Game 7

Today @ 5pm
NBC HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Series tied at 3 a piece
This one's for all the marbles

This is the last game day of the season. In a little under 12 hours from now, the game begins. A SCF game 7 is like nothing else is sports. Set your brains to roller coaster and enjoy the ride.


Post Game Update:

PENS WIN! Whooooooooooooo Congrats ot the Pens and their fans!

Congrats on a very well played series and playoffs to the Wings!

Post Dinner Post Game Recap:

Whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, that was one hell of a ride. I thought I was going to lose it a few times, and it wasn't even the Sharks that were playing! I pretty much tossed ever piece of bad news and stress that had come my way in the past few days into this game and rode the games highs and lows like it was my own team out there in place of the Pens. It was such a roller coaster. I have no idea how anyone who's a "eal" fan of either team gets through a game 7 in the SCF, aside from maybe a liberal use of booze. I felt an amazing amount of relief once the game was over. There is really nothing like a SCF game 7 in any other sport. Nothing.

Malkin wins the Conn Smythe, and doesn't drop it. I pretty much always expect someone to drop the trophies. I don't know why. He looked so happy. I was very happy for him.

I'll try to get some Penguins with Cup art busted out to ya all this weekend. We'll be following all the rumors and news we can find over the summer,, so stick with us.

2008-2009 has been one hell of a season.

Is This The End?

Tonight @ 5pm
NBC HD, CBC HD RDS HD
Wings lead series 3-2

We all know how this game went last year. In the dark recesses of my mind, this fact was churning, causing me to dream about tonight's game.

In my dream, at first it seems like the Wings had won. I was annoyed. But then, it was discovered that the game had yet to happen. What I had seen of the Wings skating around the ice with the Cup was imagined. The game had yet to be played. As I compared some odd seals representing each of the two teams, I awoke. I have no idea what this means, other than I apparently have too much hockey on the brain.

Post Game Recap:

Holy effing poop popsicles on a stick. That was a GAME.

Games 1 and 2 were made up for with game 6.

Nuts.

Tivo'd it? watch this game. Holy crap.

Save by Scuderi was sick.

MAF was amazing. Osgood was good too, but MAF needed it more.

Pens were all over the place. The Wings had nothing until the third.

The third was nuts. Everything the third period in a game 6 of the finals should be.

Some tricky penalties, but only a few for both sides. This game flowed.

@wilw sums it up best: Two post-game six thoughts: 1. Wow that whole game was a freakin' highlight reel. 2. I can't wait for game seven.

Whooooooo

Game 7 here we come!

They aren't the Sharks, but I can still dig it. Go Pens!

SCF, Day 5, Game 5

Today @ 5pm (how steadily scheduled)
NBC HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Series is tied at 2 a piece
pining for the big screen

May or may not be home for this one. RL occasionally interferes with hockey watching. One thing we can all be sure of, however, is that one team will win tonight and one team will lose.

Book it.

Post Game Recap:

That was awful. I got home in time to the second and third and I kind of wished our dinner plans had not fallen through because that was painful to watch. Wow in a bad way. I'd like to see this go 7. Go Pens.

---

Moving on to better things, here's an article I found on digg that talks about whether or not scoring the first goal in game has any impact on who wins. I'll give you a hint, it dpends on who you ask and what games you look at.

SCF, Day 4, Game 4

Today @ 5pm
VERSUS HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Wings lead series 2-1

The good ladies at HLOG will be live blogging tonight's game. Please stop by and join us if you can.

SCF, Day 3, Game 3

Today @ 5pm
VERSUS HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Wings lead 2-0

Post Game Recap:

Until they talk to Tavares for 5 seconds, this game was all about TOO MANY MEN ON THE ICE!

I'm sure that's a big conspiracy theory today, but I am confident that occasionally people just can't count. How many times have you had to recount heads when out with a group for dinner? Yeah. Like that. It was funny, and it was obviously a penalty that should have been called, but it wasn't. Moving on.

OMG TAVARES!
That interview was...over very quickly. They asked him if he was ready to assume a leadership roll like Crosby had. Like he's going to say "no, I don't want to take on a leadership role. I kinda want to suck for a few years." Not going to happen, but I suppose they have to ask him something, so might as well lob a pre-approved softball.

