 Vitaly Vishnevski, L, Kharkov, USSR 3/18/80
Goalies
#30 Ilya Bryzgalov, L, Togliatti, USSR 6/22/80
#35 Jean-Sebastien Giguere, L, Montreal, Quebec 5/16/77
Arena – Rexall Palace, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Seeding – 8th Seed in the Western Conference
(Defeated Detroit in six games, defeated San Jose in six games)
Centers
#15 Kyle Brodziak, R, Vegreville, Alberta 5/25/84
#10 Shawn Horcoff,L, Trail, British Columbia 9/17/78
#22 Rem Murray, L Stratford, Ontario 10/9/72
#37 Michael Peca, R, Toronto, Ontario 3/26/74
#17 Toby Petersen, L, Minneapolis, Minnesota 10/27/78
#36 Marc-Antoine Pouliot, R, Quebec, Quebec 5/22/85
#33 Rob Schremp, L, Fulton, New York 7/1/86
#16 Jarret Stoll, R, Melville, Saskatchewan 6/24/82
#26 Brad Winchester, L, Madison, Wisconsin 3/1/81
Left Wings
#13 Todd Harvey, R, Hamilton, Ontario 2/17/75
#41 Jean-Francois Jacques, L, Terrebonne, Quebec 4/29/85
#18 Ethan Moreau, L, Huntsville, Ontario 9/22/75
#12 Sergei Samsonov, R, Moscow, USSR 10/27/78
#94 Ryan Smyth, L, Banff, Alberta 2/21/76
#14 Raffi Torres, L, Toronto, Ontario 10/8/81
Right Wings
#20 Radek Dvorak, R, Tabor, Czechoslovakia 3/9/77
#83 Ales Hemsky, R, Pardubice, Czechoslovakia 8/13/83
#27 Georges Laraque, R, Montreal, Quebec 12/7/76
#34 Fernando Pisani, L, Edmonton, Alberta 12/27/76
Defense
#47 Marc-Andre Bergeron, L, St-Louis-de-France, Quebec 10/13/80
#2 Matt Greene, R, Grand Ledge, Michigan 5/13/83
#44 Chris Pronger, L, Dryden, Ontario 10/10/74
#45 Mathieu Roy, R, St-Georges, Quebec 8/10/83
#21 Jason Smith, R, Calgary, Alberta 11/2/73
#6 Jaroslav Spacek, L, Rokycany, Czechoslovakia 2/11/74
#24 Steve Staios, R, Hamilton, Ontario 7/28/73
#28 Danny Syvret, L, Millgrove, Ontario 6/13/85
#23 Dick Tarnstrom, L, Sundbyberg, Sweden 1/20/75
#55 Igor Ulanov, L, Krasnokamsk, USSR 10/1/69
Goalies
#29 Ty Conklin, L, Anchorage, Alaska 3/4/76
#40 Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers, R, St-Jean-Richelieu, Quebec 5/15/84
#30 Jussi Markkanen, L, Imatra, Finland 5/8/75
#35 Dwayne Roloson, L, Simcoe, Ontario 10/12/69
Arena – RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
Seeding – 2nd Seed in the Eastern Conference
(Defeated Montreal in six games, defeated New Jersey in five games)
Centers
#14 Kevyn Adams, R, Washington, District of Columbia 10/8/74
#17 Rod Brind’Amour, L, Ottawa, Ontario 8/9/70
#8 Matt Cullen, L, Virginia, Minnesota 11/2/76
#59 Chad LaRose, R, Fraser, Michigan 3/27/82
#12 Eric Staal, L, Thunder Bay, Ontario 10/29/84
#63 Josef Vasicek, L, Havlickuv Brod, Czechoslovakia 9/12/80
#39 Doug Weight, L, Warren, Michigan 1/21/71
Left Wings
#26 Erik Cole, L, Oswego, New York 11/6/78
#34 Dave Gove, L, Centerville, Massachusetts 5/4/78
#16 Andrew Ladd, L, Maple Ridge, British Columbia 12/12/85
#61 Cory Stillman, L, Peterborough, Ontario 12/20/73
#13 Ray Whitney, R, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta 5/8/72
Right Wings
#27 Craig Adams, R, Seria, Brunei 4/26/77
#37 Keith Aucoin, R, Waltham, Massachusetts 11/6/78
#18 Mark Recchi, L, Kamloops, British Columbia 2/1/68
#11 Justin Williams, R, Cobourg, Ontario 10/4/81
Defense
#48 Anton Babchuk, R, Kiev, USSR 5/6/84
#22 Mike Commodore, R, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta 11/7/79
#6 Bret Hedican, L, St. Paul, Minnesota 8/10/70
#24 Andrew Hutchinson, R, Evanston, Illinois 3/24/80
#5 Frantisek Kaberle, L, Kladno, Czechoslovakia 11/8/73
#70 Oleg Tverdovsky, L, Donetsk, USSR 5/18/76
