Sports discussions: Football, Pie throwing, Chinese chequers, etc.

[Drageuth]

Seven minutes and forty-eight seconds into the first period, Washington is on the power play. Washington manages to push the puck past Roloson... but there were too many men on the ice.
Instead of a 1-0 lead in the game, they receive a penalty, which ends their power play and will put Tampa on the power play once their interference penalty ends.

Just over eleven minutes into the first period, and Bergenheim scores for Tampa Bay. Lightning are leading the game 1-0 now. Fifth playoff goal this year.

[Drageuth]

Tampa Bay v. Washington

First minute of the second period, Ovechkin gets an almost breakaway and puts a puck towards Roloson. Roloson stopped it and it deflected towards the back boards, where it was tossed back in front while Roloson was still down. After two whacks at the puck, Knuble managed to sneak it past Rollie and ties the game.

Just over 8 minutes into the second period, Carlson fires a bullet from just outside the point and sneaks it past Roloson. 2-1 Capitals.

11:51 into the second period, Purcell moves the puck around and drops it for St. Louis, who moves it to the front of the net and LeCavalier pushes it past Neuvirth. 2-2 game.

Lightning just received two penalties. There is going to be a five-on-three power play for the Capitals for 1:26, then a five-on-four power play for the remaining 0:34. Provided no one scores for Washington.

Ovechkin scores on the five-on-three, taking the game to 3-2. They still have 0:55 remaining on the five-on-four power play.

Nevermind. Washington gets a slashing penalty, nullifies the power play and switches the game to four-on-four hockey. Lightning power play is coming for 1:22 -- pretty much the remainder of the second period.

Stamkos scores at 5:23 in the third to tie the game at 3-3.

After a video review to make sure that the puck wasn't pushed into the net with a kicking motion, Malone scores at 5:47 off a deflection to bring the game to 4-3 for the Lightning.

Interesting note about the Lightning: so far this year, they have been shorthanded 50 times in these playoffs and have only allowed two power play goals. That's... a really fucking good PK%
Also, in the third period so far, the Lightning are outshooting the Capitals 11 shots to 1.

OH GOD VANCOUVER v. NASHVILLE IS STARTING BUT THERE IS STILL TWO MINUTES LEFT IN THE TAMPA BAY v. WASHINGTON GAME!

There is one minute remaining in the Lightning v. Capitals game, Capitals have pulled the goalie and put six forwards on. Tampa Bay just iced the puck and called a time out because they can't get a change between plays due to the icing.

And Tampa Bay wins the game 4-3. They are up three games to none in the series. They only have to win one of the next four games in order to knock the Capitals out of the playoffs and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Time to flip to the Vancouver game.


Vancouver v. Nashville

With Vancouver on the power play, but about to take a penalty, Legwand intercepts a pass in front of the net and pops it up into the top right corner at 9:42 in the 1st. 1-0 Predators.

End of the first period, Vancouver is going to start the second period with a power play for about 1:30. Nashville took a really lame penalty when Smithson brought his stick up while he was all alone in front of Luongo and caught him in the mask. No one around, nothing to cause him to bring his stick up, just one of those "whhooopsss!" moments. Nashville stills leads 1-0. Vancouver outshot Nashville 15-8 in the first period, but couldn't sneak anything past Rinne.

Exactly one minute into the second period, and finally Kessler scored his first goal of the post-season. 1-1 game.

... well that was odd. Fisher just "tripped" Kessler, but what really happened was Fisher poked at him and his stick got stuck in Kessler's skates. As in, that little opening in the skates. Stuck there. So... Vancouver has a power play. That was... interesting.

Higgins draws a penalty for Nashville, but before they touch the puck, Higgins grabs it and puts it into the back of the net. 2-1 Vancouver.

Ward just scored on a wrap around deflection that bounced off the skate of Ehrhoff. Tied game, 2-2, with six minutes remaining in the third period.

Game went into overtime. Fairly uneventful, but Nashville took halfway through overtime. Vancouver danced the puck around the edges, looking for a clear shooting lane, and eventually Samuelsson sends a rocket from the point that gets tipped by Kessler right in front of Rinne. 3-2 final, Canucks lead the series 2-1.

