hockey
We talk pucks and objects of that kind. We yell, complain, and analyze in the language of hockey fandom. Gretzky can do no wrong.
Stanley Cup Final Game One: Welcome to the Big Time
For the first time in five years, we are guaranteed a first-time Stanley Cup Champion. The Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers face off in this year's Stanley Cup Final, with each team looking to win the Cup for the very first time. This is the second Final appearance for each team; Vegas is currently in their sixth season of play, while Florida's last appearance came in 1996. Speaking of Florida, this is the fourth straight year that the Sunshine State is represented in the Cup Final, with the Tampa Bay Lightning reaching the Final during the last three years. It's somewhat reminiscent of the province of Alberta dominating the Cup Final between 1983 and 1990.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 11 months ago in UnbalancedJohn Jay Takes Another Big Game Versus Somers
In the last two years, John Jay has fought out victories over Somers in the Section finals and the history had the Wolves honed in on Wednesday, May 3 at Contest Field. “A big game,” said Annabel Brennan, “we definitely wanted to show up.” Somers did strut in first, though. But the early 2-0 Tusker lead wasn’t as important who was the last to leave.
Rich MonettiPublished 11 months ago in Unbalanced2023 Stanley Cup Final Preview
It's here, folks. The Stanley Cup Final has been set for a few days now, and it's an interesting one. For the first time in five years, we will be guaranteed a first-time champion, as neither team has hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup. The last Final to guarantee such a historic feat was 2018, which featured the Vegas Golden Knights facing the Washington Capitals that year. 2019 was the last time that we saw a team win their first-ever Cup, as the St. Louis Blues won ended their tenure-long drought.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 11 months ago in UnbalancedA Look at the Last 10 Presidents' Trophy Failures, and the Aftermath of Each One
With the Boston Bruins' shocking first round exit in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, it now marks a full decade since a team won the Presidents' Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season. The Chicago Blackhawks remain the last team to win both trophies in the same year, doing so in the 2012-13 season. You would have to go back a bit farther than that to find the last team to accomplish this feat in a non-lockout season, as the Detroit Red Wings were the last team to do so, winning both trophies in the 2007-08 season. In fact, the Wings are the only team to accomplish this feat twice, as they won both trophies in the 2001-02 season as well.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 11 months ago in UnbalancedWhat Went Wrong: Stars Lose West Final, but Go Down Swinging
With the Eastern Conference Final ending in a four game sweep, the spotlight turned to the Western Conference Final between the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights. It looked like we would get the same outcome, as Vegas was up 3-0, and a sweep was a foregone conclusion. However, Dallas managed to win Game Four in overtime, but you know how that goes. The team down 3-0 wins Game Four: "Well, at least they won't get swept. Yet the Stars won Game Five. Now, it's serious. Now it could be possible for them to pull off the reverse sweep. After all, they were back at home for Game Six, and home ice is always an advantage...except when it's not.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 11 months ago in UnbalancedA Look at the 2020-21 Montréal Canadiens
Normally, I feature Stanley Cup Champions in my stories, but the NHL has been known for some of the craziest, most unexpected, and most memorable Cinderella runs in sports. We are currently in the midst of one with the Florida Panthers, literally the worst of this season's playoff teams, reaching the Stanley Cup Final. The run has been amazing, and it could result in the Panthers reacing the top of the proverbial mountain. However, while the team mentioned in this story did come up short, they did give us something to make us smile during a really tough period.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 11 months ago in UnbalancedBackwater
