Anaheim Takes Game One

As it’s a day later, I’m not going to do much of a recap, as anyone following the Cup is no doubt soaking up coverage.  There’s been a good deal of chatter about many papers not covering the Cup and bloggers being shut out (even Caps’ owner Ted Leonsis chimed in), and general lack of interest (in the US), but it’s still the Cup, and there’s still plenty out there.

So I’ll stick to the basics:

Boxscore, Recap of recaps from Stats Inc (links would have been great in there)

Tonight’s game

Ottawa Senators vs Anaheim Ducks 8:00 PM ET
In the US the game is on Versus.

Some reads

No harm in a little rough stuff
Mike V is blogging for the Ducks
(hockeyfights.com interview with Mike V from 2004)
NHL needs to be more lenient

Anticipation

The wait for the Cup Finals to begin isn’t like the week before the Super Bowl, but the anticipation’s been good nonetheless, although not all agree.

First Cup game

Ottawa Senators vs Anaheim Ducks 8:00 PM ET
Reminder: for those in the States the game is on Versus

It’s a good way to end Memorial Day weekend here.

Posted some videos from a game I’ve been meaning to get to for a while.  It includes the brawl from Atlanta Thrashers at Edmonton Oilers on Feb 11, 2004.  The highlights would be the goaltenders, Pasi Nurminen and Ty Conklin, squaring off, and Mike Bishai fighting Serge Aubin from the Atlanta bench.

Videos added

Joey Kocur vs Mike Eagles Nov 21, 1992
Ivan Majesky vs Jason Smith Feb 11, 2004
Andy Sutton vs Eric Brewer Feb 11, 2004
Jeff Cowan vs Jason Chimera Feb 11, 2004
Serge Aubin vs Mike Bishai Feb 11, 2004
Pasi Nurminen vs Ty Conklin Feb 11, 2004
Francis Lessard vs Georges Laraque Feb 11, 2004
(six above the same clip)
Garnet Exelby vs Ethan Moreau Feb 11, 2004

The Ice Block

Guilty Plea Expected From Tocchet
Canadian Draw
Tocchet Scheduled to Make Court Appearance
A Way Out

More Quick Hits

Glass Doesn’t Stop Brennan, Fan
This UHL Game Is So… UHL

Page Six?

With all this time before the next game, why not…

Former ‘Idol 5’ finalist Kellie Pickler dating NHL player Jordin Tootoo (no word on when these are from)
Is Elisha Hearing Wedding Bells?… - Could this start the softening of Sean Avery?  Is that even possible?

Thanks to those who sent in the links… I think.

NBC

Jon Swenson is continuing to recap coverage of NBC pulling overtime of the Sabres-Sens game for pre-race Preakness coverage.  There’s a business angle that’s hard to argue, but NBCSports.com’s NHL on NBC page still having the timely poll question of “Who will win the Western Conference finals?” doesn’t help the network appear like they have any dedication to the league.

Some viewing material

Brian Leetch Retires From Hockey
Luc Robitaille previews the Stanley Cup (video)

Glass Doesn’t Stop Brennan, Fan

Kip Brennan is a bad seed. It’s not like we mind though…

Last night Brennan engaged in a penalty box scrap with a Manchester Monarchs fan during the closing seconds of last night’s 4-1 win over the Monarchs by the Hershey Bears. The Bears are now up 3-0 in that series for those AHL fans who are wondering…

Video of the tussle can be found here. The fight is shown at the very end of the clip.

The last well-known penalty box scrap happened just one year ago when Mike Sgroi pounded Garret Stroshein and earned a 10 game suspension.

However players taking on fans is a different story. The most popular incident was of course Tie Domi squirting a water bottle into the Philadelphia stands and then taking on Chris Falcone. Another I can recall is Rob Ray beating on a fan that jumped on the ice and ran towards the Buffalo Sabres‘ bench.

Apparently the fan jumped down next to the penalty box and began taunting and trying to grab Brennan through the glass. This eventually led to Brennan getting ahold of the fan and the two exchanging punches and shoves through the boards just before the linesmen and a security guard were able to get there.

The only solid punch of the whole thing was actually landed by the fan, a right that knocked Brennan’s helmet off. The fan was escorted out of the concourse with a ripped shirt.

