End of Round 3 update

The third round is over and the Stanley Cup final is set and an impressive group of six poolies correctly called a Detroit/Pittsburgh final. But after some number crunching I can tell you we will have a first-time winner in the team side of the pool this year. Brad Bouzane has moved back into first place and can finish that way if Nick Lidstrom leads a Stanley Cup parade in Motown. However if the Pittsburgh Penguins prevail Terry James will be the last member of my immediate family to win. Needless to say, I'm cheering for the Wings.

Below you will find a team side update. In the coming days (sometime before Saturday's Game 1 of the final) you will receive a player side update.

Enjoy:

1) Brad Bouzane 47 Trying to pull off the elusive double
T2) Terry James 45 Poised for success if the Pens win
T2) Ron State 45 Congratulations on calling both finalists
4) Lloyd Mack 44 Also two-for-two in Round 3
5) Rob Shaw 38 You've become a regular contender in recent years
T6) Sean Hutchinson 37 Looks like close but no cigar for you on both sides of the pool
T6) Mike James 37 Sorry 'bout the Flyers, but congrats on the new job
T6) Jordan Stein 37 Belated Happy Birthday
T6) Mary Kay Hosfield 37 Your standing belies the fact you nailed the third round perfectly
T10) Jason Anthony 34 Could win the First Dundas prize
T10) Peter James 34 But I'll give you a run for your money
12) Adam Fulton 33 A top-10 spot will elude you this year
T13) Dave Washburn 32 You tallied seven points this round
T13) Kim Landon 32 Chocolate money only takes you so far
T13) Cliff Hosfield 32 An impressive rookie performance
16) Julianna Nowaczek 31 I will not point out I just beat you at Scrabulous. Oops, I just did.
T17) Liam Lynch 30 Hope the poll numbers were in your favour
T17) Mary James 30 Fourth place was your season high
T17) Arthur Casement 30 Casement and midpoint doesn't have the same ring as Casement and basement
T17) Natalie James 30 Seventeenth place, just like your birthday day
21) Justin Lee 29 I'll look over that summer movie list
T22) Jack James 28 I think the Stamps might challenge the Lions for first in the West this year
T22) Mark Brennae 28 It being baseball season, your slide down the standings probably doesn't concern you
T22) Ryan Plesko 28 It's not going to get better, it's only going to get worse
25) Jenn Hosfield 27 Think we can get five Hosfields in this pool next year?
26) Richard Warnica 26 I scouted out a potential new football field
27) Janet Pringle 25 Things are much better on this side of things
T28) Barry Horeczy 24 Class of '86, eh?
T28) Don McGowan 24 So pools aren't really your thing, are they?
T30) Dale Oviatt 23 I would list the top Canadians in this pool too, but I think that includes everyone
T30) James Peters 23 You must be missing writing all the updates at this point, no?
32) Jeff Sandelli 22 It's been a rough couple of years for you in this pool
T33) Scott McCleery 21 Beating your mentor, Debb
T33) Colleen Racine 21 A long way from the 0-fer start
T35) Neil MacKinnon 20 The number of Montreal rumours is astounding
T35) Debb Coghlin 20 Losing to your protegee, Scott
37) Colleen Turnbull 19 Who is your pick for Euro 2008?
T38) David Forbes 18 You can read this update on the new computer
T38) Steve McKinley 18 Leafs miss the playoffs AND you're last among the CNSers
40) James Gordon 16 I must admit, I expected more from you
41) Ali Hewitt 15 Hawaii looked like a lot of fun
42) Chris Chapman 13 I bet you'll be back in contention next year
43) Stacey Tomlinson 12 Thanks for coming out

If you can't beat 'em on the ice, then beat 'em in the alley

I just got back from work and got a chance to see the replay of Jamie McLennan going berserk. I must say such a stupid play couldn't have come from a more unlikely source. I've always thought off 'Noodles' as one of the more laid back players in the game, but I guess he's got quite a mean streak as well. I watched the first two periods of the game, before leaving in disgust to go into work. The first I heard of the McLennan slash was in the box score that moved on the wire. At first I though it must have been a mistake. How does a player get a minor slashing penalty, a major slashing penalty, a game misconduct and a match penalty on the same play, without anyone else gettingpenalized? Usually when something that crazy happens fights break out all over the place.