The heart believes that having a love can drive away the scorching sun; Believe that with a belief, you can build the most beautiful garden; Believe that adhere to a stick, backcountry can also bloom the most beautiful scenery. I would like to inject a love into my heart, fill a faith and stick to bloom the most beautiful scenery of life! Inject the water of faith into the garden of the soul, and grow a brilliant garden. I don't know how a person can stand through the night until the dawn; I don't know how one can hold on to one's dream in the midst of so many flowers. All I know is that only with faith can you believe in yourself so that you can rebuild your walls and repair your dreams! She did it. She gave up millions of dollars because she had faith. Because have faith, she bravely when the village cadre; Building houses for villagers in the rain, the disease is still in the heart of the villagers. She is the "most beautiful village cadre" - Duan Aiping. The dream of a village, because of her faith and sprout, thrive! Dream road hand in hand faith, my heart is the most beautiful garden! For the spirit of the boat full of adhere to the goods, more easily into a "peach blossom". Who does not yearn for the beauty of a clear day, where the sea does not rise? Who does not look forward to the sun rising moon set, tide star born scenery? Life needs a stick, just can create the most beautiful scenery. Zhou Youguang knew how to stick to it, and eventually became the "weekly encyclopedia" praised by people; Jobs knew how to stick to it, never give up, and achieve his Apple dream; Pope knew that a stick, even the smallest flower will bloom, and eventually become a giant of English literature. The most beautiful scenery is often on the other side, only know how to stick to the people, can be brave to go, smell a wisp of flowers on the other side; Leisurely lap on the sand, enjoy the most beautiful scenery! "I have come from the land to heaven, and I am passing through earth." That's right! As a passer-by of life, we can not lose our own wonderful. Heart a love, hand in hand a faith, know a stick to, the most beautiful scenery needs to bloom! The road to heaven, take out their own heart, cast the nation's most beautiful Chinese dream, create the most beautiful scenery of the motherland!
Michelle PollingerPublished 11 months ago in UnbalancedCarolina Hurricanes' Season Ends with Disappointment and Lessons Learned
The Carolina Hurricanes' 2022-2023 season has come to an abrupt end, leaving players, coaches, and fans disappointed and reflective. After a promising start, filled with high expectations and a talented roster, the Hurricanes fell short of their ultimate goal: the Stanley Cup. In this in-depth analysis, we will delve into the factors that contributed to their early playoff exit, the highs and lows of their season, and the valuable lessons they can take away from this experience.
YABIPublished 11 months ago in UnbalancedWhat Went Wrong: All Calm, No Storm
Here's what I love about the playoffs, in any sport. When the top team in the entire league gets knocked out early, the pecking order changes. This year, the Boston Bruins ended up ousted early after a 65-win season, so that caused a huge paradigm shift in the NHL pecking order. Once they and the then-defending champion Colorado Avalanche were both gone, the new top favorite out of the remaining teams became the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the Leafs ended up ousted, so who ended up as the best team left? The Carolina Hurricanes.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 11 months ago in UnbalancedA Look at the 2018-19 St. Louis Blues
As the saying goes, "You always remember your first." That line definitely relates to the St. Louis Blues. A season prior, the Washington Capitals finally hoisted their first Stanley Cup after 44 years of trying and being snakebit at every turn (usually by the Pittsburgh Penguins). As jinxed as the Capitals were, the Blues' story is that much more heartbreaking. Here's what the team had to go through entering the 2018-19 season.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 11 months ago in Unbalanced2023 Conference Finals Preview
I always enjoy the Final Four of any sport's season, because it's the last stop before the whole enchilada is decided. No matter what the sport, that final round before the championship is immensely grand. In the NFL, it's the Conference Championship. In MLB, it's the League Championship Series, and in the NBA and NHL, it's the Conference Finals. The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs are now down to the Final Four, with the two berths in this year's Stanley Cup Final being officially decided. Since the 2013-14 season, the Conference Finals have been contested between each of the four winners of the division brackets, with the East series pitting the Atlantic vs the Metropolitan, while the West series pits the Central vs the Pacific. The series are as follows:
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 11 months ago in UnbalancedGrading the Seattle Kraken's 1st Postseason
The second season of existence for the Seattle Kraken is definitely one they will remember for years to come. The Kraken became the NHL's 32nd franchise, joining the league four years after the Vegas Golden Knights, and because Vegas went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in Year One, a lot of fans expected something close to that for the Kraken. Seattle was nowhere close to that level in their inaugural season, but their sophomore year saw some big time signings, and a huge turnaround.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 12 months ago in Unbalanced