Ducks Take Lead, Canadian Coyotes

I picked the Ducks to upset the Wings, and admit I’m rooting for the team (friendly players, media, style of play, the list goes on…); but even I was a little irked at the early whistle towards the end of the game last night. Just a moment before the Marian Hossa pushed the puck over the line, referee Brad Watson blew his whistle and basically saved another game from overtime. Playoff overtime which everyone loves, unless you cover it, I guess.

There were some light fireworks at the end of the game. Game four should be a good one.

I wasn’t the only one predicting a Ducks win, Mike V calls the win for his Cali team and explains why it’ll happen. He’s got one thing pegged down, him and I can definitely agree: I don’t want to ever read or hear another Wings fan refer to Colorado as the Divealanche. Mike Milbury and Darren Pang were being nice using terms like “embellish” during Sunday’s NBC broadcast, but diving is diving.

I believe it was Keith Jones that had Versus show clips of the Wings simply checking, and the Ducks wiping out Wings. If you look at the numbers though, the Wings are out-hitting the Ducks by a wide margin. It’s a combination of a little home-cooking (numbers-wise), and Detroit simply trying to prove they can play a physical brand of hockey. It’s slowing the team down though, and this is where reputations have had a big impact on the game.

Oh, and if you still haven’t watched highlights from Monday’s Caps-Pens, do it.

Coyotoros

Just as big a story as anything happening on the ice right now, the Coyotes have filed for bankruptcy (chapter 11) and Jim Balsillie’s made a big offer to buy the team and relocate them. It’s a tough situation, and we’re talking about a franchise that’s never consistently made the playoffs, let alone go anywhere past the first round. That, plus the economic climate, plus arena location just won’t add up to a good situation, no matter where that team is geographically located.

Expect a legal battle from the NHL, one to possibly wipe out the bankruptcy delcaration, and expect Balsillie to keep his intentions very public. He’s started a website, Make It Seven, in reference to a seventh Canadian NHL club. Balsillie is also using pr people to email websites and blogs to get his word out there.

Hockey soap. Always fun.

I do feel bad for fans in Phoenix, who have already lost the Roadrunners this season.

Videos added

Willi Plett vs Terry Carkner Jan 5, 1987
Terry Carkner vs Cam Neely Jan 12, 1987
Don Jackson vs Jay Miller Jan 12, 1987
Tie Domi vs Chris Neil Apr 14, 2004
Mattias Ohlund vs Jarome Iginla Apr 11, 2004
Andreas Lilja vs Shea Weber Feb 28, 2009
Daniel Carcillo vs Krys Barch Feb 11, 2009
Dan Hinote vs Adam Burish Jan 21, 2009
Kay Whitmore vs Dino Ciccarelli Mar 17, 1995
Brent Severyn vs Lyle Odelein Jan 15, 1994
Lyle Odelein vs Brent Severyn Dec 15, 1993
Lyle Odelein vs Brent Severyn Dec 15, 1993