Luc Bourdon, 21
By now many of you have probably heard of the passing of Luc Bourdon, only 21 years old.
Bourdon split the 2007-08 season between the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose.
He played juniors in the QMJHL with the Val-d’Or Foreurs, Moncton Wildcats and finished up with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
A motorcycle acccident claimed Bourdon’s life earlier today. The hockey world now mourns a young man whose life had barely begun.
Our condolences go out to Luc’s family and friends.
hockeyfights.com: Luc Bourdon
hockeydb.com: Luc Bourdon
hockey-reference: Luc Bourdon
Canucks and Beyond: Report: Luc Bourdon has Died
TSN: Canucks Blueliner Bourdon Killed in Motorcycle Crash
Sportsnet/CP: Canuck killed in accident
canucks.com: Vancouver Canucks Statement on the Passing of Luc Bourdon
NHLPA: Luc Bourdon Passes Away
A Series, Hopefully
It’s not that I’m pulling for the Red Wings or the Penguins, but as a hockey fan, it’d be nice to see the Pens put up a win or two and make this series competitive.
The first two games have been all Wings, and although the Pens did look like they came to play at the beginning of game two, the result didn’t change: another Wings shutout.
The tough guys sat out game two. Both Georges Laraque and Darren McCarty took a seat. Laraque, who played 71 games during the regular season and all prior 15 in the playoffs, wasn’t thrilled about having the night off:
“They outhit us the first game,” he said. “That’s obviously frustrating when you’re sitting on the bench.”
Laraque noted that this is the first time he has been a healthy scratch this season, and added that, “I’m not going to look at it like the end of the world.”
Videos added
How about some McCarty? His first NHL scrap included.
Darren McCarty vs Matt Barnaby Mar 25, 2004
Darren McCarty vs Scott Walker Oct 9, 1995
Darren McCarty vs Bob Rouse Oct 15, 1993
Keith Tkachuk vs Darren McCarty Apr 10, 1996
Craig Muni vs Mike Ramsey Apr 10, 1996
Jeff Finley vs Keith Primeau Apr 10, 1996
(three above same vid)
Darren McCarty vs Jamie Allison Oct 30, 2003
Jody Shelley vs Darren McCarty Nov 3, 2005
Tonight’s game
Detroit Red Wings vs Pittsburgh Penguins 8:00 PM ET
Some reads
Datsyuk impresses by showing feisty side
Toe-to-Toe with Hall-of-Famer Clark Gillies
Laraque-Probert a dream matchup
Goal-less Pens say Finals not over
Ducks GM Burke deals with what’s next, not what if
Panthers deny Maple Leafs’ request to speak with Joe Nieuwendyk
Flyers-Penguins outdoor game ‘is intriguing,’ Bettman says
2007-08 hockeyfights.com Awards
I present the 2007-08 hockeyfights.com Awards.
The awards are a collaborative effort by the hockeyfights.com content team headed up by Jon Porus. As always, lots of thanks to them for helping set all the categories up.
Below are all our categories this season. Cast your vote and have your say.
- Fight of the Year
- Kocur Award: TKO or KO of the Year
- Probert Award: Fighter of the Year
- Crowder Award: Rookie of the Year
- People's Choice Award
- Broad Street Bully Award: Best Enforcing Team
- Worst Enforcing Team
- Most Improved/Comeback Fighter
- Best Mid-Season Fighter Pick-Up of the Year
- Best Team Feud
- Grimson Award: Best Punching Power/Most Destructive Fighter
- Best Player Feud
- Biggest Let-Down
- Schultz Award: Most Old-School Moment
- Kimble Award: Most Exciting Fighter
- Neely Award: Best Skilled Fighter of the Year
2007-08 NHL Awards:
Wings and Pens in Cup Finals
With a 4-1 victory last night, the Detroit Red Wings eliminated the Dallas Stars, setting up a match-up vs the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Stanley Cup.
This is the first time these two teams will meet in the Finals, and there isn’t a whole lot of history surrounding the two teams. The teams didn’t play this season. They’ve played twice since the lockout, with the Wings winning both games.
There are a couple of Pens-Wings memories though, my top one being Marty McSorley vs Bob Probert from Feb 4, 1994, one of the best fights of all-time, easy.
That was actually one of only four Pens-Wings fights from the past 15 seasons. The other three:
Jay Caufield vs Bob Probert Nov 13, 1992
Darren McCarty vs Kelly Buchberger Oct 18, 2003
Brad Norton vs Andre Roy Oct 7, 2006
Georges Laraque is the Pens well-known tough guy, and Darren McCarty joined the Wings after a successful comeback. The two have dropped the gloves once, at the beginning of the 2006-07 season:
Georges Laraque vs Darren McCarty Oct 24, 2006
Memorial Cup in full swing
The Memorial Cup’s been great so far, something Americans can finally attest to thanks to the NHL Network (and in HD, sweet). Some great action, overtimes, and bout in the first game between Joey Ryan and Brandon Mashinter:
Joey Ryan vs Brandon Mashinter May 16, 2008
Videos added
A little Laraque flood, due to the Pens playoff run.
