It Continues

No eliminations yesterday.  The Wings sent the Flames a message, and the Stars held off the Canucks behind the strong play of Marty Turco (again).

The Wings-Flames game was pretty chippy.  Dion Phaneuf and Todd Bertuzzi dropped the gloves, but never really threw punches.  They picked up fighting majors nonetheless.

Yesterday’s fight

Dion Phaneuf vs Todd Bertuzzi Apr 21, 2007

More Ducks-Wild

Just because the series is over doesn’t mean “it’s over”.

From Minnesota: Parting Shots

Minnesota general manager Doug Risebrough on Saturday took a thinly veiled shot at colleague Brian Burke by accusing the Anaheim boss of employing a thug in Brad May, who earned a three-game suspension for punching out Kim Johnsson.

Risebrough also told series lightning rod Derek Boogaard not to shake hands with the Ducks after Game 5 because he feared something might erupt on the receiving line.

Wild coach Jacques Lemaire also said he refused to shake hands because of May’s actions and Burke’s pre-series comments talking up Anaheim’s toughness.

From Anaheim: Series conclusion doesn’t end the talk

“Until today,” a perturbed Burke said late Saturday afternoon, “I thought the great wines in America were made in California. But now I know they’re made in St. Paul.”

Punny, very punny. Burke obviously was talking about the whines emanating from the Twin Cities of late — the variety made from sour grapes.

“I’m embarrassed by this; it’s so disrespectful to our players,” Burke said. “The other team whined after Game 1, they whined after Game 2, after Game 3, after Game 4, after Game 5 ... now it’s continuing, instead of admitting our team did a good job against their team and deserved to win. Four years ago Minnesota beat my team at Vancouver in the playoffs (when Burke was the Canucks GM.) I didn’t whine. We took our lumps and moved on.

“You know, there is a classy way to lose and there is a no-class way to lose. This is (an example of) a no-class way to lose.”

Johnsson, Minnesota still feeling pain
May Boo’d
Opportunity is more than just ice time for Foster

Some reads

Drugs, violence have no place in hockey - Mike Keenan writes about the Islanders’ Chris Simon and Sean Hill
Habs needed Avery’s help
Pens’ GM Shero must address list of priorities
In the Grizzled Rangers Lineup, Two Fresh Faces Light Up the Ice

Today’s games

New Jersey Devils vs Tampa Bay Lightning 1:00 PM ET
Detroit Red Wings vs Calgary Flames 7:00 PM ET