The Energon Pub

[First-Aid]

Dude, I'm a Cubs fan. I'm an expert on curses...and Marion Hossa is not cursed. He just hasn't had a team around him like the Hawks. Yes he had the WIngs, but the Wings are finally starting to show their age. ANd the Hawks have one other MAJOR plus: Scotty Freakin Bowman. Who do you think Coach Q goes to when he has a problem? Only the greatest hockey mind ever. And the Hawks are a sick road team. They have already beaten San Jose twice IN SAN JOSE...and that was with Huet in goal! We'll see, but my money (if I had any) is on the Hawks. They are just too deep.

Halak is, by far, the hottest goaltender in the league. In the playoffs you ride that hot goaltender as far as you can. The problem is Philly. You just don't know what to expect from them. I've never seen anything like it. Down 3 games to none. Down 3-0 in game seven...and they STILL WIN. How do you figure it? AMazing luck vs. a blazing hot goalie? That's why I can't pick that series...I just have no clue. Normally you go with the goalie, but with Philly you just can't go with conventional wisdom.

I would love to see an Original 6 Finals. I think it may happen.

[Editor]

Western: This will come down to the same issue as the Hawks/Nucks series. If San Jose plays their game and can keep their rhythm then they can take the series in 4/5 games. However if the Hawks can get under their skin, and continue their luck not taking penalties after questionable events then they can take it in 5/6 games.

Eastern: Either way this series will go 6/7 games, and will come down to who's got more in their tank at this point.

The Canadian in me wants the Habs to win it all, but I have a feeling it goes to the Western Champion.

I would just like for the finals to be a good series, but best of luck to all 4 teams and their fans.

At least the Canucks got the Division title, the points champ, and nominations for a few individual trophies.

next year......

[First-Aid]

Don't know about next year either bro. The Hawks are built in a way very similar to the Red Wings of the 90's and everly 2000's. All the young aces are tied up for 6 years...gonna be really good for a LONG time.

I just wish we could keep Niemi beyond this year. I'd love to have seen what he and Crow could do at that level. BUt we're stuck with Huet's poopy contract. Thank you Dale Talon....grrrr...

EDIT: What the hell are we doing up this late?

[Editor]

Don't know about next year either bro.
EDIT: What the hell are we doing up this late?

Then again the Canucks weren't at their best, (Willy Mitchel is still out with a concussion and his presence in the locker room is solely missing) and at the beginning of this season, the brass wasn't even sure if the team had the pieces to make the play-offs let alone take the division.

Regardless, next season is next season, and all will be judged in 12 months.

Late? it's not even midnight here.

[First-Aid]

You must be in BC...it's nearly 2Am here...and I'm four drinks in...Wiser's ftw

[Editor]

You must be in BC...it's nearly 2Am here...and I'm four drinks in...Wiser's ftw

Bingo. But I'm doing my drinking tomorrow

[Iron Prime]

It's lookin' more and more like Chicago and Phillie....

[First-Aid]

Can't rule out those Canadiens...but you're right about the Chicago part I think. Chicago is checking everything in sight. San Jose just can't get anything coherent going offensively it seems. The neutral zone is being controlled by Chicago, they look faster, and even seem to be out-muscling the bigger Sharks team. And clearly they are in the Sharks' heads: the blatant slash on Dave Bolland last night was an indication that he has crawled into and set up house in Joe Thornton's head. I expect the next two in Chicago to be split 1-1, then Chicago will close on the road in game five- AND set the NHL record for most consecutive road wins in the postseason.

[First-Aid]

To all the doubters: ANTTI NIEMI IS THE REAL DEAL!

My boy is gonna pull down $5 mill per from someone next year...wish it could be Chicago. Anyone wanna slightly used, mediocre French goalie? Will entertain any offer...hell I'd trade him for a Pinto, rear explosions and all...

3-0 Chicago. I think Editor was the one who predicted that if the Hawks got into the Minnows heads they could win the series. Guess what? They are in their heads. Chicago is going to win the series (probably...can't rule anything out completely thanks to Philly).

I now find myself pulling for Montreal. An Original Six matchup. Canada vs the US: take 2, this time for the REAL prize. Either way, I just don't think either Philly or the Habs have what it takes. Chicago is just too deep...

...the Cup will be parading down the Magnificent Mile in two weeks time.

[Blurrz]

Canada vs the US: take 2

No, seeing as Chicago has more Canadian Players than Montreal. Hockeys more than just the best team. Games are not won on paper alone.

[Editor]

3-0 Chicago. I think Editor was the one who predicted that if the Hawks got into the Minnows heads they could win the series.

It was. you can thank me later.

so........

anyone up to doing a Siebs draft for the 2010-11 season?

[Iron Prime]

anyone up to doing a Siebs draft for the 2010-11 season?

That'd be sweet!

[First-Aid]

Very interesting idea...I've never done fantasy hockey before...

<---volunteers to come in last place.

[Blurrz]

San Jose Sharks are the early 21st century Indy Colts. Chokers.

[First-Aid]

Don't know about that. Chicago just outplayed them. I've heard a lot of experts say this series was closer than the 4-0 sweep. I would tend to agree. Each game was a hard fought contest and was close. In each game it came down to a single turning point. Today it was the reviewed goal- which clearly was a goal and a good call on the part of the video team. Each game had one of those events (with the possible exception of game 2's relative beatdown).

Now, on a more personal note, I truly cannot wait to watch the Hawks lay the beatdown on Philly. The Flyers haven't faced anyone of the caliber and depth of Chicago yet. The Hawks are the only hope the city of Chicago has for any kind of winning team in any sport at any point in the near future. The Cubs are going to suck for a while. The Sox are going to suck for a while. The Bulls have already sucked for a while and will continue to do so. The Bears are (expletive) (expletive) (expletive) (expletive) (expletive) (expletive) and the garbage can is (expletive) (expletive) (expletive) and then they go and (expletive) (expletive) (expletive) (expletive). So here's hoping for the Hawks...

[Blurrz]

LOL.

Chicago will be a tough opponent for the Eastern Conference Champion.

[Optimus_Prime007]

LOL.

Chicago will be a tough opponent for the Eastern Conference Champion.

if anyone can do it, the Flyers can just look at the postseason they have had, one word...Domination!

[Blurrz]

..Since i hate Chris Pronger, Go Hawks!

[First-Aid]

And here we go: we're finally to the only games that really matter!

Chicago vs. Philadelphia. Gary Bettman is peeing his pants in joy at the numbers THIS Final is going to pull.

Chicago: maybe becoming the marquee name in the US for hockey. Toews, Kane, Keith, Byfuglien...a solid team of rising offensive superstars (or defensive in Keither's case) that is growing in popularity. The number three media market in the US. A fan base that has quickly become rabidly hungry for success since the death of Ebenezer Wuertz. A rookie sensation in goal who is stopping everything in sight. AN offensive juggernaut that outshot every team in the NHL this year and can even score short-handed. A team who Coach Q has convinced to play defense as well as offense. Good passing, great shot blocking, tremendous speed, youth, and a solid PK unit. A team that can beat you 1-0 as easily as they can 9-2.

This is gonna be a WILD one...

[Editor]

Well First Aid, Good luck to your Hawks, it should be an interesting finals.

[First-Aid]

Well, so far we've seen:

Man-child Chris Prong-hole acting like a baby, but shutting down Chicago's top line.

An 11 goal game followed up by a smashmouth game.

Antti Niemi showing off just how good he is.

Chicago's d shutting down Philly's top line.

Chicago's other lines stepping up big time...without Andrew Ladd.

Blind referees. More so that even normal. At least 6 missed obvious calls. Tremendously lopsided calling.

Bad calls not withstanding, Chicago scored short handed...again.

A goalie who shut out Montreal three times get pulled from a game.

A Chicago team that is afraid to put in their backup.

A two games to none lead for Chicago, meaning they have a 91.1 percent chance of winning the series.

A Chicago team who had been playing mediocre at home win two straight there.

The complete absence of Mike Richards, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Dustin Bygulien.

Two games decided by 1 goal.

...wow...

[Editor]

Blind referees. More so that even normal. At least 6 missed obvious calls. Tremendously lopsided calling.

Welcome to the refereeing that the Canucks dealt with for 2 rounds.

[Blurrz]

This sure is a series..

[First-Aid]

Yes it is...

Has anyone else noticed how many missed calls the Hawks have had? Just tonite there was the Andrew Ladd hold (my WIFE picked out that one!), the "phantom" slash on Sharp (even the commentators never found that one), and the head hit to Kane. In the first game alone there were FIVE high sticking penalties that were missed...I know that in three cases stitches were required (helps to know the trainers...). THere were also at least three trips that weren't called. On the other hand, Philly has had an abolutely inordinate number of icings called on them...again several were "phantom" calls.

I'm not one for conspiracy theories normally, but these are two of the biggest markets that the NHL has had in the Finals in years. It is easily in their interest to have a long series. In this case, I can't explain it otherwise...these are "experienced" refs who have done playoffs before. They shouldn't be missing obvious calls like they are...

[Blurrz]

Please... 'bad' reffing has existed for eternity, you can't use that as an excuse.