Hockey Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour

There is a modern generation of fans who probably think Doug Gilmour is the greatest player to ever wear the blue and white jersey of the Toronto Maple Leafs. While his tenure in comparison to other Leafs greats was short, those fans might just be right.

Gilmour was a spectacular player. He played with a contagious enthusiasm and passion that so few players can match. He is one of the most intelligent superstars in league history. Although never a top goal scorer he was as good a playmaker in his era other than Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Yet unlike those two the brilliance of Gilmour’s game was his status as a defensive player with few peers. He also was a great leader, always leading by example. Though he was tiny by NHL standards, he played with a level of fearlessness that instantly won over the hearts of NHL fans everywhere.

Full Doug Gilmour Profile

Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk

I can think of three words that all being with the letter C that best describe Joe Nieuwendyk: Classy. Clutch. Champion.

Joe Nieuwendyk was a winner. He won three Stanley Cup championships with three different teams - Calgary, Dallas and New Jersey. Plus he won an Olympic gold medal with Team Canada in 2002.

In 1999 he was so important to Dallas' Stanley Cup championship that he was named as the Conn Smythe trophy winner - about as prestigious of an individual award a hockey player can earn.

That was not his only major award either. In 1988 he won the Calder trophy as best NHL rookie, and in 1995 he won the King Clancy award for his leadership on and off the ice.

Statistically speaking his numbers are also worthy. 564 goals and 1126 points in 1257 games once upon a time guaranteed a player inclusion in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Nowadays a new standard is trying to be established, given the much higher scoring era of the 1980s and early 1990s.

Knowledgeable hockey fans know that Nieuwendyk was one of those guys who brought more to the rink than any statistic can quantify. That might seem odd to say given Nieuwy spent much of his career primarily as a top marksman, but he was a complete player. Aside from chronic back injuries, he had no real weakness in his game. And he brought a lot to the organization off the ice, both in terms of dressing room leadership and community involvement.

Hockey Hall of Famer Ed Belfour

Long time Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars goalie Eddie "The Eagle" Belfour will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.

Belfour has a tremendous resume with a Stanley Cup championship (1999), a Canada Cup title (1991), Olympic Gold Medal (2002), 2 Vezina trophies, 4 Jennings trophies, 484 career wins (3rd best all time), 76 shutouts (9th all time).

Known for his explosive personality Belfour is generally considered to be on par with his contemporaries Dominik Hasek, Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur.

Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Howe

Make no mistake: Mark Howe was not Gordie Howe, his legendary father. But Mark too was a great player. And now we can say both are Hall of Fame players.

Gordie Howe was a fearsome physical presence and a goal scoring machine. Mark Howe was one of the steadiest, cleanest and most accomplished players of the 1970s and 1980s. In fact, he did it as one of the rare players to truly master both the forward and defense positions.

Here's the full Mark Howe biography

Lindros, Bure, Oates Continue To Wait

Eric Lindros, Pavel Bure, Adam Oates and others will have to wait at least one more year before they are inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Maybe we better make that 2 years or more.

The first year eligible class for 2012 includes two shoo-ins in Joe Sakic and Brendan Shanahan, while Jeremy Roenick, Mats Sundin, Curtis Joseph, Olaf Kolzig, Teppo Numminen, Markus Naslund, Gary Roberts, Claude Lemieux and Bobby Holik will all get good consideration.

It does not get much easier in 2013, either. Scott Niedermayer and Rob Blake should be announced in their inaugural years, too.

Hockey Hall of Fame Welcomes Four

The Hockey Hall of Fame welcomes Ed Belfour, Doug Gilmour, Mark Howe and Joe Nieuwendyk as the induction class of 2011. They will be inducted on Nov. 14 in Toronto

Shockingly, no women or builders were included.

Hall of Fame announcements are often controversial given who is left out, but not to include Geraldine Heaney in the women's category is amazing.

Hockey Hall of Fame: The Long Wait

On Tuesday the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee will meet to decide and announced the induction class of 2011.

There is a large log jam of Hall of Fame talent anxiously awaiting the induction announcements in 2011. With so many candidates, the biggest problem becomes the votes being split too many ways. With each inductee needing 75% support from the committee, it may be unlikely to see more than 2 inductees in the player category.