This game was much more of what I had been looking for in terms of pace and battles. Both teams actually seemed to realize they were playing for something special last night. The last five minutes of this game was CRAZY! Loved it.

Conference Finals, Day 9. Will There be Handshakes Tonight?

Today @ 4:30pm
VERSUS HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Wings lead series 3-1
Hand shakes tonight?

As I sit here on a sunny morning, listening to the sounds of construction outside, I wonder how we got here.

It is as if the Hockey Gods decided to have a bit of fun with us. If that's the case, than I think we can safely assume they may continue to be mischievous. There is the potential that they will reward the Pens for bucking tradition and touching the Prince of Whales trophy. There is also the possibility that they won't. No predicting what they'll do this year.

Crosby had a good point, they didn't touch the trophy last year and they lost. Bathe with that thing if it gets you the Cup, I say.

The Versus guys nearly peed themselves when Crosby picked it up, skated over the Malkin and Gonchar, and the three posed for pictures. I spent the entire time wondering if the trophy handler ever drops the goods, and how many players have dropped the trophies over the years. I know at least one has fallen apart. If holding the prize is bad juju, I can only imagine what having it fall apart in your hands means.

Conference Finals, Day 8. The End May Be Nigh

Tonight @ 4:30pm
VERSUS HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Pens lead series 3-0

Conference Finals, Day 7. The SCF Starts WHEN?!

Today @ noon
NBC HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Wings lead series 2-1

NHL.com says Huet may be in. This is why you get and keep two number one goalies, right?

Havlat also uncertain. This is likely because he got knocked into next Wednesday, and is waiting for game 5 to start.

I'm not sure if it was because he was still dazed or because hockey players really are that tough, but after Havlat made his way back to the bench following Kronwall's hit, he sat down as if he expected to play another shift. The trainer had to tap him and get him to move back to the locker room. Guy gets knocked into the future and he still wants to play. Major points right there.

In other news:

Is anyone happy with the SCF schedule? I vote no.

Pens 6, Canes 2. Me thinks someone wants another run at the Cup. Can all make sure it's against Chicago, please?

We didn't mention this because, well, it's JR being JR. Was his timing bad? Yep. But has that ever stopped him before? Nope.

We've also been very fortunate to not have too much crazy JR while he's been in SJ. DW keeps him reigned in, and aside from a few comments here and there, he's been good. JR is just an emotional guy. It's part of the reason we love him here. He wears his heart on his sleeve and says what he thinks. This isn't always a positive, but he always been that way and he's not going to change now. I accept this and move on. Also, he apologized.

The Sharks will be having their annual store sale at the end of the SCF. Who wants to let me pretend I'm a season ticket holder?

Conference Finals, Day 6. 3-0?

Today @ 4:30

VERSUS HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Pens lead series 2-0

I thought this game was on at noon, but it's not. That would be tomorrow's game. I should have realized that TPTB would not find Pens/Canes anywhere near as sexy as Hawks/Wings.

Recapping the past:

Mina and I watched the first period of last night's game together. She arrived just in time to see the Hawks second goal and that ridiculous hit on Havlat. Dude was out before he hit the ground. Passing out with your eyes open is creepy. Having that happen with people above you who are wearing sharp blades on their feet? Dangerous. Someone smacked him in the head with their stick as he lay there, though it was unintentional and part of the scrum above him the occurred after he was hit.

To summarize our reaction to the hit, Kronwall left his feet. Fighting on top of the unconscious guy= NOT SAFE!

Even though Havlat should have been looking up, there's no excuse for leaving your feet. If he stayed firmly planted on terra firma, it's a clean hit. Brutal, but clean. Mina points out that while it was not interference, it was charging. Neither of us had a problem with the penalties handed out.

Like any fan would, we wondered what the reaction would have been from the media had Havlat taken out Kronwall.

You can view the hit here and make your own opinions. I just tried to watch Quennville's post game press conference reaction, and the audio for another Hawks video that wasn't even open took over and I got a very tinny, stuttering rendition of "Ring My Bell" cutting in and out between the press conference. The NHL video guys might want to look into not having Anita Ward and Joe Quennville playing dueling banjos. Just a thought.

