[Bits] A Golden Ticket Indeed; Bronze for Lee; Belmont Complaints

Folks, I have been slacking on these Bits here. For that I am sorry. You may hurl tomatoes and other rotten vegetables in my direction.

Yesterday was a big day in the hockey universe. A golden day, even. The World Championships ended, and history was made in the NHL playoffs. Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning seek to complete the comeback against the Washington Capitals, and punch their ticket to the Cup Final.

We’ll Start with the Playoffs

• The Vegas Golden Knights, in their first year of game play, are headed to the Stanley Cup Final. They dispatched the Winnipeg Jets in five games to win the Western Conference Final. In doing so, they join an elite group of professional sports teams. [NHL.com]
• I tell you what, I really didn’t think they’d sniff the playoffs. Pretty crazy what insane, probably unsustainable goaltending does for a team. I can’t believe it. And neither can the Jets, who are stunned at the outcome of their first Western Conference Final appearance. [Sportsnet]

And Now We Make Our Way to World and Local News

• Underdog Switzerland, who shocked the Canadians to make it to the gold medal game, was defeated by Anders Nilsson and Team Sweden, as he stopped Nino Niederreiter in the shootout. The Swedes obviously take gold, the Swiss silver. [TSN Highlights]
• And in the battle of North America and the Islanders, Anders Lee and the United States topped Mathew Barzal, Josh Bailey, Anthony Beauvillier, and Jordan Eberle to take home the bronze. [Sportsnet]
• Michael Fornabaio reflects on Islanders-related and Connecticut-bred players taking home medals from the Worlds. [Soundin’ Off]
• And to bring it on home, protesters claim the Belmont Park Arena will not help the community. Happy Monday everyone. [New$day]