I doubt the Calgary Flames will comeback all the way against the Anaheim Ducks or that the Montreal Canadiens will complete a rally against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but it is a tiny bit of consolation neither of those Canadian teams will be swept.
Just after the Minnesota Wild what it feels like to be put away in the minimum amount of games. Minnesota is the first team eliminated in the NHL Conference semi-finals.
One can excuse the Wild if they have a bit of a complex as they have lost a playoff series to the Chicago Blackhawks for a 3rd straight season.
Goalie Cory Crawford played like a prime Tony Esposito against the Wild after having his struggles against Nashville. Devan Dubnyk melted in the Minnesota net, going from a .929 save percentage in the regular season to just .908 in the post season.
Like most series, the team with the better goalie won, although the Wild had no answer for the dynamic duo of Patrick Kane (five goals in four games) and Jonathan Toews plus workhorse defenceman Duncan Keith.
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I am not a Flames fan but one has to admire their tenacity, perseverance, and guttiness. They are a determined pest. Calgary is 4-0 at home in the playoffs, with three of those wins occurring after the Flames fell behind after two periods.
In reality, this was just a continuation from the regular season when they had 10 such victories when trailing after 40 minutes.
The Flames, down 2-1 in the series to Anaheim, are enjoying an underdog role while proving the critics wrong.
Judging by nine playoff appearances, the Flames appear too young and innocent to be bothered by the so-called pressure.
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Yes, I have been a long-long time Canadiens fan and it was refreshing they did not roll over against Tampa. After going down 3-0 to the Lightning on a last second goal in game three, many teams would not have been strong enough mentally to dominate the next night on the road while facing elimination.
Although Carey Price usually gives them a chance in each game, Montreal doesn’t have enough firepower to win three more against the Lightning, but a victory Saturday at home will sure get our attention.
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Washington’s Braden Holtby is playing as well or better than any goalie in the Stanley Cup playoffs and is a prime early candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
In four games against the Rangers, Holtby has allowed 5 goals, making saves on 91 of 96 shots for a .940 save percentage. In 10 playoff games, he has a .950 save percentage.
While Alex Ovechkin has been superb, the Caps destiny lies with Holtby.
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Predictability has been the theme in the WHL playoffs. Teams with home ice advantage won all eight first round series. There were again no surprises in either the second or third round. Neither of the Conference semi-finals or finals went the maximum seven games.
For the first time in 12 years, the top two teams from the regular season, battle to become the 49th WHL Champions and a berth in the Memorial Cup in Quebec City.
The Brandon Wheat Kings and Kelowna Rockets are meeting in the League best of 7 Ed Chynoweth Cup final for the first time since 2005.
Brandon may have home ice advantage in the 2-3-2 format but there is no favorite. Each team finished with 53 regular season wins. Brandon compiled 114 points and Kelowna 112. The Rockets won the lone head to head match-up 6-1 way back on October 25th in Kelowna. In goal differential during the regular season, Kelowna was +122 and Brandon +121.
Furthermore, the Wheat Kings and Rockets are both 12-3 in the playoffs. Jordan Papirny of Brandon is more reliable in net (2.17 goals against average and a .932 save percentage) than Kelowna’s duo of Jackson Whistle (2.60 GAA and a .914 save percentage) and rookie Michael Herringer (1.96 GAA and a .934 save percentage).
With team captain Madison Bowey and Josh Morrissey leading the way, the Rockets appear stronger on defence and up front, both clubs have a bunch of snipers averaging at least a point per game.
If you are curious, former Prince George Cougars tough guy Chance Braid has three goals, three assists with a plus five rating and 13 penalty minutes in 14 games for the Rockets.
Intangibles play a role in picking a winner. Kelowna has come through a tougher Conference. The Rockets trailed Portland 2-1 before winning three straight, including a key overtime match-up in game five. Brandon has had a slightly easier of a path disposing of each of its opponents in five games.
The Pick: Kelowna in 7.
From the Quote Rack:
Leaked from Tom Brady’s appeal to Roger Goodell. ‘To air is human, to forgive is divine.’
Q. What do you call it when the IRS is after former NFL receiver Plaxico Burress?
A. Plax Evasion
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers apparently wrote a clause into Jameis Winston’s rookie contract that prohibits him from playing professional baseball. Which means Jameis could still try out for the Phillies.
This year the Kentucky Derby hype overlapped with the NFL draft hype. Makes sense, both events featured extremely talented young males who will likely go on to have many out-of-wedlock offspring.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
What would you call A-Rod, currently baseball’s most hated player, breaking Willy Mays’ mark of 660 homers to earn a 6$ million bonus? Heel of fortune.
Kelly Olynyk got a one-game suspension for pulling Kevin Love’s arm from its socket. On the bright side, Olynyk is in the running for NBA Clutch Performer of the Year.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson upgraded a US Army passenger on an Alaska Airlines flight to 1st Class from Economy. Best part of this story was that he “handed” the serviceman the ticket.
Jamie Foxx’s rendition of the National Anthem at the Payweather/Pacquiowy fight was off, and he blamed it on a technical glitch. He immediately called for a rematch and another $100 pay per view to watch him sing it again.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)
And in case you missed it:
Watching Mayweather-Pacquiao was long, anti-climatic and a little painful. And that was just Jamie Foxx singing the National Anthem.
Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller