Conference stkhlm::hockey

    Belfour is now a Shark. He was traded over the weekend for Chris
    Tererrie, Hiedi Fliesch, and Abe Vigoda. Looks like the Hawks came
    out ahead on this trade. Dumping Roenick for Yakmir Smernoff
    was another beaut. Hawks should begin their quest for the cup any
    day now. 
    
    Les

    Les,
    
    Great note nut, I thought you'd be dancing in the streets after this
    trade. After all, the Hawks would have lost Belfour after the seaon as
    an unrestricted free agent. At least they got something for him. Wasn't
    there a draft choice involved too. 
    
    Dave

    Dave,
    I would have been dancin' in the streets two years ago when
    the Hawks could have got something for him. But as it is they
    would have got nothing for him, so this is better than that.
    
    So, is it Murphy that is on fire? 8 points in 3 games? Has
    he asked for his contract to be renegotiated yet? 8*)
    
    How are the Blues doing without Keenan? I haven't followed hockey
    as close as used to, back when the Hawks were contenders.
    
    Les

    > So, is it Murphy that is on fire? 8 points in 3 games? Has
    > he asked for his contract to be renegotiated yet? 8*)
    
    Yes it is Les. And that brings the total number of good games he has
    played for the Blues up to 3 now. To his defense though, players say
    that Keenan road his constantly on the bench. Maybe it's because Keenan
    figured out what an idiot he was for signing him to a $10 million
    contract.
    
    > How are the Blues doing without Keenan? I haven't followed hockey
    > as close as used to, back when the Hawks were contenders.
    
    Life is grand. Everybody is happy. Let's put it this way. There is an
    ice storm outside right now and predicted to get much worse. I have
    tickets for tonights game and if Keenan were the coach, they'd already
    be in the trash can. 
    
    Now though, I'll bundle up the little tyke and take the trek dowwntown
    to enjoy the game.
    
    Dave

    (...taking into consideration that any positive remarks to the Hawks
    potential has always led to a slump...)
    
    The Hawks have now lost 2 of their last 10 games. They have been
    accidentally scoring goals, the opposition has been shooting the puck
    right at Hackett every game, and the players are showing irrational
    exuberance. And they have actually won same road games at the United
    Center. 
    
    Oh well, maybe things will get better.   ;-)
    
    Les

    But most importantly, the Blues beat them in St. Louis fro the first
    time since the Kiel Center was built.
    
    Dave

    Even my thinly veiled comments cursed the Hawks as they lost to
    the Stars 1-0 at the United Center. The Stars do have the 3rd best
    record in the NHL, so I can except the loss. As long as the Hawks
    turn it around tonight against the Whalers (I didn't know they were
    still in the NHL 8*) 
    
    Les

    >    record in the NHL, so I can except the loss. As long as the Hawks
    
    Just read my own note... except the loss??? Am I getting more like
    Norm Crosby as I get older or is that a freudian slip. I Meant to
    say accept the loss. 
    
    Les

    I am embarassed to be a Hawks fan. I attended the game last night and
    what a shambles Wirtz and Pulford have turned this team into. Coyotes won
    4-2, but worse than that the Hawks show no toughness or offense. I
    remember when opposing players would be looking over their shoulders
    when going after a puck near the boards, because they knew they would
    be creamed. Now there isn't anyone on the team who is willing to make
    the other team pay for getting to the puck 1st. The Hawks used to have
    players who weren't afraid of getting hurt, like Roenick, Dirk Graham,
    Dave Manson, and Jocelyn Lemieux. Now they have a team of "affordable"
    players.
    
    Also, at won point in the 3rd period the Hawks had a 5 on 3 PP for 2
    minutes, and then another 5 on 4 powerplay for 4 minutes, and they
    didn't score one stinking goal. Pathetic.
    
    The upside is that the Hawks will save me money. If they don't make the
    playoffs I will cancel cable. 
    
    Les 

    Les,
    	Sounds kinda like this year's Bruins. The ownership and
    "management" here have this team in shambles too. Same kind of problems
    as the Hawks too from the way you describe it. My only problem is that
    if I cancel cable I'll miss out on the Red Sox, otherwise I probably
    would too. 
    
    	The thing that hurts more is that the Hawks are my second favorite
    team behind the B's and they're both in the same boat (sinking). I've
    been hoping for a B's - Hawks Stanley Cup final for a long time now and
    it really looks like I have a much longer wait ahead of me. 8-(
    
    
    Barry
    

    It really is eerie how the Hawks and Bruins have been in the same
    patern for the last 10 years. Until the new buildings, Hawks and Bruins
    were basically muckers and grinders, they also hired Sutters as
    coaches, and they have incredibly stupid owners/managers. 
    
    Les

    Well, last night the Hawks answered the question "who's the worst home
    team in the NHL" by losing to the Blues 1-0. It was the 6TH time this
    year the Hawks have been shutout at home. Let me repeat...6 HOME
    SHUTOUTS!!! And what's worse than that, is that they will likely make 
    the playoffs. The NHL has truely reached "parody".
    
    Les
    
    Dave, the Blues must have thought the Hawks posts were thick. They hit
    the post 3 times in the last period, including an open netter missed by
    Hull.

    > Dave, the Blues must have thought the Hawks posts were thick. They hit
    > the post 3 times in the last period, including an open netter missed by
    > Hull.
    
    Thank god that game was in Chicago. I watched the game and thought it
    was a pretty evenly played game. The difference was that the goal posts
    stopped the Blues from scring and Grant Fuhr stopped the Hawks. He made
    a couple of unbeleivable saves last night. 
    
    The Blues have a rookie (I think) that they just acquired (from Ottawa
    maybe) in a minor deal named Pavol Dimiti. Man this kid is on fire. He
    has scored a couple of goals in the last week and rang 2 goalposts last
    night. One so loud I think it echoed inside The United Center. It's way
    too early to tell but this kid looks good. Does any of the Ottawa fans
    know anything about him???
    
    Dave
    

    Pavol Demitra was in the Sens organizations for a few years but
    couldn't carve himself a full time job.  He did well in the AHL but
    struggled everytime he was brought up.  In my opinion, he was given
    every chance to succeed and played mostly on Yashin's wing.
    
    Having said that, he did play for Rick Bowness and I don't think that
    Bowness handles young players particularly well (except he's got Todd
    Bertuzzi in fire with the Islanders).
    
    Demitra is a streaky player.  He'll score five games in a row then you
    won't hear from him for 10 games.  His best asset is his speed but he
    doesn't like heavy traffic.  Many Ottawa fans were sorry to see him go.
    I really feel that he would not have made this year's edition of the 
    Senators.  We already have enough small speedy players.
    
    Bernie.

    Maybe he looks good in a Blues uniform because the Blues lack speed so
    much. Or, he's on his 5 game good streak (we got a teamfull of players
    like that, only most of them make $5 gazillion dollars per year).
    
    Dave

    There's alot of excitement about the playoffs in most notes but here.
    (Boston a little quiet too) As a life-long Hawks fan, I'll do my
    best... (I just completed painting a 2'x2' BlackHawk on my basement
    wall, so I am getting ready)
    
    Here we go.... Chelios is a bit banged up, but he is a gamer. I hope
    his spirit rubs off on other players. Three Hawks finished strong,
    Zhamanov, Amonte, and Shantz. Zhamanov has a boo-boo on his ankle so I
    am not expecting too much from him. I think that if anyone can lift
    the Hawks it will be Shantz. Before his injury, he was playing very
    well.
    
    To win the Hawks need the following:
    - great goal tending from Hackett (I expect him to have a good series)
    - Hawks must crash the nets when in the Avs end
    - Shantz and Moreau gets points in each game
    - and finally, don't avoid good penalties. If a good hard hit is
    required, the Hawks shouldn't be afraid to stir things up at the
    expense of a penalty
    
    Anything can happen. Listening to Hawks comments though isn't very
    inspirational. They are saying all the right things, but without much
    conviction.
    
