Hard, Hurtin', Western Hockey

Vol. I, No. 57

The western prairies of Canada breed a toughness which leaks into hockey. The sons of miners and farmers live in a physical world, and take their lives onto the ice.

At the other end of the continent, free flowing hockey exists in the Quebec leagues.  The Europeans play an even more refined game, often referred to as Eurotrash by the hardcore NHL types who prefer grind it out games with hitting and obstruction.

Well, that's the way hockey used to be. But styles have merged as international players have come into the NHL (and returned to their native countries).  The old Canadian minor league system of Junior hockey, which used to be highly regional, now mixes players from all over North America and beyond.  Colleges also intermingle with Junior hockey, taking 19 and 20 year olds out of the Junior system, if the young men aren't sure about their NHL draft prospects.

Even at the highest levels of the sport - in the NHL - the Western Conference has a reputation for being rougher than teams in the East. The travel schedule is surely more demanding, and in places like Edmonton and Calgary, the frontier spirit breeds a respect for tough, hard-hitting, play.  

Tonight, Vancouver and Chicago met in their semi-final series. Canucks veteran defenseman Sami Salo was hit with a shot and taken to the hospital. Another Canucks defenseman, Shane O'Brien, caught a stick around his forehead. There was blood all over the place. After stitching up, O'Brien returned to the ice in the third period.

Despite the loss of two blueliners, Vancouver controlled the game for two periods, going up on the Blackhawks by a score of 3-0.  In the third period, the Hawks scored a goal.  Vancouver needed the game to stay alive. They won 4-1, and return to home ice in British Columbia on Tuesday night.

Three teams are left in the Western Conference, trying to advance.  San Jose is assured of a Conference final berth.  Chicago or Vancouver will be their opponent.  These teams were the top three during the regular season. Unlike the Eastern Conference, there have been no surprises, no Cinderella stories.

Hockey Rules.

PS Two eastern games will be held, more or less simultaneously, on Monday night.  The Montreal-Pittsburgh series is on the line, with Penguins ahead 3-2.  Philly and Boston go at it back in Boston, with the Bruins ahead 3-1.  The Flyers and Canadiens have their backs to the wall.  Expect intense games.