Hockey Stuff

With the Habs long gone from the playoffs, it's a bit difficult to get excited about the remaining games. The last series brought us some really exciting hockey and you didn't have a stroke or heart attack watching the games because the Habs weren't playing. The conference finals looked to be two more great hockey match ups, but alas that isn't the case. The Penguins have outplayed Carolina at every level from the goal out and it doesn't help the Canes that Crosby and Malkin are firing on all cylinders. So what looked like a 6 or 7 game series, now looks like a sweep for the Penguins unless the Hurricanes can find a way to eek out a win. As for the Chicago - Detroit series, it too looked like it might become a back and forth series but Sunday's blowout by Detroit exposed a good many weaknesses and gaps in the Blackhawks game. It was good to see Huet get a chance to play but he didn't last the entire game. The Detroit machine rolled them over and did so without Datysuk, Lidstrom and Osgood. Whether or not you're a Red Wings fan you have to marvel and their depth and skill and how they can control the game almost at will. I would not be so bold as to say the finals are over, Carolina and Chicago have a way of coming back but the odds are not on their side. Pittsburgh is getting stronger each game they play and Detroit, well Detroit just keeps rolling teams over. One pet peeve I have regarding the playoffs is the scheduling of games. What genius came up with this one where teams have extra days off between games. It's difficult enough when it gets to be the end of May and into June , to maintain hockey interest, without have gaps between games and series. If the NHL thinks this will help to grow the game through television they are living on fantasy island. Die hard hockey fans will watch but this time of the year there are many other activities that take place and people are getting ready for summer. Give your heads a shake NHL schedulers and smarten up for next year. At the Junior Hockey level, a stellar performance by the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, gave them their first Memorial Cup win over the Kelowna Rocket. The CHL has done a great job growing the interest for junior hockey in this country. It's great to see some of the up and coming NHLer's playing at this level. Great televsion coverage too, by Rogers Sportnet.