Conference stkhlm::hockey

    So Dave,
    
    Did you ever make it to the Anaheim game the other night?  I guess
    Tony Twist should've left his shirt on and gone after Teemu Selanne
    instead?
    
    Warren

    Warren,
    
    I did make it to the game but I missed the fight. I had to take my
    daughter and made a trip to the concession stand for something to
    drink. I heard the crowd roar, looked up at the TV screen at the
    consession stand, and saw Twist with his shirt off. Then he got a
    misconduct. What happened??? I didn't get the chance to read the paper
    yesterday.
    
    The Blues played well but got screwed on another goal crease call that
    had nothing to do with the goal.  
    
    Dave

    I just saw Twist on the sportscenter highlight - you get a misconduct
    this year if you let your shirt get pulled off - Seriously - It's an
    actual rule.  I didn't see what set Twist off, though.
    
    And these goals disallowed because of the in-the-goal-crease are really
    terrible.  So much of ref's job is a pure judgement call anyway - why
    can't this be another one?  Did the player in the crease bother the
    goalie at all?  If not, let it stand.
    
    Warren

    > And these goals disallowed because of the in-the-goal-crease are really
    > terrible.  So much of ref's job is a pure judgement call anyway - why
    > can't this be another one?  Did the player in the crease bother the
    > goalie at all?  If not, let it stand.
    
    Warren, I think you answered your own question. 
    
    I guess the people in the NHL who make up the "rule of the month"
    realize the current refs aren't competent enough to make subjective
    calls on the current rules, why tax their little brains anymore than
    they have to. Especially when the rule of the month is so short lived.
    
    Dave 

    Don't be surprised if the NHLPA walks in and tries to overturn the
    stupid rule. Not because it's stupid but more because it may hurt
    a player's chance at a scoring bonus. :*)
    
    Andy

    The Blues were dealt a major blow in Detroit this week when Al
    Macinnis seperated his shoulder. He'll be out 4 to 6 weeks. This is
    probably bad new but, I think it might be better in the long run that
    Macinnis gets a nice rest before the playoffs. As long as he heals OK.
    The Blues will make the playoffs and as long as they don't play
    Colorado in the 1st round, they should be fine.
    
    Dave

	Hey Dave,

	What do you think of Jamie Rivers?  (Callup from Woostah)
	i think this kid has alot of potential very good offensive
	skills and a pretty good defensively as well. Has he been getting
	much ice-time?

	Toby  

	> What do you think of Jamie Rivers?  (Callup from Woostah)
	> i think this kid has alot of potential very good offensive
	> skills and a pretty good defensively as well. Has he been getting
	> much ice-time?
    
    He looks like a pretty decent player to me. He needs to be a bit more
    physical. Defensmen take so long to develop it's hard to say what the 
    future will bring. He has been playing quite a bit since Quennville
    came on board and I'm sure his ice time will really pick up now that
    Macinnis is hurt. Mac plays 30+ minutes a game
    
    An interesting thing happened to Rivers in a game last week. I think it
    was against Vancouver and the Blues had a lead in the 3rd period.
    Rivers had a terrible give away in the Blues zone and the Canucks scored
    the tying goal. The Canucks scored another goal a few minutes later and
    the game seemed doomed. 
    
    Had Keenan been the coach, Rivers would have sat the rest of the game
    and then driven to the airport for the 1st flight out to Worchester after
    the game. But Quennville put him right back in and he scored the game
    tying goal (his 1st in the NHL). Hull went on to score the winner. It was
    really nice to see for a change.
    
    Dave

    Rivers was a star Jr player (especially w/ Team Canada Jr) and also
    played in the AHL all-star game 2-3 weeks ago. He's got a very hard
    shot.
    
    
    Andy

    >                               -< FWIW >-
    >
    Oh Andy, we all know what your scouting reports are worth.
    
    Brendan Witt: Career
    Games    G    A   Pts   Pim   +/-
    66       4    3    7    119   -15
    
    Need I say more :-)))
    
    Dave 

    re -1:
    
    	Thanks Dave..I needed that reply today!!!:*))
    
    BTW, along w/ Witt and Rivers, Andy's all-time top goalie prospect
    is/was Jamie Storr...Anybody know for which...IHL team this guys plays
    for?!?!:*))
    
    Ray.
    