This isn’t the first penalty box-related incident that Brennan has been involved in this season. During a stint with the ECHL’s Long Beach Ice Dogs, Brennan left the penalty box to join a bench-clearing brawl and earned a seven-game ban.

The AHL hasn’t handed down a ruling on Brennan yet in terms of a suspension but will most likely do so by the end of the week. No word on whether or not charges have or will be filed by the police. The identity of the fan hasn’t been released yet either.

This UHL Game Is So… UHL

There was a time, just a couple of seasons ago, when the UHL was considered one of the toughest leagues out there.  The AA leagues have all tweaked their rules to be more NHL-ish post-NHL lockout and as a result, the game has changed, but not completely.

Shades of yesteryear were seen over the weekend during the Colonial Cup Finals when a brawl broke out between the Rockford IceHogs and Kalamazoo Wings (K-Wings).

The penalty calls

Rockford - Kaleb Betts - (Instigator), 2 min, 18:55
Rockford - Kaleb Betts - (Instigator), 2 min, 18:55
Rockford - Kaleb Betts - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 18:55
Rockford - Kaleb Betts - (Fighting (Instigator) Misconduct), 10 min, 18:55
Rockford - Kaleb Betts - (Fighting (Aggressor) Game Misconduct), 10 min, 18:55
Kalamazoo - Nick Bootland - (Roughing), 2 min, 18:55
Kalamazoo - Nick Bootland - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 18:55
Kalamazoo - Nick Bootland - (Fighting (Secondary) Game Misconduct), 10 min, 18:55
Rockford - Frederic Cloutier - (Goalie Leaving Crease), 2 min, 18:55
Rockford - Preston Mizzi - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 18:55
Rockford - Preston Mizzi - (Fighting (Secondary) Game Misconduct), 10 min, 18:55
Kalamazoo - Ryan Nie - (Goalie Leaving Crease), 2 min, 18:55
Rockford - Jason Notermann - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 18:55
Rockford - Jason Notermann - (Fighting (Secondary) Game Misconduct), 10 min, 18:55
Kalamazoo - Tyler Willis - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 18:55
Kalamazoo - Tyler Willis - (Fighting (Secondary) Game Misconduct), 10 min, 18:55
Kalamazoo - Tyler Willis - (Fighting (Secondary) Game Misconduct), 10 min, 18:55

Matchups

Jason Notermann vs Nick Bootland
Preston Mizzi vs Tyler Willis
Kaleb Betts vs Tyler Willis

The video

Amazing Video: K-Wings Hockey Fight from WWMT
Thanks to Mike for sending in the link.

The series

The Finals are all tied up at three games a piece.  The seventh and final game is tonight: Kalamazoo Wings at Rockford IceHogs May 24, 2007

Some reads

Domi says he’s frustrated by bad publicity
Sens preparing for unfamiliar Ducks
Cup final pits hometown boy against hometown team
Daniel, Ray, meet the Ducks

Ducks and Sens It Is

That’s it!  We’re all set: Ducks vs Senators for the Stanley Cup.

The Ducks took out the Wings 4-3 last night to take the series in six.  It looked like the it wasn’t going to be close, but the Wings made it a game towards the end of the third.

I’m sure the NHL wouldn’t mind having Detroit in the Finals for better national ratings, but Anaheim plays the kind of game that’s appreciated over here, and it should be a good matchup.  The first Cup game isn’t until Monday, so the Ducks will get some rest.  Will it be too much time off for the Sens?  A good number of angles here.  US vs Canada, East vs West.

Videos added

Mario Roberge vs Rob Ray May 1, 1995
Herb Raglan vs Dan Kordic Feb 13, 1992
Brad May vs Terry Carkner Jan 26, 1993
Rob Ray vs Dave Brown Jan 26, 1993

Some reads

Wild GM Doug Risebrough Tackles The ‘Hot Topics’
Laraque in training
CHL fines Tigers, Whalers
Canes’ Hedican will be back, if hip allows

Stanley Cup Schedule

(All game times are 8pm ET)
Game 1 Ottawa Senators at Anaheim Ducks Monday, May 28, 2007
Game 2 Ottawa Senators at Anaheim Ducks Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Game 3 Anaheim Ducks at Ottawa Senators Saturday, June 2, 2007
Game 4 Anaheim Ducks at Ottawa Senators Monday, June 4, 2007
*Game 5 Ottawa Senators at Anaheim Ducks Wednesday, June 6, 2007
*Game 6 Anaheim Ducks at Ottawa Senators Saturday, June 9, 2007
*Game 7 Ottawa Senators at Anaheim Ducks Monday, June 11, 2007
*If necessary

For those in the States, the first two games are on Versus, the rest are on NBC.

