As much as I love the way the Pens play their game, I believe the Wings are just too good. Nicklas Lidtrom will become only the first European captain and second non-Canadian captain to win the Stanley Cup. With a Wings win, I sincerely hope all of Mr. Cherry's Europeans-can't-be-as-good-as-Canadians banter, and possibly the man himself, die.
Here's the list of Detroit's European players: Datsyuk, Filppula, Franzen, Holmstrom, Hudler, Samuelson, Zetterberg, Kronwall, Lidstrom, Lilja.
I haven't actually watched too much hockey this season, but the prediction game is always fun.
Conference quarter-finals East 1. Montreal vs. Boston 8- Montreal is just the better team, and has what it takes to win this series 2. Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa 7- Decimated by injuries, including by way of a rather dirty Bell check, Ottawa does not have what it takes to stand up to a ridiculously talented young Penguin team 3. Washington vs. Philadelphia 6- just because I want this feel-good story to continue, and that I generally dislike the Flyers, this should be a good series 4. New Jersey vs. New York 5- so this is a call that is difficult to make without having seen much hockey, but historically, I will take the Devils over the Rangers, pretty much any day
West 1. Detroit vs. Nashville 8- no upsets here, the best team will walk away winners 2. San Jose vs. Calgary 7- the Flames will make a battle of things, but the Sharks will ultimately prevail 3. Minnesota vs. Colorado 6- another one I can't really call on the basis of analysis from lack of viewing, so I will default to the higher seed, also I think Lemaire knows how to coach that team to a win 4. Anaheim vs. Dallas 5- what can I say, I like the Ducks
So I'm taking the "favourites" in the first round, this may be unsurprising considering my opening admission.
Conference Semi-finals - I'll gloss over the analysis from here onwards. East 1 Montreal vs. New Jersey 4 - this would make for a good matchup, Montreal assuming the keep up what they've been doing these last few weeks 2 Pittsburgh vs. Washington 3 - the better team wins
West 1. Detroit vs. Anaheim 4 - the Ducks have what it takes to knock off the President's Trophy team, also I really want to see the finals I'm setting up here 2. San Jose vs. Minnesota 3 - Sharks win.
Picked my first upset there.
Conference Finals East 1 Montreal vs. Pittsburgh 2 - this wouldn't be much of an upset, but again would make for some very nice viewing
West 2 San Jose vs. 4 Anaheim - I REALLY want to see this one happen. San Jose in 7.
All the marbles 2. Pittsburgh vs. San Jose 2 - I think this matchup may actually be less impressive than some of the others I created. Yes, I am picking the Sharks again. This is the year they do it. Lest we forget the 11 game streak?
A quick second post, but I felt I should throw my opinion into the hotly debated topic of #13. Firstly, let me start off by saying that I have been rooting for not-the-Leafs for quite a while now. The team that has been built up over the last half-decade or so was bound for failure (that's generally what mortgaging your future for mid-30 year-olds gets you) and that failure is now. Three straight seasons that see the Leafs perform as poorly as they have mean its time for a change.
Leafs fans are ruthless people, and it is likely because of the way the team is managed by MLSE. The power "sharing" system is terrible way of doing things, and the results over the years have shown that. However, it seems that in the case of Toronto Maple Leafs fans, desperaction calls for scapegoating. First it was the appalling manner in which John Ferguson was treated (I've always been opposed to his style of management - particularly his mysterious plan which we never truly learned about - but that was no way to treat a human being), and now it is the reactio to Mat's decision to stick around in Toronto.
I will admit that I was hoping that he would waive his NTC, because I realize that Toronto aren't exactly heavy on assets. However, I was perfectly willing to accept his decision to stay in the city. I am absolutely disgusted at the way in which "fans" are reacting, blaming Sundin for ruining the rebuilding of this team. This guy is one of the most loyal players to exist in the modern-day NHL. He exudes class like no other, despite the ridiculous banter that has gone on, never once has he lost his cool. This guy is not only one of the greatest Maple Leafs, he is easily one of the best people to walk the streets of Toronto. How people can blame him for not being partial to being moved to a different city is beyond me.
Blame JFJ for giving him an NTC or for not approaching him soon enough. Blame the media for blowing up the potential for trades beyond anything reasonable. But absolutely DO NOT blame the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the past 10 years, the man who has stood by and played his heart out for years and years without ever having a legitimate winger at his side, the man who has been one of the most consistent performers over his tenure with this team, do not blame the man who has forever expressed his desire to always remain a Toronto Maple Leaf...to retire as a Toronto Maple Leaf, do not blame #13, Mats Sundin.
On that note, I do not believe any of the other four Leafs have any reason to not waive their NTCs. Why they would want to remain on a losing team is beyond me. However, I think the service that Mats has done for the Leafs allow him the ability to veto a deal, the other quartet have not done nearly as much and are only holding this team back.
McCabe suggested, that the Leafs were close, only a couple of guys off from being a legitimate contender. I think that clears up the reasons for his giveaways, whatever he is smoking is clearly altering what he seeing on the ice, perhaps if he laid off a little he wouldn't pass the puck to the wrong team.
I hate to title an entry, particularly after so long, with so cliché a phrase but in the midst of procrastination it will have do.
Reading Week appears to be intended to provide a break in the middle of the second semester, either to help students to relax or catch up. I have really done neither, instead I went back to the place where I spent so many hours before this year, where I experienced and learned so much, and even now as I realize how much work I have to do before heading back to the hell that is EngSci, I don't regret a moment of the hours and hours I spent at 188 over this short break.
With the help of a quartet of people, our 3 award submissions were completed and polished to a spectacular degree. Perhaps not everyone pulled their weight as they should have, but what ultimately matters is that it all came together incredibly well.
I have great confidence in the Chairman's Submission, and I think this will finally be the year that season after season of disappointment will end. There will be no Port Perry, nor Robo Wizards, nor S.W.A.T. that will beat us this year, I think the award is our's to lose.
I have great confidence in the WFA Resubmission, and I think will finally be the year when a Canadian mentor is recognized in Atlanta for his efforts in the world of FIRST, the Canadian mentor who brought FIRST to Canada. (As a side note, I've been reading over a few operation inspiration threads on CD and I find that the essays that have won at regionals pale in comparison to what we compiled this year.)
I have a reasonable amount of confidence in the WFA submission. Perhaps an unsung FIRST hero title is more apt, but we chose to pursue the avenue of writing a WFA and thus we will see what comes of this submission.
Three awards, three legitimate chances at winning, that is why this is the year.
A decent case can be made for Blizzard 9 to do something impressive on the field as well, but I'm as yet unconvinced, we'll see how that pans out in the next few weeks. Until then, it's all about waiting for GTR. It's time to circle the dates - March 28th, March 29th, April 19th - and await the writing of history.
