Conference stkhlm::hockey

    Philly hammered the Habs 9-5 in Philly.
    Another 2 pts gained on the Penguins.
    
    
    Chris

    Is that it Chris?? a 2-liner?? Boy, I was expecting something real
    mean, sarcastic and nasty coming in this morning..:*))
    
    Ray.
    

    Sorry to disappoint you Ray. I just didn't have
    it in me thismorning. I am curious as to the fealing
    in Mtl. knowing that Leclairs last 10 games against
    his former team (the Habs) he has 14 goals.
    
    
    Chris

    Philly beats Ottawa 4-2 to regain 1st
    overall in their division and the Conference.
    Looking forward to this weekend for the battle
    in Philly then over to Pittsburgh. Should
    be good.
    
    
    Chris

    Yep - the Pens play at Philly 3:00 on Saturday and then Sunday Night
    in the 'Burgh at 8:00 - both games on the tube here (FOX and ESPN).
    Both teams appear to be a little rusty after their long unbeaten streaks.
    They should make the loser of the first game take a Greyhound to the
    second game - add some incentive.  The Pens need to win one of these
    games, to prove they can win at least one big game before the playoffs.
    
    Warren

    Yeh, they will need a bottle of champaign after the victory's :)
    
    
    Chris

    
    The Flyers took it to the Pens by sweeping the
    weekend series. The Flyers took the first game
    easily 5-1 and the second game was 6-2. No contest.
    The Flyers played without there superstar Lindros.
    Out of the 4 games that these two teams played this
    season, the Flyers have outscored the Penguins 18-6,
    and winning all 4 games. This Flyer team is obviosly
    a great team with or without Lindros in the lineup.
    
    
    Chris

    Yeah, yeah, yeah - what a team.   They've actually only played 3
    times - they have to play again in Pittsburgh on March 8th.
    Obviously the Pens are saving themselves for the playoffs. :-)
    
    Warren

    I believe that the Pens' record against above .500 teams is atrocious.
    
    Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, Warren. :*)))
    (I'm only going from memory)
    
    Andy

    Well - they beat Edmonton, Buffalo, and Jersey at least once each...
    
    Warren

    I am sure the Ottawa fans will be interested
    in seeing what the outcome of tonights game
    against Hartford will be. If the Flyers beat
    the Whale, then it would obviously give the 
    Sens a little more breathing room from the 
    Whale. Havn't heard if Lindros will be playing.
    
    
    
    Chris

    The Flyers win again with the Legion of Doom
    line leading the way with 15 pts.
    If you missed the first 10 min. of the game, 
    then you missed the first 7 goals. Ottawa was
    in the game till the 3rd and the Flyers just
    eventually wore them down. The Flyers are big,
    and move the puck very well.
    Very good crowd at the game last night, and very
    supportive.
    
    
    Chris

    Boy, that John Leclair! Another hat trick!
    
    What an impressive line.

    
    IMO Leclair is the best player on this team (right now)
    of course his game (Leclair's) is elevated a level of
    magnitude with Eric in the lineup. 
    
    
    Toby

    Legion of Doom line comes out big again.
    They took out the Leafs (no real big acomplishment)
    by a score of 6-3. Lindros had 4g and 2 helpers for
    6pts. Renberg had the other 2g.
    
    
    Chris

    I have heard a rumor that Lindros has been
    suspended for the next 2 games. Anyone else
    hear this... ?
    
    
    
    Chris

    It is correct Chris. This means Lindros won't play in MTL on Saturday
    for what could be a very important game for the Habs...
    
    Ray.
    

    So I take it he will be back for the final
    reg. season game against the Devils?
    Which also could mean a game for first place.
    
    
    Chris

    Well, I am surprised.  I wonder what Lindros will be doing during the
    suspension????
    
    Too bad for the Habs, though, the Flyers will undoubtedly play better :-)
    
    Warren

    Aren't the Flyers playing the Rangers again tonight?????
    
