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Post by seventeen on Jun 8, 2004 1:22:28 GMT -5
It's probably just sour grapes, but if I was on the roster of a team that had won the cup in the past, I'd feel that accomplishment was just lessened considerably by being joined by a team like Tampa. Just not enough talent for my liking, especially on defense. And while I don't mind Brad Richards, being rewarded for the ability to bounce pucks off people into nets just doesn't do it for me. Iginla and Kiprusoff carried the Flames to the finals and either deserved the Conn Smythe much more than Richards. I suspect my feelings echo the fact that the game has really been watered down. There isn't a defenseman on Tampa who could make the defense on numerous teams from the past. Can you see Lukowich on the 76-77 Habs? Can you see him on their farm team? How about Pratt? Or Sarich? The league is so 'balanced' right now that it's hard to find a really good team with few holes in it. Gee, how can you tell I'm annoyed.
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Post by Montrealer on Jun 8, 2004 8:26:14 GMT -5
It's probably just sour grapes, but if I was on the roster of a team that had won the cup in the past, I'd feel that accomplishment was just lessened considerably by being joined by a team like Tampa. Just not enough talent for my liking, especially on defense. And while I don't mind Brad Richards, being rewarded for the ability to bounce pucks off people into nets just doesn't do it for me. Iginla and Kiprusoff carried the Flames to the finals and either deserved the Conn Smythe much more than Richards. I suspect my feelings echo the fact that the game has really been watered down. There isn't a defenseman on Tampa who could make the defense on numerous teams from the past. Can you see Lukowich on the 76-77 Habs? Can you see him on their farm team? How about Pratt? Or Sarich? The league is so 'balanced' right now that it's hard to find a really good team with few holes in it. Gee, how can you tell I'm annoyed. I'm sure a lot of people said the same thing about the 86 Habs. I think people look through rose-coloured glasses around here at history. |
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Post by BadCompany on Jun 8, 2004 8:38:39 GMT -5
I think the Lightning defense is vastly underrated (especially now, considering they just won the Cup). Sydor is a very good defenseman, I've always like Sarich, and Boyle and Lukovich are nice complimentary players. Cullimore has really come into his own over time. Kubina is probably the best defenseman nobody has ever heard of.
Granted, there are no stars, but I'd take 5 of Tampa's defense with no hesitation whatsoever...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2004 10:41:03 GMT -5
The Lightning proved to be the better team in the end, and the Flames just couldn't keep generating anything. The Flames deserve a hell of a lot of credit, and were so close. So ridiculously close.
Looks like we were beaten by the best. I think the ultimate revenge for us is if we beat them next time we meet in the post-season.
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Post by Forum Ghost on Jun 8, 2004 11:59:45 GMT -5
And while I don't mind Brad Richards, being rewarded for the ability to bounce pucks off people into nets just doesn't do it for me. Iginla and Kiprusoff carried the Flames to the finals and either deserved the Conn Smythe much more than Richards. It doesn't matter how the pucks go in the net, as long as they go in. Brad Richards led the playoffs in scoring. He broke the record for most game-winning-goals in the playoffs and the Bolts won every single game in which he scored. If that doesn't spell out playoff MVP, then I don't know what does. IMO, he was fully deserving of the Conn Smythe. Looks like we were beaten by the best. The first time since expansion in 1967 that we Hab fans can say that we were beaten by the best... the "Curse of the Habs" is officially over. |
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Post by CentreHice on Jun 8, 2004 15:14:43 GMT -5
I think the win really speaks volumes for the depth and resiliency of the Lightning. They withstood anything the Isles and Habs threw at them....then survived a much more competitive onslaught from the Flyers. The Flames gave them the most physical series, and it changed their game plan...and they were able to adjust.
The Flames have been playing this kind of hockey since they got Kiprusoff, and that perhaps took it's toll in the final 2 games....but beating the top 3 seeds in the West is absolutely huge....and definitely Stanley Cup worthy....but still...they couldn't knock off those pesky Lightning, whose depth (and lack of injuries) managed to win out in the end.
No wonder they knocked us out in 4 straight...should've been 5 or 6....but still no wonder. No shame in losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champ.
And by the way, that was a New Jersey-style defense played by Tampa Bay last night. It works...get the lead...go into the trap...keep everyone to the perimeter. Their ability to adjust to that in the 7th game was admirable...not exciting...but admirable.
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jun 9, 2004 22:24:37 GMT -5
More than 30,000 Calgarians showed up Wednesday wearing flaming Cs on their hearts to honour the battered group of overachievers for an improbable National Hockey League playoff run that set the city and the country on fire. - slam.canoe.ca/Slam040609/nhl_caltb-cp.html* Tampa police Capt. Bob Guidara said there were an estimated 20,000 along the parade route, and 13,000 inside the forum. - slam.canoe.ca/Slam040609/nhl_caltb-ap.html |
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Post by Montrealer on Jun 10, 2004 0:23:28 GMT -5
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Post by CentreHice on Jun 10, 2004 21:43:13 GMT -5
Thanks for the link to those pics....seeing a team that I don't hate raise the Cup in a victory parade always brings a smile to my face. No doubt Lord Stanley of Preston never thought his Cup would ever reside in Florida. |
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