Raitis Ivanans vs Georges Laraque Nov 30, 2006
Todd Fedoruk vs Georges Laraque Oct 7, 2006
Chris Simon vs Georges Laraque Apr 1, 2006
Georges Laraque vs Jody Shelley Mar 11, 2006
Todd Fedoruk vs Georges Laraque Feb 6, 2006
Georges Laraque vs Jeremy Stevenson Feb 15, 2004
Georges Laraque vs Matt Johnson Feb 13, 2004
Nolan Yonkman vs Chris Neil Mar 2, 2006
Nolan Yonkman vs Chris Neil Mar 2, 2006
Some reads
Sean Avery: The new face of couture?
Brown returns to his Flyer roots
HD, not Sid the kid, could save the NHL
Police lay charges in hockey fight
‘I wouldn’t want to be drunk watching that game’
Morrow earns ‘C’ for effort
Malone follows in his father’s footsteps
Bring back the biff, but use yer head
Chris Simon Signs in Russia
Chris Simon, splitting 2007-08 between the Islanders and Wild after another long suspension last season, has signed with Vitiaz Chehov in Russia.
From the non-edited Google translation:
6-year old forward Chris Simon, one of the best tafgaev NHL, signed a one-contract with the “Knight”, said club general manager Alexei Zhamnov Moscow correspondent “SE” Alexander Shapiro. Negotiations with Simon Chekhov club led to a half months, but the agreement was signed only yesterday when legionnaire arrived in Russia together with his agent.
It should be noted that sezone-2002/03 Simon stood for “Chicago” along with Zhamnovym, and a total newcomer “Vityaz” held in 857 NHL games: 322 (154 +168) points, 2015 minutes of free time.
Thanks to Lead in the forums.
Pens-Flyers Becomes the Expected
The Flyers staved off elimination by beating the Penguins earlier tonight, 4-2.
Philly jumped out early and it looked like a potential rout, but the game settled down score-wise in the second period.
By the third the Penguins were starting to mount a comeback. Jordan Staal scored twice to bring the Pens within a goal of tying up the game with a little under six minutes left. Things were tense in Philly until Joffrey Lupul scored an empty-netter with 33 seconds to go.
The game was hard-fought and chippy throughout. With 23 seconds left Scottie Upshall went flying into Staal behind the Flyers’ net. Ryan Malone grabbed Upshall, throwing immediately. A scrum ensued and Derian Hatcher wound up dropping the gloves and taking on Malone.
Things weren’t completely done after that. Just 8 seconds later Mike Richards had a few choice words for Sidney Crosby and there was a bit of a scuffle post-faceoff.
Some hockey for you
There’s no NHL game Friday, but the Worlds semi-finals games are being played:
Canada at Sweden 5:00 PM
Russia at Finland 1:00 PM
US residents can watch the game over at WCSN.
Canada can watch it over on TSN
Videos added
Ryan Malone vs Derian Hatcher May 15, 2008
Georges Laraque vs Darcy Hordichuk Nov 8, 2005
Brad May vs Georges Laraque Oct 21, 2005
Brad May vs Georges Laraque Dec 20, 2003
Some reads
‘75 Islanders a role model
Laraque’s role no small one in Penguins’ impressive playoff run
Fitter Georges Laraque making key contribution to Penguins’ success
Kennedy set tone with fight
Americans satisfied after goal judge gets fired for mistaken goal
Chuck Kobasew looks forward to Bruins’ future
Crowded conditions await Dallas Stars’ Turco
A keister in the crease?
Heaney, James, Granato inducted as first women in IIHF Hall of Fame
Canada moves on; U.S. done
Sharks’ coaching search begins
Canucks hire former Thrasher Mellanby as consultant
Update May 16 1205am: Small phrasing edits and links added to top blurb, other sections added.
Pens Take Game Two
The Penguins took a two-game lead over the Flyers last night. Another hard-fought over, and another 2-0 series lead in the Conference Finals.
Before any of the goal scoring started, Scottie Upshall and Tyler Kennedy got the crowd going by dropping the gloves off of a faceoff. It was an entertaining scrap which left the fans in a frenzy.
Georges Laraque started the play that broke the 2-2 tie in the third period. After a quick shot towards the net, Gary Roberts dished it right off to Maxime Talbot, who put it home for the game-winner.