Anyway, after that mess, we met up with some folks for dinner. We we got the the place of dining, the game was 3-0 Hawks. At some point I looked behind me and realized the 3-0 had become a 3-3. We were all floored, but sure enough, the Wings had scored 3 goals in the second.

Not really being able to easily watch the game from where we sat, we went on with dinner, Sharks talk, and general rostercourse when someone mentioned the game had gone to OT. Several of us turned around in time to see fans and Blackhawks alike hugging. Mina proclaimed the game winning goal to be the result of "...what we call a defensive breakdown, ladies and gentlemen." And so it was the the Blackhawks took game three in OT to make the series 2-1.

Conference Finals, Day 5. Straight Outta Chicago

Today @ 5pm
VERSUS HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Wings lead series 2-0

Conference Finals, Day 4. Hockey Is Back!

How did everyone handle their day without hockey? Hopefully well. I spent my evening at The Fox. Good choice on my part.

The ECF begin again today, as the Pens take on the Canes in a epic battle of...epicness.

Today @ 4:30
VERSUS HD, TSN, HD, RDS HD
Pens lead series 1-0

Conference Finals, Day 3. The West Returns

Today @ 4:30
VERSUS HD ,TSN HD, RDS HD
Wings lead series 1-0

I was feeling somewhat underwhelmed by the though of a large building fighting a giant octomonster. I'm not sure why because that is like Rampage-esce gold right there, but for whatever reason it wasn't working for me. Since I planned to change my format for the last two rounds of the playoffs anyway, it gave me a chance to redesign the characters for each team.

The Hawks was an obvious choice, but I did waffle between in and some version of the Blackhawks logo. For some reason, something lovecraftian seemed appropriate for our perennially annoyingly good winged foes.

But enough of that. I do like to go into artist mode, but that's not what you came here for.

Recappage!
Canes got spanked. Doesn't look that way on the scoreboard but they were outplayed.

The Pens were like a force of nature last night. They showed some weakness in the second, but were otherwise dominant. Watching that one goal trickle in past Ward was painful. The only time I enjoy seeing shots like that go in are when they are against whoever the Sharks are playing. MAF was solid. Ward looked vunerable at times, but settled down pretty well and looked pretty good after that.

Conferernce Finals, Day 2. I Don't Have A Clever Historical Pun For The East

Today @ 4:30
VERSUS HD, TSN HD, RDS HD
Game 1. FIGHT!

I hope everyone enjoyed yesterday's guest art. Our guest artist was a little bummed no one commented, but I told him not to take it personally.

Conference Finals Recap:

So. Wings, huh?

I was really hoping the Hawks could take game 1,and for awhile it looked like it would at least be a battle. Then Detroit decided it was time to stop effing around and time to start pwnage. This is going to be a long Western showdown. I think I speak for everyone not rooting for the Red Wings/mutual annihilation when I say "Go Hawks."

Conference Finals, Day 1. Not So Quiet On The Western Front

artwork by today's guest artist


Today @ noon!
TSN HD, NBC HD, RDS HD
Game 1. FIGHT!

A little background on our guest artist.

My significant other half created the above image, and one for the east, in an attempt to try to get me to sit down and watch a movie last night. My work for the blog done, how could I complain?
As he is very rarely so insistent, I acquiesced, with the condition that I would post these images on the blog. He didn't seem to mind, as long as our evening with The Evil Dead was uninterrupted by the sound of pencil on paper.

His Eastern Conference match up image.


Unsure about how to show a penguin's vocalization, "penguin noise" seemed the most appropriate choice.

Playoffs, Round 2 Day 15. End Game

The second round wraps up tonight when the following teams take to the ice for at least 60 minutes of (hopefully) non stop action:

Today @ 4pm
VERSUS HD, CBC, HD, RDS HD
Series tied at 3

Today @ 5pm
VERSUS HD, RIS, TSN HD
Series tied at 3

Yesterday's game. A Recap:

A rather anti climatic end to what was the best series of the playoffs so far. The Caps got owned. I mean OWNED. At times I wondered if the Caps were ware it was a Game 7. Obviously not the night to have a bad game, but it struck them anyway.

