Two minutes for cross-checking

The eleven jerseys I own. I would have twelve, but a few years ago, I gave my white Toronto Maple Leafs jersey to my brother (I didn't think I'd wear it again). There is a story behind most of the jerseys.

1) The first jersey I owned was the blue Maple Leafs one. My dad got it for me in 1997 or so. I had pointed it out a couple years before, and said I thought it looked great. Apparently he remembered, and on one weekend visit home from college, there it was waiting for me. I wore it all the time. Photographs in which I am wearing it abound. Once, when I was a graduate student, I was walking to the lab, wearing it. It was playoffs time. A car approaching the intersection I was at slowed, the window came down, and the driver stared at my jersey and then said, "Stupendous."

Yes, I am sure he said "stupendous" and not "stupidness."

2) The second jersey I acquired was the Forsberg Sweden national team shirt, which was brought to me from Utah by my ex-husband, who had gone there in 2002 for a ski trip. He brought back a ton of 2002 Winter Olympics stuff, including a hockey puck, for me, but this sweater was the best, though a little too big for me. I wore it a few times. When I was a post-doc at Temple, I wore my Leafs jersey to the lab exactly once. So then I tried wearing the Sweden one, and still got hassled, because at that time Forsberg didn't play for the Flyers. "Look," I said, "I can't help what team he plays for in the NHL, but the fact is, Forsberg is Sweden's best player, and that's all I care about." Or something to that effect. Later, while I worked at Iowa, I wore it. John F. Hitachi, our SEM service tech, asked why I was wearing a Sweden jersey (this being the USA, or something). I said, "Dude, it's Forsberg." Oh, these people that just don't get it!! (He did eventually agree that Forsberg is good-looking, though. I think it's the eyes.)

3) Next, the purple Phantoms jersey, in order to feel as one with the crowd at the Spectrum during the 2004-2005 season. I bought this one off eBay for $60. I was pretty happy. I prefer the purple to the white or the black jerseys, and I have always adored the Phantoms' logo. This is one of my favorite shirts. The dude I went to games with bought a similar shirt toward the end of the season, and I didn't want to be twins with him, so I started wearing the next jersey ....

4) The Flyers away kit with PITKANEN 44, again purchased off eBay, for $65. By the time I got this I was a serious fan of this defenseman and was thrilled to find the personalized jersey for some price below $200. It's a little too big for me too, but do I care? Every time I wore this shirt to a Phantoms game in 2005, the Phantoms won. I like to think that I am part of the reason they won the Calder Cup that year -- I wore the lucky shirt to every home playoff game but one (which I did not go to, early on in the post-season). I wore it to a couple games in the 2005-2006 season too and they won ... and I did not wear it to the two games I went to this year, and they won neither of them. Coincidence? (It did not help the Flyers win the two games I saw in 2005/2006.) Now that I have another, better-fitting Pitkanen jersey, I haven't worn this one much, but it still has a soft place in my hockey heart.

5) The Finnish national team shirt was next, which I bought toward the end of the Calder Cup playoffs in 2005. I debated long whether to get it personalized with Pitkanen's name and number, but decided against it merely for convenience (I would not have gotten the shirt by the playoffs' end if I had chosen to get a name and number on the back, and I wanted it before the end, because I thought I might wear it once -- though I did not, not wanting to break the good-luck mojo of the white Pitkanen shirt). I like this shirt a lot, too, though the crest on the chest is very stiff and the corners poke me when I try to handle it. And the fight strap kind of feels weird sometimes. Leijonat!! I wore it to the Calder Cup final game in Milwaukee last year, as a way to show support for the Admirals without having to actually wear anything Admirals (Pekka Rinne was their goalie) -- though they did give me Admirals silicone wristbands free with a puck purchase I made.

6) For Christmas in 2005 I got the Iowa Hawkeyes jersey (An Iowa hawk-ey jersey? The Hawk-ice? Sorry.) from my parents. I went to a couple Hawkeyes games ... they weren't that good. They were actually wearing sweaters that had IOWA diagonally across the chest, which I like better, but Santa apparently did not find those for sale at Scheels. This shirt is authentic with a fight strap and everything; it's a little too long though. I could wear it as a mini dress.

7) The green Iowa Stars was next, late in the Stars' inaugural season. I didn't want to spend a lot of cash on a Stars jersey until I knew that I was going to like seeing them more than three times a season. I got to wear it twice, I think, in 2006, but this past season I wore it to almost every game I went to. And now it is signed on the shoulder patch by Joel Lundqvist, making it one of my favorite possessions.

8) The PITKANEN Flyers third jersey was purchased just before the start of last season, and a hell of a lot of luck that was, eh? Still, I love this shirt. I would see a couple people wearing it at games, and I loved the orange, I loved the logo, and I loved how PITKANEN 44 looked on the back. Though it has not helped the Flyers win any games I have seen in person while wearing it .... maybe next season?

9) The awfully-expensive game-worn Phantoms jersey with PITKANEN 10 ... a first-tier Prized Possession. Joni wore that shirt. And I wore it to the last Phantoms game this season, and swam in it. It's dinged up. It has a hole stitched closed. It was worn during the Calder Cup-winning season. It was Joni's. Do I need to say more?

10) Technically, I bought the black Forsberg jersey next, but I didn't actually get it until after I had bought 11) the orange Forsberg jersey. Two shirts for half the price of one. I've got no emotional attachment to these yet, seeing as I have had them for only a couple days. Sure, the Flyers will change to new jerseys this fall. Sure, Forsberg may not play for the Flyers again. But there is no shame in these shirts; none at all. Peter Forsberg: the best.

And that is my collection. Like I said, I did once own a white Maple Leafs jersey, which I bought in 1998 or 1999. I rarely wore it because it was too big. And then I moved to Philly, where I didn't want to risk my well-being. So I gave it to my brother. I wonder if he still has it. (He'd better still have it.) Maybe I will ask for it back.

It amuses me that more than half of the shirts are personalized with two names. I guess it's clear who I like, no?

It's Wednesday, and all that's going on tonight is Game 2. Which I can't watch.

I beg those of you who can to enjoy it on my behalf.

In the meantime, there is still no sign of the ordered black Forsberg jersey, though order tracking reports that it was shipped on 5/23/07 and at 9:59 a.m., May 26th, "electronic shipping info" was received at Wilmington ... and at 3:28 a.m. today, "shipment accepted" in Wilmington.

Any minute now, then?

Can't believe I am impatient. Season is months away.

UPDATE 3:20 p.m. It's here!!! Wheeee!!

Hamilton beat Chicago and so it is, in fact, a Hamilton/Hershey Calder Cup Finals series. It starts Friday. Officially, I don't care who wins. Unofficially, I also don't care who wins. There is a poll in the Philly Inquirer today asking who "you" want to win the Stanley Cup, with the options as follows:

the Ducks
the Senators
Who cares? When does the Flyers' training camp start?

My answer to the question of "Who do you want to win the Calder Cup?" my answer is: October's a long way away, isn't it?

Ok, that just makes it sound like all I care about is my favorite teams, and to hell with hockey otherwise. So I have dug deep and found two reasons to want Hamilton to win the Calder Cup: former Iowa Stars play for the Bulldogs, and the Bears have always been anathema to me.

Last night, I saw the score of the Senators/Ducks game as 2-1 Sens, and thought, "Excellent." This morning, I fully expected headlines to read that the Senators continued their playoff roll by taking game 1 at least by that score; instead, I read that the Ducks came back to win in OT 3-2. Booo.

So the Sens lost game 1. That's what they did, that's what they do. They lose game 1, they fight back, they make it harder on themselves.

(It may be a year later, but that Knob Hockey skit still cracks me up. I think it will, indefinitely.)

