Friday, November 19, 2010
Champions at last
The North Stars are proud of winning their first PHL championship. We have worked very hard for some ten seasons in the PHL and in past leagues but never achieved eternal greatness until now. It is a great feeling and we look forward to defending our title next season. We are humbled by the overwhelming show of congratulations we've receieved from fellow gm's and thank everyone involved for the running of this league. Wait. Is it 4:20 ? I think it is. Peace out yo
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Dream is Dead in Denver
Oh, what could have been :(
The All-Time PHL Cinderella Team came up just short in their bid for their first ever championship. Although out-shooting the Stars 36-28, they just couldn't pull out the victory, losing 4-2 to the League Champs.
In a totally unexpected move, coach Tim Hunter went with Jonas Hiller in goal for Game 6, after Kari Lehtonen had played every game in these playoffs. Lehtonen had compiled a 14-5 record with 3 SOs... all while leading the playoffs in GAA and SV%. Obviously, this came up in the post-game press conference.
"Well, we'll never know if that decision cost us, will we," defended Hunter, "Lehtonen looked less than stellar for games 4 and 5 when we had a chance to take a stragnle-hold on the series. He's a 9/9 goalie and one of the best in the league... but we like Hiller too, he's 9/8 and was streaking at +1 so I think its fair to say we could expect a great game from him."
Well, 4 GA on just 28 shots says otherwise. It'll be interesting to see how this decision affects Hunter's future with this team and his relationship with his star goalie.
For the Colorado Complainer, this has been Nathan Livingston.
The All-Time PHL Cinderella Team came up just short in their bid for their first ever championship. Although out-shooting the Stars 36-28, they just couldn't pull out the victory, losing 4-2 to the League Champs.
In a totally unexpected move, coach Tim Hunter went with Jonas Hiller in goal for Game 6, after Kari Lehtonen had played every game in these playoffs. Lehtonen had compiled a 14-5 record with 3 SOs... all while leading the playoffs in GAA and SV%. Obviously, this came up in the post-game press conference.
"Well, we'll never know if that decision cost us, will we," defended Hunter, "Lehtonen looked less than stellar for games 4 and 5 when we had a chance to take a stragnle-hold on the series. He's a 9/9 goalie and one of the best in the league... but we like Hiller too, he's 9/8 and was streaking at +1 so I think its fair to say we could expect a great game from him."
Well, 4 GA on just 28 shots says otherwise. It'll be interesting to see how this decision affects Hunter's future with this team and his relationship with his star goalie.
For the Colorado Complainer, this has been Nathan Livingston.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Mile High Club Stadium will be ROCKIN' Tonight!
The Colorado Rockies are hosting Game 6 tonight against their primary nemesis of years past, the Minnesota North Stars. The sell-out crowd is expected to be the loudest in team history as the entire season is on the line tonight... a loss, and this Cinderella Team because nothing more than a footnote in someone else's story.
"We'll see how the team reacts tonight," said coach Tim Hunter, "the coaching staff has done all we can do to get the guys mentally prepared... there's not much x's and o's at this point, its really up to them now. We've managed to make it this far without having to play a game where we've faced elimination, so its anyone's guess as to how this group will respond."
Well, if there's any such thing as home-ice advantage, the Rockies will have it tonight as their die-hard fans have been waiting for this for 10 seasons now... finally, a chance to win the Cup. This team now needs to find a way to win 2 games in a row, if they do it they'll go down as the ultimate Cinderella Team in PHL history as the Rockies had the second worst record in the entire league during the regular season... only making the playoffs by virtue of being in the same division as the Winnipeg Jets.
"Its true, we need to win 2 in a row... we've done that many times throughout these playoffs. In fact, we've won as many as 6 in a row this post-season, so its not like we need to do something we've never done. Of course, we've never had to do it under this kind of pressure before, but I think our guys are ready to play tonight. All we need to do right now is win a game on home ice, how hard can that be?"
Well, for a team that was 17-19-4 at home during the season, they've been absolutely dynamite at home these playoffs. I have no idea what the ultimate destiny of this team is... all I know is I have my ticket for tonight's game and it should be a Doozy!
For the Colorado Complainer, this is Nathan Livingston.
"We'll see how the team reacts tonight," said coach Tim Hunter, "the coaching staff has done all we can do to get the guys mentally prepared... there's not much x's and o's at this point, its really up to them now. We've managed to make it this far without having to play a game where we've faced elimination, so its anyone's guess as to how this group will respond."
