OFFICIAL NHL PLAYOFFS THREAD...

[addictedtofreshkicks]

I really don't like Pittsburgh but I hope they beat Detroit... I'm sick of the Wings

 

[addictedtofreshkicks]

btw, I gotta give credit where its due...

Sidney Crosby was INSANE in this series... he's really starting to show me something. He hasn't been whining at all and he stopped diving finally...thats what I like to see... Good job Sid...

did I just say this?...

 

[cquan05]

Even though the Wings were my favorite team growing up as a kid, I'm obviously going with the Pens and hope we see a new Champion this year

April 15th @ 7:21PM is when I updated my Facebook status to "Pittsburgh back to the Finals".

 

[DeadsetAce]

ATFK...i agree. i was very impressed with sid's performance so far. he really stepped it up.

 

[cquan05]

IMO Sid has stopped the diving before the playoffs started. Obviously I didn't see all 82 games but he seemed like he wasn't as bad this year asprevious years. As a young guy in the league you aren't as disciplined and smart, but now that he's a little older I'm sure he knows better. Hedefinitely elevated his play in the last 2 series though.

 

[gingersaintbad]

Originally Posted by AddictedToFreshKicks

btw, I gotta give credit where its due...

Sidney Crosby was INSANE in this series... he's really starting to show me something. He hasn't been whining at all and he stopped diving finally... thats what I like to see... Good job Sid...

did I just say this?...

for real though, he is amazing. I unlike the general consensus herewouldn't mind Detroit winning again though. I like the possibility of a dynasty. If they win thats 4 cups in 12 years. The Devils won another 3 so only 7teams have won the last 12 cups if my memory serves me correctly/

 

[numberr97]

Even tho 99% it will be the same finals as last year, I love it. These are truly the best 2 teams top to bottom in the NHL and they have the most talent. Thisseries showcases more talent than the NBA got going right now and I love it. They will bring another great series which once again I see the Wings winning thatis if Hossa really wants the cup and Zetts and Datsyuk can get going. Just too much for the Pens d to handle.

Now with that being said I hope I didn't jinx the Wings.. Should be another great one!

 

[dmxfury]

I said in this thread that Sid has gotten much better and is growing up. I think he will win over more and mrs people as time goes on, a la Wayne (though notas good). Next year I could see Sid really having a monster year and being the best all around player

 

[cquan05]

The Tampa Tribune and Washington Times report that law enforcement officials in Lakeland, Fla., arrested two people Tuesday on charges of steroid possession, and that the individuals claimed to have sold them to players on the Washington Capitals and Washington Nationals.

At a Tuesday news conference, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said officers arrested Richard and Sandra Thomas on 10 counts of steroid possession with intent to distribute, 10 counts of importing the drugs and one count of maintaining a residence for drug sales.

Judd added that Richard Thomas boasted about being one of the largest sellers of steroids in Florida, and while Thomas did mention the Capitals and Nationals by name, he did not name players.

"Richard Thomas told Sheriff's narcotics detectives when he was asked if he had sold steroids to professional athletes, 'Name the sport - if they played it, I sold it,'" Judd said in a statement. "Then Richard Thomas went further and specifically mentioned two professional sports teams from the Washington D.C. area whose players he had sold steroids to - the DC Nationals baseball team, and the Washington Capitals hockey team. While he stated to detectives that he sold steroids to professional athletes on those teams, he did not mention any specific players' names."

Both teams had no immediate comment when contacted by TSN, but the Capitals said they would release a statement later.

Judd added that detectives have yet to uncover any corroborating evidence to support Thomas' claims, but that an investigation is ongoing.

 

[cquan05]

The Red Wings will be without defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom and centre Pavel Datsyuk, while the Blackhawks won't have right wing Martin Havlat or top goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. Cristobal Huet will start in net for the Blackhawks.

 

[cquan05]

By the way, don't think anyone has mentioned it in here yet............but RIP PETER ZEZEL.

I vaguely remember seeing him play here in Toronto, but he was definitely a great human being and will be missed.

 

[DeadsetAce]

Originally Posted by cquan05

By the way, don't think anyone has mentioned it in here yet............but RIP PETER ZEZEL.