    
    I thought that was the 'real' reason he got suspended (ie. no
    donnybrook)
    
    Andy

    That's it Andy! - Also, maybe Lindros asked for the suspension so he 
    wouldn't get his butt kicked tonight against the Rangers.  
    
    And they threw in the Montreal game because of that old "favoritism" 
    thing (which will backfire).
    
    Warren :-)

    It's those old Forum ghosts that put a spell on Lindros and made him go
    nuts in NY...and it won't backfire this time Warren!:*))
    
    Ray.
     

    Ron Hextall is really starting to scare us Flyer Fans.
    They gave him the hook I believe after the 4th goal.
    The Rangers got some week ones by him. 
    
    Ray, this upcoming game is huge for the Habs and in
    a way it is big for Philly if they want to finish 1st.
    Could be a classic!
    
    
    Chris
     

    
    I missed the game last night. Anything happen from what took place
    in the previous game? Final score?
    
    Thnx,
    Mel

    The final was 7-3 I believe,
    
    and there was one heavyweight tilt that
    I saw with Kordic and Van whatever his name is.
    Close fight but Kordic gave him a nice bloody face.
    
         There was talk that the Flyers were going to head hunt
    the Rangers superstar, but it didn't happen. They are to 
    classy for that.
    
    
    
    Chris
    

>   and there was one heavyweight tilt that
>   I saw with Kordic and Van whatever his name is.
>   Close fight but Kordic gave him a nice bloody face.

Chris, that would be Ryan van den Bussche (pronounced Bush),
who rode the commuter train between New York and Binghamton
all season.  He's the Rangers' second string goon, behind
Darren Langdon, whose remarkable stamina generally allows him
to outlast his opponents.
 
>        There was talk that the Flyers were going to head hunt
>   the Rangers superstar, but it didn't happen. They are to 
>   classy for that.

Which Rangers' superstar?  Leetch?  Messier?  Gretzky?  Usually,
if a Ranger is headhunted, it is Samuelsson, and usually with
very good reason.

Steve

    O.k Warren... LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!   :)
    
    This is going to be a great series to watch for sure.
    May the better team win the series... and according
    to the regular season stats, that is Philly, so to bad :)
    Anyway I realize the playoffs are totally different, so 
    it should be good.
    
    Oh yeh, Leclair finally popped his 50th of the year in a
    win over the Devils lastnight for the final regular season
    game.
    
    Chris

    O.K Chris -- I'll come over to the Flyers Note -- for now...

    The battle of Pennsylvania

    The Unproven Baby Thugs against the Superstar in his last year.
    Who could possilbly root for the Flyers?????

    And Lindros was quoted last week as saying (after he was manhandled
    by Rangers) that his teammates weren't protecting him enough and they
    weren't going after the other teams stars.  Boo Hoo.  Hand me a tissue.
    Eric, buddy, pal - what do you expect????

    Unfortunately, I don't think the Pens stand up physically against the
    Flyers, so they might not be able to throw Lindros off his game, like
    TB and FLA did last year.  Maybe Darius K can do it ala ULF in 91 against 
    the Bruins.  But, the Pens risk retaliation against Mario and Jagr.
    But, I figure, the Flyers are going to cheap shot them anyway...

    First game is Thursday Night.  I don't think I'll make it.
    I have a bunch of in-laws and friends in Philly (I went to school there)
    so I got alot riding on this series...

    Warren (foaming at the mouth - can't you tell)

    Just imagine this; Mario's last year and he CARES!! He might even
    try HARDER. :*))) 
    
    Mario vs Hextall? Not fair. ;*)))
    
    
    Andy

    Well Warren, I'm back after a beautiful weekend of
    hockey.
    First thing I want to say say is that Terry Murray is
    brilliant. What a move by putting Snow in as the starter.
    He was amazing, especially when he stoped the shot from
    Lemieux in game one. Lemieux thought he had the whole net :)
    Lindros is a wrecking machine. Running over anything that comes
    in his way.
    Game two was a closer score, but doesn't say much about the game.
    Philly could of won that game by 3 goals easily.
    I do hope that Pitts. can win atleast 2 games so my Flyer boys
    can pick up more pts. for me in the pool :)
    
    Chris                                        
                                                      

I hear you Chris...10 out 10 of my players are Flyers and I'm not even a 
Philly fan. BTW, what's wrong with Coffey? 0 points!