Here's my top 4:

• Doug Gilmour - The hockey player's hockey player. He has waited long enough.
• Joe Nieuwendyk - Three words all beginning with the letter "C" best describe him: Classy, Clutch and Champion.
• Sergei Makarov - Arguably the best Soviet player of the 1980s, and therefore top 10 player in the world in that time frame.
• Adam Oates - Hockey's most underrated superstar.

I also believe Ed Belfour and Eric Lindros are Hall of Famers, though they, like so many players in this log jam, may have to wait longer.

In the women's category we will see Geraldine Heaney and maybe Cassie Campbell-Pascall rightfully enshrined.

In the builder's category I really hope we see Pat Quinn and Fran Rider inducted, though I know it is highly unlikely we will see that in 2011. Especially not Quinn, who is the committee co-chair.

Barry Wilkins Passes Away

Greg Douglas of the Vancouver Sun offers a nice look back at the life and career of Barry Wilkins, the man who scored the first ever NHL goal in Vancouver Canucks' history.

Wilkins lost his battle with lung cancer this weekend. He was 64 years old.

Hockey Hall of Fame Log Jam

The other day we looked at the first year eligible players for consideration in the Hockey Hall of Fame. We also looked at the top female candidates.

In doing so we mentioned the long back-list of candidates that may finally find openings in 2011. Those players include Eric Lindros, Joe Nieuwendyk, John Leclair, Peter Bondra, Pierre Turgeon, and Sean Burke from 2010.  Hold over candidates from the past several years include Theo Fleury, Doug Gilmour, Adam Oates, Sergei Makarov, Guy Carbonneau, Pavel Bure, Tom Barrasso, Pat Verbeek, Mike Richter, Alexander Mogilny, Dave Andreychuk and Phil Housley. 

Who is worthy of Hall enshrinement is a different question than who is going to make the grade in 2011. The problem is there is a lot of talent there, including 6 or 7 I would say are worthy.  So why not just pick 4 and break the log jam? The problem is the voting system will split the votes, making it hard to get more than 2 inductees.

So you tell me - who gets your four votes for Hockey Hall of Fame enshrinement here in 2011?

NHL Draft Is All Relative

The Edmonton Oilers drafted two sons of former Edmonton Oilers this weekend.

David Musil was drafted was picked 31st overall. His father Frantisek briefly played with Edmonton as part of his 800 game career in the NHL. David can also count former NHLer Bobby Holik as his uncle, Czech hockey legend Jaroslav Holik as his grandfather and tennis star Andrea Holikova as his mother.

The Oilers also drafted Dillon Simpson in the fourth round. He, of course, is the son of former Oilers sniper and coach Craig Simpson. Craig is currently the lead colour commentator for Hockey Night In Canada.

The Oilers passed on a third son. Keegan Lowe, the son of former Oilers defenceman Kevin Lowe, now the team’s president of hockey operations, was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 3. Keegan told the Oilers he would rather make his own way in the world and not to consider taking him.

Here's some of the other 2011 Entry Draft relationships:

Sean Coutourier was drafted 8th overall by Philadelphia. His father Sylvain spent most of his career in the minors and in Europe but he played 65 games for the Los Angeles Kings.

Defenseman Connor Murphy, drafted 20th overall by Phoenix, is the son of former NHL defenseman Gord Murphy. Gord is now an assistant coach in Florida.

Toronto selected Tyler Biggs 22nd overall. His father Don Biggs had a long professional career including 12 games played in the NHL.

Vladislav Namestnikov was taken 27th overall by Tampa Bay. He is the son of Evgeny "John" Namestnikov who played 43 games in the NHL. Long time NHLer Slava Kozlov is also his uncle.

Alexander Ruuttu, Phoenix’s second-round draft choice, is the son of Christian Ruuttu, who played nine seasons in the NHL and now is a scout with the same Coyotes team.

Winnipeg took Adam Lowry in the third round. Lowry’s father, Dave, played 1,045 NHL games. Another Lowry son, Joel, was drafted by Los Angeles in the 5th round.

