And so it begins...
by FrankD on May 29, 2010 11:39 AM EDT
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PrintAfter days of downtime, endless "who do you want to see win" talk and somewhat premature off-season banter, we're reminded tonight at 8 PM ET that the hockey season is still in action as the Blackhawks and Flyers drop the puck on the Stanley Cup Finals.
Perhaps my personal favorite theory being thrown around the interwebs and, more particularly my office, is that the Chicago Blackhawks are the better team because they are, after all, an original six team. I fail to see how this helps their case at all. Am I the only one who has been privy to such rationalization, or are others out there facing the same?
Even today, hours before the first game of the FInals kicks off, I can't decide where I stand on this series. I've said countless times that I really don't care if Marian Hossa wins or loses. I've been told on separate occasions that I have a pretty vindictive side to me, so perhaps deep down I want to see him lose just so I can keep laughing maniacally at his routine follies. This is just one of the many reasons why I will likely be your local neighborhood bartender in hell.
Then there's the Flyers. Can any Pittsburgh fan rightfully go out there and root for the Flyers? I'd venture to say no. However, can you at least muster up enough strength to credit them for their run to the Finals? I think I can do that. I mean, here's a team that remained out of the playoffs until the final game of the season against the Rangers. While many fans may call "gimmick" on the way events transpired afterward, you can't deny that we'd see something like this at some point over the years since the shootout was introduced. I'd venture to say we could all agree that a "gimmick" is also the reason why a Brett Hull overtime goal in 1999 brought on so much controversy years ago in the Finals between the Sabres and Stars. If a rule exists somewhere, it's only a matter of time before it gets put under the microscope like this. Granted the whole crease rule thing was eliminated the following season. I don't see the same happening to the shootout.
Also, to kind of piggyback Philly's run, who are we to deny their comeback after sinking into a 3-0 hole against the Boston Bruins? History was made in that run. But in a way, I almost feel it isn't justified at all unless they win the Cup. I'd imagine a lot of Philly fans would agree.
And so we're left tonight with the last series of the 2010 NHL season. As I said earlier, i still don't know where I stand with regards to picking or supporting a team in this series. Truth of the matter is, I'm just hoping for one more good series before hockey goes away for four long months.
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Well said. A good hard hitting series would be wonderful.
I don’t care who wins either. But I agree with you also that the Flyers are just playing much better than any other team as a whole. Sure, you can say the Hawks swept the the Sharks, but I’m pretty sure the Pensburgh All-Stars could have swept the Sharks. Plus, Leighton is playing way too crazy, and I kind of think he deserves it.
"Half the game is mental, the other half is being mental." - Jim McKenny
As a Pens fan in Chicago this is truly the worst case scenario. If the Hawks win, I have to be around the Stanley Cup for a year. The Hawks fans who were drunkenly shouting and slurring about the Cup on their balcony, keeping me awake til 3 a.m. and throwing glass bottles into the ally for fun, would be happy and that would just be terrible. On the other hand, I hate the Flyers more than any team in all of sports. Ugh.
That said I’ll probably torture myself by watching every game.
Copy that and insert I live in Philly And I hate the flyers too
by katie300 on May 29, 2010 9:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I would think you are rooting Blackhawks
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by bestbostonsports on May 29, 2010 12:20 PM EDT reply actions
Flyers fans do not deserve a win. They are some of the craziest, classless fans in sports. Chicago in 5.
epic win post.
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on May 29, 2010 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Even after sticking with their team for 35 years without a cup?
by PursuitOfLappyness on May 30, 2010 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Why would you guys want to win the Cup? As it is, you’ve got the whole “we aren’t bandwagon fans” thing locked up, because seriously, who other than committed, diehard fans would want to claim that team?
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on May 30, 2010 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Wasn't trying to create a stir
Just that after all this time, and having lost 5 stanley cup finals and 7 conference finals over the years…I would say the notion that the fans don’t deserve a win smacks of blinding hatred.
by PursuitOfLappyness on May 30, 2010 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll admit, when I was first getting into hockey and didn’t know any better, I found myself pulling for your boys against mighty Wayne and his Oilers. Now, I look for a Philly playoff collapse as a sign that God is in his heaven and at least one thing is right in this crazy world.
