Montreal out shot Philadelphia by more than 2-1 but for the most part in the game they seemed disinterested and not willing to pay the price by going to the “dirty” areas of the ice to make the play. They had lots of shots on Marty Biron but he could see most of them coming and made an easy save. At the other end Carey Price was having a difficult time seeing the put and looked a little rattled by the flyers charging his net. He let in three goals on twelve shots, which was a pretty poor save percentage. The goals though were screened and to give him some benefit of doubt he did not see them cleanly.
Darian Hatcher gave Montreal some life in the third period by taking a stupid five minute major penalty for boarding. Montreal scored twice on the power play and was right back in the game. If you’re winning 3-0 the last thing you want to do is give the opposition a chance to get back into it. You a bend but don’t break game and even at times avoid the big hit just in case you get called for something.
Montreal needs to play their skating, puck movement game on Philly but they also have to battle in the corners and in front of the net to get the loose pucks. Something they did not do tonight. They have to make sure Biron can’t see the shots or get in front to deflect them. These are the areas of the ice referred to as the “dirty “areas. If Montreal does this, they will still win the series because they have more depth and team speed than the Flyers even though they are down 2-1 now in the series.
On another note I finished 5 of 8 in the first round on my predictions. It just goes to show how much parity there is in the league and how little difference there is between winning and going home.
Sincerely Walt Webb
http://successblognet.com/sportsontheweb
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Does hockey stick shatter matter?
Since the second round of the playoffs has just started, I thought I would take this opportunity to talk about one of my pet peeves in the game today.
I thought that the best way to start this article would be with the question. How many scoring chances have you seen either caused or negated due to a hockey stick breaking. This must drive coach’s nuts especially in the playoffs, when the games are so close. One missed scoring chance could be the difference between moving on and playing golf. I just don’t get it, I know the new sticks let the players shoot the puck a little harder but in the bigger scheme of things, what’s the difference between a 100 mile per hour slap shot and a 97 mile per hour one. The puck would arrive at pretty close to the same time.
One of the problems with the new sticks is there is no indication that it is fatigued and ready to explode. The old wooden sticks would sound differently when they were cracked or chipped. With the new ones everything seems fine until you’re shooting the puck or making a defensive play , all of a sudden you have a piece of stick in each hand and the chance is missed.
Back in the early 90’2 I was involved with testing the Sherwood prototype composite stick. They were doing so to get NHL approval. Well the ones we tested would not break at all and therefore would be considered a weapon in some hands and approval did not go through. Now they have gone to far the other way and it seems that if you look at them the wrong way they will break. Hair line cracks develop just through regular use, that can’t be seen and the next thing you know they break, usually at the most in opportunistic of times.
Why not take a page out of Major League Baseballs rule book. In the MLB wooden bats have to be used, no aluminum or anything else is legal just wood plain and simple. Do you not think major league batters could hit the ball further with an aluminum bat, of course they could, the sweet spot is twice as big as the one on a wooden bat.
So in closing I would recommend that the best hockey league in the world, the NHL, make a rule dictating that only wooden sticks be used in the league. There will be so bitching to begin with but the playing field will be level and coaches around the league will be keeping more hair. That’s the way I see it and I know there is lots of money involved but what price do you pay for the integrity of the game.
Sincerely Walt Webb
http://successblognet.com/sportsontheweb
I thought that the best way to start this article would be with the question. How many scoring chances have you seen either caused or negated due to a hockey stick breaking. This must drive coach’s nuts especially in the playoffs, when the games are so close. One missed scoring chance could be the difference between moving on and playing golf. I just don’t get it, I know the new sticks let the players shoot the puck a little harder but in the bigger scheme of things, what’s the difference between a 100 mile per hour slap shot and a 97 mile per hour one. The puck would arrive at pretty close to the same time.
One of the problems with the new sticks is there is no indication that it is fatigued and ready to explode. The old wooden sticks would sound differently when they were cracked or chipped. With the new ones everything seems fine until you’re shooting the puck or making a defensive play , all of a sudden you have a piece of stick in each hand and the chance is missed.
Back in the early 90’2 I was involved with testing the Sherwood prototype composite stick. They were doing so to get NHL approval. Well the ones we tested would not break at all and therefore would be considered a weapon in some hands and approval did not go through. Now they have gone to far the other way and it seems that if you look at them the wrong way they will break. Hair line cracks develop just through regular use, that can’t be seen and the next thing you know they break, usually at the most in opportunistic of times.