Colorado selected Dillon Donnelly from Shawinigan in the seventh round. His father, Gord, played for three NHL teams including the Nordiques.

Carolina used the 193rd pick on centre Brody Sutter — the son of former NHL player Duane Sutter and the younger cousin of two players in the organization: Hurricanes forward Brandon Sutter and minor league forward Brett Sutter.

Welcome Back Winnipeg Jets!

 

Winnipeg Jets Legends
Dale Hawerchuk
Anders Hedberg
Bobby Hull
Ulf Nilsson
Teemu Selanne 
Thomas Steen

Keith Tkachuk

Alexei Zhamnov

Other Notable Players 

Mike Amodeo
Scott Arniel
Dave Babych

Laurie Boschman
Thommie Bergman

Scott Campbell
Dave Christian
Kim Clackson
Dave Ellett

Pat Elynuik

Danny Geoffrion
Terrible Ted Green
Bob Essensa
Larry Hopkins

Larry Hornung
Kris King 
Jim Kyte 

Barry Legge
Morris Lukowich
Jimmy Mann

Dave Manson
Markus Mattsson
Dave McLlwain
Troy Murray
Kent Nilsson
Ed Olczyk
Rich Preston
Deron Quint
Terry Ruskowski

Darrin Shannon

Doug Smail

Doug Soetaert
Peter Sullivan

Tim Watters

Draft Memories: Tabobondung's Awkward Debut

Now they didn't have live television coverage or intense media scrutiny or sold out crowds for the NHL draft in 1981 like they do nowadays. That's a good thing for Barry Tabobondung, who certainly made an unforgetable entrance into the National Hockey League.

The left winger was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round. He was in such a hurry to get down to the Flyers' table that he thought he would just climb over some of the folding seats rather than walk all the way around.

Bad idea. Somehow Tabobondung got his foot stuck in one of the seats. Several people tried to help him set his foot free, but it took a carpenter to saw the chair apart.

"Hawk" Tabobondung was a full blooded Ojibway Indian from Bobby Orr's hometown in Parry Sound, Ontario.  He played defense most of his youth, but after not getting drafted in 1980 he converted to left wing. He never played in the National Hockey League.

Sadly Tabobondung died in in 2000, though he was a hero in doing so.He was driving a road grader with his 8 year old son when the son somehow fell out of the cab. Tabobondung jumped out to prevent the heavy machine from running over his son. In doing so he himself was killed. His son suffered a broken leg but survived.

Tabobondung was a well respected member of the Wasauksing First Nation, where he served as a councilor and minor hockey coach.

Corey Hart

Corey Perry can start wearing sunglasses at night, because he will now be known as Corey Hart. (For my many American/International and younger Canadian readers, check this YouTube video for the corny music reference.)

Here's the NHL's official media release: Right wing Corey Perry has become the first Anaheim Ducks player to win the Hart Trophy, awarded "to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team" as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.

Perry garnered 67 first-place votes among the 126 ballots cast and accumulated 1,043 points to
edge left wing Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks, who was the top selection on 51 ballots and
earned 960 points.

Here's the full voting results (click on image to enlarge):

I am not surprised that Perry edged Daniel in Hart balloting, though I had hoped Daniel would win if only for the great story of brothers winning the most prized individual trophy in hockey in back to back years. Henrik of course won it the year before.

Daniel did win the Ted Lindsay award, being named as the league's MVP as voted upon by his peers - the NHL players. Daniel of course also won the Art Ross trophy as the league's leading scorer in the regular season.

The Canucks did well on award night. Ryan Kesler won his first Selke Trophy, easily outdistancing Chicago's Jonathan Toews. Mike Gillis was named as GM of the Year.

Tim Thomas again beat Roberto Luongo to win the Vezina trophy as the league's top goalie. Luongo and back up Cory Schneider did take home the Jennings trophy.

Dan Bylsma won the Adams trophy as coach of the year. Jeff Skinner won the Calder trophy as rookie of the year. Martin St. Louis repeated as the Lady Byng winger as most gentlemanly player. Doug Weight, who recently retired, won the King Clancy award.

