Stanley Cup Lesson #1: Bury Them When You Have The Chance

I don't know how many times every season I've seen exactly what transpired in game one. Too many to count, that's for sure.

In this heavyweight match I would not quite suggest Pittsburgh had Detroit on the ropes, but they certainly had them outside of the center of the ring. They played a solid first period and then dominated the first 15 minutes of the second, and were unfortunate not to score on at least three occasions.

Detroit very much looked like a beatable team in that stretch of the game, but like the champions they are found a way to come back. They may have been lucky given three fortunate, home-ice bounces, but ultimately they made Pittsburgh pay for not coming through when they were the ones with advantage. You've got to be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good.

It could be a very costly lesson for Pittsburgh. The winner of game one of the finals historically wins the Stanley Cup 78.3% of the time. When it is the home team that wins game one, such as Detroit is, the winning percentage increases to 87.8%. History suggests the likelihood of Detroit winning game two now is 67.3%.

Sid Needs To Improve

Sidney Crosby had 25 shifts in game one, good for 22:35 minutes of ice time. Other than one goal post while in tight, Crosby was for the most part blanketed. He registered 0 points, just 2 shots, and was -1.

Crosby was double-teamed by Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom on almost every shift. Zetterberg's game was excellent, but the understated greatness of Lidstrom is the real reason Crosby was kept in check.

Malkin Too

Considering Evgeni Malkin largely escaped the checking of Zetterberg and Lidstrom, Pittsburgh really needed him to score in game one. He set up Ruslan Fedotenko's goal, but he only had 4 shots in over 23 minutes of play. Good job by Val Filpulla.

Malkin's best chance was the breakaway. Had he buried that Pittsburgh would have won game one.

Osgood Great

Actually, I thought Chris Osgood was less than great in game one, which many people will tell is exactly what he is. Despite leaving a few dangerous rebounds, Ozzie does what he does best - he found a way to win. He is now 9-2 in Stanley Cup Finals player, a .818 winning percentage that ranks him as the best amongst the 34 goalies in history with at least 10 decisions in the finals.

Chris Osgood may not be great, but it is getting harder and harder to leave him outside of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Lopsided Face Offs

Detroit dominated the face off circle, winning 39 for 55. It is a whole lot easier to play when you start most of the plays with the puck.

Home Ice Advantage

I have not crunched any numbers, but it seems to me that home ice advantage is not quite what it used to be. In this day and age of cookie cutter rinks it seems there is no real advantage, except for the fan support and maybe ice conditions in the warmer climates.

There used to be rinks that were smaller than others (Boston, Buffalo) and many rinks had different dimensions in the corners and in the height of the glass. Rinks also had different boards, some more forgiving than others, which sometimes dictated the physicality level of the games.

But now the rinks are all the same, eliminating these quirky advantages. All, except Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, one of the oldest buildings in hockey nowadays.

Detroit has the same dimensions, same glass and even the same boards, but for whatever reason pucks bounce off the bottom of the boards in a much livelier fashion than in any other rink. Detroit knows this, and uses this to their advantage, as evidenced in game one. They very literally manufacture their own lucky bounces.

Maybe that is why Detroit is good in this modern era - home ice advantage.

Hank Bassen Passes Away

Former NHL goalie Hank Bassen passed away on Saturday. He was 76 years old.

This red-haired goalie was never a regular in the NHL. He was a utility goalie who did his backup job very well. Being a back-up is one of the most difficult roles in hockey but Hank filled that role admirably. He even got the tag "Mr. Emergency" because of the way he was called in for duty. Unfortunately for Hank he played on NHL teams with great goaltenders. In Chicago he was stuck behind Al Rollins and in Detroit it was Terry Sawchuk (and later Roger Crozier).

"My career started as a back-up goalie and it seemed, more-or-less, to stay that way, Bassen recalled. "I did have some pretty illustrious partners and that had something to do with it. "

Hank was never the No.1 goalie in the NHL but he had a long and successful minor league career that saw him play in the AHL (Buffalo, Springfield, Pittsburgh), WHL (Calgary, Seattle, Vancouver, Edmonton), EPHL (Sudbury) and CHL (Cincinnati). Hank played his junior hockey back home in Calgary for the Calgary Buffaloes and later on for Medicine Hat Tigers

Hank's playing style was unorthodox which didn't always sit well with his trainers. When Hank played for the legendary Eddie Shore in Springfield in 1958-59, he was wandering too much out of his position and flopping to the ice. So ol' Eddie Shore tied a rope around Hank's neck and the crossbar so that Hank wouldn't flop to the ice and wander out of his crease without getting strangled. Eddie however might have had some impact on Hank who was the WHL MVP, best goalie and a first team All-Star in 1960 when he led the league in several categories.

Hank made his NHL debut in 1954 with Chicago.

"Al Rollins got injured and Chicago called me up from Buffalo of the AHL" Hank said, " I'll never forget that flight to
Chicago. To this day, I've never been more excited about anything."

He won that first start against the Bruins but was soon sent back to the minors again. In 1957 Hank was traded to Detroit in a five player deal which included Hall of famers Glenn Hall and Ted Lindsay.

Hank never won the Stanley Cup but remembered when his Detroit lost to Chicago in the 1961 Cup finals. Hank was in goal for Detroit in game six of the finals that Chicago won 5-1.

"I allowed a couple of soft goals that night but Chicago really wanted to win the Cup badly. We (Detroit) had been
champions on a number of occasions in the previous decade but Chicago hadn't won the Cup for more than 20 years. As a result, they were really flying in that series and deserved to come out on top. " Hank said.

In 1965-66 Hank backed up Roger Crozier in Detroit. In the 1966 Stanley Cup finals against Montreal he played in game four when Crozier wrenched his knee. Bassen allowed goals from Ralph Backstrom and Jean Beliveau as the Canadiens won 2-1 at the Olympia. He might not have won the Stanley Cup but he won the Calder Cup (AHL) with Pittsburgh Hornets in 1967. Hank played one more season in the NHL when he got picked up by the expansion Pittsburgh Penguins in 1967.

After the 1967-68 season Hank retired to operate an excavating business in Calgary. He also managed the junior Calgary Wranglers between 1984-86 before going on to become a sales representative for a printing firm.

The Bassen family showed up in the NHL again in 1985 when Hank's son Bob emerged in the league. Bob went on to play 14 seasons in the NHL between 1985-99.

History Repeating?

The parallels began this time last year.

The young upstarts from Pittsburgh, featuring Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, two of the best young players in the game, were said to be just like the 1983 Edmonton Oilers, featuring a young Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier.

Young, talented, brash, destined for greatness. With two of the greatest players in the game, it was just a matter of time.

But their quick ride to the Stanley Cup finals would prove to not be their time. Standing in the Oilers way was the cagey, wily veterans from New York, in the midst of a Stanley Cup dynasty. The Oilers still needed to learn how to win, and the Islanders proved to be good teachers.

The Penguins suffered the same fate in just their 3rd season since Crosby's arrival. They too were taught the lessons of sacrifice needed to win the Stanley Cup. They too were not yet ready to knock off a dynasty, the Detroit Red Wings.

The Oilers and Islanders met once again in the Stanley Cup finals in 1984, the last such rematch between finalists. Battle-proven and hungry, the Oilers would not be denied their destiny and would win the Stanley Cup, ending the Isles glory years and undeniably establishing Gretzky as the best in the game.

Fast forward to the present day, and Crosby and Malkin's Penguins find themselves with a chance to continue shadowing hockey history.

The Penguins look improved, stronger and confident. Crosby in particular looks driven like few others, while Malkin has looked unstoppable at times. As they meet the Red Wings once again in the finals, can they fulfill their fate like the Oilers did in their rematch 25 years ago? Is this Crosby's moment of destiny?