    
    Les "the season starts anew, unless your a Cubs fan"

    After falling behind 4-0, and looking terrible at it, Chelios went into
    a 5 minute tirade between periods. He lashed out at team mates telling
    them they had no heart. Then the Hawks went out and proved Chelios
    right in the 2nd and 3rd periods, giving up two more goals and scoring
    none. (well one, but the 1/2 skate in the crease rule nullified it)
    
    The only person on the Hawks who showed heart, but no brains, was
    Cummins. He took several bad penalties, but he at least looked like he
    cared if they won or lost.
    
    Les

    >>I just completed painting a 2'x2' BlackHawk on my basement...
    
    Get the paint remover out.  After last night's performance, I'd be
    ashamed of being a Hawks fan.   The third period was a joke.  Cummins,
    Probert, Ciccone, Chelios, as the commentator said, do they really
    think that they can intimidate Forsberg?  They looked like a bunch a
    goons with ciment feet.  Wait a minute, three of them ARE goons with
    ciment feet! 
    
    The Hawks better not take ANY penalties.  They can't handle the
    Avalanche powerplay.  
    
    Zamnhov did not play and they can't afford not to have him in the
    lineup.  The Hawks generated very little offense.  Too bad they had that
    goal called back (it should have counted).   On the other side,
    Forsberg was flying!
    
    Bernie.

    Actually, at being goons, the Hawks you mentioned aren't even good
    goons. The Hawk head on basement will stay. It represents more of the
    tradition than current play.
    
    Hawks really didn't show any heart or confidence. The so-called
    verterans like Suter and what-his-washed-up-name wearing 32 aren't even
    trying. I long for the days when the Hawks had defenseman like Dave
    Manson who stood up for the team without resorting to goon tactics.
    
    I can't beleive how I looked forward to the beginning of the series,
    and now I don't know if I'll watch Friday's game.
    
    Les

    
    >>I long for the days when the Hawks had defenseman like Dave
    >>Manson who stood up for the team without resorting to goon tactics.
    
    Sorry Les but I can't agree with you on your assessment of Manson.
    Manson is on my all time list of dirtiest players along with Marchment, 
    another ex Hawk.  In my opinion Manson IS the dirtiest player in the 
    league, bar none.  He was suspended for three games just a few weeks
    ago for a brutal attack (I forget who he abused).
    
    Speaking of Marchment,  he blew it yesterday when he tried to run one
    of the smaller Dallas players at the Oilers blue line.  He missed Bassen 
    with the elbow but crashed into his own man.  Bassen went in on a two
    on one and scored the go ahead goal.  The Edmonton coach was livid!
    
    Bernie.

    Hawks emblem; BEST looking emblem in ALLLL sports, including the 
    Cleveland Browns one. :*)
    
    Andy

    -<  I use to be a Hawk fan (back in the Bobby Hull days) >-
    
    of course, that could be templated to say:
    
    I use to be a <blank> fan, back when they were winning.
    :-)))
    
    Dave

    I felt the Manson comment would raise someone's eye brow. When Manson
    was on the Hawks, he got in fights, knocked people down, and stuck up
    for other teammates. I didn't see him go for the knees like Marchment 
    or use dirty stickwork like Konstantinov. I haven't seen him lately,
    soo I comment un recent allegations.
    
    Les

    The Hawks won an exciting double overtime win by playing with a lot of
    heart and grit. Solid goaltending by both teams but particularly Roy.
    (and I hate giving him too much credit) Krivokrasov put the game winner
    past Roy with a nice move across the ice in front of Roy and then
    rifling a wrist shot past his glove.
    
    As exciting as the Hawks game was, it paled in comparison to the
    Oiler/Star game. What a finish that game had. If no one saw the 3rd
    period and OT they missed a great game. The Oiler scored three times in
    the 3rd to tie the game and then win it in OT. Both teams skated well 
    and both were up and down the ice in OT. These two teams are playing at 
    the top of their games. I think this is one of the best series so far.
    
    Les 

    Les,
    	I knew the Avs would have a letdown sometime in this series but I 
    thought it would've been in game4. Hawks kept the game simple and the
    Avs offense was nowhere to be seen in the 1st 50 minutes. In OT, Roy
    was as good if not better than in the '86 OT against the NYR. On the
    winner, Krivokrasov stole the puck from Oz and walked in from the
    red line; If Ozolinsh would've bothered to backcheck all the way, he
    would've caught Krivokrasov before he shot.
    
    The Avs needed a game like this to realize they must put an effort to
    win a playoff game.
    
    Question: In game 2, I missed the 'fight'(?) between Foote and Probert.
    What happenned?
    
    Note: Last year, Krivokrasov scored an OT winner against Roy by
    stealing the puck from Wolanin. Roy then got Wolanin traded as Wolanin
    didn't even dress for the remainder of the playoffs. We'll see if Roy
    will do the same to Ozolinsh. ;*)
    
    Andy 

    <Question: In game 2, I missed the 'fight'(?) between Foote and Probert.
    <What happenned?
    
    I thought I saw all of game 2, but I don't remember any "fight". There
    may have been the typical pushing and shoving, but nothing more from
    what I saw.
    
    Was the Avs offense missing because they had a let down, or because the
    Hawks played them better? The Hawks did play better down in the Avs
    end, which tends to make the Avs more "honest". Next game will tell. If
    the Hawks play the same way they did yesterday, will they win?? 
    
    BTW: Only 17,400 attended the game. A sellout is 20,500. Of the 11,000
    season ticket holders, only 65% asked for playoff tickets.
    
    Les

    Les,
    	I'm not taking anything away from the Hawks, but you can see 
    early in the game that the Avs were forechecking (ie. busting their
    asses) the Hawks D like they did in Games 1&2.
    
    The Avs seemed to be just waiting for the PP opportunities; they went
    0-7. Roy was simply amazing, Hackett play great too (much better than
    Playoff-Belfour). Anyways, Hawks don't stand a chance w/o a #1 centre.
    
    Andy

    typo:
    
    >>early in the game that the Avs WEREN'T forechecking.....
    
    Sorry.
    
    Andy

    Gritty effort by the Hawks on Sunday.  To listen to the pregame show,
    the Hawks should have rolled over and died.  Instead they came out and
    took it to the Avs.  
    
    Andy, of course, the Avs didn't forecheck the Hawks D-men hard and that's 
    because the puck was in the Avs end all of the first period.
    
    Hawks fans must be wondering about the "toe in the crease" thing.  The
    referee goes to replay on two of the Hawks goals (first goal plus
    overtime winner) but doesn't go to replay on the Avs tying goal.  It
    looked to me like an Avs player had his toe in the crease on Lemieux's
    goal.  No wonder Hartsburg was shaking his head!  On the overtime
    winner it wasn't even close. 
    
    Bernie.

    < Hawks fans must be wondering about the "toe in the crease" thing.  The
    < referee goes to replay on two of the Hawks goals (first goal plus
    
    Bernie,
    
    Boy you hit that right on the head. I beleive the ref was McCreary, and 
    he has it in for the Hawks. At least recent contests he has officiated 
    have gone most unevenly to the opposition. Both reviews weren't even
    "reviewable". Yet McCreary felt it necessary to call for a review. Many
    Hawks have voiced their displeasure of McCreary in recent weeks, and I
    am sure that doesn't help them.
    
    How soon do you think the league will revoke the "toe in the crease"
    rule. If this rule is somehow intended to protect goalies, the best
    thing they can do is "anchor" the goals into posts like the old days.
    So that forwards and centers know that if they crash the net, it won't
    give.
    
    Les

    Bernie,
    	FWIW, on the Hawks 1st goal, Probert's 'toe' was IN the crease
    AND he was not pushed IN the crease (unlike what Gary Green said). 
    Probert was pushed towards the corner of the ice but curled INTO the
    crease. Mind you, I was glad they didn't call it back; Roy didn't even
    know Probert was near him.
    
