Nieuwy25 Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 USA Today article Playoff teams have plenty to prove The playoffs are this close and every team has its issues and questions. That's what makes the guessing game about the outcome both fun and uncertain. Philadelphia has a goaltender in Roman Cechmanek who has magnificent regular-season numbers. Yet, even among the Flyer faithful, the wait is on to see if the numbers hold up in the playoffs. Cechmanek is a free spirt who loves to complain. Philly coach Ken Hitchcock says of his netminder's physical complaints at this point, "So long as he doesn't say any more than he is, he's fine." Cechmanek says he is finishing out the season less than 100% with a groin that is bothering him. Hitchcock just shrugs off such talk and puts him back in net. Ottawa labors under the "good until the playoffs" banner. They have never gone beyond the second round and only twice have they reached that level. Now they vie for the best in the league regular season mark. GM John Muckler is keeping the pedal to the medal. He wants the Presidents Trophy, not just for being number 1, but as a confidence builder for his players. "Having the best record matters," Muckler says, even as some in Ottawa wonder if the Senators should back some of their stars off in preparation for the second season. Perhaps if the Senators had a better playoff history, that would be happening. They don't. So, Muckler wants the drive to continue and the stars to play. Edmonton fights a feeling and accusations that just reaching the playoffs is enough for the low salary operation. That is an understandable mindset for both players and fans of a small-market Canadian team that battles each year to be in the bottom of the top eight in the West. They have shown in recent years that that does not negate the toughness they bring to the first round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 Best part of the article: Hitchcock and Clarke will vent if Toronto is allowed to get away with uncalled PIMs and Quinn knows his Leafs have never committed a penalty this year. It should be a delightful series for the fans. Bahahahahahahahahahahahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risky Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 Thorne's a much better writer than he is an announcer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundstrom Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 kiss of death imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 Predictions? Colorado and New Jersey in the finals. Ah yessss. That would be sublime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 but the road out of the East requires you exit at 16W in New Jersey and survive to get back on the highway. Love that line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 If this was by Barry Melrose, I'd be freaking out right now....because if Melrose wrote this, then you'd know the Devils would magically somehow not even MAKE the playoffs... However, since it's Thorne, I'm not worried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 Word out of ESPN studios is that the Mullet plans on making the same prediction on NHL2Nite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-Devil Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Ugh, please don't let that mullet sporting motor mouth jump on the Devils bandwagon and drive it off a cliff like he has done to so many other countless teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exit_16w Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 The Devils can be beat, but the road out of the East requires you exit at 16W in New Jersey and survive to get back on the highway. YOU DAMN RIGHT!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackjack Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Predictions? Colorado and New Jersey in the finals. Ah yessss. That would be sublime. And the wrongs of many moons ago can be righted as David slays Goliath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 'Twould be an amazing series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 would be a series for the ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 would be a series for the ages. Exactly, WCDF!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 it would b ea victory for the ages! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 it would b ea victory for the ages! Exactly, WCDF!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aylbert Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Id rather see Forsberg leave for Finland now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Id rather see Forsberg leave for Finland now... Finland? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Born July 20, 1973 Ornskoldsvik, SWEDEN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHICO IS GOD Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 aylbert doesn't care where Forsberg goes, he just wants him gone! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-Devil Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 There are many other players who should be booted out of this league before Forsberg. Oh yeah and Chico, I miss that Scott Stevens picture, it was a great shot of him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nieuwy25 Posted April 3, 2003 Author Share Posted April 3, 2003 Melrose! LOL! Last week he was all over how the Stars were the team to beat, and *the very next night* he was saying the same thing about Detroit! It's whoever is being shown on ESPN that night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.