Archive for May, 2009
Bemidji State Hockey Still in Limbo
by Bruce Ciskie
Filed under: College Hockey
Earlier in April, we told you about the potential problems in the future of the Bemidji State men’s hockey program. While they were about to play in the Frozen Four for the first time in their history, Bemidji was facing the possible dissolution of the program.
With College Hockey America set to go away after the 2009-2010 season, the Beavers need a new home to realistically remain intact. Their best option, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, still hasn’t admitted the school.
Bemidji State Hockey Still in Limbo originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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March 6 2009Singinâ?? the Bluesâ?¦Praises.
One wouldâ??ve been hard-pressed last fall to find many pundits or bloggers who wouldâ??ve picked the St. Louis Blues to make the playoffs.
Only the most die-hard of Blues fans gave them a chance, and those were in a distinct minority.
Their chances grew even darker when promising young blueliner Erik Johnson suffered a season-ending knee injury during a pre-season golf tournament and when veterans Paul Kariya and Andy McDonald went down to early season injuries.
By mid-season the injury-ravaged Blues were near the basement of the Western Conference and there were dark mutterings head coach Andy Murray might lose his job by seasonâ??s end.
Fast forward to April 2009 and the Blues surprised the NHL world by clinching a playoff berth during the final week of the regular season.
Since bottoming out in the Conference back on February 12th the Blues went on?a remarkable 20-6-3 streak, not only making the playoffs but are one of the teams â?? the Anaheim Ducks being the other â?? that the top seeded clubs like? the San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks couldn’t have been looking forward to meeting in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Lucky Canucks, they drew the Blues once the latter clinched sixth overall in the West. Sure, Vancouver has more depth in talent and seemingly more experience, but the Blues could have more emotion going for them from their stretch run heroics, which could translate into post-season upset if the Canucks aren’t careful.
So what spurred the Blues, a club all but left for dead two months ago, into a playoff contender?
Murray’s coaching was one reason as?he was?able to get the best out of a battered lineup forced to rely on youngsters to fill the gaps.
Murray has faced considerable criticism since taking over as Blues head coach in December 2006, much of it unjustified. The Blues have been rebuilding since the lockout and injuries to key players both this season and last had hampered the clubâ??s improvement.
Fortunately for the Blues Murray has had the support of the?front office which is now are being rewarded for their faith in him.
Those injuries this season were a blessing in disguise as it gave an opportunity for several of the youngsters the Blues had drafted and developed to show what they could do at the NHL level.
David Perron, David Backes and rookies Patrik Berglund and TJ Oshie made significant strides in their development this season, giving Blues fans a look at a group of young talent that could form the core of a successful roster in the coming years.
Several veteran players also rose to the challenge, providing the skills and leadership which helped the Blues defy the odds.
Under-rated scoring star Brad Boyes had a career season in points with 71, Keith Tkachuk justified managementâ??s decision not to move?him at the deadline to provide timely scoring and leadership, and McDonaldâ??s return from a knee injury provided the Blues with a much-needed offensive boost.
Oft-injured blueliner Jay McKee had his healthiest season in years, whilst another injury-prone blueliner Carlo Colaiacovo had his best season to date after being acquired in an early season trade with Toronto.
The biggest factor in the Blues improvement over the past two months was the play of goaltender Chris Mason.
After taking over the starting job from a struggling Manny Legace in late- January Mason rattled off an incredible 22-8-6 record, providing the Blues with not just the kind of goaltending that wins games but also the kind that could make them a difficult opponent in the upcoming playoffs.
The Blues two-month march to the 2009 NHL post-season was no fluke, but rather a combination of strong goaltending and coaching, veteran leadership and experience and rising young talent coming together to overcome injuries and early season inconsistency.
Even if the Blues fail to advance far in this yearâ??s playoffs theyâ??ve served notice to their fans and to the league that theyâ??re back on the right track.
Great Moments In Penguins vs. Capitals Playoff History
by Adam Gretz
Filed under: Capitals, Penguins, NHL Fans, NHL Videos
Thanks to the events of Tuesday night, as the Capitals and Hurricanes advanced in their game 7 victories, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals will be taking part in a playoff series that could very well consume us all. We’ve seen playoff series’ get hyped before, but nothing will come close to the tidal wave of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin coverage that is about take the NHL by storm. Consider yourselves warned.
Before we look ahead to the madness, let’s take a few minutes and remember the glory days of one of the best playoff rivalries the 1990’s ever produced.
Great Moments In Penguins vs. Capitals Playoff History originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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