    Andy

    I don't really have a problem with the rule. I do have a problem with
    the fact that the Replay Judge can't make  a decision whether a player
    was pushed in or not.  He can't even relay that information to the
    Referee.  
    
    About the first Hawk goal,  I might have it confused with one of the
    other ten or so that I saw go to review but I thought Probert was
    pushed in but did manage to get out before the puck came in.  Doesn't
    matter anyways 'cause they made the right call on that one.
    
    Bernie.

    KAOFS::WATTERS                                       10 lines 
    21-APR-1997 17:10
    
    >  Roy was simply amazing, 
    
    Just wanted and official record of this statement. I can't wait to tell
    my wife about it :-)))
    
    Re: toe in the crease
    
    I watched the goal at a bar (after taking in a Rockies game) and the
    sound was off. I couldn't fathom a reason why they were reviewing it
    because there wasn't anyone even close. What a bunch of crap this rule
    is and I totaly agree with Les. Make the goal imovable and the goalie
    protection problem is solved.
    
    Dave

     >  Roy was simply amazing,
    
    >>    Just wanted and official record of this statement. I can't wait to
    >>tell my wife about it :-)))
    
    Don't worry Dave, I've been repeating it to myself for the last week
    or so. Sooner or later, I'm gonna start believe it. :*)
    
    Andy

    Wow...Hawks come back and tie the series.  This is a real surprised to
    me considering the total dominance by the Avs in the first two games.
    
    Amonte was FLYING last night.
    
    Hawks get screwed again by the replays (as did Anaheim).  It's getting
    to the point that you can't celebrate a goal anymore when it
    happens...gotta wait for the replay.
    
    Will Roy demand that Foote be traded.  He put another on in his own net 
    last night.
    
    Bernie.

    Yeah! Foote's deflected 3 pucks in his own net in this series; 2 last
    night (1st goal by Amonte and deflected Moreau slapshot). Mind you,
    he's still playing very well; unlike Ozolinsh.
    
    SO......when is Les gonna come in here and predict a Hawks victory?
    C'mon Les, get in here. The Avs need your 'jinx' magic. ;*)
    
    Andy

    < SO......when is Les gonna come in here and predict a Hawks victory?
    < C'mon Les, get in here. The Avs need your 'jinx' magic. ;*)
    
    Andy, I'm still recovering from last night. The bar I was at was really
    hopin cuz of the Hawks. (I think I left my liver there)
    
    Bernie is right...I am just as surprised that the Hawks have played as
    well as they have and tied up the series. I haven't seen the Hawks have 
    such good jump in their skates all year. Once the Hawks tied the game
    at 2-2, they kept the Avs on their heels the rest of the night. Its
    good to see the Hawks spending so much time in the offensive zone.
    
    Can't league officials see how the "toe in the crease" reviews are
    disrupting the flow of the game? Even if they don't change it till next
    year, the league should talk to the refs and tell them to lighten up a
    bit.
    
    Les

    re:-1
    I hope they don't do that The owners make the rules, officials just
    enforce them and the less the rules are subject to interpretation the
    better for all of us. If its a lousy rule, get rid of it or re-write
    it. (That shouldn't take the owners a year to do either)
    
    I think it would be mayhem if the owners told the refs to "call it
    when its like this but not when its like that...", that would open up
    a lot of debate on a lot of goals and it would confuse a lot of fans.
    (except Bernie who would get to disagree with refs a lot more often)
    
    $.02 cdn
    brian
    
    

    Actually, the toenail in the crease rule is one of the best as far as
    interpretation is concerned. The refs don't have to interpret it the
    way they see it. it's hard and fast. Toenail in the crease...no goal.
    It's all the other subjective rules that are the real problem. 
    
    In the Blues Wings game last night Faucette (a terrible ref I admit)
    would let obvious penalties go (the kind that prevented scoring
    chances) and called nuetral zone or behind the play penalties that had 
    nothing to do with nothing. He wasn't biased against one team. Just
    crappy refereeing.
    