Speaking of Knob Hockey, there is a host of new Knob Hockeys (hockies?) which was pointed out to me in an email by someone who works for the people who produced this new set. Their website didn't work for me but I was able to see them on YouTube; however, they do not seem to be posted there anymore. Alas. Anyway, I laughed at them, but to be honest, they weren't as gut-bustingly funny as last year's. Maybe it's because the shtick isn't brand new. Anyway, I did think they were funny, but it just wasn't the same. Just like any song in the vein of last year's "Whatever it takes" (dah daaaah!! Car-o-lina Hurri-CANES! DAH DAAAAH!!!) probably won't be as good, either.

Last week, I ordered a black Peter Forsberg Flyers jersey, as I mentioned. The email receipt said I'd be getting another email with more details (e.g. when it was shipped). So far I have not received this additional email, despite my credit card having been charged; J. ordered a jersey the same day and has already received hers. I'm a little peeved, and will be discussing the matter with Dick's Sporting Goods customer service in the next day or so. However, on Sunday, I was doing some shopping, and was in Dick's looking for a Camelbak. While I was there, I took a swing by the team merchandise section, and there was a rack of Forsberg orange third jerseys, priced at $39.97. JACKPOT! I had to get a medium because they did not have my preferred size (small!) but no matter -- with a sweatshirt underneath as required by arena temperatures, I will be sufficiently bulked out for it to fit OK. I still want the black home jersey, but now, if, for some stupid reason, that order will not be able to be fulfilled or whatever, I at least have gotten myself a Forsberg jersey at a steal-type price.

Feeling generous: I may even go back to buy one for my brother and dad each.

An odd and end for you: the other night, I dreamt I was at a friend's house and he had some hockey sticks. I picked one up and was swinging it low to the ground, pretending I was handling a puck; we talked about how I am right-handed, yet in sports do things left-handed (bat lefty, swing a golf club lefty, etc.); next thing I know, in the dream, I'm suited up and excited because I'm playing in a game .....

.... for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

What the? Discuss.

More info about the eastward translation of the Flames' affiliate from a Des Moines perspective:

Here.

I probably mentioned it before, but it still seems weird that one of the Stars' biggest rivals will be closer to Iowa City than the Stars. I am glad I don't have to make the decision which team to support based on proximity. I mean, I became a fan of the Iowa Stars when their team began merely because it was about ten times closer than the Philadelphia Phantoms, and was easier to support them in person. Nearness can work magic. But the difference between the Philly/IC and Des Moines/IC distances is far more dramatic as the difference between DM/IC and QC/IC .... if I were still in Iowa City, I would stay a Stars fan. Would just go to a lot of Flames/Stars games at the Mark!!

And, I might go to the QC to see other games because it is a bit closer and, well, it would be more hockey.

All moot for me, though. Here I am, in spitting distance of the Phantoms and Flyers, and that is eye-poppingly exciting for me.

Speaking of Flyers, the big news around here is only linked to hockey because of the people involved: chiefly, Rick Tocchet, who is said ready to plead guilty to accusations of having run an illegal multi-million dollar betting ring. ("Operation Slapshot" was the cornball name given to the investigation to catch him.) He played before I became a Flyers fan. So the "scandal" of this whole situation just makes me shrug. I guess one of the most scandalous parts was the supposed involvement of Wayne Gretzky's wife.

Let's see, what else? The Predators were sold and there is lots of swirling rumor about how the franchise will bolt Nashville faster than a greased pig. (After next season. Where will it go? Winnipeg! Hamilton! Somewhere in Canada seems to be the consensus.)

Brian Leetch retired. Remember when there were some rumors that he might join the Flyers at some point last season in order to give the defense some stability and leadership for god's sake DO SOMETHING NOW PLEEEEASE OH GOD THE HUMANITY. But he didn't, which makes sense since he was not playing and would likely have had to spend a serious amount of time getting back into game condition, and now that he's sat out an entire season, I guess he just decided what the hey, make it official, I'm done.

He was good, though. If he had been in game shape, he might have been an all right patch for the horrid D last season. Perhaps he could have mentored poor Joni, given him someone to look up to; instead he had to be the cornerstone of a poorly-playing team at the wise age of 23, still developing with no one to guide him. Please, hockey gods, let a wonderful UFA defenseman join the Flyers fold and steer this guy to the stud-dom that we all know he can achieve given the right circumstances.

Vancouver re-signed Ryan Kesler to a 3-year contract. Isn't that the RFA that, last summer, the Flyers tried to poach, only to have the Canucks match and have to offer him an amount that they otherwise would not have? I think it is. It caused quite a stir. Naughty Flyers. There are rumors they may do a smiliar thing to Buffalo -- put up and offer sheet for Vanek, force Buffalo to either match and use up some of the cash that they need in order to sign their Briere, Drury, et al. which leaves them and possibly some other RFAs out to dry ... or save the cash for these guys and lose Vanek. All Philly would lose is some picks and I think most people would be OK with that. Vanek, though these past seasons wearing a Sabres uniform, is young, he's, like, a 40-goal scorer, and who wouldn't want that?

It's not likely to happen, but it's the offseason, rumors go around.

Ok, for now that's that, I have some work to do today.

Apparently it is OFFICIAL:

The Calgary Flames affiliate is leaving Omaha and relocating in the Quad Cities.

See here.

And here.

I'm pretty shocked. The Chicago Wolves lost again last night, and now the Hamilton Bulldogs are one game away from advancing to the finals.

Wouldn't be the first time the Wolves were unexpectedly swept, but gee.

And Hershey is one game away from blanking Manchester. I don't have the time to look, but I wonder if there was ever a Cup finals where the two teams playing had both swept their conference final opponents.

Slow for hockey. Cup finals start next week and even then I won't get to watch, unless I drive somewhere that might be playing it. And I probably won't do that.

Ducks and Senators, starting Monday!

(Fowl and elected representatives? Man, sounds dangerous.)

So, two games on Vs and the rest on NBC, right? All starting at 8 p.m. Eastern. This works out for me. I probably wouldn't force myself to stay up to watch a game starting at 7 p.m. in Anaheim. Well, I would, if it were the Flyers playing.

But it isn't.

Maybe next year. Or the year after. Too bad I'm impatient.


2 AHL games tonight: both Hershey and Hamilton have 2-game advantages over their opponents. Stupid Bears, if they make it to the Finals this year it will be the 20th time in their history having done so. I know they were once Philly's farm team, but that was before I cared, so it doesn't count.

There isn't likely to be a random trip to a Calder Cup final game this year. I mean, I could go up to Hershey, if they're in it, but it just wouldn't be the same.

Trivia from caldercup.com:

May 21, 2005 – Philadelphia’s Antero Niittymaki (33 saves) and Chicago’s Kari Lehtonen (26 saves) post shutouts as their teams take 2-0 leads in their respective conference finals with matching 3-0 victories.

I was there for Niitty's stoning of the P-Bruins! I was right behind the Bruins' bench. And some dude behind me kept screaming for Joni's blood, though calling him "Pinketon", threatening that when the series went to Providence, he'd get it.

So much for that.

Also:

"In Chicago’s last 11 playoff match-ups (beginning with the 2002 Calder Cup Final vs. Bridgeport ), the Game 1 winner has gone on to take the whole series."

Ooops. Hamilton/Hershey in 2007?

Since there isn't much else going on, I will post some photos from games I never told you about, at the end of March and in April:

Today I ordered a Forsberg Flyers jersey (home black). It was basically a steal at $45 including shipping. Sure, he may not play for the Flyers again. Do I care? He's one of my favorite players. I also don't have a black Flyers jersey. The former + the latter = happy Crusher.

This morning, before a candidate's seminar, my division manager said, "I didn't know you were a hockey fan!" by way of greeting.

"How did this get out?!" I asked.

My supervisor: "He saw all the hockey pucks on your desk?"

Actually, he'd seen the license plate frames on my car. The Iowa plates gave it away as mine, and the Iowa Stars frame on the back and the Philadelphia Flyers frame on the front, well, I'd say that speaks pretty loudly about what sport the driver likes.

It's not like I'm trying to keep it a secret. I can't wear jerseys to work anymore, but I can proclaim my fandom in other ways.

