Stanley Cup in Florida - just plain wrong
 

Just exactly how many sheets of ice are there in Florida?

It's a possiblity. This should be a great series as both teams are high flyers with good scorers and risk takers. No matter how many games it goes it should be very entertaining to watch.

Oh, I think we ship them ice from Canada. |jester|

Regardless if they only have 27 sheets of ice in the whole state...

Going to root for Calgary.

I went to college with Joel Otto (Bemidji State) in the early 80's. Same dorm floor and had 3 or 4 classes with him.
Even though he's not there anymore, still like a number 4 going to the finals!

Had the chance to listen to Canadian Radio (CBC??)
the other day while up in Roseau, it seems that whole city is behind them.

Should be a good series! - Fonz didn't even have to choose a winner :)

I only like Tampa because they have ex-Sabers but i am for the Flames all the way!!

But like Ramster said it should be an awsome series two very fast teams with good goaltending.
Oh ya and lots of "HEART"

Witch the Avs did not have :)

Didn't even had a chance to choose a winner you mean :D

I torn as far as who to root for - I like a lot of guys on both teams - but I'm leaning towards Tampa :)

It almost makes me think of baseball. The world series winners back in 92 and 93 :) Dark times for Baseball, indeed :)

According to NPR -
Terribly low Finals ratings are not the biggest worry.
Apparently it's about a 50/50 chance of the NHL even existing next year.
If I can remember the story correctly, the NHL signed a deal for TV next year for $0.00!
Just sharing the ad revenue.
No revenue and an impending strike. hmmmmm

Anyone want to create another hockey league??

Re: Stanley Cup in Florida - just plain wrong
 

Just enough sheets to be in the Stanley Cup Baby!!!

Wooo hooo!!!

Ofcourse Im for the Lightning 100% especially since im a Season Ticket Holder, Have my Suite all set for Game 5 at the Forum.

Although they had the shit kicked out of them last night, they seem to be on a up one game down one game mode right now, they are due to win the next one and they certainly wont lose when they come back home. It's an exciting time for Hockey here in Florida, and it's nice to see some different teams other than the Devils, Avs or Wings in there.

As for next season I already have my Suite reserved for next season, NHL better get their shit together and make sure im seeing plenty of hockey from the boys.

Ok, so now the NHL is rigged too -
Yeah, yeah, say what you want...
A 5 minute major with 4:45 to go?
(yeah a dumb penalty - but probably a 10k payday)

"Stanley Cup in Florida - just plain wrong"
Yeah, sorta like Football in Canada
except
of course
A Florida hockey team IS competing for the Stanley Cup
and
the CFL is still just the CFL heh heh


spaz

I'm, just happy that it's tied at 2 - I'm looking forward to watching Game 6 before the De La Hoya fight on Saturday :)

All I want to say is.... GO BOLTS!!!!!!!!!! |cheers|

I'd agree with this! Florida is probably one of the best football states in the nation and the Florida NFL teams don't seem to be in any sort of financial trouble.

Though come January, I bet it's tough to find an Ice House around Florida and we're skating on damn near anything that's frozen over! LOL
(and fyi - Yes - I can skate - but not too well - played basketball all through school, and coach wouldn't let us skate and/or ski during the season)

The series has not been a dissappointment - some really great hockey being played on both sides. Just need to get a couple more million people to watch!

You must have been watching a different game or maybe series? That penalty was well called, unlike 1/2 the other shit they have been letting Calgary get away with, IF Hockey was rigged it would certainly not be rigged in favor of any American Hockey team, especially one from Florida.

Penalty Deserved and Habby made that game as excellent as it was, he was the man last night.

If Hockey Wasn't rigged - the team that Out Skated, Out Checked, Out Shot, Out Hustled would have won :)

NBA comparison -
Lakers = Big Market
Pacers = medium market
Detroit = Big Market
Minnesota = small market

Hmmm... wonder who will be in the Finals??

If you lived in Calgary you'd be saying the complete opposite :D

Dare - Lakers = Big Market - you forgot to put in there that they have probably the best starting line-up in the game today :)

Easy Answer Here
 

The teams that can afford to put together the most consistantly talented players is my guess. But since I avoid B-Ball at all cost it's only a guess :)


spaz

Bottom line hockey is one of the most exciting games to watch, Florida or Canada all of these guys are the best at what they do.
Anyone can say that Tampa is not a hockey city but niether are half the teams in the NHL, Atlanta, Dallas, San Jose, LA all of these teams are in warm areas, but they still have fans that love them to death. This year is one of the best series Ive ever seen and it will be a shame if the NHL cant fix there problems.

GO BOLTS!!!!!!!!!!

I stopped watching after the Leafs Choked again |pissleft| for some yellow ice|jester|

Very well said Nate-dawg! Being as this is my first year of actually watching hockey I know that I am hooked for life. Every game it seems like I am on the edge of my seat for the entire thing. You really never know when the game is going to turn. For the playoffs I have only seen 3 games where one team had a 'comfortable' lead. I think the excitement is unmatched in any other pro sports.


spaz

Not to mention in reality I cannot possibly imagine how BB (not that I care) or Hockey out of any sport could be fixed, scoring in those two sports just doesnt work like that.

The Lakers are too strong I think and they didn't buy the team as much as Payton and Malone went there for very little pay to get a chance to win a championship. They look like an allstar team.

The Cup Finals is a great series with great hockey. Both teams are hungry and don't play slow and trap hockey like the Devils. Or Toronto's style of let's hope our goalie can save us cause we're too lazy to try to outplay the other team. hehehe

Hockey Rules! I actually play bball now a few times a week and played in high school and college but I rarely watch it on TV yet when the hockey playoffs are on, look out. It is just great to watch the action. Must be the Canadian in me eh...

Go Calgary!

Well said Ramster

I usually root for Vancouver, but since they're not in the finals, I have to go with the Flames!

WWF is scripted - you'll more than likely agree with that.
It's entertainment, plain and simple, and Someone calls the shots.

NHL - One call to GM - one talk to one player (goalie or shot maker?) - even up the series.
NBA - One call to Phil - one talk to (take your pick of players to have an "off" night) series even.

Extreme John - are you saying the Black Sox never existed? It wouldn't take that much today.

It's "Entertainment" it's no longer a sport at this level.
How can they get You to Renew your Box Seats?... give them a Great show! It's an exciting game to watch, but far from being too hard not be rigged.

Yes they do look like an All Star Team - in a Very Major Market.
Bigger picture - In LA - Ad Revenue
I very highly doubt Payton and Malone are making Less this year than before. Their contracts may say less money, but I doubt either of them left to make less just to win a championship.
(ie... Payton could have broken his ankle in the 4th week)
You don't think he this was a possiblility he thought of?

Maybe I'm getting too old and cynical LOL
Simply going to shelf all sports into the elusive "Entertainment" category... with Survivor et all... the "only if it's interesting" little watched category.

Of course all the Extreme folks speak up - :)
Hey, it's a great show - Have fun while it lasts!!

fyi - The Biggest threat to all pro sports is Reality TV.
I'm guessing that All Pro Sports are rethinking their marketing and sales tactics to combat this.