    Oh! But Dave, I also predicted that Mario would be a star too. :*)
    
    You know what the problem w/ you guys is? You have to long a memory. 
    
    
    Andy

    Gary Bettman will arbitrate the dispute between the Blues and Mike
    Keenan. Apparently, the Blues (which have to abide by the NHL bylaws
    that state the the NHL will arbitrate contract disputes) were perfectly
    content to let Keenan take it to civil court. Until Keenan found out he
    couldn't sue outside of St. Louis. I guess he figures to have a better
    chance with Bettman.
    
    Apparently, the Blues offered Keenan 2 choices for dismissal. 
    1) Resign and collect $2 million and give up the last 3 years of his
    contract.
    2) Be fired and get nothing.
    
    Should be interesting to see what Bettman comes up with.
    
    Dave

    Dave,
    
    	The reason Keenan chose to go the " Bettman " route is because had
    he taken the NHL to court, he could have kissed his NHL coaching/GM
    career goodbuy...This way, he (at least) leaves the door a little open
    for himself...Apparently, a lot of coaches are very concerned about
    this, and they are siding w/ Keenan...must be a "union" thing.
    
    Ray.
     

    Well, being the hopeless romantic that I am, I'm taking my wife to see
    the Rangers tonight for her birthday. Of course, her being pregnant and
    me having ZERO chance of getting any, I'll be sucking down some
    Budweisers I'm sure. Happy birthday/Valentines day :-).
    
    This is the 1st and only time Wayne GreAtzky will be in town after
    snubbing Mike Keenan and the St. Louis fans for Messier and NY city. I
    will be interesting to see how the fans react. I would be very
    embarassed if the fans booed GreAtzky. Especially since it was the
    hated Mike Keenan that forced him out of town. 
    
    Dave

    I'd boo him - he left because he didn't think STL would ever get a shot
    at the cup (and Money was probably a factor too.)   If you're more of
    a hockey fan than a STL fan, then maybe you don't boo him.  But, I
    think he snubbed the city big-time.  If he wanted, he could have
    pressured mgmt to dump Keenan, like Hull did.
    
    Warren

    He did leave for a chance at the cup, I have no doubt about that. But
    he took less money in NY than STL offered him. It's all Keenan's fault.
    
    Dave

    Dave,
    	Don't listen to WArren today. He's still pissed that the Isles
    demolished his Pens last night (or was it the night before) :*).
    
    Andy

    Is the game on tv?
    
    -Mike

    What Islanders Game?  Me and the Pens are looking ahead towards the weekend
    series with Philly...  
    I'd boo Gretzky even if the Pens won last night (Had they played).
    
    I checked the ESPN/ESPN2 schedule - no hockey tonight - it looks like
    college BasketBall has taken over for the next month :-(  Nothing like
    watching Tulsa and UTEP...  I guess I was getting spoiled.
    
    Warren

    re. -1 Warren, and no hockey
    
    Hey Warren,
    
    	I've got a tape of the Caps beating the Pens in a couple of playoff
    games, wanna borrow it when you need a hockey fix ;)
    
    
    cheers,
    
    	fred

    Great game last night as the Blues beat the Rangers and god (according
    to ESPN---Mr Potato head) and GreAtzky last night 4-1. The stats say
    the GreAtzky was a minus 1 but he was also on for a shorthanded goal
    and really didn't play well at all. 
    
    The fans booed him everytime he touched the puck and the banners rode
    him hard. 
    
    Really good game though.
    
    Dave

It's time for me to turn into PR man and start hyping Blues rookie Jim
Cambell for rookie of the year award.

He's tied for the lead in the rookie scoring race 20g 19a, (He leads in goals 
scored)                      

The guy has 6 game winning goals and 1 game tying goal. The leader in the 
league is Shanahan with 7 GWG and 2 GTG and the list of players with 6 and 7 
game winners reads like an all star team, Karya, Mr Potato Head, Shanahan, 
Jagr, Madano, Sundin, Gardner, Shepard and Roenick

He plays hard and hits. He's good with the puck (needs some work without it
like every rookie) and most of all, he plays like a veteran.