So, we chatted briefly about hockey and he said he'd like to see the Ducks in the Cup finals and I said I'd prefer Detroit. But, I qualified it, all I really cared was that the Sabres weren't in it.

Can I rub that in a little more? One of my favorite pictures is of Ryan Miller sprawled face-down on the ice, with the puck across the goal line behind him, the game-winner. I'm soooo not nice. I'm bitter and petty and I enjoy this.

You know what else I'm enjoying (as a bitter and petty person having seen her favorite teams either not make playoffs or be bounced)? That the Hamilton Bulldogs have now twice beat the Chicago Wolves, and lead the conference final 2 games to 0. I did not expect this. Former Iowa Stars captain Dan Jancevski scored the game-winner in Game 1 (in OT #2); Game 2 was also won by Hamilton in overtime. I predicted that Chicago would go on to the Calder Cup final, over Hamilton; perhaps I should revise my thinking.

Shockingly, the NBC 10 station has come in nicely today, only a little bit grainy (to be expected, right, with an antenna?). So, I watched the regulation of the Senators/Sabres game.

Pretty exciting. The second goal was so beautiful I actually clapped and said so out loud. How easy was that? Miller was totally schooled on it.

And now the game is in overtime, and because of the Preakness, I can't watch the end.

BAH!! The race isn't even set to go for who knows how long? It's raining.

Well, I suppose the upshot is that my heart, which hates overtime, won' be quite so worked up. I just get to watch the NHL scores page refresh itself now, and I can do other things in the meantime.

GO SENS GO.

--------------

Bill Clement came on TV in a commercial break. He said, very dramatically (and I paraphrase):

The game is over.
.......
And so is the Buffalo Sabres' season.


WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT.

(I said that last bit.)

Yesterday's email-fest between myself and J. involved the following topics:

1) Brian Engblom's hair (prompted by an amuuuuusing post on hfboards).
2) Chris "Punk-azz" Pronger: various topics.
3) Confidence that Forsberg would leave his girlfriend for one of us.
4) Suggesting the Islanders trade DiPietro for H. Lundqvist.
5) The Flyers' locking down Lasse Kukkonen for 2 years.
6) Mike "Pork" York [J: "Maybe [the Flyers] can persuade [him] to come back :-)" Me: "For dinner? Mmmm. Pork."]

Alas, this is what the off-season is like. When there isn't much "real" stuff to talk about, silliness flies all over. I was laughing, at least.

The only serious conversation was the bit about the Flyers and the contract with Lasse Kukkonen. This off-season UFA signing by the orange and black is going quite well, having secured Upshall, Eager, and now Kukkonen. That pretty much just leaves as priorities Niittymaki and Pitkanen. It's great that they are ironing out these deals early, so that they will know what they've got to spend on the UFAs come July 1. Hockey Gods willing, the Flyers are going to be an entirely different team this fall -- as in, one that can win, rather than self-destruct. And it will be good.

The Ducks managed to win last night in spite of not having their Pronger; Teemu Selanne woke up and scored a goal and assisted twice as well. I'm seeing this series go to 7 games.

AHL action starts again tonight, with conference finals. The matchups have turned out to be Hershey/Manchester and Chicago/Hamilton. From this I predict a Chicago/Hershey final, the second Illinois/Pennsylvania final in three seasons.

The Phantoms will be in the running next year, mark my words. If the Flyers can stay healthy and not require continual call-ups to deplete the Phantoms' roster, they've got quite a fantastic core of guys who should play this year: Parent, Downie, Ruzicka, Guenin, et al. Maybe I will get season tickets and see 42 nights of Phantoms hockey.

I was appalled as I watched the score of the Sens/Sabres game change last night. It went from an immediate 1-0 in Buffalo's favor to 2-0 and then even the 3-0. This was annoying to see. Then it changed to 3-1, and right away to 3-2. Go Sens, eh?

It never changed again, and Buffalo managed to stave off a sweep.

It's only a matter of time, boys.

I take partial blame for Ottawa's loss. My interest led me to watch the score, which I had not done this series, and by the twisting of superstition and fate in the ethers, it caused the undesired outcome.

The game on Saturday is on NBC but I don't think that means I will be able to watch it. I'll check reception, if I am home.

Maybe it is time for me to consider cable TV.

Let's see, what else is there to mention .... Chris Pronger's suspension for his part in a sandwich hit on Tomas Holmstrom the other night? Not a surprise, I didn't see it but I saw pictures. Also not surprising, none of the Ducks think he did anything wrong. Pronger: Thug.

I was reading one of the hfboards topics and someone posted a list of "the best" players for each jersey number. I think he tries to keep it mostly "current" players but includes some of whom he calls "mainstream" (e.g. Wayne Gretzky). At #24, he wrote: "Josh Gratton." No other name. Just that.

Can he possibly mean the same Josh Gratton who has spent most of his career putting his fists in other people's faces?

Please. Not a single other #24 supercedes him?

At minimum, I submit to you Sami Kapanen. Hr. Kapanen may not be a 30-goal scorer but for crissakes, he contributes a hell of a lot more for his team in the game of hockey than I ever saw Josh Gratton do. Hey, I enjoyed Gratton's position on the Phantoms, that season I watched him duke it out with whomever he chose. And I appreciated his occasional goal. I'm just saying, the best #24 out there? I disagree. Sami Kapanen might not even be "the best" but certainly a far sight better than this guy's choice.

I am also highly entertained by the posting at #4: Shawn Belle sharing with Vincent Lecavalier? SHAWN BELLE? Listen, the point I am trying to make is not that these people the guy has picked are terrible players, but come on. Dude who spent most of the year in Houston, listed alongside VINCENT LECAVALIER?

And, ok, #30: Frederik Norrena is a capable goalie, but how (how??) do you place him on the list and not Marty Brodeur?? Or Henrik Lundqvist, for crying out loud?!

And, now I'm just starting to laugh ... I don't like Sidney Crosby, but even I cannot even pretend to be serious about agreeing with having Donald Brashear share the list of "best" for #87. Not only does this guy have them both listed, he actually names Brashear before Crosby. Maybe he doesn't have them in any particular order, but, wow, does that look ... ignorant. And #39, shared between the Dominator and Dan Cloutier. If that doesn't make you roll on the floor, I don't know what will.

And, one of the biggest crimes of all: I don't see Peter Forsberg on the list for #21. He may not be all that he once was, but he is still absolutely one of the best players in the league, and the failure to put him down for #21 is simply mindboggling.

Ok, enough of tearing this poster apart, but I wanted you to have the same good, hearty laughs that I was having this morning. It's not like I could have myself written the end-all, be-all "best player at this number" list, but I know enough to spot ridiculousness when I see it.

I was just about to look at NHL.com when my technician came into my office today and said, "So, the Wings won 5-0 last night!" and I must have had a boggled look on my face, because he laughed.

After such closely contested games 1 and 2, a 5-0 blowout seems ... an oddity. But one for the side that I want to see win, so it's all good. I'm sort of wishing that I had cable so that I could watch the games ... I wonder how long it would take for it to be installed if I called today.

Tonight -- Sabres v. Senators, and there isn't much I can say that won't sound exactly like anything I've already said, so just this: GO SENS GO. Echoing sentiments in an email I got yesterday, sometimes I wonder what I think I'm doing, cheering for the Senators ... but you know, with the Flyers scattered around the northern hemisphere enjoying a beautiful spring and early summer, where else will all my cheering energy go? Especially now that the Iowa Stars are also scattering.

Oooh, Stars, leading to the AHL: I read today a rumor that the Calgary Flames' AHL team will leave Omaha and relocate in the Quad Cities. This is highly interesting. That would put six AHL teams in the Western Division within reasonable driving distances of each other -- and if Iowa had an Admirals - Mallards(Knights) - Rivermen/IceHogs/Wolves series, a hell of a lot less time would be spent on the bus (going home would be the long step!). Also, for those fans I know still in Iowa City, it would be a quicker drive to see the Stars' away games in the QC than to go to the home games in Des Moines. What it sounds like is that the Mallards, the QC's UHL team, is interested in moving up in status, so to speak; a request to join the ECHL was denied (nearest team too far away, or something?) so, a jump to an even higher tier seemed like the next step -- rivals will be close.

