Posts Tagged ‘Powerplay’

Most of us have dreamed of running a professional sports team at some point in our life.  Over the years there have been a multitude of ways we’ve been able to “live this dream”.  Sports manager games on PC and console have had us not just live the dream, but play the dream.

For Hockey fans, most will remember Eastside Hockey Manager, possibly one of the best NHL Manager games to ever hit the market.  Now however, with the Internet moving into the Web2.0 world, games such as these are becoming more available, without any need to download software and even better, without any need to spend a cent.

Introducing: Powerplay Manager

Powerplay Manager puts you in charge of your very own hockey team, not only as General Manager, but as Coach, assistant coach and president all wrapped into  a single user-account.  Your goal; to battle it out in leagues against other people just like you to gain promotion to high leagues, more rewards and better team growth.

Those familiar with hockey manager games will understand that Powerplay Manager sounds very similar to Hockeyarena.  That’s because it is.  In fact, if you’re a mad hockey fan like me, no doubt you’ll be busy in both these games.

What you control:

In short, everything.  You get to not only set your own lines, choose your tactics, schedule friendly games and watch “live” matches, behind the scenes you will be actively building the infrastructure of your club.  Build youth through sports schools, upgrade your arena with new seating, better quality maintenance and stores.  Hire and fire staff to produce better quality returns for your money.  Buy, hire and trade players on the market and carefully manage your teams budget.  Set your training schedules, active practices and build a team that includes strong skilled players and high-chemistry lines.

I wasn’t kidding when i said you control “everything”.

Playing other users:

The game itself has 3 main areas.

1) Build your teams infrastructure, including arena, staff and economic stability.
2) Train your team and work to win your local league, where you play against other users just like you.
3) If you get good enough, work to manage national teams in international play.

Your league matches are scheduled for you (much like Hockeyarena), and you can schedule friendly matches against whomever you wish.  Wins and Losses all have an impact on your team.  You can set your tactics so the team plays more relaxed in friendly games and more fierce in must win playoff matches.

The “Pro” Option:

Like Hockeyarena, Powerplay Manager also offers a pro option which allows you to gain additional features for a small cost.  This cost goes towards keeping the game free, and is well worth it’s tiny cost ($20 AUD for 3 months approx).

Going “pro” gives you the extra leg-up so to speak, as it allows you to schedule games better, set more efficient tactics and naturally have far more features in each section of the game.  The best part however, is that you literally feel like you have more control over your team with these extra features.  It is well worth the cost.  I’ve been asked if the pro game is similar to that which Hockeyarena offer and the fact is yes, it is very similar.

Powerplay Manager Vs Hockeyarena:

Due to a lot of questions i’ve been asked lately, I will be posting a comparison between the 2 games in the coming days.  For now, I want you all to know that you should definitely join both.  Don’t let the look and feel of the games put you off either one, as the important thing about Sports Manager games is the gameplay itself, not the way it’s delivered.  From that point of view, these games are very similar.  More on that in the coming days.

In closing, Powerplay Manager is a must have for any hockey fan.  But that’s not all, as Powerplay Manager is a “Sports Manager” game, that will be rolling out similar versions for football and other sports in the coming months.

The URL: http://www.powerplaymanager.com

20 newest hockey videos added to 2 Minutes For Hockey on Friday October 3, 2008.

	Alexander Ovechkin Pie Interview
	Check out Alex\’s official website at http://www.alexovechkin8.com
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:56:30 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	TOR @ PIT: Lemiuex Returns (12/27/00) (End of Game and 3 Stars)
	Here is the end of the game along with the 3 Stars of the Game. All Copyrights are Acknowledged!
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:55:00 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Canadiens vs. Red Wings (30/09/2008 @ Centre Bell) Shootout
	Canadiens vs. Red Wings (30/09/2008 @ Centre Bell) – the Shootout
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:54:37 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Capitals vs. Flyers (preseason) 10/3/08
	Can\’t you just feel the love? Good fight between Donald Brashear and Riley Cote!
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:54:06 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Slava Kozlov scores against Nashville in PP
	3 Oct 2008. Preseason Game.
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:53:37 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	The Real 2008-2009 NHL Predictions
	The Real 2008-2009 NHL Predictions.
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:52:26 – Added by: admin
	Views: 2 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Hockey Fight: T. Grant vs. M, Hoffman
	3 Oct 2008. Preseason Game.
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:52:04 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Steve MacIntyre vs. Jim Vandermeer
	Steve MacIntyre\’s NHL debut
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:51:41 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Todd White scores against Nashville
	3 Oct 2008. Preseason game
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:51:21 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	MacT gets tossed
	Mact gets booted from the 10/03 BOA.
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:50:53 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0