    But, it's typical.
    
    Dave

    Pls Les, get cocky. Everytime you do, the Hawks go on a losing streak.
    
    Tell you what, why don't you test that theory oooone moooore tiime!!!
    
    Andy

    <Pls Les, get cocky. Everytime you do, the Hawks go on a losing streak.
    <Tell you what, why don't you test that theory oooone moooore tiime!!!
    <Andy
    
    Andy, I reallize just how lucky the Hawks were to beat the Avs, again.
    Just be in the playoffs and play such a talented team as the Avs is
    really an honor. The Hawks understand they don't belong on the ice as
    the Avs and will do their best Thursday not to embarass themselves too
    badly.
    
    There, how was that ;*)
    
    Les

    > -< I learned all I know from Dave >-
    
    Hey, don't bring me into this. I'm still trying to get over 2 major
    shocks from Andy.
    
    1) His comments about Roy
    2) He went to bed when the Avs went down 5-2 AND HE DIDN'T CHANGE
    FAVORITE TEAMS!!!
    
    My heart can't take this :-)))
    
    Dave
    
    PS The Wings totally and completely outplayed the Blues last night and
    just happened to lose 4-0. The Blues don't even belong on the same ice
    with the Russian Red Wings and I'm sure the Wings will win the next 2
    games by a combined score of 200 - 3
    
    Dave
    

    Eh, WTF, I'm joining this dance too!!
    
    	Tonite, The Devils will completely humiliate the Happless Habs and
    sweep them off the Molson Center ice...and the next 3 games after that
    will be just the same!!!:*))
    
    Ray.
    

     >>   1) His comments about Roy
     >>   2) He went to bed when the Avs went down 5-2 AND HE DIDN'T CHANGE
     
    Cheapshot Dave. ;*)
    Just when I start siding w/ Roy, he goes out, plays as poorly as he
    ever has BUT his D and forwards didn't save his ass this time.
    
    #2; FWIW, my 2 favourite teams (as you all very well know) have been
    the Devils and Avs for the last, oh!, few years. Both were 1st place
    teams in their conference. One knows how to pick'em eh? ;*)
    
    Les,.......screw you. There, I said it. This series is now officially 
    turning ugly. 
    
    Andy

    <Les,.......screw you. There, I said it. This series is now officially 
    <turning ugly. 
    
    Are you trying to chide me into say something that will jynx the
    Hawks?? Nice try.  But I am still maintaining a "woe is Hawks
    attitude". (Ask Dave, it works) I am not normally superstitious but
    this time of the year I can't take chances (As I hop on one foot going 
    in a circle three times, clutching my Hawks key while thrusting it in 
    the air and chanting oooooohhhhhhmmmmmm) 
    
    I can't wait for tonight's game to start. I have no idea which Hawks
    will show up. I hope they come out with the same enthusiasm they did in
    their last two games.
    
    Les 
    
    

    I'd like the Hawks to pull an upset.  Three reasons:  
     1)I don't think that I could stomach overated Roy to reach the final on
       the shoulders of his teamates and be considered for the Conn Smythe
     2)I have Chelios and Zhamnov in our office pool
     3)Very few other Hawks were picked in the pool
    
    Go Hawks Go.
    
    Bernie.

    I'm surprised that Andy hasn't jumped on this one...
    Deadmarsh will probably not play tonight due to a collision with
    Weinrich. At first it looked liked a good check by Weinrich, but in
    slow mo it did look like Weinrich did stick his knee out a bit. This is
    not Wienrich's style at all and was not intended to injur. 
    
    Crawford wasn't happy but the league has already said it won't review
    the play. I haven't heard too much made about, so I feel it wasn't
    blatant. But still, if Deadmarsh is out, that can't help the Avs.
    
    Les

    Les, personally, I think the Hawks woke up the sleeping giant by 
    pummelling the Avs. I expect to see Sakic show up and Forsberg play
    hockey instead of demoloshing Chelios every shift. Chelios is maybe
    losing the physical battle w/ Forsberg but he's got him off the
    scoresheet. 
    
