Well, Calgary Flames lost the NHL Stanley Cup in the 7th game. And you can dismiss my comments as sour grapes, but for those non-watchers of the game, that series deserves an asterisk.

An atrocious 5-3 call by Frasier in game 5 that led them to beat Calgary 1-0, (as well as a five minute major called in the last 4 minutes against Niemenen, plus a full-game suspension).

Tampa Bay won game six 3-2 in double overtime. They won this one for two reasons. One, a goal that Calgary scored on the replays was missed and not counted. Two a blatant trip in the second overtime forced Calgary to lose control of the puck and caused the goal

Calgary outshot and outplayed Tampa Bay in 6/7 of those games

Calgary was really unlucky, the shots were bouncing off of every freaking part of Khabibulin's stick and body.

And, to his credit, Khabibulin was simply a superstar. He should have earned the Conn Smythe trophy.

Nevertheless, congratulations to the Flames for proving EVERYONE wrong, beating the three division leaders to get into the Cup, for dominating the Tampa Bay series, and for going against all odds against the world as a team with a common vision.

And, congrats to Tampa Bay for their victory, as bitter as I am about it. Most of the series was good, clean, sportsmanlike hockey, with both teams sharing a mutual respect and admiration for the other's spirit and efforts.

I'm done now. Feel free to rebut, but let's keep it clean. And for those who hate hockey, all I can say, tongue-in-cheek, is I feel sorry for you .
[This message was edited Mon Jun 7 20:09:22 2004 by savoirfaire]

oh, and yes, I'm a sore loser.

I was rooting for Calgary also...

*They beat the Red Wings, and it hurts less if you lose to the
eventual cup winner.

*Tampa Bay's owner is the owner of the Detroit Pistons, a team
I DESPISE more than any other team in all of organized sports.
Yep, more than the Colorado Avalanche when they had Lemiux.

Niemenen definitely deserved that 5 minute penalty and the suspension. You can't check anyone face first into the boards. He deserves the suspension because he has been called for penalties on the exact same thing before. It's very dangerous, terribly easy for someone's neck to be broken.

As for the Game 6 "goal" that was purportedly not caught or counted by the judges, it wasn't a goal. Did you watch the coverage tonight when the commentators replayed the shot done by computer animation? The puck was NOT ALL THE WAY over the line, thus, not a goal.

Khabibulin played amazingly

Calgary did prove to be the underdog's and played an amazing playoff series. Who thought they would even get this far?
[This message was edited Mon Jun 7 21:53:55 2004 by ultrraviolette]

ultrraviolette said:

I agree that it was an unwise play on Niemenen's part, but, coupled with the Tampa Bay reaction, and the poor officiating throughout the game, it shouldn't have been a suspension, IMO. I think two-minutes max. Then Iggy makes that awesome slapshot and Khabibulin somehow gets his glove on it! GAAAAAH!!! I can't believe what that guy stopped!

And, for the replays that I saw (though I saw none tonight), the puck was exactly completely over the red line, but just barely. I've seen goals counted for just barely having one part cross the line.

But, great series nonetheless.

The penalty calls are my BIG issue with hockey.

If it's a penalty, then it's got to be called EVERY time.
These refs call penalties according to game situations
and THAT'S JUST WRONG.
They all swallow their whistle late in close games and
in OT games.
This has got to change...it's holding back hockey from
becoming a major sport in the USA.

I was also cheering for Calgary, but TB played better hockey. It's nice to know that many of the TB players are good old Canadian boys though.

savoirfaire said:

Hi Calgary..... Edmonton here Org note me!!!!

Damn Calgary lost. I was so pissed. I almost did not want to watch. I was rooting for Calgary.

Oh I used to work for Jarome's dad.

I only root for the Rangers... OK you can give me 1940... all ya want.. I think the only time i will have ever gotten to see them in the playoffs was when i saw it in 94- It just ain't the same unless your rooting for your home team!!!

Go rangers!!!