	Toronto Maple Leafs Montage
	videos from my camera and phone… mind the quality… these are games i attended from 06/07 season and 07/08 season…
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:50:27 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Bob Probert vs Marty McSorley Oct 8, 1992
	Bob Probert vs Marty McSorley from the Detroit Red Wings at Los Angeles Kings game on Oct 8, 1992. via http://www.hockeyfights.com
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:49:58 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Kelly Chase vs Lyle Odelein Oct 19, 1992
	Kelly Chase vs Lyle Odelein from the St. Louis Blues at Montreal Canadiens game on Oct 19, 1992. via http://www.hockeyfights.com
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:49:40 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	NHL 2K8 shootout! Look at desc.
	I did a shootout on NHL 2K8 on Hall of Famer level. Best out of 3 with me as the goalie. NYI vs. NJD!! Intermission report by my cuz on webcam. lol
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:49:22 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Cupless in Vancouver, BC
	My salute to the losers from Vancouver, the Canucks. Still waiting on that first Stanley Cup! Some of the photos aren\’t that great of quality, but you get the point.
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:48:03 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Ryan Hollweg vs Cam Janssen Oct 1, 2008
	Ryan Hollweg vs Cam Janssen from the Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Louis Blues game on Oct 1, 2008. via http://www.hockeyfights.com
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:47:33 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Ryan Hollweg vs David Backes Oct 1, 2008
	Ryan Hollweg vs David Backes from the Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Louis Blues game on Oct 1, 2008. via http://www.hockeyfights.com
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:47:14 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	NHL Premiere Prague 2008/2009 Season
	NY Rangers vs. Tampa Bay in Prague, Czech Republic.
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:46:11 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Rangers training in Prague 04/10/08
	Předzápasový trénink New York Rangers před startem nové sezóny NHL v Praze.
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:45:46 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0
	Tampa Bay Lightning Starting 5 vs Eisbären
	Der Tampa Bay Express ist von den Eisbärchen nicht zu stoppen
	Date: 2008-10-04 13:45:02 – Added by: admin
	Views: 0 – Votes: 0 – Rating: 0

Technorati Tags: nhl, ice hockey, hockey fights, hockey videos, hockey clips

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With a huge win over The Bears in their season home opener, the pressure was on the Blue Tongues to once again prevail over the league leaders. Having been introduced to the smaller rink and hard checking style of play produced by Gold Coast, The Bears were expected to hit back, and fast, against the Blue Tongues in their second game of the double header.

The Bears did not disappoint, coming at the Blue Tongues early in the game and changing their tactics to not only start playing a physical game, but also stamping their authority over the control of the game. Both teams seemed to lack the energy they had during Saturday’s game, and some simple rookie errors caused a line change for the Gold Coast team, starting to run two lines instead of three. Despite The Bears claiming control of the puck for majority of the first period however, it was Dave Upton of the Blue Tongues who netted the only goal of the first.

Tempers flared in the second, with roughing calls on both teams, and it was clear that neither team were giving up on their race to be the next to pot a goal. Both Sydney’s goaltender John Daugulis and Gold Coast’s Simo Mustonen had their work cut out for them in net as each team made shot after shot on goal. However, once again the Blue Tongues made some silly mistakes, costing them dearly on the penalty kill. It was The Bears that led going into the third, winning the period 3 goals to the Gold Coast’s lone goal, ending the period 3-2.

Excitement ruled the third, as the Blue Tongues tied up the scores on 3 a piece, before The Bears took advantage of a lapse in concentration and took the lead once more at 4-3 with little more than 8 minutes left in the game. The Blue Tongues never gave up, and with just under 2 minutes left, tied the game 4-4.

Anticipation was high in the stands as the teams took to the face off after a penalty was called on The Bears, giving the Blue Tongues a powerplay with a minute left in the third. Their fans behind them, Gold Coast focused on the job at hand and with 46 seconds left in the game, defenseman Ross Howell netted the game winning goal. The Bears failed to even up the scores in the dying seconds of the game, giving the Blue Tongues their third victory in the last three games.