There are a lot of incidences of "no comment" or similar in the article, but sometimes people say that when things are true that they simply cannot speak openly about at this time. Of course, it might also not be true, but they can't say that either, for whatever reason. Mum's the word, I guess.

The Mark is technically not in Iowa, but two of the four Quad Cities are. So if this move/upgrade happens, would that mean one and a half AHL teams are in Iowa? (Three and a half in Illinois?)

P.S. I will never like the name IceHogs. I hate when a capital letter happens in the middle of a word. Ice Hogs, or Icehogs (but what is an icehog?) would be better, but is still a goofy name. Is "Hog" included because it's a Midwestern team? I hate to think that. Why not choose some other, meaner creature? IceVipers! IceJackals! IceVampireBats!

One more to go and that's it for the Buffalo Sabres. I suppose it's possible the Sabres can turn the table and win four in a row -- but then, it was also possible for the Iowa Stars.

I saw Ottawa winning the series before it started, and I still see that now. Even more clearly. I mean, they're up three games to none, with last night's 1-0 win. After the way Alfredsson was demonized for a hit that some people claim should have been penalized (even going so far as to suggest he should be suspended for it -- I can't say, I don't know, I didn't see it, and all I read is one biased account after another, for whichever side), it amuses me greatly that it was Alfredsson who scored the only goal of the game.

And it amuses me that Buffalo only managed fifteen shots all night. Where, oh where, has the potent offense gone?

I'm not very nice, so HA HA.

Go Sens Go.

In other news, the Flyers not only got Scottie Upshall signed recently, they signed Ben Eager to a 2-year deal. I like this, as Ben Eager, though not the most talented guy on the team, brings some very needed muscle and grit (and a willingness to go to it, as his league-leading PIM record may attest), and he's even relatively skilled. I like that the Flyers are tying up some of the RFAs early on. Who's left? Let me list some of the important ones (or ones that are probably going to receive the most consideration)

Afanasenkov, Potulny, Pitkanen, Kukkonen, Niittymaki

There are others -- Darren Reid, Scott Munroe, Lars Jonsson, Matt Ellison -- but Reid, Munroe, and Jonsson will probably hang with the Phantoms and I think I read that Ellison will not be offered a contract.

Get Pitkanen locked in, get Kukkonen locked in, keep Potulny and keep Affy. In an article the other day Paul Holmgren said something about Niittymaki asking how much he's going to be playing, before discussing contracts, and he was told something like 20 games. That's not very many, out of an 80+ game season. I know that they brought in Marty Biron to be the #1 guy, but let's be realistic. Has Biron ever started 60 games a season? I'm really asking, but I bet the answer is no. Maybe he's capable. But maybe they shouldn't come right out and say to Niitty "You will play only a quarter of the season, mark my words." Because you never know what will happen. While I will be very pleased if Biron solves the goalie situation in Philadelphia (i.e. gives a clear, consistent #1 capable of stealing the games they should have lost and making sure they win the games they should), I don't see Niittymaki hanging around as a backup indefinitely -- and I don't want Philadelphia to lose Niittymaki.

Well, it will all unfold as it will. Lots of time ahead.

Well, there was technical difficulty Saturday night as I listened to the game, as in, the game kept disappearing because my internet connection kept fluctuating (perhaps it is a sign that I should get my own rather than continue to swipe from random unsecured network with a low signal). So I could not listen, and I could not finish a post; therefore, the post prior to this one is incomplete.

But there wouldn't have been much more to say that was not in the "Aw, man!" or "Grraaaah!" vein. Iowa lost 5-1, and so ends their 2007 Calder Cup run.

It's a disappointing outcome given the jump ahead they took early in the first; that deflating last-minute goal by Chicago in the first period was the death knell, I should have realized it. But I held on hope for a very brief time at the start of the second period. Then Ellis's gates opened and Chicago made quick work of the Stars; it was pretty much all over before the second period even ended. I wish I could have been optimistic about the third period, but I was not. History has shown that the Stars were rarely capable of an epic comeback after falling down 5-1. Sure, I hoped I'd wake up Sunday morning to excellent news, but the only excellent news I had was that the Sabres had lost in 2OT to the Senators, meaning they are now 0-2 heading to Ottawa. While this is great, I'd have traded a Sabres win for an Iowa win.

But that kind of bargain was not offered to me, and the Hockey Gods have turned away from Des Moines for the season.

However, it is not all gloom and doom, right? After a horrid start to 2007, the Stars managed to grab a playoff berth and beat the division leaders to get to the second round. Playoffs round 1 their first year; playoffs round 2 the second year; if we follow this trend, the Iowa Stars will be in the Calder Cup finals in 2009.

Here's to next season, a season not likely to include Loui Eriksson or Joel Lundqvist, and maybe not Chris Conner or Junior Lessard; but there is a decent core to build around for 2007-2008.

Good luck to Chicago. I still don't want the Wolves to win the Calder Cup, but hey. I didn't really want Hershey to win it last year, either, but they did. I really only want the Phantoms or the Iowa Stars to win, and I'm not going to get that this year. Waaaaaaaah! Chicago's going to face either Manitoba or Hamilton. And Hershey waits to find out whether they will play Providence or Manchester (that series is at 3-2). That's the Calder Cup situation right now.

So, yeah, the Sabres and their whiny, complaining coach lost twice in Buffalo -- so much for the league's best team, home ice advantage, yada yada -- and Ottawa have the advantage of 2 games to 0 going back to Canada. And Anaheim has managed to tie the Red Wings at 1 game apiece.

This weekend the World Championships played out and Finland faced Canada in the gold medal match, and the Canadians, after what seemed to me a slow start to the tournament, ended up taking the gold, relegating Finland to another silver with a 4-2 conclusion. There really isn't anything shameful about taking second place ... and while I personally prefer to wear silver rather than gold, a gold medal for one of my favorite teams would have been lovely. Last year's champions, the Swedes, ended up losing the bronze match, which Russia won.

All my primary interests are done for the summer; I will pay attention to the Stanley Cup playoffs and the Calder Cup playoffs but rather peripherally. Fortunately, the long intermission should be nicely occupied by personal pursuits, but I will always be anxious for October. Well, September, when the pre-season gets going. And there is the draft, and then free agent stuff in July. Wooot!

I missed the first 10 minutes of the game because the audio broadcast would not connect. However, here I am, listening with 8-some minutes left in the first period, and Chris Conner has given the Iowa the 1-0 lead. WOOOOHOOOO!!

GAH. 49 seconds left in the period, after a host of awesome Ellis saves, Jason Krog scored to tie it.

And, so, first period ends with the tie. I think I am nervous.

So Shaver is talking about a Chicago Wolf who was suspended for having unexpectedly punched Joel Lundqvist at the end of the second period in Game 5, and said that Joel had needed stitches. Sheesh. I guess that explains the "illegal equipment" in the description of the penalty that I read the other day.

Shaver also has a couple times referred to Chicago's new guy Brian Little as "Neil Little" and for the briefest of moments, the first time, I was all "WHAT?" then realized he couldn't possibly have meant that Neil Little, Phantoms Hall of Famer, was playing tonight for Chicago. Aww, Neil Little. I regret not trying to get his autograph at the Calder Cup party that time in Philly.

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Fffuuuuuuuuuuudge. Chicago scored 4 seconds in. What the hell? I barely even realized the game had started again.

The Stars are falling apart. Chicago scored again, Haydar finding a way. 3-1. This is now or never, boys. Tonight's going to be it, unless they pull together. Come on, Stars.

Damn it, four unanswered goals. 4-1 Chicago. Bad luck there as Grossman blocked a shot and the puck went right to the wrong guy.

Brief mentions:

Detroit won. My predicted teams are each 1-0 in the conference finals. Tonight Buffalo plans on tying the series. The Senators will foil them.

