Bits: No Volek needed for fallen champs, relegation-fighting U.S.

Denmark lacked a bit ot urgency in this game. They rested two players, whereas Germany was desperate and showed a quite good performance. Nielsen’s line didn’t get much going, either, and it was a particularly tough game for him anyway. After 10 minutes he was brought down in front of the own goal and the skate of a German player hit the side of his face under the visor. He was cut only marginally, went quickly to the locker room and was back about 5 minutes later. But that was a very scary moment indeed. And generally, the Germans were very well aware of Nielsen’s class and defended him very well with good physicality. As for the penalty, well, Nielsen didn’t agree with the call and I can’t tell… The German player drove to the net and was about to shoot, when Nielsen got him off the puck in the last second. Actually, he might be that good defensively that everything was ok, but there also might have been a little infraction indeed and if so, it was a penalty he had to take.

Tavares played a decent game against Switzerland. He was surely one of the better Canadiens out there. But the Swiss defended him pretty well, were quite physical on him in front of the net and in the corners with one hit frustrating him particularly and leading to kind of a retaliation hook by JT.

Great news about the ratings. I love to see the NHL gaining popularity. But the VS. numbers are a little deceiving. Remember, last year DirectTV costumers didn’t have VS. and they do this year. That’s a whole lot more available TV’s to be tuning in.

I am a little surprised by the record breaking Canadian viewership. I thought everyone in Canada watched the playoffs every year. Maybe this run by the Canadiens is causing the increase in ratings.

I like the improved numbers, Fitz. It means that the demand to put VS. on DirecTV was justified, and the product is good enough to attract a wider audience with more availability.

When I flipped on the game yesterday the second period was just starting and it was 2-0 Montreal. I got to see those goals on highlight. MAF is not happy with himself, I guarantee. The third goal wasn’t his fault, that was just a pretty tic-tac-toe; Moen’s goal to chase him was absolute crap. One of my own defenseman would have gotten more of a body on Moen than Gonchar did – and I play in a rec league where hitting is not allowed. It was a total olé. I’m convinced that the other two Pens in the play didn’t bust it quite as hard getting back because they fully expected Gonchar to knock Moen off stride, and why shouldn’t they? Then of course Fleury whiffs entirely on the shot going down too early instead of keeping his feet and just catching the puck. Absolute dagger goal.

How about Camalleri’s saucer pass on the PP for the fifth goal? That was gorgeous, wasn’t it?

Sorry Lavs – but Philly MUST GO DOWN. MUST. I want ’75 to last a while longer. On top of that, for Boston of all towns to experience the ’04 comeback and then cough this up? The Mass Pike will look like Jonestown. It MUST NOT HAPPEN. Please.

Wilpon also said it’s possible he could buy the Islanders.

This goes back to what I’ve been saying for years. The Islanders true value is that they can put up a tent anywhere in the city and they paid for it at 1972 prices.
If the Islanders move out of NY the NHL isn’t going to find another stooge who is willing to give Dolan $50M on top of all his other expenses to put a team within 50 miles of the Rangers… and who knows what the Devils will ask.
All I hear is, “who would buy the Islanders?”. With only 5 years left on their lease, a few NY options (THAT DON"T INCLUDE NASSAU COUNTY) and multiple Canadien Options as a safety net… who wouldn’t want to buy the team.
The Wilpons also have a positive relationship with the mayor’s office… the same can’t be said for Wang and Nassau County. I really hope this deal goes through… and it frees up the county to okay the LH project sans the coliseum. Charles will be happy, but more importantly LIers get jobs and tax revenue.

Putting a sports/entertainment 17K+ arena in Queens would remove the Coliseum altogether from LH developers plans… which is most likely what the county and town had in mind all along. Maybe Kate Murray isn’t such a bad person after all… I don’t know for sure, but I don’t know of any of her business associates that had to spend a few years as a ward of the state because of something she benefitted from and had to sign off on.
 

The only team I dislike more than the Flyers are the Rangers (and sometimes the Devils – they switch places, kinda like Pluto and Neptune), and I don’t think I could take annoying Philly fans (of which I know far too many) if the Flyers win this series. It’s bad enough that the Phillies are good and the Eagles are good, if the Flyers pull off this miracle, I’ll never hear the end of it. Conversely, watching them come back to force a Game 7 and then LOSE it would be heartbreaking for them, and I enjoy their heartbreak. The tears of Philadelphians sustain me.

somewhere near Long Beach Island, Atlantic City

the South Jersey Islanders

this way when I visit my parents I can go to the games

As we move on, it begins. The NHL season really is dying just as it approaches its apex. {sigh}

No Dom we are getting closer to the start of the Islanders season again… :)

I suspect that the ratings will get a bump with football looming over the decision to skip a season vs employ scabs. Therefore with all the talk of contract disputes that surround the NFL I am guessing more people will be turned on to the game of hockey. I know they have a full season to go before that happens but that is a season of discord and squabbles that will help loosen up some fans that are looking for a physical sport to help tie them over until it returns with the regular players.

Chara needs to clear a few people out of the crease tonight and the d, in general, needs to keep Philly shooting from the outside.

Why in the hell can’t Montreal win a stinking playoff series without rioting? Where is the gene that makes a Hab fan think, “We won, I must break shit.”?

RT @stpat33 – wait, we won last night?

I’d probably cheer for them all the way. Though there would be a certain beauty in an underdog from the “crappy Eastern Conference” winning it all.