Why not take a page out of Major League Baseballs rule book. In the MLB wooden bats have to be used, no aluminum or anything else is legal just wood plain and simple. Do you not think major league batters could hit the ball further with an aluminum bat, of course they could, the sweet spot is twice as big as the one on a wooden bat.
So in closing I would recommend that the best hockey league in the world, the NHL, make a rule dictating that only wooden sticks be used in the league. There will be so bitching to begin with but the playing field will be level and coaches around the league will be keeping more hair. That’s the way I see it and I know there is lots of money involved but what price do you pay for the integrity of the game.
Sincerely Walt Webb
http://successblognet.com/sportsontheweb
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Washington’s future looks bright
It took overtime in game 7 of the series between Washington and Philadelphia to decide who would move on. The flyers ended up prevailing but Washington should a lot of pen ash in loosing the series. Cristobal Huet was outstanding in the Washington net and the young guns on Washington showed they will be a strong force in the near future. The problem the caps will have is keeping them all and staying under the cap.
Philadelphia will start their series in Montreal on Thursday night. It is my opinion that Philly will be in tough against Montreal, but that is why the games are played.
The refereeing in game 7 was a little sketchy as the stuff they let go in the third period would have been called in the first period. Then in overtime they called a penalty which was questionable and would have been let go in the third. Philly got the winning goal on the power play. This series was one of the best so far in the playoffs. Mike Richards was a force for philly. It was my opinion that the flyers first goal should not have counted and should have been goaltender interference.
Sincerely Walt Webb
Philadelphia will start their series in Montreal on Thursday night. It is my opinion that Philly will be in tough against Montreal, but that is why the games are played.
The refereeing in game 7 was a little sketchy as the stuff they let go in the third period would have been called in the first period. Then in overtime they called a penalty which was questionable and would have been let go in the third. Philly got the winning goal on the power play. This series was one of the best so far in the playoffs. Mike Richards was a force for philly. It was my opinion that the flyers first goal should not have counted and should have been goaltender interference.
Sincerely Walt Webb
Monday, April 21, 2008
Canadians save their best for last
The Canadians started game 7 a little tentatively and were being outplayed by Boston in the first period. Only some very solid goaltending from Carey Price had the Canadians enjoying a 1-0 lead after the first period.
In the second the Canadians started to skate and use their speed to create more chances. They were successful at getting the puck deep on the Boston defense and then forcing turn over’s. Mark Streit scored Montreal’s second goal and it was a beauty. It was a combination of quick passing, speed and skill.
Carey Price remained strong and focused in the net and proved to his detractors that he could over come the rookie jitters from the previous games and play in a pressure packed game at the level of a seasoned veteran. He was very solid in shutting out the Bruins.
The final score was 5-0 but it almost seemed that after the first period the Bruins had very little left in the tank to compete for the rest of the game.
In other games, the young guns in Washington went into Philadelphia and beat the Flyers 4-2, to force a game 7 in Washington tomorrow night.
In other hockey developments, I would keep my eye on the Colorado Avalanche. Adding Adam Foot and Peter Forsberg at the trade deadline gives them some solid leadership to help out Joe Sakic. I think if Forsberg and Foot can stay healthy, the Aves could be the Dark horse in the West. Forsberg seems to be playing some inspired hockey right now and looks like the” Peter the Great” of a few years back. That could be trouble for the rest of the west.
Dallas is also showing great promise after finally getting the monkey off their back and advancing to the second round for the first time in 5 years. It came at the expense of the Anaheim Ducks the current title holders. There will be a new cup champion again this year.
Sincerely Walt Webb
In the second the Canadians started to skate and use their speed to create more chances. They were successful at getting the puck deep on the Boston defense and then forcing turn over’s. Mark Streit scored Montreal’s second goal and it was a beauty. It was a combination of quick passing, speed and skill.
Carey Price remained strong and focused in the net and proved to his detractors that he could over come the rookie jitters from the previous games and play in a pressure packed game at the level of a seasoned veteran. He was very solid in shutting out the Bruins.
The final score was 5-0 but it almost seemed that after the first period the Bruins had very little left in the tank to compete for the rest of the game.
In other games, the young guns in Washington went into Philadelphia and beat the Flyers 4-2, to force a game 7 in Washington tomorrow night.
In other hockey developments, I would keep my eye on the Colorado Avalanche. Adding Adam Foot and Peter Forsberg at the trade deadline gives them some solid leadership to help out Joe Sakic. I think if Forsberg and Foot can stay healthy, the Aves could be the Dark horse in the West. Forsberg seems to be playing some inspired hockey right now and looks like the” Peter the Great” of a few years back. That could be trouble for the rest of the west.
Dallas is also showing great promise after finally getting the monkey off their back and advancing to the second round for the first time in 5 years. It came at the expense of the Anaheim Ducks the current title holders. There will be a new cup champion again this year.
Sincerely Walt Webb
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Montreal has to play their speed game
Montreal had a chance to finish off Boston at home but something happened when they played the game. The Canadians were all over the Bruins in the first period but Boston kept hanging in there. Then in the second period Montreal quit using their speed and Boston started to take the game over.
The game was tied at one in the third period when Carey Price made his first rookie mistake, trying to keep the puck in play in front of his own net, and before you could say Bobby Orr, it was 2-1 Boston. That play seemed to rattle Price and he looked uncomfortable the rest of the way in a 5-1 loss. Now back to Boston for game 6.
In game 5 Price shut the Bruins out in a 1-0 win. Price was the only reason Montreal won the game.
I believe Montreal has more team speed and depth than Boston, but give the Bruins credit, in the last two games they have slowed down the game, plugging up the middle of the ice and forcing the Canadians to play their style of game. Let’s see if Montreal in game 6, is so the series will be over. If not the Hab’s could be in trouble
Sincerely Walt Webb
The game was tied at one in the third period when Carey Price made his first rookie mistake, trying to keep the puck in play in front of his own net, and before you could say Bobby Orr, it was 2-1 Boston. That play seemed to rattle Price and he looked uncomfortable the rest of the way in a 5-1 loss. Now back to Boston for game 6.
In game 5 Price shut the Bruins out in a 1-0 win. Price was the only reason Montreal won the game.
I believe Montreal has more team speed and depth than Boston, but give the Bruins credit, in the last two games they have slowed down the game, plugging up the middle of the ice and forcing the Canadians to play their style of game. Let’s see if Montreal in game 6, is so the series will be over. If not the Hab’s could be in trouble
Sincerely Walt Webb
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Pen’s sweep Sen’s
For a season that started out with such promise, it abruptly ended for Ottawa last night. The Senator’s started the 2007 season the way they finished off the previous season where they made it into the Stanley Cup final. Coming up to the Christmas break Ottawa was cruising along in first place in the Eastern Conference with no other team even close to them. Then something strange happened after we rung in the new year of 2008. Ottawa began to look ordinary and along with the circus act of Ray Emery, the Senator’s began a freefall in the standings, which try as they might, they just could not correct.
Over the course of the second half of the season even The Toronto Maple leafs had a better won/loss record. Ottawa looked anything but a playoff caliber team. I thought, and I am sure I was not alone, that once the season was over and the playoffs began. Ottawa would draw on the experience and adversity they went though the year before in making it to the cup final. Well I was completely wrong and they just could not right the ship.
Injuries did not help them either as they were without Mike Fisher (in my opinion there best two way player and shut down guy) for the whole series. Daniel Alfredsson made an appearance in games 3&4 to try and give his team an emotional boost, but it just did not happen. Alfredsson played with a torn MCL ligament and just did not have any lateral movement or breakout speed. Spezza was also nursing a sore knee as well and did not look his usual self. Danny Heatley was all but invisible in the whole series. The telling story was that Marion Hossa managed more shots on goal in the final game than Heatley did in the whole series.
So Ottawa is gone and one Canadian team bites the dust. If I were a betting man I would wager that the Senators with look a lot different once September rolls around. Heatley’s and Jason Spezza’s big contracts kick in next year so they will have to prove they are worth the investment.
Sincerely Walt Webb
Over the course of the second half of the season even The Toronto Maple leafs had a better won/loss record. Ottawa looked anything but a playoff caliber team. I thought, and I am sure I was not alone, that once the season was over and the playoffs began. Ottawa would draw on the experience and adversity they went though the year before in making it to the cup final. Well I was completely wrong and they just could not right the ship.