Putting on a dominant performance, the Pens shut down the Caps and won themselves a seat in the Conference Finals. They'll play the winner of Boston/Carolina.

Gotta give a hand to the Caps fans, who, despite booing and jeering some of their guys earlier, gave a standing O for the face offs and stayed standing for the final minutes of the game, in full on cheering mode. Nice when to send your boys off. (minus the jeers)

Playoffs, Round 2, Day 14

Can you believe this round is still going? The Hawks must be wondering if they should have dragged things out a little longer. 3/4 game 7s ain't bad. Home ice must be looking good right now.

Only one game 7 today and it's going to be a classic.

Today @ 4pm
VERSUS HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Series is tied at 3

Much ado will likely be made over this being Crosby's first game 7 ever. I won't bother pretending I care. He can play. That's been established. Let's just let the game do its thing.

Recap:
Carolina didn't play well enough to put Boston away last night, and all the penalties they took didn't help either. The Ducks played like mad men and beat Detroit, much to the surprise of everyone. There was very nearly a tying goal in the last seconds, but Hiller found a way to stop it and allowed his team to force a game 7. His team then forced a elbow into someone's face. A fight ensued.

Playoffs, Round 2, Day 13

Hey East coasters, you guys have a late night ahead of you. Time zones are fun! Both games are potential elimination games again tonight. Should be a fun evening.

Today @ 4pm
VERSUS HD, TSN HD, RDS HD
Carolina leads series 3-2
That whole no suspension for Walker thing will likely be a hot topic



Today @ 7pm
VERSUS HD, TSN HD, RDS, HD
Wings lead series 3-2
If the Ducks force a game 7, I'm going to laugh.

Recap News:

Chicago eliminated Vancouver to advance to the WCF. There will be art for this later today, once Gray has gotten some sleep.

In a crazy OT game, the Caps stay alive to force a game 7. I'm not honestly sure who was more stunned, the Pens fans, or the Caps themselves. Judging by the reaction on their bench, I'm leaning towards Caps.

---

People have been finding this site with some weird search words. I mean weird. Many people seem to be interested in Kevin Bieksa. A few folks also came over from Fark. I'm not sure if I should be scared or amused. I'm pretty sure we were just mentioned in the comments somewhere over there. Either way, hello Farkers and Kevin Bieksa fans!

Playoffs, Round 2, Day 12

Hey look, weekday games that aren't on at the same time!

Two teams face elimination tonight:

Today @ 4pm
VERSUS, TSN, RDS, all HD
'Guins lead 3-2



Today @ 6pm
VERSUS, CBC, RDS, all HD
Hawks lead series 3-2

Recappin' Yesterday's Games:

It looks like the Bruins may have found a cure for the Hamthrax that ails them. They pounded the Hurricanes 4-0 last night. Nothing was connecting or working for the Canes. Game 6 is Tuesday. The Canes will either finish the Bruins, or the B's will push it to a game 7.

The Ducks and Wings also played, but not on a network I currently receive. Detroit won 4-1, having apparently found the antidote to Hiller's magic stopping potion.

Playoffs, Round 2, Day 11

We have one potential elimination game today, along with one game that may or may not involve someone's spleen coming out their nose.

Let's get to it, shall we?

Today @ 2pm

TSN HD, RDS HD, NHLN-US
Series is tied at 2 a piece

Today @ 4:30 pm
VERSUS HD, TSN HD, RDS HD
Canes lead the series 3-1

---

Real Life has caused me to neglect the last two days of playoff hockey. Yet another day with no recaps.

It's nice outside, what can I say?

Playoffs, Round 2, Day 10

On tap for today:

Today @ 4pm
VERSUS, CBC, RDS, all HD
Series tied at 2 a piece
I thought this was a noon game on NBC. I must be slightly out of my mind thanks to a hockey overload

Today @ 7:30
VERSUS, CBC, RDS, all HD
Series tied at 2 a piece

---

No recaps of yesterday's games. Gray went to see Star Trek and Mina celebrated on more successful rotation around the sun. I'm sure in both cases a team won, while their opponent lost. That's typically how these things work out.


Star Trek is awesome by the way. You should go. If you are of a more nerdy persuasion there are some nice references to past stuff in there for you to enjoy.