Besides, if too many of your teams win titles, what will the guys calling into WIP have left to complain about? I guess they’ll always have the Iggles.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on May 30, 2010 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions
PursuitOfLappyness….in case you are taking any of my comments too seriously, which I hope you aren’t, I will say yes, personal feelings aside, I would agree that the Flyers fanbase has suffered quite a bit over the years.
I do not think, however, that your team deserves to win it this year. While I appreciate what they have done, humiliating the Devils, Bruins and and Habs, I don’t think a team that squeaks into the playoffs and then falls behind 3-0 in a series has exactly earned the right to raise the Cup.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on May 30, 2010 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes the idea about whether this inconsistent, and frankly badly constructed, team deserves to win the cup is much more debatable. There were so many points during this year where I (and many other flyers fans) hated what the team was doing and felt the management lacked direction. I think we have been lucky in our run: not often will the 7th seed go through to the cup finals and never play a team they have a losing record against. However, I also think the only way this team can be argued to deserve to win the cup is the way it fought back from that 3-0 deficit against Boston. Because in the playoffs the Flyers have morphed into a much more gritty, determined unit than they ever were in the season. Any team that wins the cup has earned it in some way. If the Flyers manage to pull off an upset, it will be because of that determination. Hope that somewhat made sense.
My qualm was with the original post about the fans not deserving the cup. If someone said the Blackhawks deserve to win it more than the Flyers, because the Blackhawks have been for most of the season a better team than the Flyers, I wouldn’t disagree.
by PursuitOfLappyness on May 30, 2010 3:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know the exact numbers really, but I’m impressed with Philly’s discipline in the games that I have seen. If the powerplay chances continue to be so one-sided, it could certainly spell problems for Chicago through the remainder of the series.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on May 30, 2010 3:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I think today the Flyers got away with a couple of non-calls, although Chicago definitely were more undisciplined in the first period (but they managed to get a SHG out of it). But if this is a trend, then it’s a worrying one for Chicago, especially seeing as Teows sees so much time on the PK and has been so pivotal as an ES point producer.
by PursuitOfLappyness on May 30, 2010 3:40 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s not hatred. It’s just that the average Philly fan is a raging douche. You might not be. But, with the way the fans in that stadium treat opposing fans, they deserve nothing. I can’t cheer for that team, even though I like Richards, Carter and Pronger (I know, double standard for someone who is probably one of the douchiest canadians in hockey).
by Jeremywilhelm on May 30, 2010 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
The same can be said of every fan base though. I mean, I’ve been to MSG, Wachovia, Prudential and you could say the same about Rangers, Flyers or Devils fans.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
You can say the same about other fans in other arenas, but in my experience Philly fans are the worst. Nowhere else has it come down a physical response to me cheering for my team, and it’s the only place I’ve had my car beaten on as I drove through the parking lot.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Jun 1, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I too can respect what the Flyers did to get here. Specifically, they weren’t the undisciplined bunch of meatheads they were in the regular season (and last year’s playoffs).
On top of that, can you have a better feel good story than Michael Leighton? He’s been bounced around his entire professional career and is a big reason the Flyers made the playoffs at all.
That being said….
I do have to admit that all the gushing about the Flyers has been a bit much and the Hawks should win in 5 or 6. Yes, the Flyers have been sound defensively, but the Devils, Bruins, and Canadiens are hardly offensive juggernauts. Chris Pronger will once again turn into a road cone or will be so concerned with removing Byfugulien from the front of the net that he will provide a double screen in front of Leighton for Toews and Kane to score repeatedly.
It should be some good hockey and I look forward to watching it without being emotionally involved. Speaking as a fan of the game, the first round was exciting, but the second and third rounds have been a huge disappointment. I think the finals just might redeem the previous letdown.
I am curious as to how the Flyers are going to react to the Blackhawks offense. This series will be the first in which Philly plays a team not focused on defense first.
I will be ‘cheering’ for Chicago. I loathe Philly and am over the Hossa debacle. As deplorable as his comments and actions were, I cannot imagine the emptiness he felt last year when he finally realized he made the wrong decision. Hossa is a good player and despite his flare for the dramatic, he moved on and signed his career contract so as to stop before being labeled a journeyman.
I think each game will be close and tightly contested, but I think Chicago will come through each time and it will be a relatively short series. Chicago in 5
"Some people think they are concentrating when they are merely worrying" -Bobby Jones
is there any hope that the ‘Black Holes’ could trade Hossa to the Cryers??!? (that would make it real easy to despise the Cryers even more…)
that being said, I’m rooting for Chicago, only because I feel they are the better team…..(there is just NO way I can root for ‘Filthdelphia’)
"Great Balls of Fire".....Mike Lange
I am a huge Pens fan living in Denver. I cannot and will not root for the Flyers. Uck!
But, I give them and their new coach tons of credit for being where they are right now:
From Shoot Out to Stanley Cup Final. Just unbelievable.
You may not like it, but you have to respect it.
I believe this is Hossa’s year, this is the third different team he has played on in the past three Cup Finals in a row. I know some Pens fans still hate him for what he said, but remember, we had the last laugh.
I also like Coach Q—he did a good job when he was here in Denver and is a good guy so I am rooting for him to win. Of course one can never tell if he is angry or happy—he always has the same scowl on his face.
Plus, I picked the BlackHawks to win the Cup back in October. Silly me, but I also picked the Pens last year to win it all so my odds are pretty good.
Oh—and this whole “destiny thing” thay the Flyers keep refering to, that they are “it”, makes me want to gag. I hope Chicago bitch-slaps them down.
I pick BlackHawks in 6.
Tonight, Go BlackHawks!
Always, Go Pens!
by PensFanInDenver on May 29, 2010 3:37 PM EDT reply actions
I've had a few people call the Hawks the Penguins west
I would say our teams are built fairly similar. Hawks / Pens was actually the series I was hoping for.
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
me too… and I really could see it happening until the Montreal debacle…
You have to see it for yourself...
I wanted revenge for the last time we made it to the finals
I do see us meeting again some time in the near future (hopefully)
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
Believe me, we know the feeling. Getting revenge on Detroit was the best thing ever.
by SlayerGhaleon on May 30, 2010 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Man, that was a longtime waiting, huh? Would’ve been a great series. Maybe it’ll pan out for us next season. Till then, enjoy the ride.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
If the games play out like last night again
I think the rollercoaster is going to kill me
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
It now seems very appropriate that you brought up Chicago’s last finals appearance given that last night’s 11 goals were the most scored in a finals game since ’92.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on May 30, 2010 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes and I am hoping it ends the same for us as it did for the Penguins back then
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
Hawks!
Hossa is a much smaller pill to swallow than rooting for the Flyers… blargh…no way!
Plus – I think this year the Hawks were really very strong, balanced and build to win NOW, so I hope they do.
You have to see it for yourself...
by Bla Razor on May 29, 2010 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
agree
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on May 29, 2010 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Like many, I’m not picky about who wins. I want great hockey between now and the end of the season, though. But, as painful as it is to consider, I’m picking the Flyers to win. Yup, it hurts to say that, but I liked the way they played that last series. The diving seemed to leave them, along with the goonery, and I saw some great hockey. The Hawks…I don’t know…there have been some awesome moments of play and I do like a number of their players, but something is missing for me. I’m not sure what, but something is, so I pick the Flyers to win. Just to clarify…I’m not actually cheering for the Flyers, I just think they can do it. To cheer me up after watching that and then enduring 4 long months without hcokey, I want to see the Pens absolutely demolish the Flyers in that first game of the season….show them who really is the team in Pennsylvania. :)
Get your minds right about this series, people
.