Lucky Ducks

Yesterday’s game was a good example of a stolen game.  The Wings outplayed the Ducks in every way, but with 48 seconds left in the game, on a power play and with JS Giguere pulled, Scott Niedermayer deflected the puck in to tie it up.

The Wings still controlled play in overtime until Andy McDonald forced Andreas Lilja to cough up the puck right in front of Dominik Hasek.  Teemu Selanne was right there to pick it up and put a great move on Hasek before roofing it to end the game.

Not to jump ahead, but a Sens-Ducks Cup Final could be a very good series.

Videos added

Rob Ray vs Tie Domi Feb 10, 1993
Mike Peluso vs Jim Kyte Jan 27, 1992
Lyndon Byers vs David Mackey Feb 13, 1992
Stephane Quintal vs Warren Rychel Mar 20, 1993

Next game

Detroit Red Wings vs Anaheim Ducks 9:00 PM ET on Versus

Some reads

Alfredsson slays the ghosts of seasons past
Lakusta offers to help Oilers

Ducks Tie It Up

The Ducks didn’t let a second period comeback by the Wings get in their way last night.  The former mighty ones scored two in the third to tie up the series.  Ryan Getzlaf played the role of the hero with the game-winning goal.  The next game is Sunday afternoon in Detroit.

Videos added

Cam Russell vs Chris Simon Nov 22, 1995
Bob Probert vs Brent Severyn Oct 13, 1998
Mick Vukota vs Rob Ray Jan 8, 1993
Bill Huard vs Steve Leach Feb 2, 1995
Dennis Vial vs Brent Hughes Feb 2, 1995

Today’s game

None.  The next game is Sabres-Sens, Saturday afternoon.

More awards

The Hockey News published their own 2006-07 awards.  Here’s an award out of our own playbook:

JOHN FERGUSON AWARD (TOUGHEST PLAYER): BRENDAN WITT

After abandoning his long, shaggy hair in favor of cutting it right down to the wood this season, Brendan Witt was back in the playoffs with the long, scraggly locks that made him look more like a professional wrestler than a hockey player.

Either way, the New York Islanders defenseman is one scary-looking dude. Throw in the black eye he got at the end of the season and the 14 tattoos that cover various parts of his 6-foot-2, 220-pound body and you have one intimidating fellow.

And he’s definitely no fun to play against. As the inaugural recipient of the John Ferguson Tough Guy Who Can Play Award, Witt has earned every bit of his recognition. The hard way. He plays against all the top lines as one of the Islanders’ shut-down guys - just ask Leafs captain Mats Sundin how much fun he had battling Witt this season - and regularly puts his body on the line for his team.

As the accompanying graphic points out, nobody in the league had a higher combined total of hits, blocked shots and penalty minutes this season. Witt can play it rough and tough - and he can flat-out play, too, as he shone defensively all season for the Isles.

He also got into six fights in 2006-07 and according to the website hockeyfights.com, lost all six of them. We think that makes him even tougher, since he’s not afraid to drop his gloves despite knowing there’s a good chance he’s going to lose.

I have no problem recognizing Brendan Witt‘s tough play or the heart in any player.  That’s an award all on its own there.  I’m not sure I’d give an award named after John Ferguson to Witt, but to each his own.  To clarify, Witt had five, not six, fighting majors last season, but we forgive for the mention.  The Cam Neely award going to Kevin Bieksa was a good pick.  Check them all out if you haven’t already.

If you’re looking to have your own say, be sure to vote on the 2006-07 hockeyfights.com Awards.  We recently added all the standard NHL awards to the list.

Some reads

Use Mair to Fire Up Sabres
Laraque still just a kid at heart

Ducks Drowned by Wings

What happened to the Ducks?  Did the Red Wings just play an amazing game or were the Ducks awful?  Or both?

It’s over now, and a loss is a loss, whether you’re blown out or if you lose in ot.  The Wings took back home ice advantage with last night’s win, and the series is 2-1 in their favor.