[Gypsy]

Even with some of the worst teams in the league (take Edmonton and Colorado as an example), the buildings are notorious for having rowdy and very faithful fans. Even if the team itself doesn't put up much of a fight, sometimes just the atmosphere of the arena is enough to through some lesser players for a loop. Most teams (not all, but most) win more games at home than they do on the road. Looking at the standings this year, there were only five or six teams that didn't win more at home than away. Edmonton did, and Colorado did. Hell, even Florida and the Islanders did. Doesn't mean anything about the team that's actually there, it's the mythical "home ice advantage.

It's a load of shit and especially for good teams. Good teams win on the road in any sport.

This, so much this.

I also love that Roloson has gray in his beard.

I'd love to see them in the SC finals at this point.

You know, I don't think I watched a single Nashville game in the regular season, and I'm starting to regret that. Rinne is freaking amazing. Even with the game tonight, he really only made one mistake that I picked up on, which led to a goal for the Canucks. But beyond that, he has been practically unbeatable.

I wish I could put more odds in favour of Nashville, because I'm really only cheering for Vancouver because they are the local and Canadian team (I live just outside of Vancouver). But when Nashville goes seventeen minutes without a shot on goal... they can't win the series doing that. They might win another game, but I don't see them making this a run to Game 7 against the Canucks.

Definitely gonna keep my eyes on Rinne next season, though.

I can't imagine Nashville are on tv an awful lot aside from something that would give you every game. Rinne is indeed great. He's becoming a top goalkeeper. Don't know if the Finnish national team are starting him yet but they should. Kipper was a travesty in the olympics. Nashville are just not skilled enough to win the series. Same problem with Buffalo vs Philly in the first round. Great goalkeeping is always an epic tool to even the playing field, but you still have to score and play good defense or you will lose. Nashville basically has two good players: Rinne and Weber.

[Drageuth]

It's a load of shit and especially for good teams. Good teams win on the road in any sport.

I didn't say they didn't. Just that it's easier for a team to play in a building where everyone is cheering for them.

I'd love to see them in the SC finals at this point.

I think they will be. Or at the very least, they'll go out in Game 7 against Boston for the Eastern finals. It'll be damned close, though.

I can't imagine Nashville are on tv an awful lot aside from something that would give you every game. Rinne is indeed great. He's becoming a top goalkeeper. Don't know if the Finnish national team are starting him yet but they should. Kipper was a travesty in the olympics. Nashville are just not skilled enough to win the series. Same problem with Buffalo vs Philly in the first round. Great goalkeeping is always an epic tool to even the playing field, but you still have to score and play good defense or you will lose. Nashville basically has two good players: Rinne and Weber.

Hockey Night In Canada. Every Saturday night, two games back to back -- Toronto Maple Leafs every time for the first slot, then a Canadian team from the Western Conference (so, basically, Vancouver/Edmonton/Calgary) in the second slot. If Nashville played against any of them, it would be televised on even the most basic of cable packages in Canada. Beyond that... yeah, you'd have to get the NHL Center Ice package.

And Fisher is decent, too. Not a stand-out "gotta keep my eyes on him" player, but not an empty body, either.

[Gypsy]

I didn't say they didn't. Just that it's easier for a team to play in a building where everyone is cheering for them.

Aye, it wasn't really aimed at you, just kind of venting in general about that crap.

I think they will be. Or at the very least, they'll go out in Game 7 against Boston for the Eastern finals. It'll be damned close, though.

Philly is not dead yet. I remember last year...

Hockey Night In Canada. Every Saturday night, two games back to back -- Toronto Maple Leafs every time for the first slot, then a Canadian team from the Western Conference (so, basically, Vancouver/Edmonton/Calgary) in the second slot. If Nashville played against any of them, it would be televised on even the most basic of cable packages in Canada. Beyond that... yeah, you'd have to get the NHL Center Ice package.

And Fisher is decent, too. Not a stand-out "gotta keep my eyes on him" player, but not an empty body, either.

Bit tougher than that to get games in the good ole USA. I wish we had something like that but the sport isn't popular enough here. And yeah I probably couldn't afford NHL Center Ice.

[Drageuth]

Aye, it wasn't really aimed at you, just kind of venting in general about that crap.

Philly is not dead yet. I remember last year...

True, they aren't out, but something tells me that Boston is going to put this one away. I'm thinking... six games.

Bit tougher than that to get games in the good ole USA. I wish we had something like that but the sport isn't popular enough here. And yeah I probably couldn't afford NHL Center Ice.