Ben

    I did not realize that Coffey was without a pt
    so far. I did not get to pick Coffey in my pool.
    I drated Desjardins for my d-man. I would imagine
    Coffey will be on the score sheet soon.
    
    You should do very well Ben if you have all Flyers
    in your pool. :)
    
    
    Chris

    The Pens have been down 0-2 before and have come back; just ask
    any B's fan. :*)
    
    BUT, I'm taking for them in this series; predicted in 7.
    
    Andy

    Warren, let the excuses fly. The Flyers walked in
    confident and walked out with the win (5-3).
    I would have to say that Mario (the baby) Lemieux 
    cost the Pens this game. He goes and two hand slashes
    a Flyer player in the third and takes a real bad
    penalty, which cost them the game cause the Flyers
    made good on the PP.
    I don't care what the past record of the Flyers is at
    the Pens, cause thats all it is; the past. I don't care
    what the Pens have done before down 0-2; cause that was
    before. Maybe Warren can give us an update on what the 
    Pens have done before down 0-3 :) Like it matters. I really
    thought the Pens would be tougher. Philly is looking real good :)
    
    
    Chris

    Now if the Pens can win won more I will
    have picked it correct in 6.  :)
    
    
    
    Chris

    Come on Warren, lets have a prediction before the
    weekend hits :)
    
    
    Chris

    I don't believe in the 'Les' kiss-of-death syndrome, so I'll predict
    that the Pens will get a quick lead and Murray will finally crack and
    put in Hextall who will be toast as well and by the third period, Lindros
    will be so frustrated that he'll attempt to decapitate Mario after his
    6th goal and quicker than you can say 'Dale Hunter', Eric'll be suspended
    for the Playoffs.  Lindros will next be spotted in the Betty Ford Clinic.
    
    Warren

    Bwaaaaaaaahhhhaaaaaaahhhhhh
    
    
    Thanks Warren, I am going to print this one off
    for a quick laugh on the weekend :)
    
    
    Chris
    

    <I don't believe in the 'Les' kiss-of-death syndrome, so I'll predict
    
    Warren, you don't know what your dealing with here. The 'Les' 
    kiss-of-death syndrome is very powerful and if used improperly can lead
    to deadly results. Just to protect you, I am sending you a dead
    chicken. Put the chicken in a burlap bag and bury it your backyard
    along with a hockey stick and a Pittsburgh Penguin hat. That should
    protect you throught the playoffs. If that doesn't appeal to you, then
    put the chicken in boiling water for 45 minutes and serve with herbs.
    
    Les 

    The Flyers lost Prospal yesterday for the remainder
    of the playoff run. He broke his wrist in practice.
    He was a big part of the team nearing the end of the
    season and in the first round. He will be missed, but
    the Flyers are deep enough to overcome this loss.
    
    
    Chris

    Yeah! I remember seeing Prospal w/ his stick between Mario's legs
    a lot. Flyers may miss him, hockey as a whole won't.
    
    Mind you, who could he have hooked/slash/held on the Sabres? Hasek?
    
    
    Andy

    Your sound jealous Andy, maybe you would like
    his stick between your legs... no...yes  :)
    
    Chris

    I guess I'm the only who is certain the Flyers are going down.
    Do you people realize that Buffalo has the home-ice advantage too?  
    With Prospal gone, I'm even more sure.
    
    Philly beat Pittsburgh because the Pens had average goalteanding and
    barely one line that did anything.  Last year, Philly had major
    problems with TB and lost to Florida - very similar "teams" to Buffalo.
    I think Buffalo will work hard and stand up to the Flyers.
    