Injuries did not help them either as they were without Mike Fisher (in my opinion there best two way player and shut down guy) for the whole series. Daniel Alfredsson made an appearance in games 3&4 to try and give his team an emotional boost, but it just did not happen. Alfredsson played with a torn MCL ligament and just did not have any lateral movement or breakout speed. Spezza was also nursing a sore knee as well and did not look his usual self. Danny Heatley was all but invisible in the whole series. The telling story was that Marion Hossa managed more shots on goal in the final game than Heatley did in the whole series.
So Ottawa is gone and one Canadian team bites the dust. If I were a betting man I would wager that the Senators with look a lot different once September rolls around. Heatley’s and Jason Spezza’s big contracts kick in next year so they will have to prove they are worth the investment.
Sincerely Walt Webb
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Ottawa needs their fans at home.
Ottawa is in trouble against the penguins after loosing 4-3 last night. They need Alfredsson and Fisher in the line up or this series could be over pretty quick. These two guys are key because you can’t replace what they bring to the game and without them all of Ottawa’s lines become much weaker.
Martin Gerber has played great for Ottawa in both losses and has given them enough goaltending to win. It is just that the rest of the team has not played well. The next game will decide if Ottawa makes a series of in or is golfing by this time next week.
Sincerely Walt Webb
Martin Gerber has played great for Ottawa in both losses and has given them enough goaltending to win. It is just that the rest of the team has not played well. The next game will decide if Ottawa makes a series of in or is golfing by this time next week.
Sincerely Walt Webb
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Is touch icing obsolete?
It has been debated for years as to the merit of having touch icing in NHL hockey. People who want touch icing out of the game such as Don Cherry, have a good point in stating that the game is so fast now that many injures occur from the touch icing rule. This does happen because the players are so fast and coming full speed to the end of the rink to either get or negate the icing call. Collisions occur and the board’s then stop the player cold, something has to give and it is usually the defenseman’s bones. Owners are thus losing valuable assets (the players).
Others state that taking touch icing out of the game would take the excitement of the race out as well and the fans would ultimately find that part of the game boring. The NHL does not want to take any part of the excitement out of the
game because they are trying to grow the fan base around the world. They are not concerned with the die hard Canadian
fans, but the new ones in regions they have just expanded into or are hoping to expand to in the near future.I would hope that my proposition would have elements that would satisfy both parties, keeping the excitement of the race and also making it safer for the players as well.
My proposal is that the players will still race for the puck on a touch icing but the area after the goal line becomes a “NO CONTACT” zone. The players can jockey for position until they hit the line but once in that area only stick position is allowed to either get or negate the icing. That way the race can continue but the players are still afforded the time and space to protect themselves from the boards and injury.Any contact behind the goal line could be dealt with by the ref’s and reinforced by the league.
The penalty for contact behind the line on an icing call could be a five minute penalty and a game misconduct. It would not take the playerslong to fall in line and I am sure they would appreciate the rule. Repeat offenders would get longer suspensions
Just to clarify, the no contact behind the goal line would only come into play when the linesman has his hand up meaning an icing charge is in play. The linesman could even be the one in charge of calling contact on the icing play as they would have the best view of the incident.
Anyway that’s my view on the dilemma and I believe there is merit too the proposal
Sincerely Walt Webb
Others state that taking touch icing out of the game would take the excitement of the race out as well and the fans would ultimately find that part of the game boring. The NHL does not want to take any part of the excitement out of the
game because they are trying to grow the fan base around the world. They are not concerned with the die hard Canadian
fans, but the new ones in regions they have just expanded into or are hoping to expand to in the near future.I would hope that my proposition would have elements that would satisfy both parties, keeping the excitement of the race and also making it safer for the players as well.
My proposal is that the players will still race for the puck on a touch icing but the area after the goal line becomes a “NO CONTACT” zone. The players can jockey for position until they hit the line but once in that area only stick position is allowed to either get or negate the icing. That way the race can continue but the players are still afforded the time and space to protect themselves from the boards and injury.Any contact behind the goal line could be dealt with by the ref’s and reinforced by the league.