The first star of the game was Blue Tongues Captain and centre, Billy Crumm. Second star of the game was Blue Tongues Defenseman, Don Burke and third star of the game was Bears’ Roberto Franchini.

Next weekend, the Blue Tongues face the Newcastle North Stars on June 21 & 22 at Gold Coast Iceland, Bundall. Games start at 3.30pm.

Article Source: Gold Coast Blue Tongues

Tags: IceHockey, AIHL, Blue Tongues, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney Bears, Gaetan Royer, Brian Lachance

NHL – Detroit Red Wings/Pittsburgh Penguins Box Score Wednesday June 4, 2008 – Yahoo! Sports

We’re down to the wire now.  Detroit lead the game 2-1 going into the second break, but the Penguins have momentum after Malkin scored on the powerplay. 

Brian Rafalski and Valtteri Filppula both scored for Detroit.

Click below to view the results of the following game played today.

Dallas Stars @ San Jose Sharks (G5)

Read the rest of this entry »

Click below to view the results of the following games played today:

New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Dallas Stars @ San Jose Sharks

Read the rest of this entry »

141 New Videos Added This Week

Total Videos: 2674 (in 19 categories)

This last week has been busy, with over 60 2008 Stanley Cup Playoff videos being added.  Included in these are game highlights, interviews, a few fights and some great goals.   If you haven’t yet caught up on all the playoff highlights, head over there today and take a look.

Brett throws an octopus!
Throwing an octopus on the ice at the Wings game!
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

A smile from Kevin Weekes
2008 Stanley Cup playoffs. Round 1 Game 3 New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils. Down by the ice during the practice to go see the one and only Kevin Weekes.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Dallas Stars Vs. Anaheim Ducks – Ducks Score!
Short video showing the crowd going wild after the Anaheim Ducks scored on the Dallas Stars in game 5 of the first round of the NHL playoffs.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Predators @ Red Wings 04/18/08 Game 5
Nashville Predators at Detroit Red Wings 04/18/08 Game 5
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Stars @ Ducks 04/18/08 Game 5
Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks 04/18/08
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Calgary Flames at San Jose Sharks (Game 5): Intro III
Sharks player finally step onto the ice…and the crowd goes ape-shit.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks Game 6 – Duck penalty
Anaheim Ducks penalty with 1:31 left in period 3, Chris Pronger cross-checking on Dallas Stars Brenden Morrow played at the AAC on 4/20/08
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Clowe telling Iginla that there’s no crying in hockey
This recap of some of the “rough stuff” from Game 5 of the 2008 WCQF. It shows Ryane Clowe mocking Jarome Iginla by rubbing his eyes.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Dallas Stars Goal No 3 Playoffs 08 vs Ducks Game 6
Dallas Stars goal in the 3rd period of Game 6 of Round one Western Conference Standley Cup Playoffs vs Anaheim Ducks at AAC on 4/20/08
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Dallas Stars Goal No 1 Playoffs 08 vs Ducks Game 6
Dallas Stars Goal in the 3rd period of Game 6 of Round one Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs vs the Ducks at AAC on 4/20/08
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Capitals vs Flyers – Game 5 Slideshow
Game 5 of the ECQF – Photos by myself and Hoydie17 of the Capitals message board.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Game 6 : Red Wings vs. Predators
red wings win of coarse
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

2008 Stanley Cup playoffs Red Wings Predators
A Musical journey through the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for 2008 Detroit Red Wings
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Flyers vs Caps game 3 richards penalty shot
richards scores on huet
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

