[jvjones]

Wild ending to that Leafs/Habs game last night, that was one vicious elbow by Kovalev. I was surprised the league didn't suspend him for it.

I loved that play. That dickhead Tucker narrowly missed potentially ending Kovalev's career with the flying elbow he tried to give him 20 seconds before Kovalev gave Tucker a taste of his forearm. I thought it was pretty impressive for Kovalev to take matters into his own hands. And there is no way the league would suspend Kovalev given it was Tucker. Hell, remember when Alfredsson nearly beheaded Tucker in the playoffs and he wasn't even given a penalty? It's pretty clear what the league thinks of that clown. I know I'm supposed to like Tucker because he's a Leaf, but I can't stand his antics or his constant whining to the refs. If it wasn't for the fact that he's the Leafs' best winger (how sad is that?), I'd say ship his ass out of town for a bag of pucks in the offseason.

Well said! Most people probably didn't notice the earlier miss by Tucker...as for the hit on Tucker, it was a bit of a "sneaky" play but it was not a flagrant elbow. I TiVoed the game in HD and watched the hit a few times...when Kovie hit him his arm was against his body...the elbow came out after, from the momentum...the hit was upper arm and shoulder...definitely not even close to suspension consideration.

JJ

PS - The reason I recorded that game was because I was actually in attendance...flew Regina to Montreal on Thursday and watched the Habs trounce the Leafs twice...I could go into a lot of detail, but my typing isn't that good! Let's just say I've got one of those priceless commercials kicking around in my head...defintiley the best sports road trip I've ever embarked on.

Go Habs Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Darkest Canuck]

GO HABS GO!

[cferneyh]

I loved Pavel Bure too, one of my 5-10 favorite players of all-time.

Interesting. I never cared for him and I always felt that most NHLers could score as many goals as he did if they net sucked as much as he did (well, maybe not Chad Kilger). He did have fantastic wheels, but he was easily one of the most selfish players in the league during his entire career. The way he left Vancouver was pretty brutal to the fans there as well.

Media: Pavel, why are you demanding a trade?
Pavel: I don't want to get into that now. I'll explain my reasons when I get traded.

<<trade happens>>

Media: Pavel, why did you demand a trade?
Pavel: I don't want to get into that now. I'm just looking forward to playing with the Panthers.

[tigerthelion]

It reminds me of another Russian who took matters into his own hands and he just happens to actually be my favourite all time player. Bure.

Seriously? Pavel Bure is your favourite all time player?

I think my biggest Pavel Bure memory is when he scored all three goals in a 7-3 loss to the Kings. His third goal came with about 20 seconds left and he celebrated like he'd just won the Cup. I remember my buddy - a 'nucks fan - looking at me and saying:I think Pavel doesn't know the score of the game, but he sure knows how many goals he has.

I hate Mike Peca so I liked that low hit by Tucker in the playoffs

Did you think it was a low hit? I never thought it was. My impression was always that Tucker went in with a hip check, and rather than just take the hit Peca kinda straightened up which caused Tucker to hit his knees.

Peca is a bum though. Like I've said many times before, the mythology of Mike Peca Ultimate Leader is all due to Hasek and Peca should be sending Hasek 50% of his inflated paycheques.

Well, I think that the hip check on Peca was a good hip check but I do believe Tucker's intentions were bad. I won't argue with people too much who say the hit was good but I do believe Tucker intentionally went for the knees. Either way, no problem with me. Peca is a rat and a bum and if the things I've heard about him off the ice in his younger days are true I don't care what happens to him.

I think my biggest memory is Bure's goal against the Flames in OT of game 7 during their 94 Cup run. Bure did celebrate too much but I think his selfishness if blown out of proportion when it comes to why he left Vancouver. I think management screwed him over. I don't know all the details but I read some things that led me to believe Bure was probably justified to want out of Vancouver. I don't agree that anyone could have scored as many goals if they net sucked as much as him since all top goal scorers do net suck like him. Gretzky, Lemieux, Bossy, Jagr, Kovalchuk, etc......I M H O

[cferneyh]

I don't agree that anyone could have scored as many goals if they net sucked as much as him since all top goal scorers do net suck like him. Gretzky, Lemieux, Bossy, Jagr, Kovalchuk, etc......I M H O

Since Gretzky always had WAY more assists than goals, not sure I can agree that he was a net suck. Bossy was before my time, so I can't comment on him. Jagr has his moments, but I've seen him backcheck a lot too - particularly as he's matured. And I think Mario did a lot of netsucking early in his career, but he played better (not great mind you...but better) in the d-zone as he got older.

However - and I'm speaking as a guy who prolly saw Bure play in-person a good 30-40 times, not once did I see him back check. He was always the last guy back in the d-zone, and as soon as any 'nuck got the puck he was at centre ice looking for the pass. Now, obviously the purpose of having Pavel Bure is so that he can score goals, but I don't think it is much to ask to show a little defensive responsibility.