The Ducks won each of the first two series 4-1, so this isn’t a position they’ve been in yet, but down by just one game isn’t that bad.  The Wings were in the same position against the Sharks last round, so they won’t be easing up any.

Down 3-0, tonight’s do or die for the Sabres.

The latest vids have a Wings theme.

Videos added

Darren McCarty vs Turner Stevenson Dec 2, 1995
Keith Primeau vs Kirk Muller Mar 20, 1996
Marc LaBelle vs Jamie Pushor Oct 23, 1996

Tonight’s game

Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators 7:00 PM ET

Signings

Some signings in the news over the past couple of days including Ben Eager and Matt Kassian.

Evening Up

We’ve got a game five coming.  Scott Niedermayer played hero last night with the overtime winner.  The Ducks now go back to Anaheim with home ice advantage.

Videos added

Chris Murray vs Dennis Vial Dec 30, 1995
Turner Stevenson vs Dennis Vial Dec 30, 1995
Lyle Odelein vs Troy Mallette Dec 30, 1995
Vladimir Malakhov vs Ted Drury Dec 30, 1995

Tonight’s game

Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators 7:00 PM ET

Some reads

‘We’re rocking, we’re going for it’
Staal brothers give mom a gold-medal tribute
Sens, Sabres embrace spirit of ‘new’ NHL
Style Questions: Grab or Go? Pass or Punch?

You Did What?

We may all expect it from the Ducks, but whenever the Red Wings drop the gloves the last few years, it always comes as a surprise.  Danny Markov took on Shawn Thornton during last night’s Wings 2-1 win.  It’s not going to get high ratings here, but the Detroit crowd didn’t seem to mind.

Detroit News: How Swede!
OC Register: Ducks stumble in opener

The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press and Michigan Live all have the game on the front of the website.  Freep and mlive are both using the AP recap.  What’s going on over there?  The OC Register also had the game as the main article on the front page.

Last night’s fight

Shawn Thornton vs Danny Markov May 11, 2007

Today’s game

Ottawa Senators vs Buffalo Sabres 8:00 PM ET

Some reads

Hockeytown Is Alive, Just Stoned
Pro sports has had its share of days in court
Ray’s jab still stings
History takes Wing(s), Leafs fans
Ovechkin Suspended 1 Game for Illegal Hit

Round Three, Here We Go

The Sens came roaring into Buffalo last night and after a couple of periods of even-score hockey (not necessarily even hockey), the Senators scored three in the third (one an empty net) to put away the Sabres in game one.

Can’t leave out this part of the game:

Did Bart Simpson pull one over on the Sabres’ PR staff prior to Game 1? Seems so. Between periods, the Jumbotron had birthday wishes for Justin Kase and Oliver Kloseoff. Here’s hoping Al Koholic isn’t celebrating a birthday on Saturday.

Video added

Bob Probert vs Reid Simpson Mar 22, 1996
Cam Russell vs Reid Simpson Mar 22, 1996
Arron Asham vs Chris Neil Jan 1, 2004
Rob Ray vs Jeff Odgers Mar 26, 2001
Jeff Odgers vs Rob Ray Mar 17, 1997
Adam Mair vs Andrej Meszaros Jan 3, 2007

Today’s game

Anaheim Ducks vs Detroit Red Wings 7:30 PM ET

Some reads

Avery blames himself for Rangers loss
Big Mouth, Big Apple
Hugging fans and a happy Duck
Emery adds fuel to hot series
Hecklers Beware
Shanahan leaning toward return to Rangers

Bring on the Conference Finals

With the Wings win over the Sharks last night, the Conference Finals are set.  When the series was tied at two games apiece, it really seemed like the Sharks should have swept it, giving away two games.  The Wings definitely didn’t let the opportunity pass and had a couple of solid games to steal the series.  They face the Ducks now.  Who are you rooting for?  That’s rhetorical if you’re not in Michigan.

The other matchup, Sabres vs Sens, is definitely a good one - and the first matchup this postseason between division rivals.  The Senators had 26 fights over the course of the 2006-07 regular season, 9 of them against the Sabres.  Hard to forget Ray Emery vs Martin Biron and Andrew Peters.

While the Sabres took out the Sens in five last postseason, the Sens took five of eight this regular season.

Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators Oct 07, 2006
Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres Nov 15, 2006
Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators Nov 18, 2006 (fight)
Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres Dec 16, 2006
Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators Jan 03, 2007 (fight)
Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres Feb 07, 2007
Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres Feb 22, 2007 (brawl)
Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators Feb 24, 2007 (fight)

Videos added

Ken Daneyko vs Turner Stevenson Oct 14, 1995
Randy McKay vs Donald Brashear Oct 14, 1995
Michal Grosek vs Adam Burt Feb 17, 1996
Matt Barnaby vs Brendan Shanahan Feb 17, 1996

A Little Drama

Chris Drury‘s goal with 8 seconds left last night to send the game into overtime was just a little dramatic.  The former Little League (oh, and Stanly Cup) Champ seems to have a knack for those things.

The Sabres then took the game on a power play a little under five minutes into OT.  The Rangers have their chance to tie it up tomorrow afternoon at the Garden.

Videos added

Rob DiMaio vs Tie Domi Mar 3, 1997
Mark Messier vs Marty McSorley Mar 9, 1997
Ken Daneyko vs Kevin Kaminski Apr 11, 1996
Dody Wood vs Alex Hicks Dec 19, 1995

Today’s games

San Jose Sharks vs Detroit Red Wings 2:00 PM ET
Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils 8:00 PM ET

Some reads

Canucks take defeat graciously
Ducks coach Carlyle can’t move on
Troops have a ball despite loss to former NHLers (related)

Burnett to take legal action

Ex-NHL enforcer sues BC nightclub

A former NHL hockey enforcer is suing a Delta, B.C., nightclub and two of its doormen after an alleged assault left him in hospital with brain damage and permanent injuries.

Thomas Lewis, the lawyer for 31-year-old Garrett Burnett, claimed in a writ filed in B.C. Supreme Court this week that two men started verbally abusing him and a friend at Cheers Nightclub last December.

The document said the two doormen watched the fracas but did nothing to stop it. When the men became violent, the bouncers tossed all the patrons outside, where Burnett was allegedly hit on the head with a bar stool that left him unconscious.

Second Round Continues

The Sens are putting a stranglehold on the Devils.  With a 3-2 win last night, the series is now at 3-1.

The Sharks just can’t put away the Red Wings.  The Wings tied it up with 34 seconds left, and then Mathieu Schneider scored in OT to even up the series at two a piece.

Videos added

Todd Simpson vs Scott Thornton Oct 16, 1996
Stu Grimson vs Sandy McCarthy Dec 12, 2001
Chris Murray vs Kelly Chase Feb 21, 1996
Craig Rivet vs Scott Daniels Feb 21, 1996
Kelly Chase vs Derian Hatcher Dec 15, 1998
Kelly Chase vs Sylvain Lefebvre Feb 5, 1995

Today’s games

Vancouver Canucks vs Anaheim Ducks 9:00 PM ET

Another OT

It’s just too much OT for the Canucks.  Only 2:07 into the first OT (yeah, you have to specify which one now) the Travis Moen scored to give the Ducks a 3-1 lead in the series going back to Anaheim.  Outside of the BC folk, I know which team most here are rooting for.

The Rangers held off the Sabres to tie up the series.  Another controversial replay towards the end of the game.

Videos added

Chris Tamer vs Kelly Chase Oct 20, 1995
Tony Twist vs Dave Manson Dec 20, 1989
Kelly Chase vs Wayne Van Dorp Dec 20, 1989
(above two are the same clip)
Adam Burt vs Shayne Corson Mar 9, 1996
Kelly Chase vs Tony Twist Mar 9, 1996
Mark Janssens vs Tony Twist Mar 9, 1996
Kevin Sawyer vs Kelly Chase Oct 25, 1995

Today’s games

New Jersey Devils vs Ottawa Senators 7:00 PM ET
Detroit Red Wings vs San Jose Sharks 10:00 PM ET

Update 230pm The Stanley Cup is currently visiting Afghanistan.

Gen. Rick Hillier arrived at the main Kandahar base with the group of former pros, who include Bob Probert, Dave (Tiger) Williams, Ron Tugnutt, Réjean Houle and Yvon Lambert.

Along with showing off the Stanley Cup, the group plans to play a couple of ball hockey games with some of the more than 2,000 Canadian soldiers stationed at the base and get a tour of the region.