His only competition is that bozo from Pitt LaLame or something like that :-)))

Dave

    >> His only competition is that bozo from Pitt LaLame or something like
    >>that :-))
    
    	Don't have any stats handy but, 2 'kids' (as opposed to Lalime and
    Campbell) that are doing VERY well are Bryan Berard and Jarome Iginla.
    
    Andy

    >	Don't have any stats handy but, 2 'kids' (as opposed to Lalime and
    >Campbell) that are doing VERY well are Bryan Berard and Jarome Iginla.
    
    Cambell is tied with Iginla with 39 points. Berard is not too far
    behind. All 3 players stats are quite similar (pts, +/-, ...) the one
    that stands out is game winning goals. Of course, game winning goals is
    one of those stats that means your a little lucky. But I was impressed
    to see his names up there with the ones I mentioned. 
    
    Dave

    Well - Patrick's down to 18-5-2 and out of the top GAA leaders.  But he's
    clearly the class of the rookie goalies.  Campbell, however, doesn't
    stand out too much among non-goalies.  So, unless Lalime has a big swoon,
    I'd say he's a lock based on the best start EVER by a goalie. (Of course
    he's lost 3 in a row, but the whole team sucks at the moment).
    
    Warren

	My vote is for Campbell (Westboro Native)

	Nothing against Lalime but...

	I could've had 10 wins for Pittsburgh the
	way they were on fire during his streak.
	
	Toby

    -< Andy Daniel Goneau was in Binghampton last time I looked (what's >-
    
    Gee, didn't think you were checking. :*)))
    
    Actually, Goneau got sent down after the New Year so that the Rangers 
    could give Dube a good look. AFter 4-5 weeks they decided to send him
    back down to Jr to play in the Memorial Cup. Now that Dube's is gone,
    I wonder if Goneau came back up. Pls note that he was a 4th liner and
    was up there (at the time) w/ the rookie goal scoring leaders (Iginla,
    Campbell, Harry ?stl?)
    
    Andy

    
    >>didn't think you were checking.
    
    just want to have *some* credibility if I say you're right  8-)
    
    yer right Harry will screw up Mann (looks like a player to me)
    
    Toby

FWIW, I've been very impressed with Bryan Berard when I've seen the Isles.
And yes, Sens fans, I've been impressed with Wade Reddin, too, but I think
Berard is more advanced at this stage.

He'd get my vote.

Steve

    Dave,
    
    It looks like Hawks and Blues will be battling for that all important
    early tee-off time this summer. I will be embarrased if the Hawks make
    the playoffs with a sub .500 record. No one under .500 should be
    allowed in the playoffs. But that would pare the playoff teams down to
    about 8 and that's not what parity if about. (read with cynicism)
    
    Anyway, look in an interoffice mailbox near you for a present from your
    2nd favorite team, the Hawks. Its not much really, but thought you may
    enjoy reading it.
    
    Take care,
    Les

    Les,
    
    I went down to see the Blues/Stars game  Sunday and the Blues just
    looked pathetic. Walking to the game in the spring is an uplifting
    thing because I know it's playoff time. Then to see that display was
    very disheartening. 
    
    It seems that the team (between the Hawks and the Blues) that plays the
    most road games will clinch a playoff spot.  I have never seen a more
    pathetic team in their own building. They don't hit, they don't skate
    they don't do sh!t!!!! Brett Hull played the worse game of his career.
    
    If the Blues do make the playoffs, I sure they won't advance past the
    1st round. If you can't win at home...
    
    Dave

    Dave,
    
    The pathetic parallels are amazing. The Hawks too have a terrible home
    record. Home ice advantage has dissappeared with these new larger (read
    revenue only) arenas. And the lack of hitting was particularly
    dismaying watching the Hawks. Every 2 minutes I'ld turn to my buddy and
    "there's another Hawk with his ass on the ice". If the Hawks do attempt
    to check anyone, they are the ones that end up on the ice.
    
