Hockey Newsletter - May 18, 2000
Torch song
Seeing the names of hockey legends Maurice Richard and Jean Beliveau in the headlines during the playoffs seems natural. But this week, when The Rocket and Le Gros Bill made the news, it wasn't for their firewagon hockey heroics. Beliveau is undergoing treatment for a cancerous tumor in his neck, and in another Montreal hospital, the doctors fear Richard's abdominal cancer may be back.
It never feels right when we realize that our heroes are human too. We don't want to think that they have weaknesses, that they are susceptible to tragedy and disease like the rest of us.
Two years ago the hockey world was preparing for bad news about the Rocket. The eulogies were written, the NHL ordered a trophy named for him, and we all know what happened: Richard beat it! He's been around to see 2 players win the hold-your-horses-I ain't-dead-yet Rocket Richard scoring trophy.
These guys are winners. One's a fighter and the other's a leader. And they both have that je-ne-sais-quoi Canadiens mystique that has always given Montreal legends an edge. Our money's still on you, Maurice et Jean!
To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.
How're we doin' so far?
PHILADELPHIA VS. NEW JERSEY -- Not tonight, we've got a headache.
Okay, maybe it IS their year after all. There's nothing like a second-round, 5-period OT win to give a team character for the rest of the playoffs. And though the Flyers lost a dull one to the Devils in game one of round 2, their 4-3 win in game 2 may make all the difference. Was that the same New Jersey team that allowed only 6 shots on net in game 6 against the Leafs? Doesn't look that way. While Larry Robinson's efficient team of grinders and hypnotists look good on paper, they seem to be missing some good old fashioned character. And Philly is full of it! Andy Delmore, Brian Boucher and the aging Rick Tocchet are making hockey fans forget about Lindros and his concussion, Langkow and his concussion, Primeau and his concussion. We've long forgotten about the dysfunctional family feuds between Bob Clarke and Roger Neilson.
Maybe we'll have to stop making fun of these ne'er-do-wells in orange after all, even though Eric STILL won't lead' 'em to the Cup!
DALLAS VS. COLORADO -- Joe who?
In 1996, Joe Sakic led the Avs to their first Stanley Cup. He had 18 goals and 14 assists in the 22-game quest that saw him take home the Conn Smythe Trophy as well. But what have you done for us lately, Joe? In 12 games you have two goals and three assists, and you're minus-six! What gives? Going into the playoffs, we were sure that the Avs would go as far as Joe would take 'em. But something has happened -- maybe that planetary alignment thingy released ions into the already-thin Colorado air -- and they seem to be doing it without Joe. And without Bourque, for that matter!
The veteran defenceman missed the first two games of the third round with what we were led to believe was a minor knee injury. But with Adam Foote out with a nearly disastrous eye injury, Raymond will have to get back into the Avs lineup. Dallas is healthy and they may be able to take advantage of the weak Colorado blueline. What started as a walk in the park for the Avalanche may end up being a romp in the snow for the Stars. Unless Joe decides to show up....!
The fix is in...
Last week there was some kind of weird planetary alignment and this week there's a full moon. And it seems like these astrological forces are making the fans in the CTVSportsnet.com forums a little loony-toony. Conspiracy theories and fixed games in the NHL? No way, really?
Mark Rose says: "First of all, just let me state that am a huge hockey fan. But recently, I am tending to believe that the National Hockey League is being fixed. And I'll tell ya why I think that. It started in the 1993 Playoffs, when the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup. If you look back, you will see that 1992-93 was the100th Anniversary of the Stanley Cup. Did anybody else think it was a bit funny that the most storied franchise in history, the Montreal Canadiens, and the most storied player in history, Wayne Gretzky and his LA Kings were squaring off in the finals? Plus, the Leafs had a storied playoff run that year as well, only to be defeated in the Campbell Conference Finals. And what a storybook run it was for the Habs, winning 10 straight OT games in the playoffs, en route to yet another Cup. That was my first speculation. But this year takes the cake, so far. The Colorado Avalanche get Ray Bourque, and voila here they are in the Western Finals. I am not saying they don't deserve to be here, because they certainly do. But what a great chapter it will be when Ray Bourque lifts the Cup for the first time and Bob Cole says, " He battled thru 17 years of adversity in Boston, and overcame an injury in these playoffs and here is now, folks... Ray Bourque, Conn Smythe Trophy winner!" Gimme a break."
Iva Roa's head is in the clouds, too: "Then again, 1993 was the year that the LEAFS should have been in the finals against Montreal... that would have been the best. But Cary Fraser refused to throw Gretzky out of game 6 for high sticking Doug Gilmour, and he went on to score in overtime... that DOES sound like a fix to me... a fix of a different kind. That may have been the last time there was a possibility of a Montreal/Toronto final. And even if you hate both teams, it would have been great. BOO CARY FRASER!!!!!! And of course I'm not entirely a conspiracy theorist, but let's just say the NHL was happier (and richer) in 1993 when a US team played in the finals. I wonder how much they'd have lost from TV revenues if 2 Canadian teams were in the finals?"
what about last year? finishes by saying: "What about last year with the Dallas Stars winning the Cup. I am almost certain that was rigged. Bettman was probably jumping for joy when those Stars scored that goal. He wanted the media to come out on to the ice as soon as that goal was scored because everyone knew that Buffalo was going to make the comeback if they had scored in that game. And what about Florida making it to the finals in 96. They sucked!!! That must have been rigged somehow. Bettman wants hockey to be a league of the south and is losing its loyal fans up north because of it! So who cares about the Leafs not winning it in 93 because of Fraser, every loyal Canadian hockey fan should boo Bettman until he steps down as commissioner!!!"