http://www.fantasyhockeycoach.com/blog.php?55-Musings-A-Diary-of-a-Hockey-Fanatic fantasy hockey, hockey pools, fantasy hockey coach, pool guide, hockey pool, nhl, prospects, hockey en Fri, 24 May 2013 19:59:04 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.fantasyhockeycoach.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.fantasyhockeycoach.com/blog.php?55-Musings-A-Diary-of-a-Hockey-Fanatic http://www.fantasyhockeycoach.com/entry.php?81-Remarkable-end-of-a-remarkable-playoff Thu, 16 Jun 2011 05:32:52 GMT Boy, that Timmy Thomas sure is something, isn't he?

I was lucky enough to take in game five of the series between Boston and Tampa Bay and see Thomas make the save of the playoffs to preserve the victory for the B's. In the finals, he was a remarkable 4-3 however, he only allowed eight goals in that span, while the Bruins provided 22. Seems like a series that SHOULD have been over in four games, Boston's physicality was just too much for the Canucks to handle. He is one of the most likeable athletes in a day and age when most athletes seem reprehensible.

For Vancouver, this will be the series that got away. A series, in which they were in complete control until Aaron Rome foolishly decided to swing the entire series in Boston's favor with an open ice hit that was late on Nathan Horton. Now, whether you agree on the length of suspension, it has to be undeniable that the hit was beneficial for Boston. Horton meant so much to the team after scoring pivotal goals in game seven against the Montreal Canadiens and against the Lightning.

For years, people would debate if Robert Luongo is on Martin Brodeur's level. After being the goalie of record in 2010 for a Gold, the Luongo crowd made more noise, but one thing is clear after watching the former fourth overall pick implode, is that he will never be on Brodeur's level. Brodeur, a three time Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist in 2002 as well as riding shotgun in 2010 has always shrugged off a bad game, and doesn't seem to have the mental stability of a schizophrenic. Luongo would seem godlike one game, and the next would be so embarrassing that it hurt to be a fan of the Canucks.

I must hand it to a Claude Julien led team, they won the Cup, never thought that would happen. I went against the B's every series this year and they proved me wrong time and time again. Ultimately this final will be remembered for the goaltending more than anything else. Where one was outstanding, the other was left watching. And I must say I was looking forward to the handshake to see what would happen between the two and was thrilled at the kind words offered to Luongo by Thomas. After it was all said and done, Thomas gave Luongo his wish and pumped his tires.

Lets just hope the brave men and women of the Vancouver Police Department can bring order and peace to the streets there, seeing pictures and hearing of three deaths rumored leaves a hole in my heart. It's sad that some people resort to this kind of nonsense. At the end of the day, it's only a game. And believe me Canuck fans, even though this will hurt all summer, I've been in your shoes as a fan before, there's always next year, or the year after. Sometimes losing situations like this strengthens a team's resolve. Losing in 2001 in game seven was the most painful experience I have had as a fan, but it was redemption in 2003, so keep hope alive.

Goodnight, and God bless the game of hockey.

-Vishal "Devilsfanatic" Hussain ]]> Devilsfanatic http://www.fantasyhockeycoach.com/entry.php?81-Remarkable-end-of-a-remarkable-playoff http://www.fantasyhockeycoach.com/entry.php?74-Say-again-who-d-you-trade-Kessel-for Wed, 18 May 2011 02:03:17 GMT Who watched that second period? Tyler Seguin scores two goals, nets two assists and makes the Leafs look more and more foolish. Tampa Bay was... Who watched that second period? Tyler Seguin scores two goals, nets two assists and makes the Leafs look more and more foolish.

Tampa Bay was doing nothing wrong in that period. Standing back and letting the Lightning get to them.

After allowing a first period goal late with six seconds left I really didn't think that the Bruins would come out like this. I don't understand why Roloson is still in this game however, I think he should be given some rest. A goalie change sometimes makes all the difference in the world to give your goalie some time to reflect. Look at the effect on Roberto Luongo after Cory Schneider started game six.

What an exciting finish! Roloson was pulled as I had expected, and Mike Smith surprisingly held the fort even though he had little to nothing to do in the 3rd. I'm not entirely surprised that the Bolts almost caught the B's because that's what Julien teams do best. I'm not a 100 percent happy with play being allowed to continue with Thomas' mask being knocked off (albeit by his own d-man), especially with the puck going in off his noggin and giving him a bleeding forehead.

Game three in Tampa Bay is going to be a doozy, and very exciting. Catch me tomorrow when I'll be musing about the Vancouver game.

Who the heck envisioned a high scoring game between Boston and Tampa?

Sound off in the comments below. ]]> Devilsfanatic http://www.fantasyhockeycoach.com/entry.php?74-Say-again-who-d-you-trade-Kessel-for http://www.fantasyhockeycoach.com/entry.php?9-Musings-A-Diary-of-a-Hockey-Fanatic Mon, 16 May 2011 00:52:14 GMT Welcome to Musings - A Diary of a Hockey Fanatic! As the playoffs go on, we here at FHC hope to engage with our readers with thoughts during the... Welcome to Musings - A Diary of a Hockey Fanatic! As the playoffs go on, we here at FHC hope to engage with our readers with thoughts during the game and see if we can get a discussion going.

Typical first period as far as hockey goes. Vancouver comes out absolutely jacked and gets the powerplays for, throwing the body, and getting pressure on Niemi. The crowd helped for sure, but you have to wonder what Luongo was thinking on the goal. Unless your name is Hextall, Brodeur or Turco, stay in the net.

Bad news for Vancouver fans is that when Joe Thornton scores a goal, his team almost never loses the game in the playoffs. Luongo has to be better, or Vancouver will be in trouble.

Lets see if Vancouver can pot one in the second period.

And has anyone seen Thor? Go do it tomorrow, there's no hockey. ]]> Devilsfanatic http://www.fantasyhockeycoach.com/entry.php?9-Musings-A-Diary-of-a-Hockey-Fanatic