Oilers vs Hurricanes

[Knight9]

Hey, if they really, really want, they can probably rub the Cup when Ward trots it into town!

There are 4 Canes from Alberta. Three of those are from Edmonton or suburb. Ward, Commodore and Whitney. Westly is from a city 1 1/2 hours south. Somehow I'm guessing the Oilers won't be in the group of folks looking to participate in the Cup parties when they bring it around

Kevin

 

[Knight9]

I always like the respect for the players and the game at the end of the playoff series. Hockey I think can teach the other leagues this sportsmanship.

- Mike Z.

I agree Mike. They bang each other up pretty good on the ice, but when it is all over they are very good at showing respect and admiration for the opposing team. Not a lot of show boating or putting down other players/teams.

 

[riptides]

After seeing some hockey now, let me say one thing - those guys are crazy!

Hockey is a pretty hard hitting sport. Let me see, a few years back a goalie name escapes me, got his neck slashed when a player slide into him. Quick reactions from a fan doctor saved his life. Was it Clint Malarchuck?
- The 'cane with the concussion
- The 'cane with the broken neck (this year)

A year or two, some Canadian defenceman, gets his eye poked out. Litterally, the high stick gashed his eye. He was playing a year after recovery. I took interest because it was a first (I think) for the medical profession to refill his eyeball with fluids. Luck would have it he did not severe his optical nerve. I also took interest because of personal reasons.

But, how many blocked shots did you see last night?

Imagine laying down in front of someone who can unleash a slapshot in excess of 100mph.

Hard sport. Harder men.

-Mike Z.

 

[ejtaylor822]

Imagine laying down in front of someone who can unleash a slapshot in excess of 100mph.

I agree, in baseball they teach you to move - looks like in hockey you throw the nearest body part/appendage in front of the puck. The reaction time and reflexes are amazing - in the goals.

I remember the guy getting slashed - forgot about it but remember seeing it (on Sports Center). After watching the last couple of nights I am surprised it doesn't happen more often.

Another thing I liked was the point made earlier - no showboating and gentleman after the match. Very cool. They beat the stuffing out of each other and then shake hands and hug afterward. That's sportsmanship. Yes, other pro sports (and some college teams) could learn from that.

Speaking of the "laying down in front of the slapshot", I thought a few years ago someone, a child, got killed from a puck when it went in the stands. I thought the NHL put up the taller barriers, but, I thought I saw a puck go in the stands last night? Does this still happen?

 

[HGM]

Yep, still happens..... Several people have been hurt or killed over the years from a puck... Gota pay attention all the time...

As for the game and sportsmanship, I started watching it several years ago when the Panthers went to the Cup. They lost, but I was blown away by how demanding of a sport it was and the desire and ability these guys have.. I remember Dvorak(I think it was him) got a tooth knocked out in the first period of a Panther game, came back after the intermission and scored a hat trick.. Got a root cannal the next day and played the following.. Not as dramatic as the broken neck or concussion story this year, but still proves the heart to play as a team, not wanting to let them down...I cant think of another sport that has the attributes of hockey and includes such class...

 

[Knight9]

Yep, still happens..... Several people have been hurt or killed over the years from a puck... Gota pay attention all the time...

All NHL hockey rinks have mesh netting on the ends of the rinks now. The sides don't, but most "high pucks" happen on the ends with wild shots and deflections. The incidents of injuries in the stands have been cut down a lot. That was a good move for fans.

Kevin

 

[dmartin88]

All NHL hockey rinks have mesh netting on the ends of the rinks now. The sides don't, but most "high pucks" happen on the ends with wild shots and deflections. The incidents of injuries in the stands have been cut down a lot. That was a good move for fans.

Kevin

In game one of the finals in Raleigh, a lady took a puck in the forehead and had to be carried out on a stretcher. She was two thirds of the way up in the lower stands, just outside the area where the mesh covers. Looked for a local story to see how she fared but never saw anything.