Were the lessons of 2008 learned by the Penguins? Books under your tables and no talking, Pittsburgh. It's exam time.



Update: As for my official prediction, I will concede that Detroit is a slight favorite, but I will pick Pittsburgh. The story of Crosby's destiny is just too good not to cheer for.

History Tells Us: Better Win Game 1

If you want to win the Stanley Cup, your chances are greatly increased by winning game on of the Stanley Cup finals:

Since the NHL implemented the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Championship format in 1939, the following winning trends have been noted:

• Teams winning Game One have won the Cup 54 of 69 times (78.3%).

• Teams winning both Games One and Two have won the Cup
41 of 44 times (93.2%).

• Teams winning Games One, Two and Three have won the Cup
24 of 25 times (96%).

• Teams winning Game Three after splitting the first two games have
won the Cup 21 of 25 times (84%).

• Teams holding a 2-1 series lead have won the Cup 38 of 44 times
(86.4%).

• Teams winning Game Five after splitting the first four games have
won the Cup 14 of 19 times (73.7%).

• Teams holding a 3-2 series lead have won the Cup 26 of 32 times
(81.3%).

Stanley Cup Legends: Henri Richard

This is Henri Richard. True, he is carrying the Stanley Cup in an unconventional pose, but when you have won hockey's most famous trophy more times than any other player, you have the right to carry it any way you want to.

"The Pocket Rocket" won the Stanley Cup an amazing 11 times. That is a record that is almost certain to stand forever.

With 11 Stanley Cup championships to cherish, you would think it would be hard to pick one as your favorite. But maybe not for Henri. He was quoted as saying the 1971 championship, his 10th, was his favorite.

"The best - the best of all ten Stanley Cups I've won," he said as he drank champagne out of the Cup in the Montreal dressing room on the night of May 18, 1971.

Then he added, "I hope we forget everything except that we won."

Richard was extremely relieved, and for good reason. For all his victories and great career, he found himself in the middle of a great controversy the spring of 1971, a controversy that threatened to taint his legacy. True to Richard's wish, the Cup victory erased most memories of all that.

Richard was a veteran player on that 1971 Montreal team, and his ice time was not what he was used to. After game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals with Chicago Richard boiled over, calling Montreal coach Al MacNeil "incompetent" and "the worst coach I've ever played for."

That's never good, and in Montreal the issue turned political. MacNeil was an anglophone coach. The separatist politicians and media jumped all over the comments and turned it into a French vs. English debate.

MacNeil received death threats and he and his family were assigned body guards. Meanwhile Richard lamented "I should have kept my mouth shut until the finals were over. There is so much pressure on me and the coach. We have to win."

And win they did, with Richard leading the way. Montreal won the sixth game 4-3. In the decisive game seven it was Richard who scored the Stanley Cup winning goal early in the third period, giving Montreal a 3-2 victory.

MacNeil was replaced after the season by a new coach. His name - Scotty Bowman.

Catching Up With The Past - Lafleur, Tonelli, Afinogenov

Patrick Roy may be jockeying for control of the Montreal Canadiens roster, but Guy Lafleur talks as if he is already in charge.

Never shy to offer his opinion on his old team, Lafleur was at it again today courtesy of an interview with RDS.

Lafleur said he thinks it is time for the Canadiens to bid adieu to long time captain Saku Koivu. There is some suggestion that Montreal may quietly low ball the classy Koivu in hopes that a larger offer will come from elsewhere. Minnesota is likely to enter the sweepstakes, reuniting him with brother Mikko.

As for rumors that Alexei Kovalev will return, Lafleur supported that idea. But he did not give a ringing endorsement when asked if Kovalev should be named as the new captain. I tend to agree, although it is tough to suggest another candidate at this stage.

Tonelli In Trouble
New York Islanders legend John Tonelli is in the news for all the wrong reasons. It seems Tonelli faces a DWI charge in Westchester County, NY. Last week he abandoned his smashed Lexus at a highway ramp in Harrison, NY. He was arrested two hours later.

Retirement Watch 2009
James Mirtle's sources suggest Maxim Afinogenov may be heading home to Russia. Miroslav Satan has also been offered a KHL contract. On the opposition side of the equation, Rod Brind'Amour has no plans to retire even though he had a horrendous season.

Scampy On Tour
Former NHL linesman Ray Scapinello is touring parts of Canada to help make palliative care a topic people regularly discuss with their family and doctor.

Team Canada 2010 Power Rankings

While we wait for the Stanley Cup Finals to start, I thought I would take the time to update my 2010 Team Canada power rankings. With three rounds of the pressure packed playoffs behind us, I think we have some interesting possible changes.

Goaltenders:

1. Martin Brodeur - He had mixed results in the playoffs, but this is still his job to lose. His puckhandling ability gives him a unique edge over everyone else. Barring struggles early next season, he remains the standard bearer.
2. Roberto Luongo - He played very well most of the playoffs, though his teams' failure in in big games is concerning. He is extremely familiar with Vancouver's ice, but his stick side was exposed on penalty shots this season.
3. Cam Ward - He out-duelled Brodeur in the playoffs, and was the strongest goalie since New Year's Day. He has firmly placed himself in the top three.
   
4. Marc-Andre Fleury - He's had three strong playoffs proving he is worthy of big game consideration.
5. Steve Mason - If he can pick up next season where he left off this season, he will make a strong bid for the third spot.
6. Marty Turco - The previous usual third suspect remains in the mix, but he will need a strong first half of next season to return.
   
7. Chris Osgood - Here's a real long shot that has gotten next to no consideration. But after leading his team to back to back Stanley Cup finals, has there been a more successful Canadian goalie of late? He is proven in big games, and a favorite of GM Steve Yzerman and Mike Babcock, assuming he is named as coach.

Defensemen:

1. Scott Niedermayer - Assuming he does return to the NHL next season, he just has to be there. He is just that good and he wins everywhere he goes.
   
2. Dan Boyle - He's a big game player who is perfect for the international game.
   
3. Jay Bouwmeester - He has arrived as an elite defenseman at both ends of the ice. His skating makes him too enticing to ignore.
   
4. Shea Weber (pictured) - He hits hard, has a booming shot to anchor the power play, and has embraced the international game.
   
5. Robyn Regehr - When healthy he is a great shutdown defenseman. Olympic teams all have at least seven defensemen. He would be a perfect guy to fill a role, and if that meant spending stretches on the bench he'd be happy to do that.
   
6. Chris Pronger - He showed in the playoffs that he is still a great big game defenseman. That was not the case in the 2006 Olympics, but with 2010 games being played on small ice he will not be ruled out. Still, strong starts by younger guys may force him out of the lineup.
   
7. Duncan Keith - He has emerged as an elite defenseman, even though he continues to fly under many people's radar. His inclusion may surprise some people. It shouldn't.
   
8. Mike Green - His game notably plateaued in the playoffs, though injuries may be revealed as playing a role in that. Still, he made suspect decisions, especially in the defensive zone, while under pressure. Canada does have other defenseman with an offensive presence but with better defensive experience. If his goal scoring ways continue early next season it will be tough to leave him off the team.
   
9. Dion Phaneuf - The hard hitting defenseman has hit an early crossroads in his career. He needs to refocus his game next season or he will be left off.
   
10. Brent Seabrook - Phaneuf's once-cemented spot could be given to Seabrook, who enjoyed a great coming out party this playoff. He's young, but hasn't been as prone to risky decision making like Phaneuf. He offers much the same package, without the inflated ego.
    
