Hockey Whooha

With

Wingnut

Of

Pepee's Pornn Palace

The Race Is On

Yes sir, it's that time of year. Conference Finals, the last leg of a long journey to the Stanley Cup Finals. This year is proving to be one of the best in a long time. For the true Hockey fan a long 7 game series is the absolute finest. It doesn't matter if your favorite team is still in it or not, it's about the game.

It would shock me if both the East and West series don't go to 7 games. Of the five games played so far three have been decided in overtime. With plenty of unsung heroes showing up and winning games. The superstars have been there also, but it has been those third and fourth line players that have been making the difference. The true sign of championship teams is getting results from everyone, even the guys who are not expected to score.

Lets take a look at the two series and where they are headed and where they have been.

EASTERN CONFERENCE As of 5-21-02
Rank	Team	Wins
3	CAROLINA	2
4	TORONTO	1

In the East race, Carolina has pulled out some intense games with back to back overtime wins in games 2 and three. Toronto looked great in game one and have not played bad in games two or three, but were without coach Pat Quinn who was hospitalized after game two after having chest pains. He is expected to be release from the hospital today and hopes to return for game 4.

The much hyped West race between Detroit and Colorado has been a great series so far, even though much of the media are wondering where all the "greatness" is. Maybe they were mad because they couldn't get tickets .. shrug. This series is dead even right now with both teams taking a win. Colorado picked up game 2 in overtime when Chris Drury put a nifty move past Dominik Hasek. This series has been a pleasure to watch as there has been much less grabbing and holding and more skating (the way the game is meant to be played). Even with 6 plus future hall of fame players on the ice at the same time, it has proven to be the lesser know players getting the job done. Darren McCarty tallied his first ever hat trick in game one, which won the game for the Wings. Another player that fans have to sit in awe of is Steve Yzerman, his pain threshold is beyond any person I have ever seen. His knee is in such bad shape the surgery he will have in the off season will keep him out much of the following season, but he keeps on going, and going and going.

All in the name of Lord Stanley's Cup ..

Keep your stick on the ice and put the puck on the net.

Wingnut

WESTERN CONFERENCE As of 5-21-02
Rank	Team	Wins
1	DETROIT	1
2	COLORADO	1