#7 Niclas Wallin, L, Boden, Sweden 2/20/75
#4 Aaron Ward, R, Windsor, Ontario 1/17/73
#2 Glen Wesley, L, Red Deer, Alberta 10/2/68
Goalies
#29 Martin Gerber, L, Burgdorf, Switzerland 9/3/74
#50 Craig Kowalski, L, Warren, Michigan 1/15/81
#30 Cam Ward, L, Sherwood Park, Alberta 2/29/84
Arena – HSBC Arena, Buffalo, New York
Seeding – 4th Seed in the Eastern Conference
(Defeated Philadelphia in six games, defeated Ottawa in five games)
Centers
#48 Daniel Briere R, Gatineau, Quebec 10/6/77
#19 Tim Connolly, R, Syracuse, New York 5/7/81
#23 Chris Drury, R, Trumbull, Connecticut 8/20/76
#28 Paul Gaustad, L, Fargo, North Dakota 2/3/82
#55 Jochen Hecht, L, Mannheim, West Germany 6/21/77
#22 Adam Mair 27, R, Hamilton, Ontario 2/15/79
#13 Jiri Novotny, R, Pelhrimov, Czechoslovakia 8/12/83
#9 Derek Roy, L, Ottawa, Ontario 5/4/83
#18 Michael Ryan, L, Milton, Massachusetts 5/16/80
Left Wings
#41 Clarke MacArthur, L, Lloydminster, Alberta 4/6/85
#20 Daniel Paille, L, Welland, Ontario 4/15/84
#76 Andrew Peters, L, St. Catharines, Ontario 5/5/80
#24 Taylor Pyatt, L, Thunder Bay, Ontario 8/19/81
#26 Thomas Vanek, R, Graz, Austria 1/19/84
Right Wings
#61 Maxim Afinogenov, L, Moscow, USSR 9/4/79
#17 J.P. Dumont, L, Montreal, Quebec 4/1/78
#25 Mike Grier, R, Detroit, Michigan 1/5/75
#12 Ales Kotalik, R, Jindrichuv Hradec, Czechoslovakia 12/23/78
#81 Mark Mancari, R, London, Ontario 7/11/85
#29 Jason Pominville, R, Repentigny, Quebec 11/30/82
Defense
#51 Brian Campbell, L, Strathroy, Ontario 5/23/79
#8 Rory Fitzpatrick, R, Rochester, New York 1/11/75
#33 Doug Janik 26, L, Agawam, Massachusetts 3/26/80
#34 Jeff Jillson, R, North Smithfield, Rhode Island 7/24/80
#45 Dmitri Kalinin, L, Chelyabinsk, USSR 7/22/80
#5 Toni Lydman, L, Lahti, Finland 9/25/77
#74 Jay McKee, L, Kingston, Ontario 9/8/77
#27 Teppo Numminen, R, Tampere, Finland 7/3/68
#38 Nathan Paetsch, L, LeRoy, Saskatchewan 3/30/83
#10 Henrik Tallinder, L, Stockholm, Sweden 1/10/79
Goalies
#43 Martin Biron, L, Lac St. Charles, Quebec 8/15/77
#49 Michael Leighton, L, Petrolia, Ontario 5/19/81
#30 Ryan Miller, L, East Lansing, Michigan 7/17/80
Quick Shots
– The Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Detroit Pistons, 86-84 to take a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Dallas Mavericks in San Antonio to stave off elimination.
– Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood is set to make his first start of 2006 against the Washington Nationals after coming off the disabled list.
– The Women’s Northwestern soccer team has been suspended from competition in the wake of hazing allegations.
– David Evans, the captain of the Duke Lacrosse team has been indicted as the third person involved with the suspected rape of a female dancer at a house party in March.
– Barry Bonds remains at 713 Home Runs, and did not play against the Houston Astros on Wednesday.
– The Baltimore Orioles ended their double-digit losing streak to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night, winning 4-3 despite giving up three runs in the ninth.
– The Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 take place a week from Sunday on May 28th, 2006.
Last Call
And I think we’re done here, folks. Check out IP Sports for the latest from Pomazak, Nguyen, Ciprotti and my fellow puckmate Omar Padilla as the columns flow in. Keep the faith, Hurricanes fans! Keep the f*cking faith! Peace, au revoir, adios, later.