I vaguely remember seeing him play here in Toronto, but he was definitely a great human being and will be missed.

didnt hear about this anywhere

 

[cquan05]

Originally Posted by DeadsetAce

Originally Posted by cquan05

By the way, don't think anyone has mentioned it in here yet............but RIP PETER ZEZEL.

I vaguely remember seeing him play here in Toronto, but he was definitely a great human being and will be missed.

didnt hear about this anywhere

Not surprised.........

@ ESPN.

Former NHL player Peter Zezel passed away at a Toronto hospital on Tuesday at the age of 44, after a long battle with a blood disorder.

Zezel spent the last 10 years being treated for haemolytic anaemia, a rare disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them.

His family released the following statement:

"Peter will forever be remembered as a great teammate and a wonderful individual, who touched the lives of many both on and off the ice. In his typical character of generosity, Peter has donated his organs through the Trillium Gift of Life Network. We would like to thank all of Peter's friends and family for their support and we ask for privacy during this difficult time."

The Toronto native played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and Vancouver Canucks.

"The hockey community has suffered a great loss today," said NHLPA Director of Player Affairs Glenn Healy in a statement. "Peter was a friend and a great family man who was well liked by everyone he crossed paths with in our game. Our thoughts are with Peter's family and many friends during this difficult time."

With 873 games played in his NHL career, he's best remembered for his tenure in Toronto. He scored 50 goals and 128 points in four seasons with the Maple Leafs and helped guide the club to back-to-back appearances in the conference finals in 1993 and 1994.

"On behalf of the Maple Leafs, I want to convey our deepest sympathies to Peter's family, friends and former teammates," said Maple Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke in a statement. "He was the consummate professional and he always carried himself with great class as a human being. Peter will be greatly missed."

Hockey was not the only sport where Zezel excelled. He also played with the Toronto Blizzard of the North American Soccer League and the North York Rockets of the Canadian Soccer League.

Zezel retired from his NHL playing career after the 1998-99 season and ran hockey camps in his hometown for the last 11 years.

He was also a popular guest on TSN's Off The Record with Michael Landsberg, making 19 appearances on the guest panel and discussing all the latest issues in hockey. His most recent appearance on the show was May 7.

"Peter was the ultimate caring friend and teammate," said former Maple Leaf Mark Osborne in a statement. "He was so dedicated to his family and friends and he would always freely give of his time and energies to help someone else. He was truly a passionate and loyal friend both on and off the ice. Our hockey family is devastated."

Zezel's family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Peter Zezel's name to the James Birrell Fund at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The cheques should be made payable to "The James Fund" and can be mailed to:

The James Fund
625 Whitaker Street #4
Peterborough, ON
K9H 7L5
Canada

 

[crazy dav0]

RIP

 

[lvjordan238]

OMG What a save by Huet.

Hope the Wings close it out tonight though so Lidstrom and Datsyuk don't have time to recover from their injuries before playing the Pens.

 

[cquan05]

Pens/Wings SCF again

 

[smoke ya later]

oh well..although Detroit has a few young guns most of the players are getting old so they're time will die off. Chicago's talent is here to stay andget better every season to come.

 

[scuse7]

We made Huet make too many saves, Im shocked Detroit couldn't put more in.

Good season, well be back next year. I like Pens in the finals tho, is Datysuk going to play?

 

[rapido27]

RIP Zezel. I remember him on the Flyers.

 

[jrp44]

Please tell me the Finals will be on NBC

Damn DirectTV and I don't have Versus

 

[numberr97]

first 2 games on nbc this weekend... wings in 6

 

[addictedtofreshkicks]

smh... Blackhawks will be back next year.

 

[wickednikes]

well...go pens...pens in 7

 

[addictedtofreshkicks]

Penguins in 6

 

[cquan05]

1	Saturday, May 30, 8pm et	Penguins at Red Wings	http://
2	Sunday, May 31, TBA	Penguins at Red Wings
3	Tuesday, June 2, 8pm et	Red Wings at Penguins	http://
4	Thursday, June 4, 8pm et	Red Wings at Penguins	http://http://
*5	Saturday, June 6, 8pm et	Penguins at Red Wings	http://
*6	Tuesday, June 9, 8pm et	Red Wings at Penguins	http://
*7	Friday, June 12, 8pm et	Penguins at Red Wings	http://