The penalty for contact behind the line on an icing call could be a five minute penalty and a game misconduct. It would not take the playerslong to fall in line and I am sure they would appreciate the rule. Repeat offenders would get longer suspensions
Just to clarify, the no contact behind the goal line would only come into play when the linesman has his hand up meaning an icing charge is in play. The linesman could even be the one in charge of calling contact on the icing play as they would have the best view of the incident.
Anyway that’s my view on the dilemma and I believe there is merit too the proposal
Sincerely Walt Webb
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Who is gone after the first round in the western conference?
1) Nashville @ Detroit
I think Detroit should win this series in about 6 games. That being said they will be hard pressed to advance beyond the second round. Age and injuries will catch up to them.
2) Colorado @ Minnesota
Minnesota plays great defense under Jacques Lemaire and I think it will be a long series. If Colorado can stay healthy, they have more fire power and should win in 7 games.
3) Calgary @ San Jose
Calgary will have to play the sharks like they were in alley fight to win this one. It will depend on neutralizing Joe Thorton and Brian Campbell. They also need major traffic in front of the San Jose goal. Calgary will play them tuff but in the end I think San Jose is just too strong and will take it in 6 games. Besides San Jose is due and I can’t see them folding this year.
4) Dallas @ Anaheim
This one will be close to but Anaheim should prevail here. They are the defending champs and play tough hockey. Likely the best defensive corps in the league. Anaheim in 6 games
Sincerely Walt Webb
I think Detroit should win this series in about 6 games. That being said they will be hard pressed to advance beyond the second round. Age and injuries will catch up to them.
2) Colorado @ Minnesota
Minnesota plays great defense under Jacques Lemaire and I think it will be a long series. If Colorado can stay healthy, they have more fire power and should win in 7 games.
3) Calgary @ San Jose
Calgary will have to play the sharks like they were in alley fight to win this one. It will depend on neutralizing Joe Thorton and Brian Campbell. They also need major traffic in front of the San Jose goal. Calgary will play them tuff but in the end I think San Jose is just too strong and will take it in 6 games. Besides San Jose is due and I can’t see them folding this year.
4) Dallas @ Anaheim
This one will be close to but Anaheim should prevail here. They are the defending champs and play tough hockey. Likely the best defensive corps in the league. Anaheim in 6 games
Sincerely Walt Webb
Monday, April 7, 2008
Philly to much at home for the Pen’s
Montreal became the number one seed in the east yesterday by virtue of the Pittsburgh Penguin’s loss to the Flyers in Philadelphia. The flyers beat the penguin’s 2-0.
This will ensure a first round match-up with the Ottawa Senator’s for the penguins. They met in the first round last
year. Ottawa took that series and if they get Fisher and Alfredson back from injury, I think Ottawa will win the series again this year.
The other match-ups in the east will be, Boston at Montreal, Boston has not beaten Montreal all year and I don’t expect them to start now. Montreal has to much team speed and depth for the bean towners.
The New York Rangers face off against the New Jersey Devils; this will be the longest series in my view with the out come determined by Martin Brodeur. The Rangers have more skill players than New Jersey but with Brodeur anything can happen. I think the Rangers will come through in 7 games.
Philadelphia at Washington. Washington has played great hockey down the stretch and I don’t see them quitting now.
Bruce Boudreau has had them playing solid hockey since he took over behind the bench and is my pick for coach of the year. Washington should win this series in 6-7 games.
Tomorrow I will preview the western conference.
Sincerely Walt Webb
This will ensure a first round match-up with the Ottawa Senator’s for the penguins. They met in the first round last
year. Ottawa took that series and if they get Fisher and Alfredson back from injury, I think Ottawa will win the series again this year.
The other match-ups in the east will be, Boston at Montreal, Boston has not beaten Montreal all year and I don’t expect them to start now. Montreal has to much team speed and depth for the bean towners.
The New York Rangers face off against the New Jersey Devils; this will be the longest series in my view with the out come determined by Martin Brodeur. The Rangers have more skill players than New Jersey but with Brodeur anything can happen. I think the Rangers will come through in 7 games.
Philadelphia at Washington. Washington has played great hockey down the stretch and I don’t see them quitting now.
Bruce Boudreau has had them playing solid hockey since he took over behind the bench and is my pick for coach of the year. Washington should win this series in 6-7 games.
Tomorrow I will preview the western conference.
Sincerely Walt Webb
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