    To think there was so much potential and rivalry between these two
    teams 2-3 years ago and see them now really is disheartening. And even
    after saying that, I love hockey and the Hawks as much as ever. Its a
    tradition like no other I know. No matter how much Wirtz tries to kill
    this hockey team, my love for Hawks and their tradition won't die.
    
    Les

    Dave,
    
    I sent an interoffice mail to Dave Hughes @STO about a week ago.
    Have you recieved it yet? Just curious.
    
    How bout them Blues/Hawks. "tieing" their ways into the playoffs.
    
    Les

    Les, 
    
    I don't make it to the office much but I did receive your package. I've
    been pretty busy lately and haven't had a chance to read it. And, after
    last nights pathetic 3rd period collapse by the Blues at home against
    the Islanders, I don';t feel like reading too much hockey today. 
    
    To have a 3 goal lead with 10 minutes left in the game at home and end
    up with a tie... well, it just sucks...
    
    Dave

    Your darn right it sucks!!! Us Ottawa fans (I'm not sure if that includes
    Ray yet) were counting on the Blues beating the Islanders.  An to top
    it all off, the Penguins let the Whalers off the hook too!!!
    
    Bernie.  

    Hawks also blew a lead in the 3rd. I watch the Hawks, and after couple
    of minutes I walk away. There is nothing inspiring about the way they
    play. I can't belive the Blues ended up tieing. I wonder how many teams
    in the Hawks/Blues division will make the playoff with in under .500
    record.
    
    Les

    Les,
    
    Thanks for the Blueline magazine. What an absolute trip. I have to
    quote one section from it in here for those noters in here that have no
    real interest in watching their teams bow out of the playoffs in the
    first round.
    
    Under the heading "News and Notes from around the league"
    
    Such Generosity: At each Hawks game, the fine folks at Mennen have
    awarded a years supply of Mennen Speed Stick to the lucky Hawks fan
    that has an envelope taped under his or her (usually sorry) ass. What
    is that---about six sticks of deodorant? jeez, it probably cost more to
    pay the guy who picks the seat and tapes the envelope under it than it
    costs Mennen to part with six or seven of their green cow tongue
    simulators.
    
    :-)))
    
    they sell something that looks similar outsie of Kiel on game days but
    I've never forked out any of my precious beer money to see what it is.
    Maybe I will next season :((
    
    Dave

    I've determined that there is no way I can get tickets to the Avs/Hawks
    game here in Denver unless I sell my car. So, I guess I'll have to suck
    down some Budweisers and and watch from the hotel bar.
    
    The Blues and Wings start their series tonight and 2 things are
    happening.
    
    1) they're not getting much national press (the only series that wasn't
    written about in USA Today)
    
    2) No one gives the Blues much of a prayer.
    
    I think differently. Why??? 
    
    The Blues and Wings are division rivals and that always makes for good 
    hockey. 
    
    The Blues took the Wings to double OT of the 7th game last year with 
    a backup goalie.
    
    The season series ended 1-1-3 and all were close games with both teams
    victories ccuring on the road. The Blues are a better road team than
    home)
    
    The Wings seem to find a way to choke in the playoffs.
    
    I think the Blues have a better defense and better goaltending more
    toughness than the Wings. The Wings have more size, speed and offensive
    talent. And, in the playoffs, defense and goaltending are the keys.
    
    Dave

    Dave,
    
    Yes - it seems the playoffs are only for the rich.  A Caps season-ticket
    holder neighbor of mine is actually glad he won't have to fork up the
    cash to see the Caps lose.
    
    I agree STL-DET should be a close series because of Fuhr. (on ESPN2 @7:30)
    However, one difference from last year is this Shanahan guy?  Have you
    ever seem him play? :-)
    
    Warren

    <    2) No one gives the Blues much of a prayer.
    
    Oh contraire... I have heard several writers/media type pick the Blues
    over the Wings. Granted, more are still picking the Wings, but the
    consensus is that the Blues will give the Wings all they can handle.
    You can even take a look at this notes conference... a couple people
    have picked the Blues outright and most feel Detroit will need 6 or 7
    games to win.
    
