Old Farts Thread

[bustoff]

Not a whole lot of playoff experience on the Blues. Langenbrunner and Arnott will help along with coach Hitch. The goaltending will make or break the Blues. Would be nice to see some of the younger guys catch fire (Berglund, Perron). I think the Blues match up pretty good against the Sharks.

[Johnny Pie]

I think the Bruins have a legitimate shot at repeating. They play the style that wins playoff games. One thing everybody knows that in the playoffs there is no sure thing. Good teams sometimes lose to lesser teams . I think the first round matchup with the Caps caught a lot of us off guard because we were kind of set on Bruins - Sens. I think thats why some fear has crept in. I tell you my take ,if the Bruins open the series well in Boston I think its over quick.Don't give the Caps any reason to believe. I don't see the Caps coming back if the B's win the first 2. I think its over in 5. My main fear in these playoffs is that the refs take the game away from the players. If they let the Bruins play like Bruins I like their chances.

[Flyer_Frank]

Originally Posted by Johnny Pie

I think the Bruins have a legitimate shot at repeating. They play the style that wins playoff games. One thing everybody knows that in the playoffs there is no sure thing. Good teams sometimes lose to lesser teams . I think the first round matchup with the Caps caught a lot of us off guard because we were kind of set on Bruins - Sens. I think thats why some fear has crept in. I tell you my take ,if the Bruins open the series well in Boston I think its over quick.Don't give the Caps any reason to believe. I don't see the Caps coming back if the B's win the first 2. I think its over in 5. My main fear in these playoffs is that the refs take the game away from the players. If they let the Bruins play like Bruins I like their chances.

Pucks really went in for the Bruins last playoffs. There were quite a few games where everything they threw at the net found it's way in. If they have that going for them again, I agree with you.

[Maggie3and Me]

Thanks to all for the good responses so far. All of you have given good explanations, not just a one line response.

For the rest of the regulars and passersby, come on fella's. Put up your posts.

I will put up my view on the Hawks versus the Yotes tomorrow. I have had a full plate today, but will post on this.

Keep the views coming.

[acdcrocksno1]

I quite fancied caps to upset the Rags and then that all changed on the last day. Bruins Rags Debs and Flyers win their match ups

[Maggie3and Me]

This season for the Blackhawks has been an out of control roller coaster ride.

There was a lot of excitement on the team, and by the fans, with the off season pickups of Carcillo, Mayers, and Montador. They added some much needed toughness and could also play hockey. Add in the pick up of Andrew Burnette and the promise of Ben Smith’s play, as he showed in the playoffs against Vancouver last year, and the team and fans were petty confident going into the season.

The first half of the season looked like the Hawks were going to be a strong force in the Western Conference, and for awhile led the league in points. Somewhat similar to the Bruins, the wheels didn’t come all the way off, but, there were some flat tires along the way.

The biggest blow was the loss of the captain, Jonathon Toews. He goes down on February 19, with 29 goals and 27 assists. It is no stretch to say that he was on his way to well over 40 goals and that many assists. He still finishes the season the fourth leading scorer for the season. The biggest loss was the leadership void left behind. Hossa, Kane, and Sharp all have subpar seasons as a result of Toews.

Add the major injuries to Carcillo, Montador, Ben Smith, and things looked bleak. Luckily, we picked up Johnny Oduya to settle down a very shaky and injured defense. We get some good help from Andrew Shaw, Hayes, Olson, and Stalberg. Bollig gave the team a completely different dimension than Scott.

Through it all, the Hawks finish with 101 points and in 6th place in the west.

We still don’t know if Toews will suit up for series, or, how much he can play if he does. With or without him, this is going to be a tough series. The Yotes are playing very good hockey and are no longer the joke of the league. They play a controlled game with a good physical presence, but seem to be more disciplined this year. It is going to be a tough series for whoever wins.

Partly because I am optimistic, not a homer, and partly because the Hawks found out a lot about themselves in the last two months of the season. They still had some clinkers, but learned to rely on each other more.

I pick the Hawks in 6.

[acdcrocksno1]

Originally Posted by Maggie3and Me

This season for the Blackhawks has been an out of control roller coaster ride.

There was a lot of excitement on the team, and by the fans, with the off season pickups of Carcillo, Mayers, and Montador. They added some much needed toughness and could also play hockey. Add in the pick up of Andrew Burnette and the promise of Ben Smith’s play, as he showed in the playoffs against Vancouver last year, and the team and fans were petty confident going into the season.

The first half of the season looked like the Hawks were going to be a strong force in the Western Conference, and for awhile led the league in points. Somewhat similar to the Bruins, the wheels didn’t come all the way off, but, there were some flat tires along the way.

The biggest blow was the loss of the captain, Jonathon Toews. He goes down on February 19, with 29 goals and 27 assists. It is no stretch to say that he was on his way to well over 40 goals and that many assists. He still finishes the season the fourth leading scorer for the season. The biggest loss was the leadership void left behind. Hossa, Kane, and Sharp all have subpar seasons as a result of Toews.

Add the major injuries to Carcillo, Montador, Ben Smith, and things looked bleak. Luckily, we picked up Johnny Oduya to settle down a very shaky and injured defense. We get some good help from Andrew Shaw, Hayes, Olson, and Stalberg. Bollig gave the team a completely different dimension than Scott.

Through it all, the Hawks finish with 101 points and in 6th place in the west.