My next thought, without seeing the play or what led up to it, was the Flames were pissed off about something and sent McLennan out there to get revenge, figuring if he got suspended it wouldn't be the end of the world.

My next bit of info came courtesy of the Associated Press story which implied McLennan's attack was on the same scale of the Chris Simon slash to the head late in the season. Uponfurther review, I believe that McLennan's attack wasn't as malicious as Simon's. But I still think he should get a hefty suspension.

What does this mean for the Flames? In terms of a pure hockey impact not much. We all knew they'd be done if Kiprusoff ever got hurt. That doesn't change if it's McLennan on the bench or if it's Curtis McElhinney, Brent Krahn or even Leland Irving.

On the other hand it's pretty embarassing to be a Flames fan today. The only bright spot is the season didn't end on that note. Calgary has a chance to redeem themselves today. After Saturday's performance a win is not the most important thing any more,
playing with class is.

It's hockey night

Alright, here we go with this live blogging attempt. Not sure what I'll write about for the next six hours, but it can't be that hard right.

5:04 p.m. - My big plan today was to try and get two TV's going so I could watch both the CBC and TSN games. But for whatever reason, I can't seem to pick up CBC over the air. CH, Global, City and CTV all come in clear as a whistle, but Canada's national broadcaster is nowhere to be found. So I'll have to settle for flipping with the remote control.

5:07 p.m. - The moment of silence for the Virginia Tech victims was classy. Yesterday I couldn't help but think about what it would be like to be a student and res fellow at that school.

5:09 p.m. - Anthem dude (I didn't catch his name) sure rushed through the Canadian version.

5:13 p.m. - Good, quick pace to start the game. If it continues like this it will be must-see-TV

8:41 p.m. - That camera in the corner angle can be quite annoying at times. You miss what's happening on the rest of the ice.

5:15 p.m. - Fluky goal, but they all count. This just proves the age old adage that it's never wrong to shoot the puck. The goal is under review, but I agree with the announcers, Neil never touched it.

5:20 p.m. - Uggh. 1-0 Rangers. My Atlanta pick isn't looking so hot. In fact going into tonight three of my first round winners (Minnesota, Calgary and Atlanta) are a combined 0-7. Looks like continued futility in this pool is assured.

5:30 p.m. - The Sens just got away with having too many men on the ice. That's a penalty that's not called enough. In last night's games there were at least two certain too many men on the ice calls that were missed.

5:32 p.m. - 2-0 Rangers. The Thrashers got into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history this year, but it's looking like they won't win a game. And now it's 3-0.

5:35 p.m. - Can you imagine how good the Peguins power play will be when Crosby, Malkin and company actually grow up?

5:45 p.m. - Brenden Shanahan just took a holding penalty on Greg De Vries. The MSG Network announcer said it was a good penalty because De Vries had a step on him. But it was Greg FREAKING DeVries. He scored a grand total of three goals this year. The Thrashers probably have a better chance of scoring on one power play than De Vries connecting on one of 10 clear-cut breakaways.

5:55 p.m. - What was the point of Cherry showing that long clip from Sunday's Coach's Corner tonight? I assumed it would be to prove he was right about something, but he just showed the clip and signed off.

6:08 p.m. - Crosby finally draws a penalty. He's gone down three times in front of the net, but the referees (wisely) didn't call anything the first two times.

6:13 p.m. - One reason to like Bob Cole, calls like "The fans sense something is about to happen. I wonder..." One reason to dislike Bob Cole, his inability to identify Christoph Shubert until a good five seconds after the play was over.

6:16 p.m. - And we're all even. Hard work pays off.
Oh and for the record, it's 4-0 Rangers. The rout is on.

6:24 p.m. - I admit I was wrong aboutt the Sens picking up Mike Comrie and Oleg Saprykin. I figured they'd both be busts, but it seems that Comrie in particular has been a real asset.

6:29 p.m. - The Pens are dominating the second period. I wouldn't be surprised if they scored very soon.
Over on TSN, Shannahan just literaly jumped into the Atlanta goaltender and the MSG announcers are decrying it as a bad call. Seems like Shanny can do no wrong.