    Got mail from Boborado; he was in Denver when the Habs were there.
    Had a great time, some girl fell in love w/ him for 5 minutes or so
    (or whatever time it took) ;*) and he's branched off in Broadcast
    Journalism (ie. tv) and is loving it. Says that Crawford told Foote
    NOT to fight unless he absolutely HAS too. Don't expect to see any
    Avs to fight then.
    
    I asked Bob about the 3 goals that Foote has deflected in his own 
    net so far (all incidental); waiting for his response. :*)
    
    Andy

    > Chelios is maybe
    >    losing the physical battle w/ Forsberg but he's got him off the
    >    scoresheet. 
    
    Forsberg is a -6 in the series so far.
    
    Dave

    I did find the Avs strategy interesting in the 1st period. They were
    going at Chelios and a couple of the younger guys. It didn't work
    in that game. I don't know what to expect tonight. I do know one
    thing...Hackett has played good, but not as good as he can play.
    He has looked a bit shakey on more than one occasion. The Hawks won 
    when Hackett was not at the top of his game. Thats good. I hope that if
    the Avs rev it up, the sharp Hackett that I have seen most of the
    season returns. However, if Hackett is still a little nervous about 
    starting in the playoffs, any more shakey play will doom the Hawks.
    
    Les

    >> Forsberg is a -6 in the series so far.
    
    He must have Ozolinsh on D.
    
    
    Andy

    What happens when you get poor goaltending and poor defense in the
    playoffs against the Stanley Cup Champions?? Just read yesterday's box
    score for the answer. On the first powerplay for the Avs I kept my eyes
    on Lemieux to see where he was going and if who would be on him. Claude
    calmly glided to the front of the net where he met no resistence, and
    stayed there waiting for a nice pass to flip it past Hackett. That was
    the tone for the night. The Hawks let the Avs do what ever they wanted.
    The Hawks were not the same challenging team they were two nights ago.
    
    And the second goal by Keane past Hackett's stick side...how can
    Hackett not be ready?? You could see the drop pass to Keane coming
    before he got it. Hackett had to know Keane was going to shoot. But
    instead, Hackett was slightly out of position and a perfect shot
    embarrassed him.
    
    The rest of the game, well the Avs kept the Hawks away from Roy and had
    a round of shooting practice at Hackett.
    
    Oh well, total goals scored in a series doesn't win, only number of
    games won. The Hawks are down 3-2 coming home Saturday night.
    
    Read my next note for shocking news on Saturday's up coming game...
    
    Les

    You better sit down for this one...
    
    Bill Wirtz has decided to televise the Hawks home game Saturday on
    the local sports station!!!!!!  He said the response and support for
    the last two home games is the reason. He wants to expose that
    enthusiasm to other fans. Huh??? Is this the same Bill Wirtz that has
    screwed us fans every year. Did he just watch "A Christmas Carol" and
    get scared of the similarities and saw the ghost of Christmas
    future??
    
    He even went futher to say that any future home games in this year's
    playoffs will be televised if the game is sold out. (pretty safe bet
    for him after yesterday's results)
    
    Unbelievable!!!  
    
    Les

    I can't beleive all the "liberties" Probert is taking on the Avs
    players, especially their key stars...I'm sure Lacroix has dreams about
    Chris Simon these days...
    
    Ray.
    

    I didn't see "alot" of liberties. But I did see a kick and a slash.
    Does that count? OTher than that, Probert was ineffective last night.
    
    Les

    I saw very little of last night's game but everytime I flipped over to
    it, the Avs were on a power play.  Five power play goals for the
    Avalanche last night.  Hawks must stay out of the penalty box.
    
    Bernie.

    I don't have an opinion, yet, on last night's game as I was stuck
    all evening working. While going home, I heard on the radio that Klemm
    made it 5-0. Whoa! That's my team.
    
    
    I then saw a few minutes in the 3rd, before I got paged again, and
    noticed Foote on the PP instead of Ozolinsh. Was this going on all
    game???????
    