    So, go ahead with your "woe is me and my Blues ever having a chance to
    win" negative approach. I know you!!! You really feel that the Blues
    really do have a good chance of winning, but you know that publicly
    admitting it is the "kiss o' death". 
    
    Now, you want to look at a team that no one gives a chance, look north
    to Chicago. Everyone...I mean everyone feels that it will be the Avs in
    4 or 5. They throw one win to the Hawks out of pity.
    
    My predcition for the Blues/Wings....the Blues take the series in 3
    games (it will be  a record)   8*))))
    
    Les

    Your absolutley right Les, you see, I'm out here all lonely and needed
    some support from my notes friends :-)) No publicity, and being the
    underdog (see Warren) is actually a good thing.
    
    However, if I look north (just a few miles) I too don't give the Hawks
    a snowballs chance in ....
    
    But, I think the Avs will win at all again anyway. Any team that
    doesn't miss a beat when the lose Sakic and Forsberg to injuries, well,
    that proves a lot to me.
    
    Dave

    >>Playoffs, a great excuse to drink beer
    
    The only time of the year I use my PictureInPicture on my TV.
    
    Is Melrose Place over? If not, I'll have to give 'her' the small
    picture in the right hand corner.
    
    Andy

    > Now, you want to look at a team that no one gives a chance, look north
    > to Chicago. Everyone...I mean everyone feels that it will be the Avs in
    > 4 or 5. They throw one win to the Hawks out of pity.
    
    And Pity's Name, in this case, is Chelios.  I hope he's in shape.
    
    Warren

        >>Playoffs, a great excuse to drink beer
    
    Thanks for reminding me. I'll go and get a sixer of Molson just to get
    into the spirit. If the Hawks lose, I'll drink all six. If the Hawks win,
    I'll drink all six. Hey, I like those odds.
    
    Les (hiccup)

    >>
    >>Playoffs, a great excuse to drink beer
    
    All I have to say is they better sell Budweiser in this place. I refuse
    to drink that mountain goat pi$$ that they call Coors :-))
    
    Dave

    I'm one of those who dimissed the Blues' chances, mainly because I like
    the Wings so much.  Evry year, I expect them to roll over their
    opposition.  What happened last night? I only saw a brief newspaper
    story.
    
    -Stephen

    I guess Detroit's crackdown on the Octopi worked last night.
    I didn't noticed any on the ice :-)
    
    Warren

    I watched the 2nd and 3rd periods at a Denver bar and the Blues looked
    good, especialty in the 2nd period. Fuhr played well and the Blues hit 
    (they must hit to win). The Wings turned it on in the 3rd but they took 
    some stupid penalties and inopportune times (see Shanahan on
    Courtnall).
    
    Courtnall, Hull, Pronger, and Turgeon played well. 
    
    Fuhr may be the difference in the series.
    
    Dave

Hey, no word from Papa Pete today. Wonder why? ;^)

Ben

    Don't worry Ben, I had lunch w/ him.
    
    He had to go though, I believe he 'choked' on his food. :*)
    
    He says they hadn't played a meaningful game in months, but will be
    ready next time. hahahahhahahaaha!!!!!! I guess you gotta believe eh? 
    
    
    Andy

RE: Choking once again???

So any volunteers for the Hymlic(sp?) manoeuver in Hull? :^) We'll still
need the "old Goalie" for next year's tournies! :^)
 
Ben

    re: heimlich. 
    
     Sorry Ben, not me! But I hear Andy's pretty good at that stuff.
    
    Dennis ;-)

    What, What , What!!!!
    
    
    
    Ben, at least I have some confidence in my team.....not like a certain
    Hab fan who shall rename nameless (his initials are BR) who picks 10
    Flyers in the playoff pool (out of 10).  Richer was even available when
    you made your 10th pick!
    
    
    Go Sens Go!!!
    
    p.r.

Once I got going I just couldn't stop. Problem is I don't have much to look
forward to every other night. 