No suspensions
Mike Ribeiro was not suspended for his hack at Chris Osgood Saturday.
However, both Ribeiro and Osgood were fined, as was Steve Ott for his actions against Kris Draper.
Worlds get fiesty
Ilya Kovalchuk and Anton Stralman were roughing it up Saturday, but it was David Backes and Anssi Salmela who really went at it yesterday. The USA-Finland game was horribly officiated (the side of the net? really?), and it led to things getting chippy. By the end, Backes and Salmela had gloves off and were swinging. The two are now automatically suspended each team’s next game.
US fans can watch the Worlds over at WCSN.
Videos added
Scottie Upshall vs Tyler Kennedy May 11, 2008
Anssi Salmela vs David Backes May 11, 2008
Today’s NHL game
Detroit Red Wings vs Dallas Stars 8:00 PM ET
Some reads
Dallas Stars think return home will provide lift
Wings hit, just aren’t hitting back
Red Wings plan to keep their cool in Game 3
Flyers’ Coburn struck in face by puck, leaves game
Hossa pays off in spades
Canadians admire Latvia’s lovable fans
$ather’s Hard Line on Avery Will Cost Rangers
Basketball vs. hockey playoffs? It’s no contest
Co-owner: Waddell hasn’t been asked to step down
A Net Loss For Washington
Thomas: U.S. teeming with talent
Goalie feels a little tender
Wings Win Again, Ribeiro Slashes Osgood
The Stars are down 2-0 and before the very end of last night’s game, they decided they were going to make the Red Wings feel it before heading back to Dallas.
With about five seconds left, Steve Ott went after Kris Draper, giving him a shot before having the scrum broken up and Ott being escorted off the ice.
The Stars won the ensuing faceoff and Sergei Zubov shot the puck in the Wings zone. Mike Ribeiro skated after the puck, and Chris Osgood gave him a bump with the butt-end of his stick. Draper tried to grab onto Ribeiro, but before a scrum could even develop Ribeiro gave Osgood a two-hander to the chest.
Ribeiro received an attempt to injure match penalty, meaning he’s already suspended pending league review. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s unlikely he’ll see any further playoff action. It seems harsh, but the Wings are already up by two and the highlight of Ribeiro swinging his stick with both hands will be replayed over and over. There will be media pressure on the league, no doubt.
Draper, involved in all of the action at game’s end, wasn’t concerned about Ott, just Ribeiro:
“I’m fine with that,” Draper said of the Ott assault. “He threw a punch at me.
“No harm done. You get up and you go. But something like (the slash on Osgood), that’s right out of Slap Shot. (Ribeiro) just literally . . . intent to injure on our best player. I couldn’t believe it when he did it.”
Osgood said of his butt-end:
“If it did, it was an accident,” he said. “I don’t think it justifies a two-hander over the top of the net.”
And of the slash:
“I do have a lot of padding up there but it got me in the side where I didn’t have much,” he said of the Ribeiro slash. “It did hurt a bit.
“It was kind of a full swing right to the side. But I’ll be fine, I’m sure. A little sore, but I’ll be fine.”
Dominik Hasek didn’t play last night, but his presence was felt when Osgood flopped to the ice like a fish when slashed, only to be up and fine a minute later. No one expects a slash like that to tickle, but it did seem like overkill.
While we were all looking at the Flyers-Pens series for the war, the Stars and Wings are now sharing the battle spotlight.
Tonight’s game
Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins 7:30 PM ET
Some reads
ESPN: Don Cherry Breaks Down The NHL Playoffs
Stars’ Ott stirs the pot
Flyers playoff goalies from Bernie Parent to Marty Biron
Penguins-Flyers series a war? That’s the idea
Series puts rivalry in state of frenzy
NHL needs to be body slammed (the gist of this is something I’ve written myself quite a few times)
Flyers’ Upshall is feisty and talented
Landing an OHL job doesn’t mean you’ll make the NHL
Roberts: Physical play, fights can shift momentum
Goons on parade: Cote and Laraque
Oilers reincarnated
MLSE suits are still calling all the shots
Cote’s call to arms
What does the future hold for Dan Carcillo?
Conference Finals Preview 2008
Pittsburgh Penguins (2) vs Philadelphia Flyers (6)
Records
Pittsburgh: 47-27-8 (102 pts) Home: 26-10-5 Away: 21-16-3Philadelphia: 42-29-11 (95 pts) Home: 20-14-6 Away: 21-15-5
Pittsburgh swept the Sens and beat New York in 5. Philadelphia eliminated Washington in 7 and Montreal in 5.
