See you guys..

[paologregorio]

I know Steve I was very surprised at how they handled the Hawks last night. They have a lot of injured players right now and they still found a way to win. This definitely is not the Canucks that I have come to know over the years. They have a lot more grit and determination than I have ever seen before.

I avoided the local Cinco de Mayo frenzy and watched both games last night at longtime Long Beach Institution Joe Jost's. Good stuff!

[kelly]

I'm surprised at the Ducks/Red Wings series so far, Vancouver is doing better than I thought they would, Penguins/Caps is playing out as expected. Then there's my Bruins...not playing very well in games 2 and 3, although Ward did a heck of a goaltending job in game 2. Tonight's game was very frustrating to watch, and the Bruins definitely played to lose that one. Is there anyone out there cheering that the Coyotes get bought by Balsillie and moved back to Canada? I am, although I'd like to see him cut Wayne Gretzky loose as part of it - I can't stand Wayne Gretzky!

[winston]

I met Wayne Gretzky and a few of his team mates (Lowe/Messier/Lumley/Callighen/McDonald) in 1979 when he was playing with the Oilers and we lived in Sherwood Park Alberta. In fact I met him on two occasions and the second time he remembered me. Back then he was in my view a very classy individual with a lot to give back to the fans and he never disapointed us. He really spent time in the community and he was a warm caring individual. I am not sure what he is like today, but I can't imagine him changing much at all.

I would rate him as one of the classiest prominent Canadians that I have ever met and I have met my fair share of the elite in Canada from all walks of life.

[captsandwich]

Hamilton Coyotes.


Great game last night. Malkin finally showed up.

[kelly]

I agree with everything you said Brian - that's what I've always heard as well. Just keep in mind that he did lead the Oilers to beat my Bruins in the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals, hence I can't stand him. The Habs are my 30th least favorite team, followed a close second by the Oilers - and I've lived in Edmonton my entire life!

[kelly]

Tough series for you Canucks fans, sorry your team is out. The Bruins have to have another great game tonight or I'll be joining you on the cheering sidelines.

[winston]

I am still in shock.

[ozover50]

Commiserations, Brian.

[kelly]

If you would have told me Luongo would have 7 put past him in a deciding game I wouldn't have believed it, but the Blackhawks just don't quit and have a lot of young talent. The Canucks were a lot grittier than I thought they would be, which a few people mentioned earlier. It was a great series to watch. After the Bruins I don't really follow any other teams closely but I've liked the Blackhawks since I was a little kid so I'm happy to see them move on - I'll have to dig my Stan Mikita jersey out of the closet for the next round (I think its Stan's birthday next week too!). Now my Bruins have pushed things to a seventh game, back in Boston on Thursday, so I really hope they can come back and take that series. I've grown quite accustomed to my playoff beard!

[winston]

Congrats Kelly. I am waiting to see if the Wings win. If not I will help you support the Bruins....

[kelly]

Thanks Brian - we'll be glued to TSN tomorrow night for game 7 here in the Fuller household. If the Bruins play their game, they'll be fine (win or lose). It would be nice to keep going, but this has been a very positive season from my perspective. I've been a Bruins fan my whole life, and its been almost 20 years since they've played this late. I still remember going to see them play on my birthday (May 20) against the Oilers in the 1988 Cup Final, then again in 1990. That was a loooong time ago - I had a full head of hair, but had yet to get a Rickenbacker! Now I got the Rickenbacker, but no hair - playoff beard aside!

[kelly]

Two days after the Bruins were eliminated, the sadness is wearing off and I'm focusing a very positive year overall. I'm hoping for the Blackhawks now - who is everyone else following?

[winston]

Red Wings for me. I thought the Ducks were going to do my second favourite team in but...............they managed to choke and let my team get the best of them and go through to the next round.

[kelly]

I hear what you're saying Brian - few teams bring out my utter contempt like Anaheim. Its nothing against the actual team these days, but how they got into the league. I think the NHL showed a complete lack of respect for its own league and history by allowing Disney to buy a team and name it as a marketing gimmick for a pretty lousy kids' movie. Like someone once said, the NHL is the greatest league in the world despite the best efforts of the people that run it.

Who is everyone else cheering for - or against?

[johneek]

Penguins for me....Even though I grew up in Minnesota (When the Stars were the North Stars), living in Pittsburgh for 10 years will do that to a guy. I thought the series against the Caps was exactly what TV wanted, except the 7th was a bit boring. The rivalry and apparently genuine "disaffection" that Crosby and Ovechkin have for each other is marketing "gold" for years to come.