We can also catch the occasional game on Sportsnet, 'cept I can't see too many Edmonton games. Sportsnet is divided into regions, and they play the "local" team. So I can catch a fair number of Canucks games, but if I want to see an Edmonton game I have to wait for one on HNIC, or when they are playing the Canucks. And I can't afford NHL Center Ice either... it's $220 for the season. Just a bit too much for me to watch the Oilers get their asses kicked.

[Gypsy]

I'd agree mainly because the goaltending for the Flyers is so damn awful. It can't help that they keep pulling guys mid-game...

We can also catch the occasional game on Sportsnet, 'cept I can't see too many Edmonton games. Sportsnet is divided into regions, and they play the "local" team. So I can catch a fair number of Canucks games, but if I want to see an Edmonton game I have to wait for one on HNIC, or when they are playing the Canucks. And I can't afford NHL Center Ice either... it's $220 for the season. Just a bit too much for me to watch the Oilers get their asses kicked.

Word. I definitely can't afford that. I know about the local game thing as well, another person I talk hockey with is a Canucks fan that lives in Alberta and she has the same problem as you with having to watch a team she doesn't care about as much.

[Drageuth]

I'd agree mainly because the goaltending for the Flyers is so damn awful. It can't help that they keep pulling guys mid-game...

In their defense, at least one of them was an injury...
I can't fathom how they expect the goaltender to have any confidence in their game if they keep getting pulled from a game.

Word. I definitely can't afford that. I know about the local game thing as well, another person I talk hockey with is a Canucks fan that lives in Alberta and she has the same problem as you with having to watch a team she doesn't care about as much.

Tell her I'll switch.
Oilers fan in BC, and Canucks fan in Alberta... WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO?!
(I'm so glad you didn't say she was a Leafs or a Flames fan, though. I would have had to track her down and smack her. )

[Gypsy]

Exactly. They have such fragile minds.

Tell her I'll switch.
Oilers fan in BC, and Canucks fan in Alberta... WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO?!
(I'm so glad you didn't say she was a Leafs or a Flames fan, though. I would have had to track her down and smack her. )

Aye. Haha.

I actually have a burning hatred for the Flames. It's more or less irrational and can not be described but I hate the franchise with every fiber of my being. I also can't stand Iginla. That one cup win was a TOTAL FLUKE.

I'm indifferent about the Maple Leafs.

[Drageuth]

I actually have a burning hatred for the Flames. It's more or less irrational and can not be described but I hate the franchise with every fiber of my being. I also can't stand Iginla. That one cup win was a TOTAL FLUKE.

I'm indifferent about the Maple Leafs.

I'm not a huge fan of the Leafs, but I can't really say I hate them.
I grew up in Alberta, just outside of Edmonton. Bred from a young age to hate the Flames. There was a reason that the two clubs hadn't traded any players between them at all (at least not directly) until only a couple of years ago. And yeah, Iginla is one of the reasons I can't stand them. Especially since he's in all of these Scotiabank commercials up here, and I can't avoid him.

Some of the best hockey I've seen, though, have been Battle of Alberta games.

[Gypsy]

I don't know if I'd be able to cope with seeing Iginla's face every day...

Some of the best hockey I've seen, though, have been Battle of Alberta games.

Certainly battling for pride and dignity this year. Hehehe. Anyway I'm off. zzz

[Drageuth]

I don't know if I'd be able to cope with seeing Iginla's face every day...

Certainly battling for pride and dignity this year. Hehehe. Anyway I'm off. zzz

It's a chore trying to make it through those thirty seconds.
The last one was pretty freaking amazing. Until Edmonton blew a 3-1 lead in the third to end up losing 4-3 in a shoot. I cried myself to sleep that night.

Also, .

[Drageuth]

TTTTTTAAAAAAMMMMPPPPAAAAAAA!!!!!

WOOOOO


5-3 win over the Washington Capitals sends the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Eastern Conference Final. They swept the series against the Capitals and are the first team in the semi-finals to advance to the conference finals.

[Gypsy]

TTTTTTAAAAAAMMMMPPPPAAAAAAA!!!!!

WOOOOO


5-3 win over the Washington Capitals sends the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Eastern Conference Final. They swept the series against the Capitals and are the first team in the semi-finals to advance to the conference finals.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSS SSSSSSSSSS.

Looks like multiple sweeps this round.

[Fer!]

Madrid won't be buying Adebayor, oh well, I wasn't a fan of him before but he proved himself to be a quality striker, scored a few goals and he was overall decent, but having Higuaín, Benzema and Cristiano (who isn't supposed to be a striker but he plays in that position) means being most of the time in the bench.