Tonight the Chicago Wolves plan on sealing the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs. We shall see.

Scene: I'm at my computer measuring particle sizes with a ruler. My boss stops at my door to ask if I am going to go to lunch.

Me: Yes. [Sets down ruler on desk, next to open lab notebook, which has an Iowa Stars puck on it as a placeholder.]

Boss: [incredulous] You use a hockey puck as a paperweight??


I don't see the big deal. You know, when you have a collection of pucks that has grown to more than ten, you might as well start finding practical uses for them.

Maybe he just hasn't quite gotten the memo that I am a big fan of The Hockey. When October rolls around, I'm sure it'll circulate and reach his desk.

P.S. I saw a picture today of Peter Forsberg and Simon Gagne in the road white jerseys and sighed. I miss those days.

What in the world happened to the Wolves last night? I was away in Center City at the Trocadero and so I didn't get to listen. All I see is the final score, and I have to scratch my head, all the while exulting a little bit.

Whatever it was that dragged at the Wolves' feetsies, it was good for the Stars. A 5-1 win (5-1) and they are still in these playoffs.

A night of Swedes, apparently, with Loui Eriksson scoring 8 seconds into the game (whee! a franchise record, either in the regular season or playoffs), Yared Hagos with a shortie in the first, and our Hot Swedish Twinboy with two. The Stars scored all five goals before Chicago managed their only one. Reading about the game, it sounds almost like they just got the team names mixed up.

After being pretty quiet lately, Eriksson-Lundqvist-Lessard showed up last night: 16 shots on goal and 6 points. Three Iowa Stars are the three stars on theahl.com, but I guess when only two teams played last night and the score ends up being so lopsided, it's not a shocker when three players from the winning team end up being the three stars. All the same -- it's nice to see Joel's pretty face smiling at me in the morning. (Tee hee!)

Unfortunately, I'm looking at $250-350 airfares for tomorrow -- which, as much as I would love to see the Stars again, is a little rich for a 24-hour trip. There are other circumstances under which I would pay that much, but right now, I'll have to take a pass. So I don't think I will be at Game 6 -- which is disappointing, but I suppose that I will get by.

The Des Moines Register notes a curious coincidence: last year, in the first round against Milwaukee, the Stars played Game 5 on a Thursday, in Des Moines, down 3 games to 1, and ended up forcing a Game 6 -- just like last night -- winning by a score of 5-1.

Other AHL action: no series has yet been decided. Providence and Manchester are knotted at two games apiece; Wilkes/Barre-Scranton avoided being fully trounced and Hershey still rules that series 3-1 (will the Bears finish off the Penguins? Find out tonight!); Hamilton and Manitoba have only done three games, with Hammie leading 2-1. It's just shy of mid-May and the playoffs are still going on! WOOO!

NHL: Ok. I didn't even think about the OTT/BUF game much yesterday, as I had the Stars in my head and a lot of other things going on, but not only do I get to be very pleased at the outcome of my baby Stars' game, but I get to take a great deal of satisfaction in the result of last night's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final. Ottawa hands Buffalo a convincing 5-2 loss. YESSSS. If you like stats, and believe in the power of history: it "is suddenly against Buffalo, a team that's lost 13 of 14 best-of-seven series when they drop Game 1."

Go Sens Go.

P.S. The Flyers re-signed Scottie Upshall -- two season contract, $1.2 mill-ish. Excellent.

Canada over Switzerland this morning, 5-1. Sometimes, scores make you wonder why some teams even bothered. (I'm including Iowa's recent 7-0 and 6-1 losses in that.) Canada and Sweden in the semi-final, then.

USA/Finland happening as I write. In the first period, it's a 0-0 game. John Grahame in net for USA, Kari Lehtonen minding for Finland. The USA gained Zach Parise as a casualty of New Jersey's ouster from the Stanley Cup playoffs -- this can only be good, right? For your reading pleasure, the five biggest USA/Finland games as chosen by IHWC.net. It includes the gold-medal match from the '80 Olympics. Apparently, Coach Herb Brooks said (when the team was down 2-1 going into the third): "If you don't win this one, you will take it to your graves." Yikes! I had a tough cross-country coach while I was in high school, but I think even he would have balked at saying something like that.

While I am reading/typing, Finland scores the first goal of the game at about 17 minutes, Tuomo Ruutu from Mikko Koivu. I just read how Saku Koivu scored the game-winner in 2004 World Cup -- on Robert Esche.

Another game was last year in the Olympics, where Teemu Selanne was high-sticked by Derian Hatcher (these Flyers!). If I recall correctly, the teeth he lost there were the first teeth he'd lost in all his long, illustrious career as a hockey player. Maybe I am misremembering, but I don't think so. Correct me, someone, if I am wrong.

The first period ends with a 1-0 Finland score.

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Second period: while I was working, the score evened out at 2-2. First tied by a shorthanded Toby Petersen goal. Pekka Saravo put Finland up again 2-1 but Tyler Arnason answered. Too bad for not being able to watch this game!

With ten to go, Finland scored again. 3-2, by Jari Viukohla. (Bunch of names I don't recognize are playing.)

Four minutes later, the USA tied it again, 3-3 with a goal by Lee Stempniak. This guy is on fire these World Championships. WOOO!

Gee, this is a high-scoring period. Finland back up again, 4-3 with a PP goal by Tomi Kallio. And that will be all for the goals in the second period.

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Third period had only one goal -- scored by Andrew Hutchinson of the USA, tying the match. Overtime time!! WOOO!!!

In the end Finland beat the USA 5-4.

I'm disappointed, actually. I now hope Finland goes on to win the gold. (Well, I half-hoped that anyway, but I really wanted the USA to hit the semi-final.)

Games of note today:

AHL: Stars v. Wolves. Iowa must win. Last year they were down 3-1 against Milwaukee in round 1 and yet forced a Game 7. Can they dig down and do it again this year in round 2??

NHL: Senators v. Sabres. Ottawa's gonna take this series in 6, that's my prediction. Go Sens.

World Championships: Finland v. USA. Either way, I get a team I like advancing. GO USA! Failing that, Yay Suomi!

OMG.

(Perhaps it will be a good thing, if the Iowa/Chicago series ends on Thursday, so that I can quit having to type "OMG" or "oh my god" or whatever.)

I turned off my lights and went to bed last night, only to have the Iowa Stars allow three more goals by the Wolves for a 6-1 decision. Why don't they just leave the red light on behind the Stars' net? Might save the goal judge having to move his arm every five seconds to turn it on again. As the article in the Register quipped, "The Wolves have lit more lamps in Des Moines than MidAmerican Energy."

Unfortunately, it's just about true, Chicago averaging 5 goals per game against Iowa this year.

It is kind of embarrassing that the Wolves could have won it with only 2 goals, but needed to showboat and score 6. It is embarrassing that the goaltender was pulled for the second time this series and replaced. Will Stephan get to start outright on Thursday? Mike Smith! We neeeeeeeeeeed you, and we can't have you. Waaaaaaaah!

I remember in the Stars' first season, I think the second game I went to was Iowa/Chicago, and Chicago had no hope in that game, losing 4-1 though outshooting the Stars. Seemed fitting to me, after having last seen them get manhandled by the Phantoms.

I miss those days.

The Stars have got to do three in a row, now. I'd like to believe they can do it. I'm sure they could, if this and that align and go their way, but humbly I must face facts: Chicago's team is just about unstoppably awesome.

Thursday, we'll see if Iowa can hang on, or if my dreams of going to Chicago this weekend and a Hershey/Iowa Final series will fade.

Dan Ellis just isn't good enough to stop the Wolves, when they get clear going after Iowa defense fails. This is not so much criticism of the goalie as it is grudging awe of the Wolves' offense machine. Given their numbers this past season, there doesn't appear to have been many goalies good enough to stop the Wolves. Jason Krog scored first for the Wolves, on their first shot, and I admit my shoulders feel a little saggy.

....

