eldon

Let's hope for handshakes tonight!!!!

That sucks, what's your field?

Lincoln Park as well. 3W to 46W to 23N, then it's within a mile or so from the first exit. Kenilworth, Exit 138 on GSP.

I'm with the Xanadu project. Entertainment complex, sports complex, rail link, etc. The big question is, can it be done around the CAA or can the CAA be renovated in one of the off-seasons to include more boxes.

But come on, 2 glaring mistakes in a very short column. He really wasn't paying attention. Devils were never down by 2 goals & game was never tied 3-3. The guy deserves some criticism. His opinions are fine. His facts are wrong.

This was really depressing for me. When I would hear anyone bashing or generalizing all athletes, I'd always throw in that's why we love Marty, he's the best. Great player, family guy, etc. I am disappointed. Yea there's always 2 sides, but sounds like Marty screwed up. Image gone.

This I could only read a few sentences of. http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,3...1349121,00.html After the Colorado Chokingdogs lost on Tuesday night, Tony Granato announced, in the tradition of Little Orphan Annie, that the sun would come out the next morning. The sun did not make an appearance Wednesday or most of Thursday. The sun probably is ashamed to shine here. Granato has proved to be as unqualified at predicting the weather as he is at coaching the playoffs. There is a pall of gloom over the city. The Gagalanche has disgraced us again. It seemed more likely that the occupants of hell would don fur coats than the Avs would lose to the Minnesota Undomesticated. The Avalanche was throttled by a bunch of players barely potty- trained and substantially inferior. You don't take out the garbage, and eventually you'll stink up the place. Embarrassing, I tell you. A team that should have won the Stanley Cup spit down its sweater. Thanks for nothing, you gowks, galoots, goons, goofs and Granato. And Pierre Lacroix. Blame can be distributed equally. Lacroix elevated Granato, traded away playoff gamer Chris Drury, obtained slugs Bates Battaglia, Bryan Marchment and Chris McAllister and didn't get the Avalanche offensive help for the postseason. Pierre basically said, "Que sera sera." The Avs were inept on the penalty kill and the power play; Patrick Roy was outperformed by unknown goalie Manny Fernandez, and Granato was totally outcoached. But when the series concluded, Lacroix almost wrenched his arm out of the socket while patting himself on the back. "What this team accomplished after December is really kind of amazing," Lacroix says. What the team accomplished in late April is more amazing, and ludicrous. Sure, the Avalanche lucked into winning a ninth consecutive division title, and the club is goo-gah over that achievement. But nobody holds a parade, or remembers a franchise, for division titles. Ask the Atlanta Braves. "Dynasty" in Denver was only a TV series awhile back. It's one thing to lose in the seventh game of the conference finals several times, but you don't get beat in the first round by a team just thrilled to be on the same ice. When Marc Crawford allowed the Avalanche to fade in the first round, he was abruptly banished. Yet, Granato, according to Lacroix, has "a long career ahead of him." Granato has a complete collapse behind him. Lacroix will keep the novice coach for another year. Then Granato will be pushed out as Crawford and Bob Hartley before him. When is Lacroix going to hire an experienced coach, not some neophyte, to guide a team of future Hall of Famers? And why does Granato get more security than Crawford, who did win a Stanley Cup? Lacroix doesn't want a strong, independent, veteran coach. Joel Quenneville was a player for the old Colorado Rockies and an assistant coach with the Avalanche. In fact, Quenneville was as responsible for the Avalanche's first championship as Crawford. Quenneville quietly and confidently coached the defense. Before next season Quenneville should be brought home from St. Louis, and Granato could return to gaining an on-the-job education as an Avs assistant. But I'm just dreaming. Lacroix says that if we don't believe Granato did a great job, just ask the players. Of course, the players love Granato, just as third-grade students love a teacher who gives them ice cream and lets them out early every afternoon. I didn't realize that being the coach of the Avalanche was similar to being voted Miss Congeniality. If the Avs love Granato so much, why didn't they win at least one series for him? If the Avs love Granato so dearly, why didn't they show up for Game 5? If the Avs love Granato like a brother, why did they choke in three home games? Nobody loses three home games in a playoff series to a gaggle of geese. If the Avs love Granato so appreciably, why did not one of them proclaim after Game 7, that Granato had coached perfectly, but they had played poorly? Did you hear the players extol the virtues of the coach? Me, neither. W. PAIGE ON ESPN Woody Paige joins sports columnists from across the country on ESPN's "Around the Horn," which airs each weekday at 3 p.m. on ESPN and 12:30 a.m. on ESPN2. Paige can not only be seen, but also heard - Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. on ESPN radio 560 AM. There already is rather loose, misguided conversation about owner Stan Kroenke pulling the puck on the Avs' $61 million payroll. He must not turn on the cheap with this franchise. The people of Colorado have purchased every ticket for every regular-season and postseason game since the first season. The Avalanche has become No. 2 overall in team merchandise sold and No. 1 in international popularity. The loyalists have supported, cheered, defended this club. Kroenke owes them, particularly after the most recent humiliation. He doesn't need to make money from the Avalanche. Kroenke has his investments in the St. Louis Rams, the (ahem) Nuggets, concerts at The Can and those two trashsports teams now playing out their first seasons in Denver. And he has a few bucks from his non-sports enterprises. Kroenke shouldn't just maintain the current budget. He must increase it by $10 million and force the proud, hardheaded Lacroix to dive into the free-agent market and attract two more scoring forwards. (Drury is a free agent.) When the collective bargaining agreement ends next season, the whole structure of hockey, as Lacroix has warned, will change severely. The Avs better get it done before hockey takes a long holiday and before Peter Forsberg and Patrick Roy take off for Sweden and retirement. Let's hope the sun comes out before April 2004.