    Any news on Hasek yet????
    
    Warren

    Hasek: Should be ready to go.
    
    Andy

    
    <-1   Should be, right after he sits out his 3 game suspension.

    Wow, I can't believe Bettman gave out this suspension.
    Talk about making an example out of him.
    I just didn't want any laime excuses when Philly hammers
    the Sabres. But I am sure we will here lots. :)
    
    
    Chris

    Amazing how a ripped shirt warrants a 3 game suspension, but Lepuke's
    rearrangement of Draper's face only got 2.
    
    Of course, Buffalo's a low profile team to the NHL......I wonder if
    someone like Patrick Roy or Richter would have got the same length of
    suspension.
    
    pete 

    Hasek's suspension does seem quite bit harsh.  I mean it's a local
    newspaper sports reporter afterall.  These guys SHOULD have to face a
    little fear, to keep them civil.  Also, Hasek did this after Game 5.
    Why wasn't the suspension announced until a week later???
    
    Obviously, Bobby Clarke is still pulling the strings in this league. 
    First, he gets the refs to allow clutching and grabbing, etc., so Mario
    will retire. And now when his team is in serious danger, he has the 
    possible league MVP suspended. :-)
    
    I don't know if it'll matter though - I hear this loud rallying cry 
    coming from Buffalo...
    
    Warren

    As far as I'm concerned the NHL has no business in this thing. It's a
    matter between Kelly and Hasek.  It didn't happen on the ice.  I think
    that Mr Kelly is going to have trouble doing his job around the Sabres
    dressing room.  He may as well spend all of his time in the visitors
    room.
    
    Bernie.

    The NHL has every business in this thing. The players represent the
    league. Players can't go around roughing up citizens in public,
    especially media people. It looks bad on the league not just the
    player.

    The NBA is very strict about such behaviour. Why shouldn't the NHL be?

    I agree, the NHL has every business in this thing.
    
    Mind you, they sure as hell took a lot of time to make a decision.
    Lemieux was suspended only a couple of days after the Draper incident.
    Hasek's team has played 2 games since then. All he did was rip
    someguy's shirt in a shoving match; big deal.
    
    
    Andy

    I have mix feelings about Hasek's suspension. I'd compare it to the
    Roberto Alomar incident last year, spitting in an umpire's face...
    Alomar wasn't suspended at all during league championship series...
    
    Hasak' personal attack on a reporter hurts the whole team at a very
    critical time in the season...
    
    Ray.
    

    
    it was not treated as if Hasek had taken a swing at an ordinary fan, the
    NHL recognized that they have to ensure the media safety and that's
    why they 'stuck their nose in'. It is very much their business because
    they don't want to stoop to the levels of baseball and lose all
    credibility with the fans.
    
    Hasek's not ready to play anyway, funny how 3 games makes sure he is
    available even in the worse case...
    
     Like Bernie said, I don't know how this Kelly guy plans to do his
    business in the future, he hasn't made many friends. I would think some
    Buffalo fans would be screaming for his head?
    

    What about the reporter's responsibilities.  Should the NHL not protect
    it's personel from the Media making up stories about the players.  
    
    I don't support what Hasek did, but what Kelly wrote is defamation of
    character.  It's too bad that Hasek didn't do like Lindros did in a
    similar case a few months back.  Lindros called his lawyer.  It's also 
    too bad that the Sabres did not take the same
    stand as the Flyers did.  Sure the Sabres showed support, but they should
    have said "we've got our lawyers looking into it".   When you think
    about it, Kelly got off easy.  No legal fees, only a ripped shirt.
    
    What if this fight had happened in a bar?  Should the NHL suspend a
    player for that. Hell, he could be beating up a fan, a paying customer.
    
    Let's say you were a car salesman and a reporter wrote that you were a 
    fraud and you took a swing at him,  do you think that the dealer that
    you work for would say "you're suspended"!  Like hell, they would be
    right behind you and say "he got what he deserved, he lied about our
    man". 
    
