[ryan93]

Kevin Lowe & Jim Rutherford both deserve huge props for what they've done this season. It started back in the offseason when the Oilers made 2 big trades to land Chris Pronger and Michael Peca, while the Canes signed a number UFA's who've been key pieces of their team, the likes of Cory Stillman and Ray Whitney. Then at the deadline, the two busiest teams were the Oilers & Canes. Lowe went out and acquired Jaroslav Spacek, Dick Tarnstrom, Sergei Samsonov and Dwayne Roloson. Spacek & Samsonov have been a big part of the Oilers success, and without Roloson there is no way they'd still be playing. The Hurricanes on the other hand, also made some big moves, most noticably trading for both Mark Recchi and Doug Weight. It's nice to GM's being rewarded for their deadline moves for a change.

[ryan93]

And as far as Lindy Ruff goes, the guy just took his team to within 1 period of the SCF...which would of been there 2nd trip there in his time as head coach, and it was the 3rd time he's took his team to the Conference Final, so i think his job is more than secure for now. That said, i do not like the guy one bit, and he's gotta learn to keep his mouth shut sometimes & stop bitching to the media.

[opiated]

And as far as Lindy Ruff goes, the guy just took his team to within 1 period of the SCF...which would of been there 2nd trip there in his time as head coach, and it was the 3rd time he's took his team to the Conference Final, so i think his job is more than secure for now. That said, i do not like the guy one bit, and he's gotta learn to keep his mouth shut sometimes & stop bitching to the media.

ruff is great at deflecting everything from his team...he puts it all on him

[tommygunn]

And as far as Lindy Ruff goes, the guy just took his team to within 1 period of the SCF...which would of been there 2nd trip there in his time as head coach, and it was the 3rd time he's took his team to the Conference Final, so i think his job is more than secure for now. That said, i do not like the guy one bit, and he's gotta learn to keep his mouth shut sometimes & stop bitching to the media.

ruff is great at deflecting everything from his team...he puts it all on him

I agree. And with all the key injuries the team had, he had to find some way to keep the fire alive, so to speak. Thus, the 'everyone's against us' approach, 'they have champagne in the dressing room ready to celebrate', etc., etc.

[ryan93]

It wasn't just in the late stages of the playoffs though, he was bitching throughout the regular season too, the one that comes to mind right away was the Darcy Tucker incident (although i can't say i blame him for being upset with Tuckers).

So who does everyone thing is going to win the Cup? I hope i'm wrong, but i have a feeling the Hurricanes are going to win it all.

[opiated]

It wasn't just in the late stages of the playoffs though, he was bitching throughout the regular season too, the one that comes to mind right away was the Darcy Tucker incident (although i can't say i blame him for being upset with Tuckers).

So who does everyone thing is going to win the Cup? I hope i'm wrong, but i have a feeling the Hurricanes are going to win it all.

so if the one that comes to mind right away is something you agree he should have bitched about, where's the problem?

[cferneyh]

**TOMMYGUNN: BOOKMARK ALERT**

Well, I was thinking that the Oilers were going to win this Cup "easily", but then Strachan had to go and pick them:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Strachan/2006/06/04/1614129-sun.html">http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/St ... 9-sun.html</a><!-- m -->

So now I'm thinking Canes.....

[The Darkest Canuck]

who'd Maggie the Monkey pick this year? i fell asleep last night before i saw who on TSN...?

[Gangrel]

who'd Maggie the Monkey pick this year? i fell asleep last night before i saw who on TSN...?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=2288&hubname=">http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=2288&hubname=</a><!-- m -->

Edmonton!

And Maggie is never wrong. Well, she has a better record then the other guys anyway.....

[ryan93]

Honestly, is that the best singer the Hurricanes can find to sing the anthems? She's horrible...not bad looking though, so it doesn't matter to me.

[The Darkest Canuck]

WHAT A GOAL BY PRONGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! first ever goal scored on a penalty shot in Stanley Cup finals history.

[tommygunn]

**TOMMYGUNN: BOOKMARK ALERT**

Well, I was thinking that the Oilers were going to win this Cup "easily", but then Strachan had to go and pick them:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Strachan/2006/06/04/1614129-sun.html">http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/St ... 9-sun.html</a><!-- m -->

So now I'm thinking Canes.....

[cferneyh]

**TOMMYGUNN: BOOKMARK ALERT**

Well, I was thinking that the Oilers were going to win this Cup "easily", but then Strachan had to go and pick them:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Strachan/2006/06/04/1614129-sun.html">http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/St ... 9-sun.html</a><!-- m -->

So now I'm thinking Canes.....

PHEW! For awhile there I was worried that they'd put you back on the meds. Stay off the meds tommygunn. YOU show the voices who's boss.

But on to the game, wow - what a game. But poor Ty Conklin. Ugh.

And how the hell did Peca miss the net that close in with 5 seconds left?

[AndGraceToo]

:disco

I seriously haven't been so into hockey since art school in NYC..
This is sooo cool!

First Taylor, now this!!!

Next thing..I predict...........


Atlanta>HOB Myrtle Beach > Charlotte...


5 day run, baby..you heard it here first

[tth_fan]

WOW!!! That sucked.

Roloson out. Conklin blows....Oilers have a HUGE hill to climb.