Not Much Going On.........

We are continuing to pack for the big move. I have the weekend off but I have to work on Monday, have Tuesday off for the 4th, then back to work for the rest of the week. Fun, eh? Nothin to it but to do it, so it's off to the attic I go, plastic bins in hand! At least the killer humidity has gone away and I'll be able to work in the sweat box!........

NHL Awards Show

Well last night the NHL gave out some hardware to honor the top players in the league. The big awards went pretty much as I thought the would, with Joe Thornton winning the MVP and Alexander Oveckin the rookie of the year and Mikka Kiprasof the Veznia for best goalie. Coach of the year was Lindy Ruff from Buffalo. All in all it was a slick Hollywood type award show and a good way to say farewell to the season......

Stanley Cup Game 7 The 'Canes Win The Cup

Well the 2005-2006 hockey season has come to an end. The Carolina Hurricanes overcame injuries and rallied to win the Stanley Cup on home ice before an insane crowd. In fact I'm giving the first goal of the game to the 'Cane's fans, as they lifted the team and carried them on their backs. Edmonton did all they could do, but again what they saw was a primer on how to play defense with a lead. Not to take anything away from MVP Cam Ward, but a lot of Edmonton's shots never reached the net. And if they did, boy was Cam Ward there in a huge way. Not always flashy mind you, but always there to stop the puck. One save stands out as a game saver when Ward stretched his leg out as far as he could to block a rebound shot. Oh MY! Well congrats to the 'Canes, but watch out for the Devils next year!

Stanley Cup Game 6 Oiliers 4 'Canes 0

One more game!!! This one is going 7 folks. Edmonton dominated the 'Canes last night to move to within one win of an improbable Stanley Cup victory. The Oil D was just awesome allowing only 16 shots on net, while Carolina's D was porous at best. This will be a great game 7 on Monday night. Game 7's are always a toss up, but going in I'd say Edmonton has an advantage........

Stanley Cup Game 5 Oilers 4 'Canes 3 OT

Well the guy with the white gloves can put the Cup away for another day the hockey season has been extended by at least one day. A wild game, with most of the scoring in the first period. The hitting started hurting with the 'Canes losing two guys to injury. In true Cup fashion one came back and played and the other guy sat on the bench to cheer his team on. Fernando Pisani scored 16 seconds into the game and again short handed in the overtime. One word: WOW! Back to Edmonton on Saturday night. This one could very well go 7 games..................

Stanley Cup Game 4 'Cane 2 Oiliers 1

It is more than just a saying, in the finals every shift counts. Both teams played HARD. The hitting, especially at the start of the game, was ferocious. In the end, I feel that it was Carolina's defense that won the game. They blocked shot after shot and forced the play away from the front of the net. Now it's back to Carolina tomorrow night, where the'Canes have a chance to hoist the Cup.

Stanley Cup Game 3 Oilers 2 , 'Canes 1

Defense. Perhaps a dirty word in America. We like scoring. We like big numbers. But to those who KNOW the game of hockey, those who UNDERSTAND the game of hockey last night was a gem, a primer on how "D" should be played. Both teams stopped shots from even reaching the goalies and when they did both keepers turned up big. In the end Edmonton got one more than the 'Canes, so at least hockey will live another day.

One other thing. The fellow who sang the anthems. He did the "Star Spangled Banner" better than many American singers. But "O Canada"? After the first verse he let the crowd finish the song. It was awesome.......

Things I can't live without............

1) HOCKEY I didn't realize how much I missed the game until last season during the lockout. To make up for lost time I watched more games on the tube this year than the last five combined. Now with the finals almost over I will have to try and live through the summer...but no worries, they'll be back at it soon enough!

2) COFFEE Ah yes a nice steaming mug of my blend of vanilla and creme brule beans ground right at home and brewed up fresh. Heaven in a mug............

3) MAGAZINES and BOOKS If coffee is my blood then reading is my air. I don't read, I consume. Subjects include politics, cars, hockey, news, science, music, Sci-Fi and none stand a chance against my mile a minute reading powers........

4) THE INTERNET Well here I am.............

5) MY BIKE It's funny how addicting riding can become, but I sure feel it in my legs when I don't ride. A sure sign I'm hooked, I just bought my first cycling jersey and some bike wash. I still vow no spandex bike shorts, but hey you never know............

6) MY CATS It's good to know that after a hard days work you can lie down on the bed and one of your furry friends will come and sit on your chest making breathing all but impossible..........

7) MY WIFE Ah the sainted-one. The glue that holds all this madness together. A rare gem....she likes hockey!

Stanley Cup Game 2 'Canes 5 Oiliers 0

Discipline. It sure shows up in the score sheet when you don't have it. And that is pretty much the story of game 2. From bad to really bad penalties to giveaways to defensive breakdowns, Edmonton had nothing going on tonight. Don't blame Edmonton's goalie, Jussi Marrkenen. The team was flustered by the relentless D of the 'Canes. Any shots that didn't get blocked, and there were a lot of them, were ably handled by Cam Ward. So it's on to Alberta for game 3 and the Edmonton coaching staff has a big job ahead to get the team whipped back into shape..........

Stanley Cup Game 1 'Canes 5, Oiliers 4

Wow what a wild, wild game. The Oiliers dominated early taking a 3-0 lead including a penalty shot score by Chris Pronger. But then things feel apart and the 'Canes roared back in the 3rd period. Then total disaster struck the Oiliers when their goalie, Dwayne Roloson was knocked out of the series with a knee injury in a big collision in front of his net.

The big story to me was the play of super rookie and uber-goalie Cam Ward. He made several saves that defy description, including an incredible glove save with 3 seconds left that preserved the win for the 'Canes. In every Stanley Cup final there always seems to be a player of destiny. This year it appears to be the 22 year old Cam Ward...............

Still Packing + The Cup Finals......;

16 years of accumulated junk is no fun, but to the attic I must go. The cleaning and packing continue..........

As to the Cup..well I have no feelings for either team but since the 'Canes beat my Devils I'll pull for the Oilers....Oilers in 6, why not?