    This is not like the Rodman case and it shouldn't be treated like it.
    
    Bernie.

    I feel sorry for you Bernie. :*)
    You seem to be the only one that doesn't understand.
    
    What Hasek did was AFTER the game while IN the hall next to the locker
    room. That's like when we use to drink beer while playing ball on
    digital ground; security said it was a no-no even though it was after 
    working hours. 
    
    You get it now? .....Now go 'home' and have your Samuel Adams beer you
    got from Toby. :*)
    
    Andy

    Flyers take game 1, 5-3. They were down early
    by coming out flat in the first. But they eventually
    wore the Sabres down and Snow shut the door in the 3rd.
    Poedein scored the biggest goal of his carrer to give the 
    Flyers the win. It was 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lines doing most
    of the damage in this game.
    
    Grapes says Hasek deserved what he got if that means anything
    to anyone. :)
    
    
    Chris

    I like the Sabres' energy and spirit, but I don't like their cheap
    shots and "trash talk."  So I find myself rooting for the Flyers in
    this series.
    
    It seemed to me that Shields couldn't really be faulted on the goal
    that was scored from behind the net -- he was doing the right thing by
    looking quickly over 1 shoulder then the other, & got caught by bad
    luck going the wrong way.
    
    Is this right, or di Shields play the situation wrong?
    
    -Stephen

    The real killer in that game was the second goal with half a second
    left in the period.  Bonehead play by the Sabre who gave up the puck at
    the blue line.  All he needed to do was flip it out of the zone and the
    period was over and they go to the dressing room leading 3-1 with that
    famous player Moe Mentum on their side.  Instead he tries a weak cross 
    ice pass.
    
    I have to agree with Stephen.  The Sabres are hard to like.  Keep the 
    trash talk for basketball.  I like Nolan but I hate his assistant.  I
    can't think of his name right now (Theriault I think) but he was run out 
    of the OHL and WHL.  He's a goon coach.  But I find myself cheering for
    Buffalo 'cause Ben has all Flyers in the pool ;-)
    
    
    Bernie.

    It's looking like 4 straight for the Flyers.
    4-1 win for them lastnight. The only thing
    good for the Sabres is that Hasek can start
    the next game. 
    
    
    Chris

    re: Hasek coming back
    
    assuming Hasek doesn't do any 'interviewing' with the Buffalo media until
    then. :>)
    
    Buffalo's problem is not goaltending right now, Shields is standing on
    his head. They are toast with Hasek or without him.

    >They are toast with Hasek or without him.
    
    
    That's an understatement :)
    
    Chris

    Hextall had his first start of the playoffs
    and recorded a 6-3 win with 21 saves. He by
    no means was brilliant but did what he had to
    for the win. Lindros had another good game.
    
    
    Chris

    The Flyers take the win at MSG with a 6-3 victory.
    Other than a couple turnovers (which resulted in goals)
    the Flyers played well. The hits were being thrown and 
    the sticks flying. It just wouldn't be a NHL game without
    sticks in the face or across the legs or wherever :(
    Eakins lost a couple bottom teeth from what looked like
    a buttend. Didn't seem to bother him to much. Must of been
    caps. Hextall looked great on more than one save, but he did
    falter on the one goal atleast. He was looking in the net
    before it was even in. But he will get the win and probably
    the next start. Oh ya, Lindros recorded his first career 
    hattrick :) The Flyers are taking it to Richter. He is being
    beat clean on all goals. That is 13 goals against for the mighty
    Richter in 3 games.
    
    
    Chris

    plain and simple, the Flyers completely dominated this game. The
    combination of the Flyers size and the Rangers age is catching up to
    the Rangers.
    
    Ray.
    

And Benny takes over first place in the playoff pool. Those 10 Flyer picks
are really starting to pay off! ;^)

Ben

    
    
    BIG E, BIG E, BIG E!
    