bruins win
its cool
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Boston Bruins Game 7 Intro Video
Homemade by me Hockeyman127
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Dallas Stars goal 4 & celebration Game 6 vs Anaheim Duck
Dallas Stars goal 4 in the 3rd Period of game 6 played at the AAC vs Anaheim Ducks, plus celebration of taking series 4 game to 2 over Anaheim Ducks.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Rangers/Devils Quarterfinal Montage Video
Clips in no specific order Rangers won the series 4-1 Enjoy Please Comment
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Stars vs Ducks 20/04/08
Stars past to semifinals
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Penguins Playoff Video Lord Stanley Back
Video of Pittsburgh Penguins to the tune of “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake with different words.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Boston Bruins
we may have lost the palyoffs but we gave it our all
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Ovechkin’s game 6 goal 1 against Flyers
Alex Ovechkins goal against the Flyers
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Philadelphia Flyers game 4 vs washington
Intro to game and god bless America.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Canadiens de montreal v. Boston Bruins 4/21/08 GAME 7
http://jignutz.blogspot.com/ Les Canadiens de Montréal win Game 7 vs Boston Bruins
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Habs vs Bruins Game 7 – final 3 minutes…
2008 Stanley Cup playoffs… Habs Rule!
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Canadiens 5 – Bruins 0
Le Canadien s’est compliqué la vie dans cette série contre les Bruins de Boston. Le Tricolore s’est heureusement ressaisi à temps, au grand bonheur de ses partisans. Après avoir vu les Bruins combler un déficit de 1-3 dans la série, les joueurs de Guy Carbonneau sont parvenus à stopper l’hémorragie pour l’emporter 5-0, lundi soir au Centre Bell, dans le septième et ultime match de ce quart de finale de l’Association Est. Andrei Kostitsyn, deux fois, Mike Komisarek, Mark Streit et Sergei Kostitsyn ont marqué les buts, Alex Kovalev contribuant deux aides. Carey Price a lui aussi retrouvé son meilleur niveau dans ce match sans lendemain, le septième entre les deux équipes. Le Tricolore affiche un dossier de 5-2 contre ses grands rivaux. Price a enregistré son deuxième jeu blanc de la série. Le Canadien affrontera maintenant les Flyers de Philadelphie ou les Rangers de New York en demi-finale de l’Est.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Nashville Predators vs Detroit Red Wings: Game 4 . last 7 mi
Nashville Predators beat the Detroit Red Wings in game 4 of the NHL playoffs 3 to 2. April 16th 2008. Also Nashville was named one of the loudest NHL arena this year. Don’t believe me? Check out the video!
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Habs vs Bruins 5-0 (21 April 2008) Montreal downtown part 2
Montreal downtown – montreal vs bruins 5-0 ( 21 april 2008 ) on my infiniti fx35 boosted
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Canadiens @ Bruins 19/4/08
http://hockeycanadiens.net Défaite crève coeur des Canadiens 5-4
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Game#7 Montreal Vs Boston-Riot Downtown Montreal
Game 7 5-0 montreal!!!
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Final 30 Seconds Game 7 San Jose Sharks VS Flames (Part 2)
Sharks VS Flames Round 1 Game 7
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Final 30 Seconds Round 1 San Jose Sharks VS Flames (Part 1)
Final 30 Seconds in Game 7 Sharks VS Flames
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

San Jose Sharks Intro Game 7
Game 7 Sharks Intro @ home.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Montreal beats Boston 2008
What can I say, awesome party, had so much fun, must admit Boston put up a great fight. Philadelphia and monsieur Brière, you’re next in line to bite the dust. GO HABS GO!
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

game 7. sj vs. calgary
game 7 in sj, sec 206
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Evgeni Nabokov
Nabby!Nabby!Nabby!(During Game 7 Sharks VS Flames Round 1)
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Sharks vs Calgary Game 7
Hockey
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Canadiens vs. Bruins: What the Puck?
This is footage of the post-game celebration at the Bell Centre, pre-riot on Monday, April 21. Other “Hot Flashes” are at www.NewYorkHotFlashes.com.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Jeff Carter Gets Hit with Beer Bottle
Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers gets hit in the face by a beer bottle which was thrown by a washington capitals fan after the flyers won game 7 of the series.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Caps/Flyers Game 7 Goal #1
1st goal scored by the Washington Capitals. Nicklas Backstrom Power Play Assists: Alexander Ovechkin, Sergei Fedorov
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Bruins @ Habs Game 7 4/21/2008 Street Celebration
Celeberation immediately after the game in front of the Bell Centre
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Boston Bruins @ Montreal Canadiens – Game 7: 4-21-08
The Habs’ fifth goal and end of game celebration v. the Boston Bruins. Their fans proceeded to burn police cars and loot stores while rioting even though this was a first round win over the #8 seed in the East. Only in Canada, eh?
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Chris Higgins Scores a Great Goal vs Bruins
Off the faceoff Chris Higgins takes the puck, turns Wideman inside out and puts it 5 hole on thomas. montreal canadiens boston bruins highlights higgins koivu wideman denis chris saku goal hockey playoffs tribute ice
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

