Who Will Hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in 2013?

[stanleycup]

Re: Who Will Hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in 2013?

Totally agree that the Black Hawks have more talent and they were the better team in the finals. The Bruins play a physical game that is highly focused on defense the whole length of the ice (defense starts in the offensive zone) and score on counters and the occasional power play. They are not a pretty team to watch, but they are very good at the style they play and use it to great success. During their Cup runs, people said the exact same thing about the Devils - defense/physical focus bad for the sport, boring, dirty, etc.

I would argue the Bruins are physical but generally not dirty (every team crosses the line sometimes). Using one hit in a front of the net on a loose puck situation (and I actually didn't think it was an intentional hit to the head) is a pretty poor criteria for piling on the dirty label - I could point out several Chicago hits I thought were penalties but they didn't get called either - but not the reason the Bruins lost or Blackhawks won. They were 10 out of 30 teams in penalty minutes in the season, so the refs obviously don't agree with you (Chicago was 30 by the way). If it makes you feel better, the Bruins style generally wears them down over the course of the season more than the average team, and I'm convinced that was a major factor in the Finals.

Very good points, and hard to disagree with you. I generally think that the NHL is missing the boat and needs to do a much better job trying to reduce the violence and focus on the incredible skill and speed that these athletes play at. In my mind, the sport loses credibility with fighting and the head contact. I think that the NHL would attract a broader audience in the US if they reduced the violence. NCAA and Canadian JR leagues have significantly reduced the stupidity and the product is much more appealing to watch. Don't eliminate the body contact and hitting, its a big part of the game, just eliminate the fighting and head contact as much as possible. Unfortunately, NHL leadership (NHL Office and GM's) are not progressive enough and are not leading this change. They are generally dinosaurs who are stuck in an old culture and business model. As we learn more about the impact of concussions and head injuries, they will be forced to change. If they were smart they would be proactive and lead the transition not follow which is what they seem to be doing.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: Who Will Hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in 2013?

Very good points, and hard to disagree with you. I generally think that the NHL is missing the boat and needs to do a much better job trying to reduce the violence and focus on the incredible skill and speed that these athletes play at. In my mind, the sport loses credibility with fighting and the head contact. I think that the NHL would attract a broader audience in the US if they reduced the violence. NCAA and Canadian JR leagues have significantly reduced the stupidity and the product is much more appealing to watch. Don't eliminate the body contact and hitting, its a big part of the game, just eliminate the fighting and head contact as much as possible. Unfortunately, NHL leadership (NHL Office and GM's) are not progressive enough and are not leading this change. They are generally dinosaurs who are stuck in an old culture and business model. As we learn more about the impact of concussions and head injuries, they will be forced to change. If they were smart they would be proactive and lead the transition not follow which is what they seem to be doing.

If you ever have the chance to watch the CBC broadcast, you'll find that there is a lot of love for Bruin style hockey North of the Border. Biggest name in broadcasting up here, and former Bruin head coach, Don Cherry is the biggest cheerleader of them all.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: Who Will Hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in 2013?

What a finish - the old saying "it ain't over until the horn sounds" was never more true. Great series bummed we didn't get a game 7 but great hockey last night!

My sentiments exactly.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: Who Will Hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in 2013?

How about a side poll, Rene Rancourt, or Jim Cornielson.

Neither....Listen to legendary Roger Doucet in this clip from a famous game in the late 70's.