    Best quote from Messier about Lindros "If he decides he wants the puck,
    there is nothing you can do to stop him"
    
    
    Great game last night.
    
    Scott

    re .86
    
    My son says that empty net points shouldn't count.....I tend to agree
    ;-)
    
    papa raiderov

    
>    My son says that empty net points shouldn't count.....I tend to agree
>    ;-)
    
   Then all the stats from the Raiders would have to be adjusted. Andy would
   have no points, imagine that. 8*)



_sbn

    We're used to him not having a point  ;-)
    
    pete

    Right Pete, everything about Andy is pointless ;-)

    Oh you last 3 (Pete, Neff, Bernie) think you're soooooo funny eh?
    
    Well, fwiw, and I just hate to blow my own whistle (what does that
    mean anyways), I'll let the stats speak for themselves. After reviewing
    those stats, I'll start accepting apologies.....along w/ a beer
    obviously. :*)
    
    Where's Gibby (the rookie)? 
    Tell you what Gibby, hit the 'hold'/F1 key one more time and you'll 
    see that your screen will start echoing characters again.
    
    
    Andy

    He, he he :)

    >> Right Pete, everything about Andy is pointless ;-)
    
    In defense of my friend Andy, this is not true!!  After all, we don't
    call him a pinhead for nothing...

    >>In defense of my friend Andy, this is not true!!
    
    I didn't need to read any further (may be due to my attention span).
    
    hey Gibby! Power the damn VT off/on, the 'F1' key won't be ON anymore.
    
    Andy

    
    
    Would someone please pass Wayne and Mark the butter,cause their TOAST!!!!
    
    
    	Early on it looked like the refs would give the Rangers the game
    when they took advantage of the five on three and ensuing 5 on four. 
    But Brindamour(sp?) decided he didn't want to go back to NY and took
    control of the game. He skated like a mad man, was impossible to contain 
    down low, scored the winning goal and led by example.
    	The whole Philly team looked great, especially the defense who were 
    moving up into the play and created some great chances ie. Coffee to 
    LeClair on the fourth goal(did LeClair get the puck away quick or
    what?).
    	Hextall made some decent saves but wasn't very busy.  Philly can
    taste the champange and there is no stopping them now.
    
    Scooter
    
    p.s.  Poor Janet looked very sad in the dying minutes.  If she let me
    try, I know I could cheer her up.....

    Scott,
    
    How many did you have while watching the game!!!
    
    The pass to Leclair came from Desjardin.  The fourth goal was scored by
    Brind'amour.
    
    Hextall made some great saves in the first period and played very well
    on Friday night. The  Flyers look like the real thing.
    
    Bernie. 
    

    
    
    
    I can't answer that on the grounds it may incriminate me.... but it was 
    a sunday afterall.
    
    Without access to tsn giving me highlight replay's every half hour I
    get confused about who did what.  Desjardin got second star and played
    great, so yeah maybe it was him who passed it out front.  I could have
    sworn it was Coffee.  
    
    Anyway the Flyers will beat who ever comes out of the west.  Eric
    doesn't want to get all teary-eyed again during the NHL awards.
    
    Scooter 

    When Lindros was presented the Eastern Champ trophy he didn't even
    pick it up. He just walked away. I guess that's not the one he wants
    eh? :*)
    
    Desjardins got a star alright; 'cause he broke GreAtzky's arm and left
    the Rangers w/ no offense. I saw the 3rd, GreAtzky was all over the ice
    but his teammates (most notably Messier) were nowhere to be seen.
    
    Andy

    I am back from the wild west and can honestly say
    that the Flyers are the real thing and they are
    going to the CUP! This team is very impressive and
    watch for Lindros to win the Conn Smyth. Us True
    Flyer Fans have been waiting since 1987 for a crack
    at Lord Stanley, and I can tell ya that I love their
    chances. Well I gotta go, There is a certain guy that
    most noters know as Bobarado that I must e-mail and see
    if he trashed his parents house after the Avs lost.
    
    
    Chris