Ok, here’s my deal with this guy.
.
Beat these guys:
.
And all is forgiven. You will be a hero to me, and I will feel justified for having kept this sign since the ’08 playoffs.
.
I will be the first to give the Flyers credit for getting this far, and they are playing decent hockey, but…
.
I really think the Hawks are going to smoke them like a bad cigar. This series is over in 4, maybe 5.
.
Really, I get it, Hossa made the mistake of being honest about his reason for leaving Pittsburgh, so we’ve been holding a bit of a grudge ever since. But is that grudge against one guy, someone against whom we have already exacted the ultimate revenge, seriously going to be enough for anyone to hope for a victory parade down Broad Street? Call me a big baby, but I cried in ‘94 when the reality hit home that I could never use the “1940” chant against Rangers fans again. Please, please, please Chicago, don’t let “Losers since ’75” die the same horrible death!
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on May 29, 2010 6:57 PM EDT reply actions
Hey, thanks. I wish I could have come back to find out it is next season already.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on May 30, 2010 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
New Mexico was great. It may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but I love it out there.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on May 30, 2010 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Nice game, Marian. Couple of helpers, plus-2, 2nd star of the game. You’re playing your way back into my good graces. Keep it up.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on May 30, 2010 2:37 AM EDT up reply actions
"Can any Pittsburgh fan rightfully go out there and root for the Flyers? I'd venture to say no."
I’m from Houston and been a Pens fan for about 20 years now, and being that I don’t have to deal with Flyers fans, I’m sure I have no where near the hatred for them as many of you guys/gals do. I think I have more distaste for the Red Wings than I do the Flyers(albeit not by a whole lot). If the flyers didn’t have Hartnell and/or Carcillo, I could see myself possibly going Flyers over Hawks, but that’s based more on who’s on the teams now rather than any distaste for the teams in general.
SCF 2010
I am originally from the Pittsburgh area. I have been a Pens fan since I knew that a NHL team existed in Pittsburgh, back in the 70’s. Of course I would LOVE to be getting ready to watch a rematch of the 1992 SCF. I am pulling for the Flyers because the Cup needs to stay in the Eastern conference and the Atlantic division to boot. An Atlantic division team winning the Cup 2 years straight makes a heck of a statement!
So …. Do you think any of the flyhole fans know Roy halladay has a perfect game in the ninth so far?
by katie300 on May 29, 2010 9:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I did not know that, Katie. I can’t believe I’m missing that. I miss Halladay in Toronto but I’m thrilled he is doing well and will always cheer for him. Classy, classy guy. He placed a full page ad thanking Toronto and the fans for their support before he left.
We switched to phils to see ninth inning. It was phenomenal. I went to the game last week that he pitched. Even though it ended 8-1 I knew he was quality. Thanks for the insight from Toronto. We’re happy to have him here he is a genuine class guy.
by katie300 on May 29, 2010 9:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I was over in Broad Street Hockey for the first and part of the second period. Someone gave a quick update on that.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
For me, it's Pronger vs the Red Wings natural rivals
If it wasn’t for Pronger, I’d have no problem rooting for the Flyers. That makes it a closer call, but….I don’t want Chicago to win it, at least not yet. Their fans don’t deserve that brass ring yet, they haven’t had to suffer through the close calls the Red Wings did in the 90s, or what you guys had in 2008. Although, you can’t deny that the hardcore blackhawks fans suffered for ages, until the elder Wirtz passed away.
Still, they are the natural division rivals for the Wings, and I can’t root for them to win.
Plus, I want to see Hossa finish a bridesmaid yet again.
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
I was a little torn leading up to this series, but the second the puck dropped this evening I found myself cheering wholeheartedly for the Hawks. It was nice to see Hossa mess up a few shots on net early on, but I think my dislike of the Flyers trumps my dislike of Hossa.
Go, Shero, Go!!! And also Brian Burke.