11. Brent Burns - He has all the tools, but he did not find the tool box this season. That is partly because he played at forward for long stretches. If he can dominate on defense early in the next season, he may be an enticing pick as a swingman capable of playing forward and defense.
    
12. Ed Jovanovski - His game has declined and he is always an adventure, but he's a big game player with good international experience. He's a leader, but he'll only make this team if there are serious injury problems.
    
13. Dan Hamhuis - He has really embraced Team Canada at every level, and that keeps him on the radar. He's a strong international player and underrated NHL player. He'll only enter the equation if injuries do, too.
    
14. Marc Staal - He's a young stud who only needs more experience to enter the conversation. He's a future Robyn Regehr.
    
15. Drew Doughty - If the NHL returns to the Olympics in 2014, he very well might anchor that team's blue line. In the meantime he just doesn't have enough experience to knock off some of the veterans listed above. Even as a teenager he does not look out of place on a NHL top four d-pairing.
    
16. Braydon Coburn - Coburn is yet another very good young Canadian defenseman who just does not have enough experience to crack the lineup this go-around.
    

Forwards

1. Jarome Iginla - There is no doubt.
   
2. Sidney Crosby - Ditto.
   
3. Vincent Lecavalier - Ditto, part two.
   
4. Martin St. Louis - The veteran is a great specialty teams player, is a great leader and still has the wheels. His performance at the World Championships was exemplary.
   
5. Dany Heatley - He is still a great goal scorer, but his game has slipped a touch. Has it slipped enough to keep this one-time lock off the team? Probably not.
   
6. Mike Richards - There is no doubt here, either. He will provide sandpaper and penalty killing. He likely will be a significant player in 2010.
   
7. Ryan Getzlaf - Amazing skill and size. Can he buy into a lesser, more physical role on this team?
8. Rick Nash - He's got amazing skills and Ken Hitchcock has turned him into a two way player. Can he play a lesser role, though? I'd put my money on Getzlaf first.
   
9. Shane Doan - Captain Canada needs to make sure all the uncertainty in Phoenix does not interfere with his own play next season, and he will be back.
10. Eric Staal - He's really re-emerged this post-season. Given his skill and power game down the middle, it will be hard to leave him off this time.
11. Simon Gagne - Philly sniper has battled serious concussion problems, but he appears to be back. He's a Team Canada regular, and would look great on a top line with Crosby and Iginla.
    
12. Brendan Morrow - He missed most of this season with injuries, so he'll have to show he's made a full recovery. If he does, his grit and physicality would be a perfect fit for a third or fourth line role with Team Canada.
    
13. Marc Savard - Despite some great seasons of late, it was not until this season that Savard's name has been seriously considered for the Olympic team. He's proven he's for real and a two way player. He very well take Joe Thornton's spot on this team.
14. Jeff Carter - He may get caught in the numbers game. He's a hungry goal scorer and a good penalty killer, and has good chemistry with both Getzlaf and Richards.
15. Corey Perry - Big bodied center who can play on the wing, which may help him in the number crunch game many centers will find themselves in. Good chemistry with Getzlaf.
    
16. Joe Sakic - He's a Canadian hockey legend, and this is his hometown. But after two lost seasons due to injury, he'll have to come out of the gates very strong next season. That's assuming he even plays next season.
17. Joe Thornton - Thornton has failed time and again to shake his reputation for disappearing in the big game. After another invisible Stanley Cup playoff in 2009 and lingering memories of a poor 2006 Olympics, Thornton is a good candidate to slip out of the mix.
18. Paul Kariya - He's a long shot. But like Sakic, Kariya is an Olympic legend and a Vancouver boy. If he can have a strong start to the season, something not unthinkable with a good young St. Louis team, maybe he can get into the conversation.
    
19. Patrick Marleau - He's an underrated big game player who can play all three forward positions.
    
20. Jason Spezza - Tantalizing skill but like Thornton he has been unable to take it to another level. His game may not be complete enough for this level of hockey, but he has great chemistry with sniper Dany Heatley.
21. Jonathan Toews - Youngster will be a regular for Team Canada at events after 2010. But he's probably just a little too green to crack the Olympic line up next year.
    
22. David Bolland - Everyone talks about Toews, but his Chicago teammate David Bolland is also the real deal, and perhaps even a little futher ahead, especially defensively, than Toews.
23. Derek Roy - Buffalo's Derek Roy had an average world championships tournament. Had he played stronger his name could be at least 5 spots higher on this list.
    
24. Alex Burrows - Yzerman likes him. He's good on the PK and a real energy guy. But he's a real long shot.

Historic Olympic Hockey Stick Being Authenticated

A stick autographed by the members of the 1924 Canadian gold medal Olympic hockey team is in the process of being authenticated. If found to be positively identified, the stick may be put up for public auction.

Andrew Love of Toronto says the stick has been handed down in his family dating back to his maternal grandmother. The stick is said to be incredible shape considering it's age, although it is not believed to have been used in any competition.

1924 was the first year the Winter Olympics were held, although hockey was first an Olympic sport back in the 1920 Summer Games. Canada's entry in 1924 were the Toronto Granites, including such stars as Harry Watson, Hooley Smith and manager Bill Hewitt.

Helm Wins Game, Breaks Record With Assist From GHL

Darren Helm scored the overtime goal to advance the Detroit Red Wings to the Stanley Cup finals.

Greatest Hockey Legends.com gets the assist.

In a beautiful piece of intermission foreshadowing, CBC's Jeff Marek was championing Darren Helm as a possible OT hero for Detroit. In doing so he highlighted Greatest Hockey Legends.com for my piece comparing Darren Helm and Eddie Mazur. Each player had scored a record 4 career playoff goals before scoring a goal in the regular season.

Moments later Helm scored to give the Wings a 2-1 win.

Helm now holds the record alone as that was his 5th career Stanley Cup playoff goal . . . and counting.

Helm will be looking to earn his second Stanley Cup championship ring and amazingly he is still eligible for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year next season.

Helm's Red Wings will of course have to defend their title against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a rematch. Game one is Saturday night at 7:30 EST. I will have my finals predictions by Saturday morning. Stay tuned!

Drug Allegations In Washington

Off ice stories continue to keep compelling on-ice stories on the back pages.

If it is not Jim Balsillie's attempted hijacking of the Phoenix Coyotes, then it is something else. Like today - the hockey world is reeling somewhat from allegations of steroid use by members of the Washington Capitals.

This story may all be hogwash, but I think it is pretty naive for us to believe there is no steroid use in hockey. If you're a young player and you know bulking up is the difference between getting a NHL contract or not, wouldn't you seriously consider using them? If you are a weary veteran and you could take a pill that magically increases your recovery time so you can play your best every night, wouldn't you be intrigued?

Where there is smoke there is fire. Maybe not necessarily fire within the Caps room, but in hockey for sure.

This story reminds me a lot of the May 12th, 1986 edition of Sports Illustrated where Armen Keteyian and Donald Ramsay dropped a bombshell in what is possibly SI's most famous hockey story ever printed. It too involved drugs, though of a more serious nature:

On top of everything else, the Oilers have been the subject of rampant drug-use rumors. One former Oiler insider told SI that at least five team members have had "substantial" cocaine problems. Three sources told SI they have seen Oiler players use cocaine or marijuana at parties in Edmonton and other NHL cities. One agent quoted an Edmonton player he represents as having told him, "Every time we go into New York City, it's a real blizzard, and I'm not talking about the weather." One of SI's sources, a player for another NHL team, told of having used cocaine with three members of the Oilers during the '85-86 season. Edmonton and Canadian law enforcement officials say they have received unsubstantiated reports of drug use among team members. "We've had information passed on to us," says staff sergeant Hal Johnson, head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Edmonton drug squad. "We do not have evidence to lay charges, but we have information that there are users on the club."

