CrashingTheGoalie

by Ron Spence
There were five seconds left in the game, and I was waiting for him to say: “Lord Stanley, Lord Stanley, get me the brandy!”
That’s what Mike Lange had quipped – in 1992 – when Pittsburgh won their second Stanley Cup.
Today, Lange said: “Lord Stanley, scratch their names on your fabled Cup.”

I had never [...]

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by Ron Spence
The Stars have fired Dave Tippett after seven seasons behind the Dallas bench.  It was Joe Nieuwendyk’s first act as Dallas’ GM.
TSN reports that the Stars have asked for permission to talk to former Kings coach Marc Crawford.
Don’t be surprised if 45-year-old Scott Arniel doesn’t win the position.
Arniel was named the winner of [...]

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by Ron Spence
In a perfect world, Wayne Gretzky would be coaching the Portland Coyotes.
The team would be somewhat – but not totally popular – and Vancouver fans could make roadtrips down the I5 to Yotes games – that they could buy cheap tickets for.
There would be a couple of bars where everyone could  meet, wearing [...]

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by Ron Spence
A century ago teams had to travel a long way to  compete for the Stanley Cup.
They traveled from Ottawa, Montreal or Toronto to Vancouver or Seattle – by train.
This week two teams had to travel a record distance to play for the Kelly Cup – the ECHL finals.
The Carolina Stingrays and the Anchorage [...]

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by Ron Spence
“As to the economic prospects for next season…” Gary Bettman said last week, “the first two significant indicators of what next season would look like would probably be playoff ticket sales and season ticket renewals. And in the playoffs we’ve played to over 100% of capacity. And renewals for next season for season [...]

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by Ron Spence
That Marian Hossa could score the winning goal – for Detroit – in Game 7’s overtime.

 
That I am actually pulling for a Matt Cooke team.

courtesy of post-gazette.com
top picture courtesy of cdn.nhl.com

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by Ron Spence
You’re saying you want a seventh team in Canada?
That’s a joke.
We’re having trouble with just six.
Calgary’s Mike Keenan was fired yesterday. Edmonton’s Craig McTavish was fired on April 15th, and Montreal’s Guy Carbonneau on March 9th.

Bryan Murray fired Ottawa head coach John Paddock on February 27th, 2008, taking over the coaching duties himself. [...]

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by Ron Spence
“If you’d know some of the things that Babcock says to Chris Chelios it would make your stomach churn,” Jeremy Roenick said. “…The way he is talked to is just unacceptable. I wish I could elaborate, but that’s not proper. It’s just disrespectful.”
Now, anyone who’s spent any time in the Detroit dressing room knows [...]

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by Ron Spence
This past season was hard on NHL coaches.  Seven were fired before the playoffs started.
During the 2007-08 campaign, only three were axed – Washington’s Glen Hanlon; Atlanta’s Bob Hartley and Ottawa’s John Paddock.
The good news – in 2008-09 – is that three of the replacements have led their teams into their Conference [...]

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by Ron Spence
This four part blog has discussed only one aspect of hockey and religion – the love and respect shown to departed hockey heroes.
There are a number of other religious elements to hockey as well, and The University of Montreal teaches a course on them.
*****
Before concluding, we should note a few points.
Howie Morenz was mourned [...]

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