6:38 p.m. - One third of the way through this exercise and I'm having fun. Not sure if anyone is reading this mind you, but at least I'm being entertained. But for all you phantom readers I'm going to take a quick break to rustle up some dinner.

7:00 p.m. - Great start by Ottawa in the third, they've turned the momentum around in a hurry.

7:08 p.m. - Huge goal for Ottawa. That could very well win them the series, and it was Comrie with the pretty set-up. I guess Muckler saw something in the guy no one else did.

7:16 p.m. - Saprykin just missed the net on a good chance. Now THAT'S the Oleg Saprykin I remember wearing the flaming 'C.'

7:25 p.m. - My three stars, voted on with two minutes to go in the game: first Ray Emery, second Gary Roberts and third Mike Comrie.

7:31 p.m. - That's all she wrote. Ottawa weathered the storm in the second and came on strong in the third. Now they have the chance to wrap things up on home ice, and I think they will.

7:34 p.m. - I went 1/3 on the three stars. The actual list: Emery, Staal, Spezza.

7:37 p.m. - We're between games on CBC, but TSN has Minnesota/Anaheim. If the Ducks wins it's over, but I believe the Wild will pull this one out tonight. 3-2 Minny.

As for the Flames/Wings tilt, let's hope that vaunted home ice advantage the Flames had during the first 3/4 of the regular season comes back for the playoffs. If Calgary can get off to a good start and stay out of the box, I believe they can get right back in the series. 4-2 Calgary, with goals from Hamerlik, Lombardi and Huselius (2).

8:04 p.m. - Alright, got the Flames jersey on. We're ready to go.

8:08 p.m. - Good to see Heather back for the playoffs. The Flames had a few terrible anthem singers down the stretch.

8:11 p.m. - I didn't realize American viewers have to put up with Wittman too.

8:12 p.m. - Apparently Hale's flying elbows in Game 2 didn't impress the coaches. Welcome back Marc Giordano.

8:14 p.m. - Early power play for the Flames. A goal here would really set the tone.

8:18 p.m. - How out that schmoozle, Hamerlik gets the only penalty? The only plus to come out the exchange was analyst Drew Remenda using the word 'crap.'

8:24 p.m. - With Chris Pronger's goal, my three winless teams (Minny, ATL, Calgary) are now losing by a combined total of 8-0 tonight. Beautiful.

And now Primeau takes a four minute penalty. Even better.

8:29 p.m. - I don't know what's more entertaining: the hockey game or the guy in the camper trying to parallel park across the street.

8:31 p.m. - Great PK. And dude is still trying to nudget into that spot.

8:32 p.m. - Minny scores. Dude completes his tough parking job. My night is turning around.

8:37 p.m. - Iffy call, but I'll take the power play.

8:38 p.m. - POST! But at least Iginla is shooting.

8:42 p.m. - Poor Rhett Warriner. He has the worst luck.

8:48 p.m. - So the Knuckleheads win another one-goal game. They were a surprisingly popular pick among poolies this year.

8:49 p.m. - How the Flames expectations have fallen. They now get a standing ovation for not losing after the first period.

8:57 p.m. - Apparently Brian Hayward is doing colour on the Ducks/Wild game. Better than having him do the Rangers series, I guess.

8:59 p.m. - Minnesota scores. There's life in those Wild yet.

9:04 p.m. - Record traffic on this site tonight, particularily from China. It must be a factor of people clicking on the most recently updated blog button. But still we've had visitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Turkey and New Zealand. Granted none of these people stay to actually read anything. But the hit count is getting jacked up.

9:11 p.m. - As Remenda pointed out Mike Babcock is indeed a former Red Deer College Kings head coach. Alas, the men's hockey program at the school died a few years ago. But the women's program is going strong. Of course the men's volleyball team is the class of the country, with eight straight national titles.

10:35 p.m. - Terrible penalty by Tanguay. Well behind the play, in the offensive zone. There was no need for that. Hopefully the Flames don't get burned.
9:21 a.m. - Get your rally caps on Minnesota. The comeback of the year is underway!