Now everyone poo-pooed that article too. Yet in early September, 1990 the hockey world was rocked when Oilers' goaltending great Grant Fuhr was suspended after admitting to cocaine use dating back seven years.

Where there is smoke, there is fire. The game on ice does not usually deal well with fire.

Retirement Watch 2009

We have seen the last of Markus Naslund and Bobby Holik. Viktor Kozlov and Richard Zednik have also left the NHL, returning to Russia to play. Reports in Russia suggest Sergei Fedorov may leave, too.

As the off season is here for most teams, player movement becomes a focal point. Retirements are always watched with interest, as we often fondly remember our recent favorite players. Others slide into the shadows unnoticed. By mid-season someone will undoubtedly ask whatever happened to this player or that goalie.

I will try to keep up on NHL retirements and leaves for European leagues. By all means email me if there is any news from your favorite team's front.

Who are some likely candidates to retire? Scott Niedermayer? Joe Sakic? Teppo Numminen? Chris Chelios? Bret Hedican? Ville Peltonen? Brendan Shanahan? Mats Sundin? Mike Sillinger? Derian Hatcher? Jeremy Roenick? Curtis Joseph? Olaf Kolzig?

Memories of Peter Zezel

Peter Zezel has died from his rare blood disorder.

First and foremost I will always remember Peter Zezel for his faceoff expertise and sound defensive game, his reliable play every night and his tough though clean approach to the game. No wonder why he was one of Mike Keenan's favourite players.

I will also remember Peter Zezel as the heartthrob in Philadelphia. Girls swooned after him. His cool hair even landed him a small role in the Hollywood hockey movie Youngblood. He certainly would not look out of place beside Rob Lowe or Patrick Swayze.

Most will remember Zezel as a Flyer or a Maple Leaf, where he spent the bulk of the best years of his career. Because he was such a valuable player even when he was no longer able to contribute offensively, he bounced around the league a lot in later years, with two stops in St. Louis as well as in Washington, Dallas, New Jersey and Vancouver.

But I also remember Zezel as a great person. I had the chance to watch Zezel closely in his final season and a half with the Vancouver. I remember seeing glimpses of the Zezel I watched in Philly and Toronto, but clearly something was weighing on his mind. That was confirmed late in the season when he left on a personal leave. It turned out he desperately wanted to be with his family after his two year old niece had died of leukemia.

Zezel never came back, opting to be with his family. He played senior hockey in Ontario and coached youth hockey and started up a hockey school in Toronto. Rumor had it he would return to the NHL only if he could play for the Leafs. But he did not want to be away from his family any longer.

Maybe something inside of Zezel told him he had better maximize his time with his beloved family. In 2001 Zezel himself fell ill, being diagnosed with the rare and incurable haemolytic anemia blood disorder that destroys red blood cells faster than the body can replace them.

He has been battling this energy zapping disease ever since, taking chemotherapy and even having his spleen removed. All the while he tried his best to keep up his sports camps for kids, encompassing hockey as well as soccer and golf. But last week his organs began to fail and he lapsed into a coma.

On Tuesday he was taken off life support. He was just 44 years old. He died single and with no kids of his own, yet he made a huge impact on the lives of so many kids.

Peter Zezel Fighting For His Life

Former NHL player Peter Zezel is battling for his life.

Here's more from the Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby:

It is known that Zezel, 44, has fought the rare blood disease hemolytic anemia on and off the past 10 years, and had been in critical condition in 2001. But in recent years he seemed to have recovered and been able to lead a normal life.

Full Story

Stanley Cup Legends: Jean Beliveau

This is Jean Beliveau. He's celebrating not only the Stanley Cup victory, but his own personal achievement as the very first Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the Stanley Cup MVP.

The Conn Smythe Trophy was first awarded in 1965. Before that no official Stanley Cup MVP was celebrated.

Back in 2001, hockey historians and The Hockey News looked to recognized great playoff performances in the years preceding 1965. Here's a look at their MVP reconciliation.

Can Hal Gill Catch Craig Muni?

Yesterday we looked at Sidney Crosby's challenging the goal scoring record for a single NHL playoff season.

There's another Pittsburgh player chasing a goal scoring record. Mind you, this record is a lot more dubious.

This playoff giant defenseman Hal Gill has already moved past Al Pederson, Bob Boughner, Alexei Gusarov, Luke Richardson and Don Awrey on the list of the most playoff games played without scoring a single goal.

At 72 games and counting, Gill now stands second all time in this embarrassing category.

Next on Gill's target list - Craig Muni, the record holder. At 113 games without a tally, Gill will not catch Gill this year.

Gill is trying to score, which is more than Craig Muni could say. Gill is averaging just over a shot per game. Muni, ironically best remembered as a member of the high scoring Edmonton Oilers, only registered 68 shots in the 113 games.

Stanley Cup Legends: Frank Mahovlich

This is Frank Mahovlich, celebrating the Stanley Cup as a member of the magical 1967 Toronto Maple Leafs. Trainer Tommy Naylor celebrates with him.

For Mahovlich and the Leafs it was their 4th Stanley Cup of the 1960s, and the least expected. They were a group of wily veterans who captured one last moment of glory together.

Mahovlich later joined Montreal for four seasons, winning two more Stanley Cups.

Can Sidney Crosby Catch Leach, Kurri?

With 14 goals in 16 playoff games so far, Sidney Crosby has already registered one of the greatest playoffs on record. Can he make it the greatest?

Most goals scored, one playoff year:

19 - Reggie Leach - 1976
- Jari Kurri - 1985
18 - Joe Sakic - 1996
17 - Mike Bossy - 1981
- Steve Payne - 1981
- Mike Bossy - 1982
- Mike Bossy - 1983
- Wayne Gretzky - 1985
- Kevin Stevens - 1991
16 - Joe Mullen - 1989
- Craig Simpson - 1990
- Mario Lemieux - 1991
- Cam Neely - 1991
- Mario Lemieux - 1992
- Pavel Bure - 1994

With a commanding 3-0 lead over the Carolina Hurricanes, the odds suggest Pittsburgh is likely to advance to the Stanley Cup finals. That would mean the Pens probably have at least 5 games left in the playoffs - one to finish off the 'Canes, plus a minimum 4 finals games. Assuming Crosby can keep up his 0.875 goals per game ratio, Crosby is on pace for 18 goals in 21 games.

Gordie Howe Recalls Rivalry With Hawks

Earlier this week the Chicago Tribune caught up with goaltending great Glenn Hall for his thoughts on the Wings and Hawks and hockey in general.

Now they have caught up with none other than the legendary Gordie Howe. He had some unique memories of the old Wings and Hawks rivalry.

I really enjoyed playing against my friends Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita. Mr. [James] Norris had ownership in both Chicago and Detroit so it was strange to compete against your own owner, when you think about it.

The Blackhawks, like all the teams back in our era, had many tough players. One that comes to mind is my close friend Bill Gadsby [former Blackhawks captain who played in Chicago from 1946-57 and later coached Howe with the Red Wings from 1968-70]. Of course, Ted Lindsay played there, too, for a few years [1957-60] and was always a force on the ice.

Interestingly Howe, like Hall, does not spend a lot of time watching hockey anymore.

I don't watch much hockey today other than when my son, Mark, comes to town. He is currently the director of pro scouting for the Detroit Red Wings so I go down to Joe Louis Arena with him on occasion. I'm still a Wings fan but just don't watch a whole lot of games anymore. I'm trying to watch as many Wings playoff games as I can though and would love to see the boys go all the way again.