Well, if there's any such thing as home-ice advantage, the Rockies will have it tonight as their die-hard fans have been waiting for this for 10 seasons now... finally, a chance to win the Cup. This team now needs to find a way to win 2 games in a row, if they do it they'll go down as the ultimate Cinderella Team in PHL history as the Rockies had the second worst record in the entire league during the regular season... only making the playoffs by virtue of being in the same division as the Winnipeg Jets.
"Its true, we need to win 2 in a row... we've done that many times throughout these playoffs. In fact, we've won as many as 6 in a row this post-season, so its not like we need to do something we've never done. Of course, we've never had to do it under this kind of pressure before, but I think our guys are ready to play tonight. All we need to do right now is win a game on home ice, how hard can that be?"
Well, for a team that was 17-19-4 at home during the season, they've been absolutely dynamite at home these playoffs. I have no idea what the ultimate destiny of this team is... all I know is I have my ticket for tonight's game and it should be a Doozy!
For the Colorado Complainer, this is Nathan Livingston.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Ally-Turned-Foe Makes the Rockies Pay
Emil Billberg broke into the PHL with the Colorado organization, only to be released after a couple of seasons with the Alaska Aces of the PMHL. Billberg, now with the NorthStars, scored a goal with 3-minutes and change left in last night's game sending the home crowd home disappointed with a 3-2 loss.
The series, now tied 2-2, heads back to Minnesota for Game 5.
"We met for several hours this morning, it was a tough one," coach Tim Hunter mentioned, referring to his coaching staff deciding whether to make any line-up changes for Game 5, "but we're gonna go with the same line-up for this road game and we'll see what happens."
Hunter went on to assure the media that Sergei Gonchar will sit out Game 5, Nick Schultz will again draw in as his replacement. Gonchar is nursing a sore shoulder and will likely be available to Game 6 back in Denver.
For the Colorado Complainer, this has been Nathan Livingston.
The series, now tied 2-2, heads back to Minnesota for Game 5.
"We met for several hours this morning, it was a tough one," coach Tim Hunter mentioned, referring to his coaching staff deciding whether to make any line-up changes for Game 5, "but we're gonna go with the same line-up for this road game and we'll see what happens."
Hunter went on to assure the media that Sergei Gonchar will sit out Game 5, Nick Schultz will again draw in as his replacement. Gonchar is nursing a sore shoulder and will likely be available to Game 6 back in Denver.
For the Colorado Complainer, this has been Nathan Livingston.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Congrats to the Gamblers
Congrats to Jim and his Gamblers for advancing to PMHL Finals in his first season with the PHL. Nicely done Jim.
Warren
Warren
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Lehtonen for MVP?
Rockies G Kari Lehtonen continues to build his case for playoff MVP honors, as he garnered yet another shutout lastnight in a big 4-0 win over the BJs.
"It's great that everyone around the PHL finally gets to notice this guy... we've always known about how great he is... he's quietly been the best player on this team since I got here," said GM Justin Livingston when asked about the play of his star goalie, "I'll tell you one thing... his play doesn't surprise me in the least. He's been one of the top goalies in this league for several years... just we're the only people who know!"
Coach Tim Hunter has a small quandry on his hands. Its an unwritten rule that you don't ever change your line-up after a shut-out victory, especially in the playoffs... but the team has top D Radek Martinek back from his 2-game suspension, so its likely he'll draw in for Game 3 in Denver.
The Rockies managed to win the 1st 2 games on the road for the second time in these playoffs, as they also managed this feat in their first round series with Oakland. They'll be greeted to a sold-out, screaming-loud arena when they take the ice at The Mile Club Arena for Game 3.
For the Colorado Complainer, this has been Nathan Livingston.
"It's great that everyone around the PHL finally gets to notice this guy... we've always known about how great he is... he's quietly been the best player on this team since I got here," said GM Justin Livingston when asked about the play of his star goalie, "I'll tell you one thing... his play doesn't surprise me in the least. He's been one of the top goalies in this league for several years... just we're the only people who know!"
Coach Tim Hunter has a small quandry on his hands. Its an unwritten rule that you don't ever change your line-up after a shut-out victory, especially in the playoffs... but the team has top D Radek Martinek back from his 2-game suspension, so its likely he'll draw in for Game 3 in Denver.
The Rockies managed to win the 1st 2 games on the road for the second time in these playoffs, as they also managed this feat in their first round series with Oakland. They'll be greeted to a sold-out, screaming-loud arena when they take the ice at The Mile Club Arena for Game 3.