DAN HACKER scored to tie the game at 1!! Short-side, stick-side, Garnett didn't stop it. WOOO! 8:31 gone by.

Then, just a little more than 2.5 min later: a giveaway behind the Iowa net, and Chicago pounced immediately and scored. 2-1 Chicago. Two shots. Two goals. Cripes.

After the first period, the score remained 2-1 Chicago. Chicago scored first in the second, score 3-1. I am not going to listen to all this match. I don't want to be up late, since I am lazy. The Stars can win it without me and it will be a nice surprise in the morning. I will finish out the second period, though.

Pushkarev goaded a Wolf (?) into a high-stick, then went and boarded another, negating his own nice power play draw. Hmph. Period 2 is basically over. Come on, Stars.

Good night.

Slow day, hockey-wise. No World Championship matches to follow live. Just some stuff to look forward to. But there is a little to type about, while I wait for a meeting at 1 p.m.

NHL:

Last night the Red Wings beat San Jose, which pleased both me and the technician I work with, since while we do not have a problem with California, being from areas where ice actually persists outside during some times of the year, we feel that teams from places where ice also persists outside during some times of the year should be teams that end up in the Stanley Cup finals. That said, I agree that the Anaheim Ducks have a great team. I mean, players like Teemu Selanne and Chris Pronger aren't found around every corner (tsk) and Anaheim has assembled some good ones that work together well as a team. And San Jose, you know, has Joe Thornton, among others. But -- California. Detroit, ok.

My picks for the Stanley Cup finals (which are based solely on who I want to see in the finals, of the teams that remain) are the Ottawa Senators and the Detroit Red Wings. I don't want Buffalo to make it, which probably goes without saying. But the thing is, Buffalo has shown themselves to be vulnerable, after the Rangers pushed them in tight games decided by small mistakes, calls, and bounces that could have gone one way or another way and made or broke a team. The Rangers! It's true that since the All-Star Game, the Rangers looked like a different team (and for the better) but I didn't believe they would be fighting tooth and nail in a second-round series, not when it was against those Sabres. The Sabres will still be dangerous, but a team better than the Rangers can, and will, beat them. And I think the Senators are better. I hope they prove me right.

AHL:

Transcript of a chat with Dan Ellis at theahl.com.

Whoever it was that was doing the typing was fond of leaving out apostrophes. If it was Dan, I suppose I'd rather he just kept pucks out of the net rather than spelled properly. But you know how things annoy me.

Tonight's game against the Wolves is in Des Moines. It's a crucial point in the series. If the Stars lose, they've got a big climb ahead of them -- a three-in-a-row situation against a hot and strong Wolves club. If they win, they can breathe a little but it's still going to be do-or-die every game afterward. If they win, they've got at least a Game 6. You know what that means. I told you yesterday.

Go Stars.

World Championship:

USA ended up losing 6-3 to Canada. And Sweden suffered a 4-2 loss to Russia. The pairings for the final round are set. Tomorrow, Russia/Czech Republic and Sweden/Slovakia. Thursday, Canada/Switzerland and USA/Finland.

Another weekend, more hockey.

Friday night, I was home for at least part of the Chicago/Iowa game. I listened to a portion of it before the broadcast disappeared. When I finally left my apartment for a previously-scheduled engagement that did not get started until later than anticipated, the score was 2-2. This was encouraging. When I looked at the score the following morning: Iowa had won, 5-4. This, with no points from Iowa's "new" top line (Lessard, Lundqvist, Eriksson) -- two goals from Szczechura, two assists and a goal from Conner, three points from Niskanen, plus a goal from the nasty Norwegian. Jason Krog from Chicago tallied four points (three As and a G), and Haydar with As on three of those four Chicago goals -- as if no one knew it before, it is obvious who needs to be contained.

Even-strength goals seem hard to come by -- only two of the nine scored Friday night were not on special teams.

So the Stars managed to split the series in Chicago, and this was fortuitous, because once the teams got to Des Moines, for Sunday's game, the Stars lost again. Not a blow-out, but still a loss (5-3). Two of the Wolves' goals were made on empty nets, after Ellis had been pulled. Empty-netters count, but the cynic in me says this game was a tie effort. Iowa gambled when the game was 3-2 and lost (though did squeeze a goal out of the last minute and a half).

If you go by numbers alone, the first period looks to have been a snooooozefest, seeing as only five (5) total shots on goal between the teams were made. Three from Iowa; two from Chicago. No goals until the second period. Now, in reality, the game might have been more exciting than five shots might indicate, but to me it says either the teams were playing like the 90s Devils or that neither team could get it together enough to set up any scoring chances. I didn't listen and I couldn't see. So I don't know. What I do know is that holding a team like Chicago to only two shots in a period is kind of .... wow. Too bad it didn't last. In the second period, the Wolves made up for it, with fifteen shots on goal, while Iowa managed only nine. (Sad to think, though, that that triples the first period value. "Tripling" sounds so dramatic. Math: it can still end up being subjective.) Lundqvist and Lessard drew two points apiece, a goal and assist each; Demarchi scored the third goal for Iowa.

No AHL games tonight. Iowa and Chicago are back at it tomorrow night in Des Moines. No panicking yet; Wolves up 2-1, a situation from which the Stars can recover. If they do win tomorrow, that means a Game 6 in Chicago on Saturday -- which means maybe I will be taking a whirlwind weekend adventure. GO STARS.

As for other AHL notes: Hershey is one game away from sweeping the baby Penguins under the rug. I have never liked Hershey at all, the Bears being one of the Phantoms' biggest rivals, but if you were to put the Hershey Bears and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins onto opposite sides of a balance and set the measurement value to "hate", the Penguins side would sink lower. I love the idea of the baby Pens getting crushed. (No, I did not say I love the idea of baby penguins getting crushed. Read again.) Also, Hershey winning in four games means my vision of a Bears/Stars final series remains valid, with one side of it closer, soon.

If the Stars do get past Chicago, an outcome which feels uncertain though I feel possible, they'll end up playing against either Hamilton or Manitoba -- and Manitoba's being handled by Hamilton at this time, down 0 games to 2. I saw the Stars play Hamilton this year, and though they won 3-2, I wrote that the Stars didn't seem interested in playing very well. I didn't see them play Manitoba this year.

Ok, the Other Hockey Which I Have Not Paid Attention To In Days:

Stanley Cup stuff: Devils lost and the Senators move on. This was more or less as expected, though it does mean that now there will be no chance of a trip to Jersey to watch a playoff game. While I was liking the idea of seeing more NHL hockey this year, I'm not too broke up about it. I am more broken up about the Rangers losing such close games and allowing the stupid Sabres to advance. Now, I will briefly become a rabid Senators fan and send all my hockey hoping (well, all my NHL hockey hoping) toward Ottawa and pray to the Hockey Gods that the Sens crush the stupid Sabres. The playoffs narrow themselves down as the days go by; on the other side, Anaheim felled Vancouver and the Ducks wait now to know who they'll face next (Red Wings are up 3-2 on San Jose, playing tonight to clinch).

World Championship stuff:

Canada's team at last found its skates, or something, because the scores are starting to reflect what a person might expect from them, given who they are playing. Friday, a 6-3 win over Belarus. Sunday, a 4-3 win over Czech Republic. Since the loss the USA took over the latter team on Thursday, they won 3-0 over Deutschland. Today, even as I type, Canada and USA are playing each other, with Canada easily skating over the USA, 4-0 at the end of the first period. Unnnggh.

As for my other favorite world team, the Finns -- Thursday's 2-0 win over the Swiss was followed by 3-0 win over Italy on Saturday and a 1-0 loss to archrivals Sweden on Sunday. Finland's off today, while Sweden is currently in a 1-1 tie with Russia.