Head-to-Head
Nov 7, 2007 - PIT 1 PHI 3Nov 10, 2007 - PIT 2 PHI 5
Dec 11, 2007 - PIT 2 PHI 8
Jan 24, 2008 - PIT 3 PHI 4
Feb 10, 2008 - PIT 4 PHI 3
Mar 16, 2008 - PIT 7 PHI 1
Apr 2, 2008 - PIT 4 PHI 2
Apr 6, 2008 - PIT 0 PHI 2
Philadelphia won season series 5-3.
Fighting (did they ever!)
Nov 7, 2007 - Brooks Orpik vs R.J. UmbergerNov 10, 2007 - Ryan Malone vs Jason Smith
Nov 10, 2007 - Darryl Sydor vs Stefan Ruzicka
Dec 11, 2007 - Ryan Malone vs Jason Smith
Dec 11, 2007 - Gary Roberts vs Ben Eager
Dec 11, 2007 - Ryan Whitney vs Jeff Carter
Dec 11, 2007 - Colby Armstrong vs Scott Hartnell
Jan 24, 2008 - Georges Laraque vs Riley Cote
Jan 24, 2008 - Ryan Stone vs Steve Downie
Feb 10, 2008 - Jarkko Ruutu vs Steve Downie
Mar 16, 2008 - Ryan Malone vs Riley Cote
Apr 2, 2008 - Georges Laraque vs Riley Cote
Apr 2, 2008 - Brooks Orpik vs Joffrey Lupul
Lineup
Goaltending: DRAWScoring: EDGE Pittsburgh
Defense: EDGE Philadelphia
Coaching: EDGE Pittsburgh
Grit: EDGE Philadelphia
Schedule
Friday, May 9, 2008Sunday, May 11, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Key for Pittsburgh
Show discipline. It's no secret who Philadelphia will be after. The Rangers went for the "diver" angle and it didn't do a whole lot. Philadelphia won't be afraid to use every trick in the book and we'll really see what the young guns are really made of.Key for Philadelphia
Marty Biron. Philadelphia is capable of matching Pittsburgh offensively... it's up to Marty to continue to shut the door. He's been the busiest goalie after two rounds facing an average of 33 shots, but boasts a solid .914 save percentage. Also, I'd enjoy a few sound bites of Biron yelling sweet nothings to Sidney Crosby.My Prediction
Fans and writers love to talk about match-ups that are good for the league. Does it get any better than this? Two great fanbases, a nasty rivalry and a little bit of Cinderella... this has the makings to be a classic. I can't picture a scenario where Pittsburgh doesn't win. No slight to the Flyers, as you don't get to the Conference Finals for no reason, but I think the Pens will have an answer for everything Philadelphia has... Pens in 6. Still, I think we're in for an excellent series.John's Pick
If the way the Flyers and Penguins went it at during the regular season is any indication, this series could end up being one of the most entertaining in recent memory. The Flyers gave it a good run but the loss of Kimmo Timonen will serve as a huge blow to any plans the Flyers had to shut down Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal. Pens in 6.David's Pick
It's so hard not to build this one up. I want to say best series since Islanders-Leafs of 2002, but anyone who believes in jinxes (99% of hockey fans it seems) will send in the hate mail if that doesn't happen. This just has entertaining written all over it, from the positional match-ups to the media jabs to the fans. Any hole the Flyers have, the Penguins seem to have plugged up. Like Jamie and John, I'm picking the Pens in 6.Canada vs USA: Feel the Hate
North American hockey may be our usual drug of choice around these parts, but with the World Championships on display in North America this month, there’s been a whole lot of NHL stars taking to the ice outside of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
And no game so far has been bigger for Canadian and American fans than today’s matchup.
Says Roy MacGregor in today’s Globe & Mail, these are two teams set “to get their hate on,” and there’s certainly some history to that idea.
“They hate us and we hate them.”
Keith Tkachuk, 1996 World Cup
Excellent. I thoroughly approve of a little hockey hate. 
More information can be found at the links below, and I’ll be posting updates, photos and maybe some odd trivia at the Kukla’s Korner: Canucks & Beyond page throughout the game. Feel free to stop by and contribute your own photos, commentary, whatever you want.
Canada vs USA - 3:30pm ET
Video: In Canada on TSN & RDS; In the USA, on WCSN (paid sub); International viewers check IIHF
Audio: Fan590 streaming live.
More Info: Complete tournament schedule [PDF], and power rankings.
Team Rosters: Canada [PDF] and USA [PDF]
hockeyfights.com: World Championships forum, World Championships page
Recent Quick Hits
Latest Fights of the Week
Categories
Tools
Monthly Archives
Any information taken from this site and used on another website or other media must credit hockeyfights.com.
© 2008 hockeyfights.com. All rights reserved.
site by SingerNet