San Jose Sharks Win Game 7
Final minute of game 7 from HP Pavillion where the Sharks defeated the Flames 5 to 3.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

San Jose Sharks Entrance
San Jose Sharks entrance onto the ice before the start of game 7 versus the Calgary Flames.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

before stars-ducks game 6
intro to the game
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

NHL 2007-2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round
By joaquimd11:)
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

2008 NHL Playoff Predictions
Starting from round two. Songs Used: One Last Breath-Creed
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

boston vs montreal 5-0 games 7
canadiens de montreal boston flyers bruins carolina sens washington capitals penguins 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 – 5-0 coupe stanley cup i karmazia i ikarmaziai baby rise owned pking runescape ownage wow WOW rakion wtf omg rofl lol rap techno music dang pwn ottawa toronto maple leaf leafs senateur florida new york rangers
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Sharks v Flames (Game 7) – last 3 min.
The last 3 minutes of game 7 plus the handshake at the end. View from the upper level.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Robyn Regehr Penalty (Powerplay for San Jose Sharks)
Robyn Regehr gets sent to the box during Game 7 San Jose Sharks VS Calgary Flames
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Craig Conroy Penalty (Powerplay for San Jose Sharks)
Craig Conroy gets sent to the box during Game 7 San Jose Sharks VS Calgary Flames
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Owen Nolan Penalty (Powerplay for San Jose Sharks)
Owen Nolan gets sent to the box during Game 7 San Jose Sharks VS Calgary Flames
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Don’s Playoff Picks Round 2
Don doing his Gabriel Morency impression while layin his round 2 picks down.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Sharks vs. Flames 4/22/2008 WCQF Game 7 part 2
Sharks vs. Flames 4/22/2008 WCQF Game 7 – All Sharks goals, Nolan’s goal, other highlights, from CSNBA, Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda. Part 2.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Game #1 Montreal(1)VsPhiladelphia(6)
Tom Kostopoulos Scored the winning goal in Overtime.Tom Kostopoulos a compte le but de la victoire en prolongation pour completer la remonter du canadiens et lemporter 4-3 dans le premier match de cette serie.
Category: 2063 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Canadiens de Montréal vs Flyers de Philadelphie Game #1
Centre Bell Montreal Canadiens Hockey Philadelphia Flyers game 1
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Montreal Canadiens player introdution, round 2 Game 1
Ending of the opening videos and players introduction
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

PHILADELPHIA VS MONTREAL GAME 1 RECAP
SHORT VIDEO OF THE GAME
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Flyers @ Canadiens Playoff 24 april 2008 Highlight
The first game of the second round in montreal, april 24th 2008. The goal scored by the canadiens. Including Alex Kovalev insane goal
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

New Jersey Devils Playoff Opener 2008 -DayWalk3r
Requested.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Bruins @ Canadiens – Game 2
second game of their series comment rate and siscribe please
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Washington Capitals Playoff Opener 2008 -DayWalk3r
Requested.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Pens vs. Sens – Game 1 Round 1 – Cool Playoff Pregame Show
I was at this game!!! Before the players came out, there was this cool effects thing. The lighting went down and they projected the players faces onto the ice with sweet hardcore music. Basically, it was an effort to pump up the fans – an effort that killed the Sens. (Sorry for the shakiness, it was exciting and I didn’t feel like holding the camera)
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Read the rest of this entry »

The 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are here.  In just a few hours the pucks will drop on a series of Round 1 games, marking the start of 2 months of grueling battles to find an eventual victor.

This is a good time then to take a look at the battles for Round 1.

In the east

Montreal Canadiens (1) Vs Boston Bruins (8)
The Bruins struggled this year.  First they lost Patrice Bergeron to a season ending concussion, then later in the year Marc Savard goes down with an injury.   Yet,  somehow they scraped through to the playoffs, and they go into them equal to all other teams.  Montreal however are a hot team who have the leagues best Powerplay.  Boston, in order to keep in this series will need to stay out of the box.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) Vs Ottawa Senators (7)
Ignoring the fact that Brian Murray accused the Penguins of throwing their last game, am I the only one who hopes to see the Penguins kick some serious ass this series?  Last year the fresh faced Penguins were routed from the playoffs in just 5 games by a stronger, more powerful Senators team.  This year the teams are evenly matched and both offensive powerhouses.