9:23 p.m. - The Jets traded Draper for $1? This will require some googling, but really couldn't they have at least gotten a bag of pucks?

9:25 p.m. - GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL! There's my Lombardi goal.

9:32 p.m. - Way to go Langkow and Stuart. Just let Draper walk to the front of the net.

9:40 p.m. - That Draper for $1 is in the Sun, so it must be true.

9:47 p.m. Well it's (almost) after two and the Flames are still in it. Got the Red Wings were they want them, methinks.

10:12 p.m. - Damn you Chris Draper. I'm beginning to wish the Jets hadn't got all gready and looked for that dollar.

10:16 p.m. - Nice to see the goal judge getting involved and creating some buzz. Isn't it about time we got rid of those guys?

10:18 p.m. - God bless Marc Giordano. That should keep him in the line-up for the next game. Although he did get benched after a two-goal game against Toronto earlier in the year.

10:22 p.m. - Fire alarm! Just like the Ottawa Civic Centre. I remember having to evacuate once during a 67s game. Turned out to be a false alarm, but it was still annoying. If memory serves the alarm went off again after we got back in the rink.

10:26 p.m. - BOOO-YAH. Protypical Iginla goal, coming down the wing, quick shot. I love it.

10:30 p.m. - Calder gets goalie interference, I was afraid the penalty was going against the Flames defenceman tying him up.

10:38 p.m. - Those are the type of saves the Flames need from Kiprusoff. Third period, with the game on the line. Let's hope he's not forced to make many more tonight.

10:40 p.m. - I don't know what's less surprising, Warriner getting hit in the face with a puck, or Bertuzzi getting hurt.

10:42 p.m. - My three stars: Draper, Iginla, Kiprusoff. I realize it's contraversial to give the first star to a visiting player on a team currently losing, but he deserves it. The Wings got their dollar's worth tonight from him.

10:45 p.m. - I knew Friesen would come in handy at some point this year.

10:49 p.m. - Just what the doctor ordered. A solid effort. A big win. Calgary is right back in the series. Maybe they shouldn't trade that Iginla character after all.

10:50 p.m. - A big thanks to all who checked out the page tonight and to Lloyd for keeping up the conversation all night.

Ugly

It looks like the Calgary Flames decided to pick up where they left off last year in the playoffs, with one of there more brutal performances of the year. For those of you who have forgotten, or who have wisely chosen to wipe all memories of the event, the Flames put on a horrendous display of hockey in their Game 7 loss to Anaheim in the first round last year. Captain JeromeIginla was invisible, star goalie Miikka Kiprusoff was merely average and a team famous for it's hard work looked disinterested.

Thursday night the Flames had a chance to redeem themselves against the Red Wings, but they decided to pull a no show. Now I didn't get a chance to see much of the game, I only caught the first period before heading into work, but from what I can tell there was a serious lack of effort.

Determination, or lack thereof, has been a recurrent problem for the Flames this year. Much of the heat has come on rookie head coach Jim Playfair. I've spent most of the season defending the guy, but quite frankly I'm losing faith in the guy.

Now here's my question for discussion, with the Devils firing Julien with a week to go in the season, should the Flames fire Playfair mid-series?

All always your comments are appreciated.

My confidence is sapped

The good news: The Flames are in the playoffs. The bad news: They got in the most uninspiring way possible.

I didn't actually watch their loss to the Oilers Saturday night (I was to busy at my desk cursing the Canadian Press for their inability to send WHL playoff results over the wire in a timely fashion), but the result speaks for itself. The Oilers have been the worst team in the NHL over the last quarter of the season. They had nothing to play for Saturday, in fact they would have been better off losing to help their draft position. Yet the Flames blow a two goal lead and drop their third straight game.

It was just one week ago that Calgary had rattled off six straight wins and I was trying to narrow down just how many I was going to take in the pool this year. Their current losing streak has me wondering if I should take any.

Calgary will play a Detroit in the first round, a match-up I thought would favour the Flames. Now I'm not so sure. I'll take a closer look at this pairing and the rest of the first round series a little bit later, but for now let me direct you to a couple of Red Wings bloggers who do fine work.

Christy is a student who runs the Behind the Jersey blog.

Bill does a great job at Abel to Yzerman