Twins Make History

NHL Media Release: Twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks added to their 2010-11 honor roll tonight as they became the first brothers voted to the NHL First All-Star Team since Hockey Hall of Famers Phil and Tony Esposito, representing the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks, respectively, took First Team honors in 1969-70.

Joining the Sedins is Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, who garnered his 10th career berth on the First Team. Lidstrom joins Ray Bourque (13) and Doug Harvey (10) as the only defensemen in League history with 10 or more First Team selections.

Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas is a First-Team choice for the second time in three seasons, while right wing Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks and defenseman Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators are first-time selections.

Among those named to the Second Team is Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, who earned a place on a post-season All-Star Team for the sixth time. Ovechkin made NHL history in 2009-10 by capturing First Team honors in each of his first five NHL seasons.

Joining Ovechkin on the Second Team are two members of the Tampa Bay Lightning, center Steven Stamkos and right wing Martin St. Louis, plus goaltender Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators and defensemen Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and Lubomir Visnovsky of the Anaheim Ducks.

Bargain Books At Chapters

Be sure to check out Chapters.ca's Bargain Bin for some great hockey books at amazing prices.

Manny McIntyre Dies at 92

Manny McIntyre died on Tuesday. He was 92 years old.

Chances are you have never heard of Manny McIntyre. He never even came close to playing in the National Hockey League. Yet he very much is a legend of hockey in his own right.

McIntyre teamed with brothers Herbie and Ossie Carnegie brothers to form "Les Noirs" or the "Black Aces," the first all-black line in pro hockey. The trio played with the Sherbrooke Saints of the Quebec Senior Hockey League in the 1940s.

They were as good as any hockey players in Canada. Legendary writer Red Storey once said “The Colored Line, as a line, could have played on any team, any time, anywhere.”

The cruel irony is that they could not play anywhere. Hockey's unofficial color barrier was not broken until 1958 when Willie O'Ree joined the Boston Bruins.

Mike Wyman from Inside Hockey has a great piece up on McIntyre, who was a great athlete off the ice too. It turns out he is the only professional hockey player to also play in baseball's fabled Negro Leagues.

2011 First Year Eligible Players for Hockey Hall of Fame

Technically, any professional player who retired 3 years ago is eligible for Hockey Hall of Fame consideration in 2011. To be considered by the selection committee the player must be properly nominated. However the HHOF does not release any information on which players were nominated. So, here is a list of notable first year eligible players:

Goalies: Eddie Belfour, Jocelyn Thibault
Defense: Derian Hatcher, Mattias Norstrom, Richard Matvichuk, Eric Weinrich, Glen Wesley
Forward: Stu Barnes, Mariusz Czerkawski, Andrew Cassels, Dallas Drake, Travis Green, Claude Lapointe, Martin Lapointe, Trevor Linden, Glen Murray, Yanic Perreault, Geoff Sanderson, Scott Thornton.

It is hard to get excited about that group. There's some very good players there, but outside of Eddie Belfour there is almost no chance any of these players will make it into the Hockey Hall of Fame. (Cue the regional outrage for Glen Wesley, Derian Hatcher and Trevor Linden.)

That being said, there is also very little chance Belfour will make it into the Hall of Fame immediately.

Belfour has a tremendous resume with a Stanley Cup championship (1999), a Canada Cup title (1991), Olympic Gold Medal (2002), 2 Vezina trophies, 4 Jennings trophies, 484 career wins (3rd best all time), 76 shutouts (9th all time).

Belfour will be forced to wait largely because of some off-ice incidents. HHOF criteria judges the player's character and off-ice influence as well as their on-ice performance. The selection committee in recent years has punished many players in similar unfortunate situations. These players include Glenn Anderson, Dino Ciccarelli, Doug Gilmour, and Eric Lindros. The selection committee can get a little holier-than-thou on these issues, but nonetheless the precedent is set.