By the way, here's a nice piece on Mark Howe's life as a scout.

Mueller, Smith Pass Away

Sad news today. Robert Meuller has passed away. He was just 28 years old.

Back in 2006 he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. He had an operation to remove it, and returned to the ice with Cologne of the German league. The two time Olympian even returned to the national team, competing at the 2008 World Championships in Quebec City. It was his eighth world tourney.

In August 2008 further operations discovered rapidly spreading cancer. He was diagnosed as terminally ill with the incurable glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor. The doctors told him there was nothing they could do for him.

This past season the former Washington Capitals draft pick returned for Cologne for a stretch as the back up goaltender. It was his way of saying goodbye to hockey. He practiced with the team and was even able to get into a couple of games before his health deteriorated to the point that he could no longer participate.

Needless to say, Robert Mueller was an inspiration to many.

“With his strong will, Müller inspired many people in their battle against the terrible disease. He showed us all what it means to never give up," said Franz Reindl, the general secretary of the German Ice Hockey Association.

Snuffy Smith Dies, 95

In other sad news, Clint "Snuffy" Smith also has passed away. At age 95 he was believed to have been the oldest living ex-NHLer.

For 10 seasons, Clint Smith symbolized the successful combination of high skill level and sportsmanship. Smith totaled a mere 24 penalty minutes to go along with 397 career points in 483 NHL games. He was a two-time winner and three-time runner-up in the Lady Byng trophy voting. In fact, he was the first player to win this award with two different teams. He had four penalty free seasons.

A native of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Smith enjoyed a successful amateur career with the Saskatoon Wesley Juniors. He turned professional with the New York Rangers organization at the age of 18 and played his first full NHL season with the Rangers in 1937- 38. Following his rookie season Smith's strengths were recognized as he was runner-up for the Lady Byng trophy. The following season he won this prestigious award -- a feat which he duplicated in 1943-44.
Smith was also part of the New York Rangers' famous Stanley Cup team of 1939-40.

Prior to the 1943-44 campaign, after six seasons with the Rangers, Smith was sold to the Chicago Black Hawks. Smith's first season with the Hawks was very productive as he won his second Lady Byng trophy and set a NHL record for a 50 game season of 49 assists. During this same year he and his Chicago linemates Bill Mosienko and Doug Bentley, set a NHL record for a line with 219 total points.

Smith played four seasons with Chicago before retiring from the NHL after the 1946-47 season to become the playing coach of the Tulsa Oilers of the United States Hockey League. His first season with that club brought Smith a league MVP award and a berth in the USHL semi-finals. The following season Smith coached the USHL champion St. Paul Saints, the New York Rangers' farm club in that league.

After his retirement from hockey, Smith moved back to Vancouver, where his involvement with the sport has continued. Prior to the NHL setting up a fund for "needy" players and families, Smith helped found the British Columbia Benevolent Hockey Association and served as its president for six years. In addition, he maintained a strong interest in the Junior and Juvenile hockey on the North Shore, and was active in charitable endeavors of the Vancouver Canucks Alumni.

Clint "Snuffy" Smith was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.

Marlina's Tweets

I have been on Twitter for a while now. I have 229 followers and over 700 updates in fairly short period of time.

Despite Twitter's meteoric rise in popularity this year, I still hear a lot of people say "I don't get it."

So to help you understand Twitter and Tweeting, I have enlisted our old friend Marlina Orlova to explain it.



You can follow me on Twitter @HockeyLegends

Stanley Cup Legends: Denis Potvin

This photo opportunity was a right of spring in the NHL in the early 1980s.

Denis Potvin, the New York Islanders great defenseman, captained the Islanders to four consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1980 through 1983.

Memories of Slava Bykov

The Montreal Gazette made me very happy on Wednesday.

Reporter Pat Hickey (no, not the former NHL player) talked about Russian reports that Vyacheslav Bykov and Igor Zakharian, the head and assistant coaches of the Russian national team, were possible coaching candidates for the Montreal Canadiens. Russian media leaks tend to be erroneous to say the least, but they have Zakharian suggesting an offer was on the table, but the Russian coaching tandem opted for oil rich Ufa of the KHL instead.

The Montreal Canadiens have had no comment. But Bykov does meet two standards for the Habs. He is fluent in French, as he learned the language while starring as a player with Fribourg in the Swiss league. He is also a very successful coach, capturing back to back world championships and leading a Russia team that many people consider the favorites to win the 2010 Olympic gold medal.

Montreal does have a lot of Russian players of late, so maybe it is not so far fetched. But Regardless of the accuracy of the Russian story and quotes, the news made me happy as it allowed me the opportunity to share some memories of my favorite Soviet player of the 1980s.

Bykov, along with Andrei Khomutov especially and later Valery Kamesnky, centered a great line of incredible chemistry. They played a smooth, uninterrupted style of game. Their hockey truly was beautiful hockey, an absolute joy to watch. Their criss-crossing skating with dazzling passing displays dizzied the best of defenses and wore down the opponents. The only thing more nimble than their feet was their hands.

I share more of my memories here with the Vyacheslav Bykov full biography.

I've also had the time to remember some other international hockey stars: Valeri Vasiliev, Erich Kuhnhackl, Alexander Maltsev, Mike Eruzione, Jimmy Foster, Bibi Torriani, and the unique story of twin brothers Frantisek and Steve Tikal.

Glenn Hall On Hockey Today: "It's A Goon's Game."

Glenn Hall, forever to be remembered as "Mr. Goalie," was recently contacted by David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune.

For those who are too young to know who Glenn Hall was, he was the goalie who played 502 consecutive games, all without a mask. He is also considered to be father of the butterfly goaltending technique. Back in the 1950s and 1960s when the NHL's best goalie was determined more by the First All Star Team ballots than the Vezina Trophy, Hall won 7 first team honours (and 4 seconds), compared to Terry Sawchuk's three and Jacques Plante's three.

He was also an instrumental player in Chicago's last Stanley Cup, way back in 1961.

Much to Haugh's surprise, it seems Hall is not much of a fan of today's NHL.

"I am not a big hockey fan," he lamented. And he even stayed in hockey for a long time after retirement, as a goaltending coach and consultant with the Calgary Flames.

It seems like a funny thing to say coming from one of the NHL's all time greats. So why, at the age of 77, has soured on the current NHL product?

"It's a goon game now. It used to be a skill game, but it's not anymore. It's changed. They don't call penalties for charging, boarding or hitting from behind. You have to question who's educating these officials. So I don't bother to watch much."

This does not explain Hall's inexplicable absence from the Chicago Blackhawks renaissance. After years of neglecting their history, the Hawks have welcomed back and celebrate the likes of Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito. The Hawks have made ammends with Hall too, and had planned to honour him back in April. But he could not make the trip from his farm in Stony Plain, Alberta because his wife was ill.

"It would be nice to walk into the dressing room for a number of reasons. Those are good memories. Chicago Stadium, there was no greater building in sports."

Stanley Cup Legends: Mike Grant

Mike Grant was just as important to ice hockey as an ambassador to the game as he was a player.

If you are not familiar with Mike Grant it is because his nine year hockey career ended in 1902, fifteen years before the inaugural NHL season!

Mike Grant was the premier defensive specialist of 1890s ice hockey, playing the ancient position of cover-point primarily for the Montreal Victorias of the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada and the Canadian Amateur Hockey League.

A very strong case can be made that Mike Grant was hockey's first true star; he was the first player to actually draw crowds that would sell out ice rinks all over Eastern Canada. He was also the first hockey player that newspaper reporters consistently reported on which helped popularize the game via the press.