For the Colorado Complainer, this has been Nathan Livingston.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Rockies Go Up 1-Love
The Colorado Rockies won a hard fought battle in Game 1 in Columbus. If this game was any indication of what's to follow, we're in for a long series in the Campbell Conference Final. This series looks to be a goaltending battle between Tomas Vokoun of the Jackets and Kari Lehtonen of the Rockies. Both goalies were stellar in the first game, with the edge obviously going to Lehtonen.
Many pundits and speculators were assuming that we were in for a bit of a boring conference final, as somehow, both of the 4th place teams have advanced through to battle for the right to play for the Cup. Whereas it may not be the flashiest hockey ever seen, Game 1 was a perfect example of how this game should be played. Both teams executed their defensive schemes very well, everyone finishing their checks at both end of the rink, and every player skating hard every single shift.
Good ol' fashioned hockey, the way it was meant to be played. This writer, for one, is hoping the Blackhawks and Americans are taking notes from this series. These teams scored 300 and 400 goals, respectively, this season, yet are now at home watching from their couches.
For the Colorado Complainer, this has been Nathan Livingston.
Many pundits and speculators were assuming that we were in for a bit of a boring conference final, as somehow, both of the 4th place teams have advanced through to battle for the right to play for the Cup. Whereas it may not be the flashiest hockey ever seen, Game 1 was a perfect example of how this game should be played. Both teams executed their defensive schemes very well, everyone finishing their checks at both end of the rink, and every player skating hard every single shift.
Good ol' fashioned hockey, the way it was meant to be played. This writer, for one, is hoping the Blackhawks and Americans are taking notes from this series. These teams scored 300 and 400 goals, respectively, this season, yet are now at home watching from their couches.
For the Colorado Complainer, this has been Nathan Livingston.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Blue Jackets earn a trip to the Conferance Finals
Columbus,OH cajn After beating the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games, the Jackets are poised to take on the Rockies in the Conference Finals.
It was not long ago that GM Colston had been criticized by other GM's that he ruined his club by not protecting certain players. Could it be that Colston is more of a genius than people realize? Maybe, just maybe, the Jackets GM has put together a team that has a solid chance to advance to the cup Finals.
When asked about his teams success, GM Colston said "When I first took over as GM, I said that every team team had better bring their A game and that we would play a physical game.
It's taken a long time to get here, but here we are. We will take this series one game at a time, since the Rockies have the ability to shut down our top two lines. However, I do expect the Jackets to win in 6 games or less."
Wow, not sure if that was a statement of respect for the Rockies or if GM Colston just pushed the Rockies under the bus. There is also a rumor that Peter Forsberg is coming out of retirement. If that's true, then look out for that big Blue & Red bus!
Cupp A Joe
It was not long ago that GM Colston had been criticized by other GM's that he ruined his club by not protecting certain players. Could it be that Colston is more of a genius than people realize? Maybe, just maybe, the Jackets GM has put together a team that has a solid chance to advance to the cup Finals.
When asked about his teams success, GM Colston said "When I first took over as GM, I said that every team team had better bring their A game and that we would play a physical game.
It's taken a long time to get here, but here we are. We will take this series one game at a time, since the Rockies have the ability to shut down our top two lines. However, I do expect the Jackets to win in 6 games or less."
Wow, not sure if that was a statement of respect for the Rockies or if GM Colston just pushed the Rockies under the bus. There is also a rumor that Peter Forsberg is coming out of retirement. If that's true, then look out for that big Blue & Red bus!
Cupp A Joe
Monday, November 1, 2010
NorthStas are hot
Once again the Stars are on their way to the conference finals. We've been here before only to get struck down by some PHL powerhouse club. This season we may well be that powerhouse out of the four teams remaining.Time will tell.
At the start of this season much was made of sending netminding stallworth Tomas Vokoun out of town for financial reasons. This led to questions throughout the league as to how we would remedy this. Enter FA Chris Osgood who was among the league leader all season in GAA and SV % while vokoun was mysteriously absent from that list. We believe that defense wins championships and we got it from the net out. So to all we say dont question the managerial genious of this American GM.
On another note we will also be going to the coference finals in the PMHL on a quest for the Lokmonsters bid at clinching a title 2nd minor league title
At the start of this season much was made of sending netminding stallworth Tomas Vokoun out of town for financial reasons. This led to questions throughout the league as to how we would remedy this. Enter FA Chris Osgood who was among the league leader all season in GAA and SV % while vokoun was mysteriously absent from that list. We believe that defense wins championships and we got it from the net out. So to all we say dont question the managerial genious of this American GM.
On another note we will also be going to the coference finals in the PMHL on a quest for the Lokmonsters bid at clinching a title 2nd minor league title
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