Think of the bright side, 15,568 at playoff prices is like 21,000 at regular season prices. It does suck, but let's not harp on it, it's enough that the Devil haters do. Sat. should be a sell-out, just my gut feeling.

I guess that's good news bad news. Because one thing that drives me crazy is when the play is going on & they go to a close-up, you lose the whole sense of what is going on. I did notice a few times the camera behind the net. I was very annoyed there was no replay on Brodeurs' big save right after it happened; not even after the commercial. Well, next 2 are ABC/ESPN exclusives.

Besides the Devils playing in my home state, he is another major reason why I became a fan of this team. The early years when wins were so rare, he was excited as any fan was after a big goal or win. Don't know if it's myth or not, but I heard he was fired after the season in which when the Devils scored to win a road game, he jumped on the table while doing play-by-play. I believe the home team complained. I always wonder how he would've called Johnny Mac's goal in 88 or a Devils Cup win.

Greatest Devil Verbeek moment. During the stretch run of 1988; Devils hosted Rangers on a sunday afternoon. Of course Devils needed every point. (if Rangers won, the '88 playoff run never would've happened). Don't remember the details, but I believe Beeker broke a tie with a penalty shot goal vs. Beezer. I'm pretty sure it was Palm Sunday exactly 1 week before Johnny Macs' biggest Devil goal.

LaGreca grew up a Devils fan. He has weekend shows on 1050, 10-1. I'm sure he'd like to talk to Devil fans & would let them on the air, unlike other stations and/or hosts, who since you have to give the subject to a screener, they let mostly Yankee & Met callers through faster.

Here it is, ABC Sat. at 3. Eastern Conference #1 Ottawa vs #4 Philadelphia Game Date Matchup Network TV Time/Score 1 Fri., April 25 Philadelphia at Ottawa 7 p.m. 2 Sun., April 27 Philadelphia at Ottawa 7 p.m. 3 Tue., April 29 Ottawa at Philadelphia 7 p.m. 4 Thu., May 1 Ottawa at Philadelphia 7 p.m. *5 Sat., May 3 Philadelphia at Ottawa 3 p.m. *6 Mon., May 5 Ottawa at Philadelphia 3 p.m. *7 Wed., May 7 Philadelphia at Ottawa 7 p.m. #2 New Jersey vs #3 Tampa Bay Game Date Matchup Network TV Time/Score 1 Thu., April 24 Tampa Bay at New Jersey 7 p.m. 2 Sat., April 26 Tampa Bay at New Jersey 3 p.m. 3 Mon., April 28 New Jersey at Tampa Bay 7 p.m. 4 Wed., April 30 New Jersey at Tampa Bay 7 p.m. *5 Fri., May 2 Tampa Bay at New Jersey 7 p.m. *6 Sun., May 4 New Jersey at Tampa Bay 3:30 p.m. *7 Tue., May 6 Tampa Bay at New Jersey 7:30 p.m. Western Conference #1 Dallas vs #7 Anaheim Game Date Matchup Network TV Time/Score 1 Thu., April 24 Anaheim at Dallas 7:30 p.m. 2 Sat., April 26 Anaheim at Dallas 3 p.m. 3 Mon., April 28 Dallas at Anaheim 10 p.m. 4 Wed., April 30 Dallas at Anaheim 10 p.m. *5 Sat., May 3 Anaheim at Dallas 3 p.m. *6 Mon., May 5 Dallas at Anaheim 10 p.m. *7 Wed., May 7 Anaheim at Dallas 7:30 p.m. #4 Vancouver vs #6 Minnesota Game Date Matchup Network TV Time/Score 1 Fri., April 25 Minnesota at Vancouver 10:30 p.m. 2 Sun., April 27 Minnesota at Vancouver 10 p.m. 3 Tue., April 29 Vancouver at Minnesota 8 p.m. 4 Fri., May 2 Vancouver at Minnesota 9 p.m. *5 Mon., May 5 Minnesota at Vancouver 10:30 p.m. *6 Wed., May 7 Vancouver at Minnesota 9 p.m. *7 Thu., May 8 Minnesota at Vancouver 10 p.m. All Times Eastern * - if necessary