Grant, already an accomplished speed-skating champion, played his first hockey with the Young Crystals, the junior team to the Montreal Crystals, and was named Captain within a year. He led the Young Crystals to the championship and then its intermediate squad to two more titles. The Montreal Victorias took note of this rising young star and signed him to a contract in 1893. In his third season with the Victorias, Grant captained his team to the first of four consecutive Stanley Cup championships.

Although there is no videotape of 1890s hockey, or Grant specifically, we do know a bit about his game. He was a tremendous leader of men, played a fine brand of defensive hockey, was most likely the quickest skater in the game, and he was the finest puck-rusher of early hockey by practically all accounts. In fact, it may have been Grant who influenced later puck-rushers like Art Ross and Lester Patrick to master this art. It is safe to assume that if a Norris Trophy was awarded back in Grant's era he would have earned perhaps four or five as he was the premier dominant defensive player of his time. Similarly, it could be easily argued that Grant would have won at least one Hart Trophy and maybe even a Conn Smythe Trophy had there been such awards.

After Grant's playing career he became a referee, officiating many Stanley Cup championship games through 1905 before traveling south of the border to the United States. Once stateside, Grant traveled across America from rink to rink sharing his knowledge of hockey and skating with interested and often awe-struck Americans. Grant appeared in many exhibition games across America and can safely be called Canada's first ambassador for the game of hockey to the United States.

Mike Grant was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1950.

Darren Helm: The Modern Day Eddie Mazur

The Darren Helm story is quite interesting.

A standout junior player with Medicine Hat in the WHL and Team Canada at the WJC, Helm has clearly shown he is ready for the NHL. His defensive game and physical games are surprisingly competent if not complete for such a young player. He has the speed and tenacity. He could be a third liner on most teams in this league. With a weaker team he may even have a chance to be a goal scorer that his background suggests he could be.

But he can't crack the deep Detroit line up. In each of his first two professional seasons he was called up late, playings in 7 and 16 regular season games respectively, never scoring a goal and picking up just one assist.

That is hardly impressive, but in 2008 he played in 18 playoff games and got his name on the Stanley Cup. So far this season he has played in 13 playoff games, and counting, as the Red Wings challenge to repeat their championship.

Helm certainly has not looked out of place, and seems destined one day to replace Kirk Maltby. Oh, and in those two long playoff runs he's scored four goals and six points.

Only one other player in NHL history has scored his first four NHL goals in the Stanley Cup playoffs. It turns out that player has a lot of other similarities, too.

Darren Helm, meet Eddie Mazur.

This is Eddie Mazur's 1954-55 Parkhurst rookie card.

Nicknamed Spider, the gangling Mazur was a useful utility player, able to play both wings and on defense. In parts of six NHL seasons he mostly played on left wing, using his slick stick handling to keep a 3rd or 4th line role with the Montreal Canadiens and briefly with the Chicago Blackhawks late in his career.

Mazur's first NHL season was in 1953-54, but he was already a test NHL veteran even before playing in his first regular season game.

While playing with Victoria (PCHL/WHL) and Buffalo (AHL) in the minor leagues Mazur was called up by the Canadiens were called up for the Stanley Cup finals. In fact, he had scored four goals and six points in 14 playoff games, had played in three consecutive Stanley Cup winning games, won the 1953 Stanley Cup and therefore was included in the 1953 NHL All Star game, before playing in the regular season.

His favorite memory will always be the Stanley Cup win in 1953, where he set up the winning goal while playing with goal scorer Elmer Lach and the great Rocket Richard.

"I remember the play because I carried the puck down the left wing and backhanded it on the net. It went in behind and then Milt Schmidt tried to shoot it out and it went to Elmer and he scored. I didn't get an assist on it but I remember Dick (Coach Dick Irvin) thought I should have. That's when Rocket jumped on Elmer and broke his nose. I was standing right there."

That moment was definitely Mazur's dream come true.

"When I was in junior high school I was the sports editor of our school paper. I was a Canadiens fan and I wrote once how great it would be to play on a line with Elmer Lach and Maurice Richard. And four or five years later, I did. And I was on the ice with the two of them when we scored a Stanley Cup winning goal. Imagaine that. Incredible."

Needless to say, it made for one of the more curious careers in NHL history. But the Winnipeg native finally stuck with the Habs in 1953-54. It would be his only full NHL season. He scored just 7 goals and 21 points, adding just three assists in 11 playoff games.

Mazur returned the next season, but an early season knee injury ended his season. He reappeared with Chicago for 15 games in 1956-57, but essentially became a minor league star for the remaining 9 years in his long hockey career.

Good Bye Gretzky?

The Toronto Sun is reporting that a condition of Chicago Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf's offer to purchase the bankrupt Coyotes is to end Gretzky's tenure with the team.

Full Story

Hamilton Hockey Hero

Today we may find out if Jim Balsillie really can become Hamilton's hockey hero.

Here's a look at Hamilton's last NHL hero - Shorty Green. He was the Hall of Fame player who led the Hamilton Tigers to hockey's first player's strike, not only costing Hamilton it's best shot at the Stanley Cup, but ultimately it's NHL franchise.

Stanley Cup Legend: Gump Worsley

After suffering for 10 years with the lowly New York Rangers, Gump Worsley, arguably hockey's best goalie at the time, finally was given a chance to play with a strong team when he was traded to Montreal in 1963.

He delivered, helping the Canadiens win 4 Stanley Cups in 5 years between 1965 and 1969.

In 1970 the Gumper joined the Minnesota North Stars. He never won a Stanley Cup with the expansion team in his 5 seasons with the team. But I loved this picture so much I had to use.

Gump was once asked why he didn't wear a mask. His response: "My face is my mask." I bet at the moment this picture was taken he was rethinking that statement.

Hamilton's Hockey Tigers

This week we may have a better idea if the Phoenix Coyotes will really move to Hamilton, Ontario. Bankruptcy court may make rulings as early as Tuesday that will decide whether Jerry Moyes and Jim Balsillie should have even been allowed to go this far without the NHL's permission. It is all a long ways from being settled though, and regardless what happens there will probably be appeals every step of the way.

Just for fun, let's assume the team is allowed to relocate to Hamilton. What will the new team's name be? The Hamilton Coyotes? Not likely. The Hamilton Jets? I like that. How about the Hamilton Tigers? That was the name of Hamilton's NHL franchise back in the 1920s.

Wait a minute, you say. Hamilton once had a NHL franchise?

It's true, and not very well known. After all, it's been 80 years. Here's a real quick run down on their five year history.

In 1920 the struggling Quebec Bulldogs relocate to Hamilton and are renamed the Tigers. The team continues to do poorly on the ice until 1924-25. In that season coach Jimmy Gardner and players Alex McKinnon, Billy Burch and brothers Shorty and Red Green they were the best team in hockey, the NHL's regular season champions, as they entered the Stanley Cup playoffs.

That's when things fell apart. They never did enter the Stanley Cup playoffs that year.

The players revolted as they wanted to be paid for playoff games and that they did not get pay increases when the NHL increased the regular season schedule from 24 games to 30. They actually went on strike, demanding $200 each before they would participate in NHL post-season activity.

Bad move. The league never caved and suspended the players and the entire franchise. In the summer the franchise was sold to New York's notorious prohibition bootlegger Bill Dwyer. He moved the franchise to New York where they were renamed as the Americans.

Hamilton has not had NHL hockey since.

That's a real quick summary. For a much more thorough history of the Hamilton Tigers, check out Sam Wesley's book Hamilton's Hockey Tigers, pictured to the right. It even has a foreword written by Don Cherry.

You can read my full book review courtesy of Hockey Book Reviews.com.