Add to that the current backlog of talent waiting in some cases for years. Too deep of a talent pool splits the votes so that it is seemingly impossible to simply agree on inducting four players and breaking the jam open. Players continuing to wait include Lindros, Dave Andreychuk, Pavel Bure, Doug Gilmour, John Leclair, Joe Nieuwendyk, and Adam Oates. That list only includes players I think have a legitimate shot at induction. There's a longer list of candidates, plus international players who I believe should get a better shake.

The HHOF has correctly set the bar high for goaltenders. Names like Tom Barrasso (2 Stanley Cups), Mike Vernon (2 Stanley Cups), Andy Moog (3 Stanley Cups), Mike Richter (1 Stanley Cup), Ron Hextall and Rogie Vachon have been waiting quite a while, and a few will never get in. Belfour will be judged against this group.

I am completely comfortable with the where the HHOF has set the bar for goaltenders. The question for Belfour is was he better than Tom Barrasso or Mike Vernon? Personally I think they are all pretty close, although Belfour's career numbers put him over the top.

Hockey Hall of Fame Debate

On June 28th the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee will meet to discuss who will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame later this year.

Over the coming days GreatestHockeyLegends.com will also be looking at the top candidates. We will break it down to goaltenders, defensemen, international players and women players. We will dedicate at least a couple of days to forwards.

Until then, here's some information on the HHOF selection committee and their mandate.

The 18 member committee consists of:

• James M. Gregory, longtime team, league executive; 
• Pat Quinn, ex-player, longtime coach and GM; 
• Scotty Bowman, coach; 
• David Branch, president Canadian Hockey League; 
• Colin Campbell, ex-player and coach, ex-NHL's chief of discipline; 
• John Davidson, ex-player, broadcaster, current Blues president of hockey operations; 
• Eric Duhatschek, journalist; 
• Jan-Ake Edvinsson, general secretary of the International Ice Hockey Federation; 
• Mike Emrick, broadcaster; 
• Michael Farber, journalist; 
• Mike Gartner, ex-player; 
• Igor Larionov, ex-player; 
• Lanny McDonald, ex-player; 
• Yvon Pedneault, journalist; 
• Serge Savard, ex-player, 
• GM; Harry Sinden, Bruins executive; Peter Stastny: ex-player; 
• Bill Torrey, GM of New York Islanders dynasty.

Here's more on each committee member, as well as the committee by laws.

International Hockey History For Sale

As all my regular readers know, I have a real interest in international hockey history. Classic Auctions has a number of fascinating items of exactly that genre available in their current offering.

First and foremost, check out this great game worn George McAvoy jersey from the 1955 World Hockey Championships. What a beautiful sweater that is, one that most people are not very familiar with. For a bit of a look at Team Canada's various looks over the years, be sure to check out these other game worn jerseys from Duncan Keith, Guy Charron, Zarley Zalapski and, from the 1972 Summit Series, Tony Esposito. There is a variety of 1972 Summit Series game used sticks available, too, including Paul Henderson and Ken Dryden.

Other international game worn jerseys available include Alexander Yakushev's 1975/76 Soviet Wings wool sweater, Daniel Sedin's 2010 Olympic jersey, Bohuslav Stastny's 1972 national team jersey and Jiri Holecek's 1969 World Championships Czech national team jersey. Holecek, the great Czech goalie, has a large collection of equipment available, including his famous goalie mask.

Perhaps the most interesting international offering in the auction is the actual trophy that the Edmonton Mercuries won in the 1950 IIHF World Championships. There are also a number of international medals available, including world juniors, world championships and Olympic Games.

Of course, international hockey collectors are always after pins and pennants. There is a great collection of all sorts of pins with a low price tag. I will be keeping my eye on this particular offering.

Stanley Cup Parade

The picture above is of the Boston Bruins Stanley Cup parade back on May 1970. Sitting in the car wearing a black shirt and sunglasses is Bobby Orr.

The Bruins would have another Stanley Cup parade in 1972, the last time championship t-shirts were printed in Boston.



Saturday Boston hosts the 2011 Stanley Cup parade, beginning  at 11 a.m. at TD Garden and winds up at Copley Square. Police are preparing for an amazing 1 million people to partake.


Parades are great, but the Bruins really need to replicate that '72 t-shirt. They don't make hockey t-shirts like that anymore.