Washington Capitals (3) Vs Philadelphia flyers (6)
The classic Cinderella story.  Alexander Ovechkin is in the playoffs for the first time, and with him is a solid determined Capitals team.  The management of that team deserve awards for the progress and improvements they made with the team.  The Flyers have been inconsistent, and will need to be 110% on their game to beat the Caps.

New Jersey Devils (4) Vs New York Rangers
The battle of the creek, as it was referred to earlier on today.  These 2 teams have plenty of reasons to hate each other, and you can guarantee a very passionate series.  Unfortunately neither team can guarantee an offensive display, so expect physical defensive style hockey.

In the west 

Detroit Red Wings (1) Vs Nashville Predators (8)
There is nothing bad you can say about the Red Wings this year.  Top of their division, top of their conference and top in the league on points.  The best goalie duo (by stats) in the league.  Nashville don’t have a Crosby or Ovechkin.  They don’t have a Hasek.  They do however have a very potent young goalie in Dan Ellis, and a very effective Pack Mentality style play.  At the end of the day however, the Predators may find themselves a little behind the eight-ball.

San Jose Sharks (2) Vs Calgary Flames (7)
If there was going to be an upset, this might be it.  Going into the last day of the regular season, there was a chance that the Sharks may face the Avalanche in the first round.  In fact, most Sharks fans wanted them instead of the Flames.  Look for Iginla to lead the Flames to a long series against the Sharks, possibly even 7 games.

Minnesota Wild (3) Vs Colorado Avalanche (6)
Veteran leadership Vs Young blood.  That’s how this series may end up being.  The Avalanche have been reuniting old team mates, the question now is whether the likes of Sakic and Forsberg are able to content with the young speedsters like Marian Gaborik.

Anaheim Ducks (4) Vs Dallas Stars (5)
Defending champions the Anaheim Ducks have had a strange type of season.  If not for the controversial return of both Selanne and Niedermayer earlier in the season they would not be in the playoffs.  Their leading scorer, Corey Perry is out and Chris Pronger is likely going to do something to get himself a suspension.  Unlike last year the Ducks don’t have a powerful attack this time round.  They do however have the best Blue Line in the league with Pronger, Niedermayer, Schneider and Beauchemin.  Dallas will have to battle with their own demons however.  Getting past the first round is the goal of this team, and you can expect goalie Marty Turco to be on his game.  The inclusion of proven playoff performer Brad Richards in the lineup may have the desired impact.  The Stars, unlike the Ducks, can score this year, so expect a very hard hitting, physical game.

Predictions?

I know people like predictions, so here are my wildly unpredictable, highly unlikely, but what they hey predictions…

East:
Montreal Canadiens in 5 games
Pittsburgh Penguins in 5 games
Washington Capitals in 6 games
New Jersey Devils in 7 games

West:
Detroit Red Wings in a 4 game sweep.
Calgary Flames in 7 games
Colorado Avalanche in 6 games
Dallas Stars in 6 games

It’s that time of year again.  The NHL Playoffs are just around the corner, and teams are already starting to prepare for the post-season.  In the West it’s highly possible that the 8 Playoff teams will be made up of 4 from the Northwest Division, 3 from the Pacific and 1 from the Central.  In the East it’s possible that there will be 4 from the Atlantic, 3 from the Northeast and just 1 from the Southeast.

One could argue that the Southeast and Central Divisions are the weakest in their respective divisions, and the current NHL schedule could be seen as biased towards strong teams from those divisions.   That is a topic for another day.

Today I want to touch on something that can make or break a game in the NHL, or in fact in any hockey league; Refereeing.

Bad calls are something we learn to live with in professional sports.  We must remember of course that the people in the black and white stripes don’t always see things the way we do.  There are times however when bad calls have influenced the result of a game.   Just this week referees made a bad call and caused a 2 minute minor on a team, then just 30 seconds later failed to pull up a goalie interference call on the opposition team, which resulted in a Powerplay Goal.

The Playoffs however are the be all and end all of NHL hockey.  Teams battle it out all season to make the Playoffs and the last thing they want or need are referees not doing their jobs properly.

We can only hope then that we will have a relatively clean Playoff Series, not just from the teams, but also the Referees.