    Andy

    In the 2nd and 3rd periods the ref went goofy with calling penalties.
    He made some calls that just made you go "Huh?". And it was on both
    sides. But unfortunately that heavily favors the Avs. The Hawks
    powerplay sucks and the Avs powerplay is awesome. So if the ref calls 
    8 penalties on the Hawks and 8 on the Avs, advantage Avs.
    
    There was one penalty on Deadmarsh, where the Hawks announcers were
    trying to guess what the possible call could even be. It ended up being
    boarding, and at that it was a riduculous call. 
    
    How can a ref let them play in the 1st period, more or less, and then
    call penalties for sneezing the rest of the game. Poor officiating.
    
    Les

    Might have something to do with the nonsense that went on in game 1 or
    2, you know, the one where Cummins and Probert were being stupid.  
    
    Bernie.

    
    who was the ref?
    

    I'm not sure. They don't put their names on their jerseys to protect
    from futher prosecution. It may have been Marouelli.
    
    Les

    The referee was Fraser who I thought did a remarkable job on Monday in
    Ottawa and on Tuesday in Montreal.  I'd take him any day over any of
    Marouelli, McGoo or Schick.
    
    Bernie.

    Frasier was incredible in the Blues Wings game yesterday. I was at the
    game the the Blues played 6 on 5 all game and you can guess who was #6.
    
    Dave

    Well, no doubt the better team won. To say this has been a
    dissappointing season would be an understatement. The Hawks never had a
    chance because of a lack of awareness at the mgt level.
    
    The team that was on the ice against the Avs did play with a lot of
    heart (I don't include Ciccone and Cummins in this category) and not
    many expected the Hawks to win two games. 
    
    The Avs play a good game of hockey and are enjoyable to watch, even as
    an opponent. They have the talent, but it takes more than talent to win
    (i.e. look at Detroit over the last several years). But the Avs play
    like a team with all that talent, and that makes them an enviable foe.
    
    There are many valuable players on the Avs, but I really believe that
    Claude Lemieux is the one who gives the Avs their character. I know he
    is considered as a dirty player by many. But he has the passion and
    drive to win that rubs off on teammates. I think he is the Avs MVP. I
    wish the Hawks had him.
    
    Les (more thoughts later)

    I agree Les, Lemieux had a fanstastic series. Sakic and Forsberg are 
    the team's best players but Lemieux doesn't need a PP (unlike Sakic)
    to get his pts (though he gets his share there too).
    
    Roy was Roy; shaky, out of position but managed to stop the puck.
    The D is weaker than last year. Gusarov-Foote being the only tandem
    that played great playoff hockey. Lefebvre is coughing it up a lot and
    Ozzie is Ozzie (benched on Sat when losing 3-0). Will Krupp be back?
    Dunno.
    
    Their next series (Edm, Ana, or Phoenix) will be another easy 6-gamer;
    ie. they'll put the effort when needed.
    
    Let's face it, the West is weak; no depth and definitely not as
    physical as the East. The ex-Nords must just love it. :*)
    
    Andy

    It kills me to see players like Shanahan playing in the cup right now,
    when a player like Shanahan could just as easily been a Blackhawk. The
    Hawks could have had him, for just a little money. Right now the Hawks
    are playing games with Amonte's contract. So far they are offering him
    less than they are paying Zhamnov. What a joke. Without spending a
    little cash, this team will get worse before better.
    
    Les

    >it kills me to see players like Shanahan playing for the cup right now
    
    Les,
    
    	If Shanahan had signed w/ the Hawks, he wouldn't be playing for the
    Cup right now...:*))
    
    Ray.
    
    

    In the Avs series, Shanahan was one of the very few Wings that had
    an awful series. He was invisible out there; I believe he got the
    Wings 1st and last goal of the series, he was hibernating between
    those 2 goals.
    
    
    Andy

    
    re: -.1
    
    You are so correct.  He wasn't very productive on the scoring end of
    things, however, I think Corbet might argue the comment about him being
    in hibernation.  :)
    
    Patrick