Looks like my two favorite teams are going to make it to the final round anyway: top 4 teams in groups E and F advance, and Finland's in the third spot and the USA will be either 1 or 2 depending on the outcome of today's game. The final round quarterfinal starts on the 9th (Wednesday) with what appear to be the following pairings/possible pairings:

SWE/RUS v. CZE
RUS/SWE v. SVK
CAN/USA v. SUI
USA/CAN v. FIN

I feel sorry that it's likely (given the present score of the CAN.USA game) that my two favorite teams will meet in the quarterfinal, meaning one of them will get left behind and it wouldn't be a USA/FIN final. Maybe the USA can come back and beat Canada and face Switzerland instead. Maybe. I mean, improbable doesn't equal impossible. Ok.

Not likely to be home to listen to the game tonight. It's just as well. You know the quantum effect that me listening can have, though in an email to me, the other day, J. gallantly shouldered the blame:

"My fault. I said 'of course they are going to win'."

She also promised not to make any more predictions. I make the same promise. I do hope, and deeply, for the split tonight, but ... it will take some serious, probably gut-wrenching effort. In an article in today's Des Moines Register (which discusses the difference in roles Lundqvist and Eriksson have in Iowa versus playing for Dallas) coach Dave Allison says he is going to "shift some players around". I wonder what kind of shakeup there will be as far as line composition. Not being able to see, and having not listened as faithfully as you might have expected that I would, I cannot say that I would necessarily notice a shakeup, if I did listen tonight. I think if Lundqvist and Eriksson are not together, that would be something I'd take note of, but there is no indication of this (though no indication against it, either). "'The bottom line is we have to skate,' Allison said. 'We've got to skate whether it be offensively or defensively. We can't watch this game.'" Darn right. Watching the game is for the folks in the stands. The Stars have to step up at least to the caliber of play they exhibited against Omaha, or else they will be the watchers -- watching someone else gun for the Calder Cup. GO STARS!!!

Also, the Iowa Stars president was apparently let go from his job, allegedly (so say bloggers and message-board posters) due to low attendance. I don't know, seems a thin reason. The Stars averaged ~4800 fans per game this season -- middle of the road in the league (15 out of 27). For having only one full season under their hats, I'm thinking that's not too bad, but then I am a staff scientist and not someone in the business of running a hockey club. Maybe it's something else -- some other facet of a money situation that hasn't yet come to light.

We did our best to help boost attendance, driving from Iowa City to Des Moines, what, at least 13 times this season. And you know if I were back that way next season, we'd do it again.

(Instead, I'm going to go up I-95 to Philly and see the Phantoms. WOOO PHANTOMS!! Maybe next season they'll make the playoffs. Maybe all they need is me in a seat in the arena, wearing the good-luck white Pitkanen jersey.)

World Championship update!

USA is up 3-1 over Slovakia in the second period. This is a nice surprise. I thought it would be closer. Sure, still have half the game to play, but all the same ... for the US there have been 2 equal-strength goals and 1 shortie (Andrew Hutchinson, David Backes, and Phil Kessel) and for Slovakia it was Chara from Satan. (Tee hee.)

0-0 yet in the Finland/Switzerland match. Kari Lehtonen has started in goal. Mikko Koivu has drawn a misconduct. Sheesh. Is the misconduct going to be a leitmotif through the rest of the tournament for the Finns?

[P.S. I know I said I was done talking about the Iowa Stars game, but I've just realized that Haydar, Sterling, and Krog were held to only one point amongst themselves last night, and the Stars still were crushed. I don't know, that's really depressing. Ok. Chin up, Crusher. Friday is a new game.]

And now a PP goal, with 7-something left in the second, by the USA [Bochenski from Kessel and Stempniak (beasts!)] have the good guys up 4-1.

Second periods over ... blogging will resume when the games do.

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Well, I had to work there, so couldn't update until now. USA won 4-2; Finland finally scored and won 2-0. I think I expected a much larger goal tally in that one, and the USA was a good, solid result. What I'm reading about the Fin/Sui game is that the Finns looked lazy. Can't comment for my own part, but a low score might reflect that; of course it might also reflect a good goalie for Switzerland, but I don't know anything about their tender, Hiller, so, can't really comment on that either. Plus, I read reports of serious defensive-style hockey on the part of the Swiss (traaaaaaap?). You get five dudes out there, three of whom are pretending to be defensemen too, and maybe it's hard to slice through and score. The second Finnish goal was on an empty net. So one "real" goal? Whatever reasons, seems unusual.

But one of the funniest things I read today, in hfboards, was in some pre-game psting:

"I really hope the Swatches play their best game so far and will give the Nokias hard time. That will help us when we meet the Ikeas."

UPDATE 2:30. OMG again. Germany beat Czech Republic 2-0?

OMG, as they say.

7-0?

Oh no. Oooooooooh nooooooooooo.

Ok. In the immortal words of "Ryan Smyth" in the Knob Hockey video on Youtube:

"So we lost Game 1; that's what we did; that's what we do. We lose Game 1, we fight back, we make it harder on ourselves."

They went down in Game 1 to Omaha too, then came back to win an improbable and close three in a row. I want to say they can do it again, but they're going to have to play a lot differently than they did last night. Friday night, boys. Bring your actual game, not whatever it was that you brought last night, that standing around and handing Chicago the puck and watching Ellis / Stephan get lit up.

That's all I have to say about that. Wow.

The Devils better get it in gear, too, or else they'll watch the Senators move on. It might be nice if the Devils manage to come back and win three in a row, too, because then I might have a chance of going to see a game in the next round. My hockey opportunities are quietly slipping away from me, here. Dang, it's going to be a long summer.

In a short while, the USA will face off against Slovakia in the Qualifying Round of the World Championship. Simultaneously, the Finns will play Switzerland. I expect a close game between USA/SVK, and a less close game between FIN/SUI. Later, it's Danmark v. Sverige, and I have a one-sided feeling about that match. GER/CZE also play and ... again, I can't help but feel that the Germans are going raus. Seems unfair; wish the USA were up against Denmark. No offense, Denmark, but you didn't appear to be "the team to beat".

Former Flyer Niko Dimitrakos ("Dee-moh-trah-kiss" according to Jason Shaver) is playing in this game tonight, as well as former Iowa Star Brian Fahey. They're in the middle of the pre-game celebration, so I'm waiting for the game to get started.

Very exciting.

Damn, Dimitrakos scored the first goal waaaay too early -- first 3 seconds!! Come on, Stars. Don't let them do this to you. You know, the Phantoms went to Chicago for their first games against them in 2005 and no one expected what happened there. GO STARS.

GOD DAMN. They scored again 20 seconds later. ELLIS. Head out of azz, please. Please see the puck. 2 goals on 3 shots. UGH.

In the last minute Chicago scored again.

This is pretty disastrous. IOWA. Take 20 and settle yourselves down.

Ok, all I am hearing is turnovers and mistakes and Chicago, early in the second, takes the 4-0 lead. Ellis has to go out. I'm disappointed. Stephan's in but that's not much of a consolation because his last game? 5-0 loss to ... Chicago.

Ugh.

5-0.

Where ARE the Stars? HELLO.

I'm sorry, Iowa Stars. I'm not going to stay up to listen to the third period. If you happen to come back to win this game, I will regret missing it. And that is regret I would be willing to live with, so feel free to bust out a 5-goal third period. However .... I am going to risk it.

At least get one, boys. Please. I know you're better than this.

Tidbit stat I just saw:

Henrik Lundqvist, playoffs 07:

Goals against average: 1.75
Save %: 0.932

Someone swipe this guy, put a Flyers jersey on him.

And while you're at it, bring his twin brother over too.

Hey. A girl can dream.

Hockey in May is a wonderful thing.

1) NHL

I glanced at the Rangers/Buffalo score at some point last night during the second period. It was 1-0 Rangers. Small, silent exultation, and this morning, somewhat greater, but yet silent, exultation as I see that Buffalo is blowing it. Rangers won 2-1 and the series is tied at 2 games apiece. Another lengthy review of a non-goal where Lindy Ruff responded, "I believe I've seen a replay where it's in." Yeah? Well, some people believe climate change isn't driven by human activity, too.