Here's some footage of the 1970 Stanley Cup parade thanks to YouTube:

Got 'Em, Got 'Em, Need 'Em, Need 'Em

Hockey cards have always been the darlings of the hockey collectibles world. Classic Auctions is a great place to load up on old and specialty hockey cards.

Check out this 1961-62 Parkhurst set, fetching over $3,000, or the 1962-63 Parkhurst set for about $2,000. Or how about this 1911-12 Imperial Tobacco Art Ross card, currently bidding at well over $2,000. From the same set are Joe Malone (over $3,000), Georges Vezina (nearly $3,000) and Lester Patrick ($3,000).

The lesson here - don't do what I did and stick your cards in your bicycle spokes.

Also, if you are into autographed items, check out this collection.

Dave Keon Still Popular With Leafs Fans

Dave Keon, known as one of the greatest two-way centres in the history of the game, was an amazing athlete who spent 22 seasons in professional hockey. He appeared in an impressive total of 1,725 regular season and playoff games in both the WHA and the NHL, and in all that time he picked up only 151 penalty minutes!

His popularity among Leafs fans remains incredibly high, especially considering the fact that he has had basically nothing to do with the Leafs or hockey in general since 1975 when he left, thanks to Harold Ballard.

Keon's game worn jersey is garnering huge interest in the current Classic Auctions sale. The late 1960s sweater currently has had 12 bids and is closing in on $8,000!

Other notable game worn jerseys available (and there are many) include Ken Dryden, Derek Sanderson, Mario Lemieux, Jim Craig, Bob Probert, and  Tony Esposito's 1972 Summit Series jersey. There is over 200 game-worn items available when you include gloves and skates. Many of them are currently bidding for very reasonable prices.

Surprisingly, what I would consider perhaps the most interesting game worn jerseys available are a set of three Houston Aeros (WHA) jerseys - Gordie Howe, Mark Howe and Marty Howe. You can get all three right now for the same price as Keon's single jersey - $8,000.

A Tale Of Two Cities' Newspapers

This is the cover image of the Boston Globe this morning:

And this is the front page of the Vancouver Province, one of two major daily newspapers in Vancouver.

A tale of two cities continues. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Boston Bruins Win 2011 Stanley Cup!

Congratulations to the Boston Bruins, your 2011 Stanley Cup champions!

Tim Thomas was named as Conn Smythe Trophy MVP. Here's why:

* set NHL record for most saves in one playoff year (798)
* set NHL record for most shots faced in one playoff year (849)
* set NHL record for most saves in the Stanley Cup Final (238)
* fourth all-time for most shots faced in the Stanley Cup Final (246)
* finished with an 11-1 record when facing 35 or more shots
* led all NHL goaltenders in goals-against average (1.98) and save percentage (.940) and shared lead in shutouts (four) in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs
* became the first goaltender in NHL history to post a shutout on the road in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final
* posted a 1.15 goals-against average in the Stanley Cup Final, the lowest in the modern era among goaltenders with at least five appearances
* posted a .967 save percentage in the Stanley Cup Final, third all-time and tops among goaltenders with at least five appearances
* became the 13th goaltender since 1927 to post multiple shutouts in the Stanley Cup Final (two)

Very impressive. He clearly was the biggest reason the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. He deserves all the praise he is getting.

Never Easy Being A Canucks Fan

I told everyone I know (and everybody in British Columbia listening on CBC radio) that I would cry at some point during game 7.

I was hoping it would be tears of joy for after clinching a Vancouver Stanley Cup championship, but it was not to be. But I was also surprisingly calm at the end of the game and through the Boston Bruins celebrations. Maybe it was because the outcome was evident in the second period, but the devastation I expected to feel did not immediately come, either.

But I did cry. I unsuccessfully fought the tears back as long as I could as the Canucks players first entered the game to their customary U2 entrance music. I guess I just knew how the story was going to end. That was probably why I was such a nervous wreck all day long. Blinded by the passionate fan inside of me, I put on my bravest face forward (and bravest voice on the radio) and said that the Canucks would prevail. I really, really wanted to believe. But deep down, I guess I just knew. It always ends this way.