Anyway, I can understand liking the guy - his speed was amazing...but I never cared for him. Had he been a Leaf however........ :lol:

[tigerthelion]

I don't agree that anyone could have scored as many goals if they net sucked as much as him since all top goal scorers do net suck like him. Gretzky, Lemieux, Bossy, Jagr, Kovalchuk, etc......I M H O

Since Gretzky always had WAY more assists than goals, not sure I can agree that he was a net suck. Bossy was before my time, so I can't comment on him. Jagr has his moments, but I've seen him backcheck a lot too - particularly as he's matured. And I think Mario did a lot of netsucking early in his career, but he played better (not great mind you...but better) in the d-zone as he got older.

However - and I'm speaking as a guy who prolly saw Bure play in-person a good 30-40 times, not once did I see him back check. He was always the last guy back in the d-zone, and as soon as any 'nuck got the puck he was at centre ice looking for the pass. Now, obviously the purpose of having Pavel Bure is so that he can score goals, but I don't think it is much to ask to show a little defensive responsibility.

Anyway, I can understand liking the guy - his speed was amazing...but I never cared for him. Had he been a Leaf however........ :lol:

I agree with everything you said that is bolded.

I didn't get to see Bure once live so I can't say anything about seeing him in person. All I know is I became a Canucks fan when Bure joined the team and I was a fan of his when he played at the World Juniors with Federov. That Cup run was fantastic and if only Messier wasn't on NY to put them on his shoulders... :x Bure scored goals and was a difference maker. That's why I could forgive his lack of defensive play. I think he helped his team out so much by scoring goals that it didn't matter what else he did. Besides, who needs defensive help when Dave Babych is back there? :lol:

[tragicallymike]

What a crazy game at the garden. Sabres take the 1-0 lead, rags come back make it 2-1, sabres take 4-2 lead in the second. Rags tie it at 4 in the 3rd. Have umpteen powerplay chances to take the lead...cant. Goes into OT, more powerplays for the rangers. Nothing doin. Goes to shootout. Rags win 1-0 in the shootout. SHIT! There are going to be a lot of Malox moments if these two teams tangle in the first round of the playoffs.

[opiated]

huge win for the nucks tonite..cooke took an elbow to the face, no penalty..somebody, probably avery shouted "how's your fucking head cooke" that was really loud on the broadcast

[thedarkcanuck]

looked like a good hit on cooke to me, more shoulder than elbow....i think the damage was done when he kissed the ice...looks like the nucks are finding their offensive swagger again

[ryan93]

Yeah that was a crazy game (as was the Canucks game judging from the highlights). I didn't think either Buffalo or the Rangers were sharp at all the first half the game, Daniel Briere aside
Henrik Lundqvist was the difference in this one, he was in a zone when he came in to start the 3rd and had to make a couple huge game saving type saves, and was unbeatable in the shootout. Jaromir Jagr showed why he is the MVP of the league IMO, set up Petr Sykora for the 4-3 goal, then tied it up himself.
I reffing wasn't the greatest in this one, with some questionable calls on both sides.

Sather should deal with the Ducks more often
Sandis Ozolinsh 10 games 2 goals 9 assists 11 points
Petr Sykora 30 games 15 goals 14 assists 29 points + 3 shootout winners

[cferneyh]

Sather should deal with the Ducks more often
Sandis Ozolinsh 10 games 2 goals 9 assists 11 points
Petr Sykora 30 games 15 goals 14 assists 29 points + 3 shootout winners

One of those beauty win/win trades - the Ducks have played a lot better since they unloaded both of thos guys, and neither of them were earning their paycheques in Anaheim.

Nothing like a little time on the PP with Jagr to pad the point totals.

[ryan93]

10 of Ozolinsh's 11 points are on the PP in fact. What's impressive though is how much Ozolinsh has helped it. Last night was his 10th game in New York, and it was the 10th straight game in which they scored at least one PPG. They really needed a guy to quaterback the powerplay, and he is doing just that.
As for Sykora, he's been a very important player since his arrival, providing valuable offense from the 2nd line (the 3rd period last night was the first time he played with Jagr).
But yeah, the trades Burke has made in Anaheim this season have definitely worked, as he's taken the club from well outside the playoff picture to battling for home ice in the first round.

Jason Allison is out indefinitely now for the Leafs! So i'm officialy screwed in my hockey pool. Ziggy Pallfy retired. Tuomo Ruutu severed his ankle and is done for the season. Ladislav Nagy blew his knee and is gone for the year. Jeremy Roenick broke his ankle. Jason Allison broke his wrist. Pavol Demitra just had surgery due to his injury suffered @ the Olympics while sitting on the bench, etc. I'm still in 3rd place (top 3 get $), but fading fast. Oh well, at least i'm moving up in the Guardian pool, top 20 last week

[thedarkcanuck]

its unreal how tight the northwest is...4 teams within 2 pts of each other...hard to believe that one of these teams is going to be the 3 seed while one or more might not even make the playoffs

[tigerthelion]

huge win for the nucks tonite..cooke took an elbow to the face, no penalty..somebody, probably avery shouted "how's your fucking head cooke" that was really loud on the broadcast

I didn't see the game but you're probably correct that it was Avery. Him and Cooke hate each other and Avery has wanted to fight him for a while. I don't care much for either player. The hit looked dirty to me when I watched the game highlights but I only saw it once so I can't judge for sure whether it was clean or not.

Atta boy Burrows!! :thumb:

[The Darkest Canuck]

GO HABS GO!