Here's some more interesting Hamilton Tigers links:

Red Canoe Productions - A documentary crew is trying to find the only known remaining game worn Hamilton Tigers' jersey and bring it back to Hamilton.

Shorty Green Biography - Here's my Shorty Green biography.

Statistical History - Here's a look at the Hamilton Tiger's year by year standings and a look at every player's stats who played for the Tigers.

Copps Coliseum website - It is probably the most famous arena never to be used for NHL hockey.

Hamilton Tigers Blog - It is more about the current struggle to bring the Coyotes to Hamilton. As such it is an excellent source to keep up on the very complicated preceedings.

Stanley Cup Legends: Herbie Lewis

This is Herbie Lewis, celebrating the 1936 championship. The Stanley Cup looked quite a bit different back then, didn't it?

Lewis was once described by coach Jack Adams as "a sportsman of the highest type. I defy baseball or football or boxing or any other sport to produce an individual who can eclipse Herbie Lewis as a perfect model of what an athlete should stand for."

Here's Herbie Lewis' full biography.

Stanley Cup Legends: John Druce

The playoffs is the time of the year when people start to wonder whether another John Druce will emerge from the shadows to become the talk of the hockey world.

Druce wasn't exactly as household name in NHL circles back in the early 1990s when he played for the Washington Capitals. He was a fourth-line fixture known more for his guts than glory. He was a part time winger with back to back 8 goal campaigns to begin a NHL career that appeared to be going nowhere fast.

But when sharp shooter Dino Ciccarelli became sidelined with a bad knee in the 1990 playoffs, Druce found himself on the Capitals' top line with Dale Hunter and Geoff Courtnall. The line clicked instantly and played like they had been playing together for years.

Druce stunned the hockey world when he netted 14 playoff goals in 15 games as the Capitals advanced to the conference finals. Druce became the unsung hero of the '91 post season. 8 of those goals came on the power play, and another shorthanded. 4 of his goals were game winners.

The Dark Night

It's Saturday of the May long weekend here in Canada. For the first time since Christmas night 2008, there is no hockey being played on a Saturday.

We are down to four teams left in the marathon race known as the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Both conference finals series promise to be entertaining as all four teams are highly skilled teams that value speed and offense. In the west Detroit takes on Chicago in an Original Six showdown. In the east the Staal brothers collide as Carolina faces off with Pittsburgh.

I will go on record and predict Detroit and Pittsburgh will win, setting up a Stanley Cup rematch from 2008. For the first time this playoff I actually feel somewhat confident in making such bold predictions. That being said, Cam Ward is playing amazing right now and I hesitate to bet against him.

Since this is a dark night in the NHL, I thought I would highlight a few pieces I have been working on in the background. These are four of the more interesting biographies I have worked on in some time:

Canada's First Nemesis: In the 1936 Olympics Canada ran into their first challenge in international hockey - the unlikely Great Britain team led by Canadian goaltender Jimmy Foster. Foster upset the Canadians 2-1, and, with the help of a very controversial rule interpretation, helped capture the Olympic gold medal.

Hockey Legend In Her Own Right: Here is the amazing story of Pia Grengman. She pioneered many women's sports in Sweden, first as a player then as a coach. After playing men's hockey in the lower Swedish divisions, Grengman turned to coaching. She was tutored by none other than Anatoli Tarasov. Fred Shero also was a fan of hers, even possibly offering her a job at the 1976 Canada Cup had Shero been named head coach.

The Day Dean Bergeron's Life Changed Forever: Here's a look at Dean Bergeron. He is one of Canada's more decorated paralympians. In 1987 he was a promising able-bodied hockey player with dreams of playing in the NHL. Then tragedy struck, as he became paralyzed in a hockey fight. Following the recent hockey fight related death of Don Sanderson, Bergeron is speaking out. Nothing changed when he lost use of legs, and he doesn't want Sanderson's lost life to suffer the same circumstance.

ZZ Top - Remember Zarley Zalapski? Here's a reflection of the ups and downs of the career of one of hockey's all time great names.

On a related note, I wanted to take this time to thank all of my readers. May long weekend usually marks the slowing of hockey blog traffic. With only four teams left in the playoffs, this is expected for most hockey websites across the blogosphere. That being said I've had the third busiest week of 2009 this week.

It has been an amazing seasons for this website. I'm hoping that by the end of the playoffs to reach 2 million page views. Those are mindboggling numbers. When I started this site three seasons ago I never would have guessed I would get those kind of numbers. Thank you.

Keep coming back. I plan on providing regular content through the summer as well as working on special features for the draft, Hockeyville, 2009 hockey books and of course the 2010 Olympics.

Plus lots of hockey history.

Stanley Cup Legends: Steve Penney

Earlier I posted about Ken Dryden, the lanky unknown goaltender who came out of nowhere to lead the Montreal Canadiens past Bobby Orr's Boston Bruins for an unexpected Stanley Cup championship.

Thirteen years later, another late season called up for Montreal followed almost exactly the same script.

Steve Penney, who earlier that season was the third stringer with AHL Nova Scotia, replaced an injured Rick Wamsley and slumping Richard Sevigny as starting goalie for the Montreal Canadiens on the eve of the playoffs.

His play in the playoffs was spectacular. First he led the Habs to a 3-0 series sweep over their arch rival Boston Bruins, including two road victories at the hostile Boston Gardens. Penney then pushed the Canadiens to a six game victory over the Quebec Nordiques, another other hated rival. Penney's magic would fall just short In the semifinals as the Canadiens lost to the defending champions NY Islanders in six games.

Penney was a sensation as the rookie led all playoff goalies with a fine 2.20 GAA. His 3 shutouts in the 15 games also led all goalies in the playoffs.

Penney would put together a solid rookie season, but soon would disappear from the NHL altogether. He would be replaced in Montreal by another hot rookie by the name of Patrick Roy.

Full Steve Penney Biography

Penney was not the first nor the last hot shot rookie to make a splash in the NHL playoffs, only to disappear shortly thereafter.

During World War II an unknown goalie named Frank "Ulcers" McCool replaced veteran Turk Broda. Despite facing obvious health concerns, McCool turned a rookie-of-the-year performance into a Stanley Cup championship. But Broda would soon return, and McCool was out of a NHL job.

Alfie Moore's story is even more improbable. In 1938, the minor leaguer was drinking away an afternoon lamenting the fact that he couldn't get tickets to that night's finals opener between Chicago and Toronto. Half cut, the Hawks came looking for Moore. Their regular goalie, Mike Karakas, could not play that night because of a broken toe. Moore sobered up, filled in, and won the game!

Scoring First Is A Huge Advantage

I have always believed First Goals, goals that open the scoring in a hockey game, are important, and a measure of clutch performance. If you disagree, you can bet that this time of year every NHL coach preaches about getting off to a good start.

Teams who have scored the first goal of the hockey game have a 41-25 record through two rounds of the 2009 playoffs. That's a 62% win ratio. Obviously scoring first is a huge edge. And if a team can take a lead into the first intermission the win percentage jumps to 75%

One player who understands how important it is to get a lead early is Sidney Crosby. So far this playoff Pittsburgh has scored first in 7 of their 13 games. Crosby has scored five of those goals (and assisting on one other), including three first goals in the second round alone. Both of those marks are new Pittsburgh team records.

Surprisingly, Pittsburgh's record when scoring first bucks the trend as they have a 4-3 record, a below average 57% win ratio.

Crosby only had 4 first goals in the regular season. Dany Heatley led the way with 10, with Loui Eriksson, Markus Naslund and Alexander Ovechkin notching 9 first goals.