This is what it is like to be a Canucks fan. When you watch as much as hockey, and as much Canucks as I do, you've seen the story before. You never fully believe. There are so many more downs than ups. And the few ups that there have been over the years, turn into disappointment by the end. It is not easy to be a Canucks fan. We've seen the story time and time again. You come to just expect it. 41 years now. And I'm not quite sure why we keep coming back.

Everyone says the sting of this defeat will give way eventually. I'm not so sure. The implications of this loss are immense and potentially fascinating.

For all the greatness this team and these players have shown in the past couple of years, their legacy in Vancouver was very probably set with this loss. The heroes, rightly or wrongly, will be vilified. Unlike in years past, disappointment will linger. In 1982 and 1994 we could take pride in their underdog efforts. But the  2011 team, burdened by the highest of expectations, will be remembered for failing, even though they came oh so close.

Pucks On The 'Net: Game Seven

Game Seven. The sweetest words in all of sports. Although I am not certain Canucks fans can stand it this time around. Why must the Canucks torture us so often?

History and home ice are on the Vancouver Canucks side. Most of the series statistics and all of the swagger (and some will say the officials, too) are on the Boston Bruins side.

Despite the injuries, despite the officiating, I'm still thinking Vancouver can win. I notice that I am not saying Vancouver will win. The Boston Bruins have beat them up badly. Everything seems to be going against the Canucks. And the pressure is immense. But here they are, on the verge of greatness. Even though Tim Thomas seems destined to snatch it away.

I am hoping that the bad taste that is in all of the fans mouths after game 6 resonates with the Canucks players so badly that they realize how awful that feels, too. And that they do not want to have that feeling all summer long. Hopefully that will motivate them enough to persevere through the pain and injustices and get the job done on Wednesday night.

This has been perhaps the most bizarre series in the history of the Stanley Cup. The home ice advantages. The poor officiating. The dirty animosity and the casting of villains. The Jekyll and Hyde goaltending of Roberto Luongo. The struggling Sedin Twins. The ineffectiveness of Ryan Kesler. And, in what I believe is the key problem for Vancouver, the complete disappearance of the Canucks power play.

For all the wackiness of the 2011 Stanley Cup, the defining moment of this series has not yet come. That defining moment will come in game 7. Someone will be the hero. Someone will be the goat. Careers and legacies will be defined. The fallout, either way, will be fascinating.

Yes, the Stanley Cup will be awarded on Wednesday. But ultimately so much more is on the line.

Here's some Pucks On The 'Net:

• This will be the 16th Game 7 in a Stanley Cup Final. The home team has posted a 12-3 record in the 15 previous games. The Canucks have made one appearance, dropping a 3-2 decision to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in 1994. The Bruins have never contested a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final.
  
• Of the 15 game 7s in SCF history, 7 have been decided by 1G, 3 shutouts, 2 games went into OT
  
• Including all preliminary series, the Canucks are 6-4 in playoff game 7s in history. The Bruins are 11-10.
• Canadian teams hosting a game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final are 4-0.
• The Boston Bruins join the 1993 Toronto Maple Leafs and 2002 Colorado Avalanche as the only teams to play in three game 7s in the same playoffs. Toronto and Colorado both lost in their respective Conference Championship.
  
• Roberto Luongo's career game 7 stats: 2-0, 0.96 GAA and .962 save %
  
• Tim Thomas' career game 7 stats: 2-2, 2.50 GAA and .917 save %
  
• Canucks best performers in game 7s: Henrik Sedin (5GP) 2 goals, 2 assists; Daniel Sedin (5GP) 2 assists; Alex Burrows (2GP) 2 goals.
• Max Lapierre is a perfect 4-0 in game 7s.
• Bruins best performers in game 7s: Mark Recchi (10GP) 3 goals, 4 assists; Milan Lucic (5GP) 3 goals, 1 assist, Andrew Ference (8GP) 1 goal, 3 assists.
• Zdeno Chara is 2-5 in 7 career game 7s.

Remember to enjoy the moment everybody.

Pucks On The 'Net is sponsored by Amazon.ca