Ducks beat the 'Nucks, and, whatever. Western Conference? So? Sorry, I am simply not familiar with those teams and if I could watch the games, it would be a different story. Canucks are on the verge of elimination. One more game and the Ducks are through to the next round. QUACK

Tonight, the Debbies and Senators go at it again. Devils want a win so that they're not in the same big hole the Canucks are in; a W tonight will even the series. I think the Devils will fight out the win tonight, though I still don't think they'll get past this round. We shall see the whole of it eventually, but first must get through tonight.

2) AHL Action (about which I care more at this time)

Grand Rapids, after a valiant 7-game effort (barely sneaking in to the playoffs over Peoria in the first place), lost to Manitoba. Thus, all second-round pairings are known.

a) Atlantic Division final: Manchester v. Providence (begins tonight)
b) East Division final: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton v. Hershey (tonight! Go Bears! It's not as far a drive to see a game in Hershey as it is to see a game in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, in the event that the East Division winner makes it to the Calder Cup final. You know, in case the Stars make it.)
c) North Division final: Manitoba v. Hamilton (Saturday start)
d) West Division final: IOWA v. Chicago. TONIGHT. GO STARS!

Wolves boast the league's best offense, the league's MVP, and league's rookie of the year. They severely outscored the Stars in head-to-head matchups last season. They've got good goaltending. Apparently, they've just about got it all.

The Stars? Well ... they've got Swedes. And Junior. And a host of other players all clicking at exactly the right time. They held Omaha to thirteen goals over six games, and were stingy allowing shots, so one of the key aspects of the first round that must carry over to the second is that ever-necessary strong defense. Stay out of the damn penalty box as well, and don't give that league-leading offense an easier chance. Don't think about how the Wolves scored 48 goals in ten games to the Stars' 29. That's not important right now. Remember? Omaha wrung the Stars dry most of the season. Regular season is out the window. Lundqvist, Eriksson, and Pushkarev are working well together; the other lines have their jobs to do, and Ellis must keep his head on straight. "'They are a well-oiled machine,'" Ellis says of the Wolves. Well, throw a little sand into the works and grind them up a bit. It's all so very do-able and it is exciting and chilling at the same time to think that there is no reason to fear Chicago; take 'em seriously, but don't be tentative, go out and fire all the way.

Rah! Rah! RAH!!!

Trust me, barring some major unforeseen weirdness going on tonight, I will be listening. A couple years ago, when the Phantoms were surprising their way through the Calder Cup playoffs, I would feel disproportionately nervous and excited, as though I had some kind of contest going on later in the day, akin to the way I feel at the starting line of a race. I've got a cousin of that feeling today. If I were going to the game, I think it would be worse. Have I already said "GO STARS"? Yeah, well, I want hockey in June -- that is, MY TEAM'S hockey in June.

Last little note, Krys Barch re-signed with Dallas for 1 yr, and from what I'm reading it seems to be a 1-way deal which sounds as though he will be playing in Dallas and not Iowa. He'll be missed in Des Moines; heck, he was already missed during the time he was playing for the Big Stars. I don't think Iowa's got any one else with quite the same fists.

3) World Championships

USA finished second in their group (B) in the preliminary round and so plays tomorrow against whoever takes second place in Group C (Canada or Slovakia, looks like). Finland, also finishing second in their group (D) will play Thursday, too, against whoever takes second in Group A (Sweden or Switzerland?). I like the chances for both my favorite teams. The USA has shown that they can and will play quality, high-caliber hockey and will force the opposition to a tough win. Finland has shown both that they can make a game look easy and also that they are never out of it, no matter how cushy their opponent's lead gets.

That's that for now. Näkemiin.

Wow, could the Finns implode any further? I'm sitting here doing a literature search and I have the live updates for the two world championship games going on (USA-Czechs, Finland/Russia) and while they irritate me by popping and flashing, what irritates me more is this kind of thing:

17.40 1 - 2 PP1 Russia
23.49 1 - 3 PP1 Russia
24.30 20 min Finland 37. RUUTU, Jarkko Game Misconduct
24.30 5 min Finland 37. RUUTU, Jarkko Elbowing
26.08 1 - 4 PP1 Russia

Yeah, I had one moment of happiness when Finland tied the game but since the second period started, it's been all Finland collapse and Russia trounce. Get a grip, Leijonat. And Jarkko Ruutu? A loathsome Penguin acting out on his national team as well. Won't be pestering anyone else this match, anyway.

Update for you later. The USA is tied with the Czech Republic now, 1-1, on a PP goal by Ryan Suter. No artery having been opened yet in that game.

UPDATE: 2:15 p.m. Ok, this is more like it:

43.37 2 - 4 EQ Finland
48.53 3 - 4 PP1 Finland (Jere Lehtinen, with Ovechkin in the box)

Only halfway through the third period, the Finns have made it a game, no?

Doh. Just as I posted that update, Russia scored again. Now 5-3. Seven to go.

And the USA is down 2-1.

Maybe I should stop typing. The instant I finished typing that, Czechs scored again, now 3-1 at 47:51 of the game.

UPDATE: 2:20 p.m. HA! 54.09 4 - 5 PP1 Finland. Clawing back and hanging on. SUOMI!

UPDATE: 2:28 p.m. USA shorthanded with six to go, now the score is 3-2. See, you get reasonable matchups, you get close games. None of this one-sided nonsense.

Finland's game is done. Loss 5-4. If not for the damaging collapse in the second period, the game would have been theirs. Well, silver lining: not a single-elimination round yet.

And while I typed that small paragraph, the USA tied their game. WOOO! 3-3 now, 4.5 min to go. For the USA, all goals have been scored on special teams.

With just more than one minute to play, the Czech Republic scored and my shoulders drooped. US goalie is out (Grahame)... and that's that. USA loses 4-3 in another of the afternoon's close games.

Boooo.

Finland v. Russia today in the Worlds. Jere Lehtinen will join the Finnish squad. Frederik Norrena has been given the green light for goal [reportedly disappointing Ilya Kovalchuk, who looked forward to trying to score on Lehtonen (teammates in Atlanta), saying he knows some of Lehtonen's weak spots. Maybe that's exactly why Norrena is playing instead?] Each team has had it pretty easy to this point. Here we've got a couple powerhouses facing off. It would be a great game to watch, but, alas, I must instead earn my keep at work.

Later today the USA will play the Czech Republic. I wouldn't say two powerhouses are going up against each other in this match, but the USA has shown they're not going to go the way of Austria, Italy, etc. and deserve hockey respect. I don't think they'll fold up. Not at all.

Power rankings were updated. Whoever is reponsible for them has an odd sense of humor, which I think I have mentioned before. Russia is #1: "Proof that being extremely offensive is sometimes a good thing." There is a second play on the word "offensive" in Sweden's #2 ranking: "We sincerely hope that our offensive outburst will not damage diplomatic relations with our Baltic neighbors in Latvia." Soon, that word-play will not be very funny anymore. USA is labeled "Youth gone wild" in their ranking (#5). Canada's down at #8 -- "Well, it's because Canadians don't believe in running up the score, eh?" At least somewhere in the middle you get comments less mean than if you scrape the bottom of the barrel: for example, Austria: "They're going downhill, and we don't mean skiing."

Good reading.

In the NHL, the Senators beat the Devils in a 2-0 shutout and have the lead in the series 2-1. And the Sharks beat the Wings, and that series also stands at 2-1, in favor of San Jose. While I'm not all that broken up that I can't watch these games, I'm thinking I'd better get cable soon so that I can at least watch the Cup finals without a bunch of antenna-snow. My dad and I were chatting about hockey on Sunday, and we've agreed that we would far, far rather see Detroit in the finals than some California team. We also agreed that an Ottawa/Detroit Cup final would be a good thing, given other options which are colored by dislikes. It would be a little bit like last year's finals: two teams for which I have no polarized feelings, and then I can watch the games and merely enjoy the hockey.

Article about Mark Fistric in the AHL section of NHL.com. Fistric's played in every game this season. Hard work, indeed.