The hockey world is either in shock, or yawning.
The yawning comes from the Eastern Conference final. Only one team has showed up to play. The Philadelphia Flyers look like they are on auto-pilot, cruising to an easy series sweep and an appearance in the Stanley Cup final for the first time in 13 years. Their last chance was against the Detroit Red Wings in 1997.
The shock exists on both coasts. The San Jose Sharks have been de-finned in their own tank by the tribe from Chicago. The Hawks won two at the HP Pavilion on the road, but at least the games were close (2-1, 4-2). Fans of the #1 Western conference team left the arena, stunned.
On the other side of the continent, the Montreal Canadiens have more or less disappeared. The hockey team that is playing in their place must be replacements from the junior leagues. Not a goal has been scored in two games by the Habs, against the #7 Eastern Conference Philadelphia Flyers.
The same team that vanquished the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins just did not travel to Philadelphia. Maybe the bus got lost. Or maybe the Philly accent have befuddled the French-Canadiens. On the defensive side, the Canadiens have allowed nine goals in two games. 4.5 GAA. In the previous series, the Habs GAA was 2.57. This cannot be the same team out there.
The result is two series with teams up 2-0. Chicago is returning home with a lead. It is hard to imagine the San Jose Sharks winning the series. They need to win 4 out of the next 5 games, and three of the contests will be on the road in Chicago. The Hawks and Chicago fans are hungry. It has been a 59 year wait. The Stanley Cup is getting nearer. You can feel the loop shaking with anticipation.
Montreal plays the Flyers tomorrow night at the Bell Centre. Unless the REAL Habs show up, unless the Canadiens win a game and get back into the series, you can expect Montreal fans to show some displeasure. There were only 32 arrests in Montreal when the Habs BEAT the Penguins. If they lose to the Flyers, the Montreal police and RCMP may have an interesting evening.
Meanwhile, the CHL Memorial Cup is drawing to a close. It looks like the WHL Calgary Hitmen will face the OHL Windsor Spitfires in the final game on Sunday May 23rd. Game time is 7pm, following the 3pm NHL Western Conference final in Chicago.
Hockey Rules.
Hockey Rules.
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