It was a good game, but definitely not what I expected to see. A lot of scoring. Figured it’d be a bit more defensive.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
I really don’t care about any team but this one. Since I don’t live in PA I haven’t had to deal with nasty Philly fans. This has been an amazing year for them.Gotta admit, they did what the Caps and Pens could not do – pack that trapping Habs team up and send them back to Montreal. I would prefer to see the cup stay in the East.
GO HAWKS GO. the hawks just look like a (mostly) good group of people. i want to hang out with them and play mario kart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bokp3E5leq4
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
also, since i know you read this site, pens organization, make videos like this one. i would watch them. a lot.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
by katielynn906 on May 30, 2010 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Just popped in to say. It is hilarious that it took getting to the Final for Chicago and Philly to show how weak their goaltending is. Luckily enough, Chicago seems to be able to score at will. Leighton is a pretty big phony. He is gonna get lit up in this series (If they even let him keep playing).
I’ve been saying that all year: tired of hearing that Chicago would win when they’re goaltending is so horrible. Of course now they might actually win it all, but if they do lose, it will be because of their goalies. Leighton I think has a better chance than the two Hawks combined.
"Half the game is mental, the other half is being mental." - Jim McKenny
I am a Hawks fan but I like the Pens too
Can you honestly say that your goaltending has always been stellar? Fleury had some pretty bad outings during the playoffs too. Niemi has had some consistency problems, but has always seemed to right the ship and come back with both guns blaring. I would expect him to be much more settled tomorrow night and hopefully the D shows up to help him out a little too.
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
I mentioned prior to the series that I found it amazing that both teams are relying on goaltenders who weren’t even noted as starters at the beginning of the season. I still remember in the overseas opener that Niemi was asked if he thought he could secure the starting position and he just played it off with a shrug and a smile.
Michael Leighton went from worst team in the league back to starter for a team that fought hard to get into the playoffs, shootout win or not. The Laviolette connection only helped of course, but he has some phenomenal games this playoff run, specifically against the Habs.
I think the drive past Boston solidified Philly’s position in the Finals, whether many would like to accept that or not.
I’d like to think that the ensuing games will take on a more defensive tone, but I’m game for anything right now.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
my guess
is that both team’s D will come to play tomorrow night. If that happens it should be a lower scoring game with both goalies getting some help from the rest of the team. I also really don’t think that the Flyers can go without taking any penalties again. Trust me I am not crying foul or conspiracy, and I am not one to blame the refs for the outcome of a game, but you can’t tell me that there weren’t any penalties that should have been called on them last night. The Hawks were just lucky enough to be the last team to score and get out of it with the win.
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
I can’t stand Fleury and think he’s horribly overrated. But given the option I would take him over either one of Chicago’s goalies because he at least has the experience. I believe Nieimi has never played in a playoffs series let alone a Finals game, but maybe he will settle down a little bit now that the first game is underway.
"Half the game is mental, the other half is being mental." - Jim McKenny
Niemi
this is his first playoffs. He came up from the AHL this year and only played 39 regular season games (7 of those were shutouts). I would say he is doing very well for the amount of experience he has.
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
Niemi certainly handled the Pens pretty well back in December.
The Pens will be back.
by PensAreYourDaddy on May 30, 2010 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I think people keep forgetting that he is just a rookie
He is very dangerous when he is on his game.
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
I wouldn’t say Fleury is overrated at all because no one seems to like him much.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
this.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
by katielynn906 on May 30, 2010 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Really surprised with the game last night
The Flyers put up a hell of a fight. Both goaltenders were pretty bad, but I was pretty shocked with how well Philly did last night. It’s not that I expected them to roll over and die, but I just thought that Chi-town would look like the better team. I honestly thought the Flyers were better than the Hawks (even with the Hawk’s 3rd period). I think this series will be a lot better than I thought it would be. If the Flyers keep Boucher in, they might (ugghh) have a decent shot.
I've told [a 9 months pregnant] Nathalie that she can't have the baby on a game night. I'm not missing a playoff game. -Mario Lemieux in 1993
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