We still don’t know if Toews will suit up for series, or, how much he can play if he does. With or without him, this is going to be a tough series. The Yotes are playing very good hockey and are no longer the joke of the league. They play a controlled game with a good physical presence, but seem to be more disciplined this year. It is going to be a tough series for whoever wins.

Partly because I am optimistic, not a homer, and partly because the Hawks found out a lot about themselves in the last two months of the season. They still had some clinkers, but learned to rely on each other more.

I pick the Hawks in 6.

I can't see past the Hawks in this series not sure why but it is really the only match up which looks like it will have one solid winner.

[Maggie3and Me]

In other threads people are talking about who their number 1 or number 2 fighters are.

I wanted to get away from the TOP 10 aspect of the fighters you have seen, either in person or on TV, and go in a different direction. How about guys you have seen fight that were good honest fighters who you loved to see drop the mitts.

I don't mean the Proberts, Browns, or Wilsons. Just guys you loved to see fight because they were entertaining, fun to watch and seldom let you down. You know, the good old blue collar guys you loved to see mix it up.

Examples could be a Dave Richter or Glen Featherstone, or a guy the Hawks had for awhile. His nickname was Crazy with the Hawks, Darcy Rota.

I'll be at a meeting this weekend, but will catch up on Sunday night. Search your memory banks and list your guys and why you liked to see them have at it.

[fansince65]

Originally Posted by Maggie3and Me

In other threads people are talking about who their number 1 or number 2 fighters are.

I wanted to get away from the TOP 10 aspect of the fighters you have seen, either in person or on TV, and go in a different direction. How about guys you have seen fight that were good honest fighters who you loved to see drop the mitts.

I don't mean the Proberts, Browns, or Wilsons. Just guys you loved to see fight because they were entertaining, fun to watch and seldom let you down. You know, the good old blue collar guys you loved to see mix it up.

Examples could be a Dave Richter or Glen Featherstone, or a guy the Hawks had for awhile. His nickname was Crazy with the Hawks, [player=10800]Darcy Rota[/play

I'll be at a meeting this weekend, but will catch up on Sunday night. Search your memory banks and list your guys and why you liked to see them have at it.

Garry Unger was one EX London Knight I loved to watch , he made a name for himself in Junior as a player you dont want to tangle with .

Another Ex London Knight that you never hear about is Brad Marsh , over his NHL career he had 75 fights against some real tough players , he had scraps with Secord , Poluso , Mark Hunter , I think he scraped with every Sutter that ever played the game , he also had scraps with Dugay , Bridgman , Foligno , O'Reilly , Hospidar , Nilan , Scott Stevens if I remember right left him bloodied after one of their scraps .

We all know one of my favorite EX London Knights fighters of all time Dan Maloney , enough said .

Some of the young ones are just starting to get noticed , namely Brandon Prust and Zack Rinaldo , they will be talked about for years too come ..

[Redzilla]

Mag – Great topic!
Funny, you hit the nail on the head with Ritcher, one of my all time favorites. However, there was saying in Boston about Featherstone, “Built like Tarzan…..play like Jane.” Speaking of Boston, Stock did it for me. He was pure entertainment.

Others:

• Shane “Chainsaw” Churla – Fights Grimson with a broken orbital bone only to break it again even when Grimson was going to let him off the hook but he forces the fight anyway. His best days were with the Minn.
• Jack McIlargey - Just what the Flyers needed another good fighter who could throw with the best of them. He played in the shadows of Shultz, Holmgren, and Bridgeman.
• Kevin “Killer” Kaminski – Hops the opponent’s bench and pulls a nutty. Not one for winning many but exciting to watch.
• Darrin Kimble – Dropped Probert once and just wanted to stand and throw with his foes.
• Jeff Odgers – Throw 7 punches, receive 10 to the face. He was fearless, ugly and would fight anyone.

[Broons66]

Apart from my favorite tandem of Miller and Byers,i'd have to list P.J Stock as a favorite also. He would decinately get the crowd going with his scraps,even play to the crowd abit,give the home crowd a wave on the way to the box. Boston signed alot of fading legends during the 90's-00's;McSorley,McCarthy,Oliwa,etc. None really had much left. One guy who did was Ken Baumgartner. He had some decent scraps in Boston,knew his role,did it. Featherstone i was never impressed with in Boston. We all called him Featherweight.

[bruiser11]

Miller and Byers were the best. I was excited when Boston signed McCarthy in 03-04. He got hurt then they got rid of him midseason though. Baumgartner was always a great fighter.

[canuck2]

Mario Trembley of Montreal. He didnt fight much but when he did he would go nuts. Very entertaining. Never cheated you.
Another one was Dallas Drake. For a little skinny guy he could throw.

[fansince65]

You know guys Bobby Orr doesn't get much credit for his fighting ability , but he could chuck em when he needed to , just ask Pat Quinn .

Maurice Richard in another superstar that could and would take care of himself , he also doesn't get much credit as a scraper ..

[Maggie3and Me]

Wow!!!!!

You guys have put up a lot of great names and those names are exactly the type of guys I had in mind. They made going to the games fun. With some, their fighting was a bonus, but they were as passionate about it as they were about their hockey play. Richard is a perfect example fan. He was a ferocious fighter.

A few others I loved to see fight.
Ted Lindsay
Reg Fleming
Pierre Pilote
Bob Baun
Ruskowski
Bob Rouse

Keep them coming guys. There are a lot of them out there.