By the way, the only other players to have more than one opening goal so far this playoff are Jiri Hudler with 3, and Eric Staal, Bobby Ryan, Mason Raymond, Corey Perry, Mark Recchi, Zach Parise and Patrick Kane, all with 2.

On To Round Three

So much for that prediction.

Round three is set with what promises to be two great series featuring four exciting teams. While big market Boston did not make it through, in terms of the on-ice product the NHL should be very happy with the round three settings. Detroit vs. Chicago starts on Sunday and Pittsburgh vs. Carolina starts on Monday.

Must View YouTube: Interviews With Reggie Fleming

Regular reader David Morris sent me this gem the other day.



Reggie Fleming was a tough-as-nails players back in the 1960s. He suffered a stroke a few years ago and his health has been failing ever since.

His son, Chris, a noted film maker (Dead Famous, anyone?), has been filming his visits with his father at a rehab center near Chicago. It is moving stuff, with eight in the series so far:

Reggie Fleming (Chicago BlackHawk Alumni) Video Interview 1
Reggie Fleming (Chicago BlackHawk Alumni) Video Interview 2
Reggie Fleming (Chicago BlackHawk Alumni) Video Interview 3
Reggie Fleming (Chicago BlackHawk Alumni) Video Interview 4
Reggie Fleming (Chicago BlackHawk Alumni) Video Interview 5
Reggie Fleming (Chicago BlackHawk Alumni) Video Interview 6
Reggie Fleming (Chicago BlackHawk Alumni) Video Interview 7
Reggie Fleming (Chicago BlackHawk Alumni) Video Interview 8

Stanley Cup Legends: Bernie Parent

If I were a coach and I could have one goalie in NHL history to try to win the Stanley Cup championship with, I would have to strongly consider Bernie Parent of the mid 1970s. Anyone who saw him play in two consecutive Stanley Cup finals knows few goalies have ever played at a higher level than Bernie Parent.

Much like Dominik Hasek 20 years later with Buffalo, Parent was simply incredible. He was "the second coming of Jacques Plante" and the Flyers "undisputed MVP." Neither of the Flyers beloved back to back Stanley Cup championships would have been possible without Parent.

In 1973-74 he established himself as the best goalie in hockey. He played more minutes (4314), had more wins (47 - still a NHL record), had more shutouts (12) and had a better GAA (1.89) than any other goalie, earning the Vezina trophy. In the playoffs he would impossibly take his game to a higher level, upsetting the heavily favored Boston Bruins, sporting Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito, for the Stanley Cup. Parent was the obvious choice as playoff MVP and earned the Conn Smythe trophy.

The following season Parent proved his success was no fluke. He notched another 44 wins, another 12 shutouts, another Vezina Trophy in the regular season, and another Smythe trophy en route to another Stanley Cup in the playoffs.

Full Bernie Parent Biography

The Legendary Patricks Bring Hockey To BC

Undoubtedly the people with the biggest impact in hockey in British Columbia were the Patrick brothers - Lester and Frank. In fact, you could say these two had the biggest impact in the development of hockey world wide, and it all was here in BC.

Lester is the best known of the two, thanks to his 1928 stunt while coaching the New York Rangers all the way to the Stanley Cup championship. When starting goalie Lorne Chabot came up lame with an injury and could not play, the 44 year old coach, who himself had played the game for years but never as a goalie, donned the pads and led the Rangers to victory.

That moment has forever since been a part of hockey folklore, but in many ways it has greatly overshadowed the importance of the Patricks.

The Family Business

Their father Joseph was an incredibly successful businessman and was extremely proud of his two hockey playing sons, each of whom would one day make it into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Joseph made a fortune in the lumber business. The family sought new fortunes and moved to lumber rich British Columbia, settling in beautiful Nelson in 1907. He sons would move out west too, but only after Joseph sold the family business for $340,000, a huge amount of cash back in those days. Treating them like partners, Joseph asked his sons to seek new investments.

Frank came up with a crazy idea - start a whole new professional hockey league. Because of the climate and the late settling of the west coast, hockey was still pretty new in the province. The Patricks, who had seen the ups and downs of many teams and leagues over the years, would run the league their way.

Early Hockey In BC

BC was not completely virgin territory for hockey. Competitive teams of mostly transplanted Easterners sprouted up in the Interior area then known as The Boundary District. Crude and vicious hockey games were held in little known areas like Grand Forks, Phoenix and Greenwood. Rossland and even Nelson also iced competitive teams before the Patricks arrived. The BC government, under the watch of Premier Sir Richard McBride, even introduced a trophy for the top BC team - the McBride Cup.

But that was small potatoes compared to what the Patrick's had in mind. They were exactly what hockey needed out west - visionaries. Make that visionaries with deep pockets.

Big League Hockey Comes To BC

They would introduce hockey to the BC masses, with teams to be stationed in Victoria, Vancouver and New Westminster, with American teams for Seattle and Portland soon to follow. Later on teams from Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Saskatoon would be merge.

No rinks? No problem, they built them. No players? No problem, they brought them in from the east, raiding rosters of the National Hockey Association, forerunners to the National Hockey League.

There was one serious problem though. BC's climate was not always welcoming of ice and winter. How could you run a serious professional alternative when ice was no guarantee? Lester learned how to create artificial ice and had his rinks made that way, disregarding the staggering costs. To build the first artificial rinks in Canada, the Patricks would spend $110,000 for a 3,500 seat Patrick Arena in Victoria and $300,000 seat Denman Arena in Vancouver. The family's fortune was completely spent before a single game was played.

Undeterred, they pressed on, trusting they would be able to cover all operating costs when the turnstiles opened. It was quite the gamble, since they still had to start the bidding war with the NHA, forerunner to the NHL, for player services. Eastern owners were livid with not only the loss of talent but the newly inflated salaries.

Huge Impact On Hockey Worldwide

Almost from the very first puck drop the Pacific Coast Hockey Association was a huge success. Curious fans flocked to the games, eager to see the hockey stars that until this point had only been glamorous names in news print. The PCHA was sure to make a good return on their investment, and give the NHA and later NHL serious runs as the top professional hockey league.

The Patrick's greatest contribution to hockey came in their innovative changes to the game. They created the two blue lines as a way of cutting down off-sides and creating the neutral zone. They added assists to the scoring summary and did away with the ancient rule that goalies must remain standing at all times. They put numbers on the players' backs, to make them easier to identify for the fans. They permitted players to use their feet to move the puck at any time other than to score a goal.

All of these rules were designed to increase scoring, creativity and excitement in the game. It would not be long before every hockey league in the world adopted the Patricks' initiatives.

Stanley Cup Comes To BC, Twice

BC teams challenged the NHL on the ice, too. In 1914 Victoria first challenged for the Stanley Cup, coming up short against the Toronto Blueshirts. A year later the Stanley Cup would finally come west, as the Vancouver Millionaires defeated the Ottawa Senators. The Millionaires would challenge for the Stanley Cup again in 1918, 1921, and 1922, but they would fall short each time. In 1925 the Victoria Cougars won the Stanley Cup, knocking off the Montreal Maroons. The Cougars remain arguably the least known Stanley Cup champion of all time, and the last non-NHL team to ever win the title.

The End Of An Era

Ultimately the PCHA/WCHL would not be able to financially survive against the deep Eastern pockets of the NHL forever. They may have been great hockey men, but first and foremost the Patricks' were businessmen. They sold the WCHL franchises and rights to all of their players to the NHL for $300,000.

Victoria would be transferred to Detroit, at first keeping the name Cougars, then experimenting with Falcons before settling on Red Wings. The Portland Rosebuds roster was sold to the new NHL expansion team in Chicago, the Black Hawks. Many of the Saskatoon players were sold to restock the Montreal Maroons.