Ben

    To the guy that's running that hockey pool:
    
    Get Ben's $$$ NOW!
    
    Andy :*)
    

    I was at the game last night at the Joe.  The Blues played pretty well
    and were quick on the loose pucks and just looked like they wantd to
    win.  Fuhr played well although he wasn't tested too many times....
    
    The Wings just plain s*cked!  I don't expect that that will
    continue.... I was real disappointed that Bowman sat out our two young
    defensemen - Pushor and Ward.  I feel they have played extremely well
    all year and deserve to play throughout these playoffs.  Murphy looks
    old out there as well as Fetisov.  And the Fedorov experiment should
    end right now - put him back up front and play the young guys!!
    
    Loved that penalty by I don't know who on the Blues, when he picked up
    the puck in the third period and just threw it out of their zone - that
    was a first!!
    
    TJ

    > Loved that penalty by I don't know who on the Blues, when he picked
    > up the puck in the third period and just threw it out of their zone -
    > that was a first!!
    
    TJ, It was an old friend Marc Bergevin. And it was classic and if the
    Wings would have scored, I would have personally killed him.
    
    Dave

Well Andy, I think I should be making sure everyone else gets their money
in. 9 points in 1 game last night thank you very much!!!!!! :^))))))))

Ben

    but you're not leading the pool...

    Does anyone remember how the 1st game in the playoffs has gone in the
    last several years? I.e. home team is a disadvantage!! Well not this
    year. Out of all eight games only one road team has one, St Louis. It
    will be interesting to see how many home teams are 2-0 afer first two
    games. Just an observation.
    
    Les

    I heard that during the '90s(or over that last 5-7 years) the 1st
    round ended in 7 games 45% of the time. The later rounds go quicker;
    avg barely 5 games for the final.
    
    
    Andy

    A friend of mine is Ronald Caron's nephew. Caron is originally from
    Hull. Caron has been w/ the Blues for about 15 years now, and he's the
    man who took over the GM role last year when they fired Mike Keenan.
    Anyway, last Friday, it was reported that the Blues had " releived "
    caron of his GM duties. My friend told me that wasn't exactly true...
    
    It seems Caron resigned because he is totally against the Blues trading
    star player Brett Hull. Caron traded for Hull in the late '80s, and
    would like Hull to end his career in St Louis. It seems other people in
    the org are ready to trade Hull...
    
    Ray. 

    I've heard from quite a few sources that Hull will be traded.
    Other players on the team don't like his primadonna attitude and
    Quenville is fed up trying to get him to play within Quenville's
    system.
    
    pete

    Well, this is from my perspective with no "inside information." Caron
    was never meant to be the permanant GM. And, he has not stepped down
    and won't until a new GM is named. Why was the timetable for a new GM
    stepped up??? I don't know. I suspect is has something to do with
    differences over the future direction of the team. Not necessarily
    Brett Hull (remember, one of the reasons Keenan gave up and got fired
    is because managamentr wouldn't let him trade Brett Hull.
    
    The Blues ahve a tough choice to make and it wouldn't be too surprising
    if management were split on how to proceed. Do they take a team with a
    mixture of veterans (some grossly overpaid) and decent young players
    and try to mold a cup winner out of it???? Or do they trade their
    marque players that have value (Hull, MaCinnis and Fuhr) and dump the
    overpaid (Cournall and Murphy...) if they can and rebuild from scratch
    (or at least their good young players. Tough choice!!!
    
    Keenan has left this frachise in shambles. This year, the Blues will
    pay $2.8 million to players that no longer play with the Blues (some
    not even in the NHL). He signed so many veteran muckers to huge
    long term contracts that it's ridicules. And, of course, the Joe Murphy
    deal go Waaaaaaaaay beyond ridicules.
    
    Dave

    St. Louis should trade their marquee players for some good young
    prospects and look to the future. 
    
    The Habs should make a decent offer for Al McInnis!
    
    Ben

    Ben, why do you care about the Habs?   I thought you were a Flyer fan!
    
    pete

    blasphemy!

It's strictly a money thing until the end of the playoffs. ;^)

Ben