I think it's obvious that if the Flyers win, they will be showcased on ESPN/ABC, and that I believe is the only reason why the Devils/TB sked hasn't been released yet. I also think it's ridiculous to announce finally on Weds, that there's a game Weds.nite. It's gotta be Thurs./Sat., then I guess Mon/Tues for games in TB. I guess TB really screwed up this year with it's arena dates, if they don't have anything else available until 5/6. Imagine the faces of the ESPN/ABC/NHL execs if Phlly, St.Lou & Col all lose tonight??

Last night was fun. Between the 2 games, trying to watch 3rd Watch in between whistles. Was just laughing knowing how the fans of all those teams must've been sweating it out.

I'm only picking Tampa because I think they'll beat Washington. Either of these 3 teams will be very tough for the Devils to beat. The only minor advantage we'd have (and Ottawa for that matter) is if both of those series go 7 games.

This is great for me, since I won't be home & can now watch game at parents house. Isles bumped to Metro; Mets on FSN-NY. There can't be anymore Metro games, hopefully. Since the Knick season is over. Devils & Isles 1st round are not on the same night after Thursday. And if Devils & Isles advance, they have to play each other & there should always be 1 channel available.

A rail link to the Meadows, to bring in fans who don't want to or can't drive. More boxes to bring in more revenue. Reasonably priced seats. Improve the image. Being a Devils fan for 20+ years still feels like I'm in a cult.

Sorry this is so late, but was out all day today. You guys who were also there, are right, except for the Cup finals, the building was electric. The game offered everything. Boston was resilient but the Devils were better. Rafi's save was definitely a game-breaker. Loved the toughness, hitting, clutch-scoring & the house rocking. The thunderstix actually grew on me, but in the beginning, I definitely thought they were annoying. Oh yea, how could I forget 2 PP goals!! Too bad it was raining, would've been nice to hang around the lot awhile celebrating. Way to go Devils. BTW the song they played in honor of the troops to the video montage was Heroes by David Bowie & yes what a rousing tribute it was.

From watching on TV, you'd never know. Even the lower tier, it seems every fan stayed 'til the end & as we all know, that most times is not the case. Regardless, I got my Fri tix, I hope it's full & I hope we can spank the bruins around.

They generally wait on the later games, in case some series are over, they'll move the game time or onto one of the national networks. NHL calls those shots. No matter what time, it should be on FSNY, as the Mets are on Ch.11; Isles play Sunday. Knick season over. Really have to worry about Thurs. 4/17; Mets on FSNY; Devils & Isles both play at 7. Someone's either going to Metro, or maybe the Isles can move to Ch. 55 & everyone will be able to watch.

Comcast (of NJ) was in commercial for the first Devils goal! Pathetic!! Inexcusable!!

EASTERN CONFERENCE Conference Quarterfinals OTTAWA def. NY Islanders 4-2 DEVILS def. Boston 4-2 TAMPA BAY def. Wash. 4-3 TORONTO def. Philly 4-2 Conference Semifinals OTTAWA def. Toronto 4-3 DEVILS def. Tampa Bay 4-3 Conference Finals OTTAWA def. Devils 4-3 WESTERN CONFERENCE Conference Quarterfinals DALLAS def. Edmonton 4-1 DETROIT def. Anaheim 4-1 COLORADO def. Minnesota 4-3 VANCOUVER def. St. Louis 4-3 Conference Semifinals VANCOUVER def. Dallas 4-2 COLORADO def. Detroit 4-2 Conference Finals VANCOUVER def. Colorado 4-3 Finals: VANCOUVER def Ottawa 4-3

It always makes sense, since I believe almost all of Long Island is Cablevision & has Metro. So their fans don't get shut out (ever) & ours don't either. However, Game 2 is on Metro. Got my tix already. I'd be really bummed if I was going to game 1 & not 2.

I got 3 seats for game 2. I bought the 2nd cheapest seats & the lady told me I had the first row of the $55 seats. That doesn't bode well for the attendance. Regardless, I try to go to at least 1 game/round. But you're right. The $20 seats could've gone up $10, not $25.