and they also can't spell pronounce.
Your market comparisons aren't even close to my point. Who fucking cares how much a single game ticket costs in Detroit or Toronto? Think about the differences in the markets. Of course a market with a long, solid history of hockey is going to net more money per seat than a market that is burgeoning. That there is a pretty rock-solid "duh". My point is, I'm pretty sure that I can't come up with $600 in less than 10 days. And I'm pretty sure that a whole family will be even harder pressed to come up with 3 or 4 large in that same time frame*. Again, the Canes fanbase isn't made up of Ford execs or whatever middle managers run Toronto corporations. They are made up of IT dorks, cable TV installers, construction site managers, CPAs and communications majors at NC State. Among others of course. And that is exactly my point. We're regular Joes that love our Canes, but we also have to pay the mortgage/rent. We're not expensing it for our clientelle. I understand that the organization wants to take advantage of a great situation that they find themselves in right now. The problem is that they seem to be doing it at the expense of their fanbase. There's going to be a short term monetary gain, but this might be in exchange for a long term loss. If we don't ante up for the last two rounds, we lose our claim to our seats that we have had for a very long time now. Even during the cellar dweller days. Long term loyalty is being spent for short term cash. I'm afraid that I'm still not making any sense. And for that, I'm sorry. Just humor me while I vent my spleen. This is the last I'll say on this matter. I'm sure that by 2:00PM Saturday, I'll be feeling much different about this, but until then, I'm going to feel like I swallowed a brick. I knew I should've eaten my 100 black eyed peas this past January 1st. * - You have seen how badly the average American family is in debt, right?
I would like to turn to the wisdom of Dany Heatley's words spoken during an Ottawa-Buffalo game earlier this season:
"It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this ... yah! Alright! Booyah! ... They're trying to be aggressive, we should pick 'em apart ... It's not fair, it's just not fair. How can he do that, eh? We're gonna get eight tonight."
(1) Ottawa vs (4) Buffalo Buffalo is a good team, a very good team, but they play the same fast gunning style as Ottawa, and Ottawa dominates teams that try to skate with them. Dominates. Buffalo doesn't have the D to keep up. If you like odd-man rushes, this'll be the series to watch. So unless Lindy Ruff manages to get some sort of great containment system in place, this series is going to be a quick
Ottawa in 5. (2) Carolina vs (3) New Jersey WTF is New Jersey's problem? Lose, already!
New Jersey in 7. (5) San Jose vs (8) Edmonton It'll be closer than people think, but I think San Jose's scoring depth will be able to overwhelm Edmonton.
San Jose in 6. (6) Anaheim vs (7) Colorado Colorado has wily veterans and streaky goaltending. Anaheim has Jeff Friesen. No contest.
Anaheim in 5.Lawn Guylanders pronoce it "joisey," and that's good enough for me.
Buffalo > Ottawa (6) New Jersey > Carolina (4) Edmonton > San Jose (6) Anaheim > Colorado (5) So I have a sweep, and Edmonton. What else you got for me, SpoFi?
qbert, you really think the devils are gonna sweep or is it just wishful thinking that you're going to get to see the clincher next saturday?
I think it's the most likely series for a sweep, yes. And I need to be contrarian if I'm to go up in the standings.
Yeesh, what a whiney prick. I'm sorry guys 'n gals. Pantheon, could you please delete my bitching? I need to spend my day paying attention to something real. Again, I'm sorry.
NoMich, no apologies necessary. I totally see where you're coming from.
No way - keep the bitching! NoMich, figures and jealous Canadians aside - you're getting hosed, dude. That's total bullshit; jacking prices mid-playoff is tres Leafs of them.
So, NoMich, did you suggest that if you don't pony up for the hiked price playoff tickets that you lose your claim on your season's tickets next year? Though I can see some logic in that it would sure suck to be in that position. So people in Jersey don't say Joisey. May I can also point out never having met a Canadian that says "aboot". The pronounciation might be somehow different than the typical American way to say about, but it certainly ain't the oo sound in my experience, despite the stereotype.
You Canadians don't have beedy little eyes and floppy heads do you? 
This guy is the one I remember saying "aboot". Isn't he Irish or something? 
EAST (1) Ottawa vs. (4) Buffalo Ottawa is my favorite for the Cup now. Miller is going to falter under the Sens' offensive juggernaut (man I always wanted to use that in a sentence!). Ottawa in 6.
(2) Carolina vs. (3) New Jersey This should be a great series. Carolina is not going to be able to solve Brodeur in time to save their asses. Devils in 7.
WEST (5) San Jose vs. (8) Edmonton Damn you, Edomonton! Damn you to hell!!! San Jose in 6.
(6) Anaheim vs. (7) Colorado Theodore will choke under the pressure and get replaced, but it will be too late. Anaheim in 5.
My picks -- East Ottawa in 7 New Jersey in 6 West San Jose in 6 Colorado in 6.
Wingnut I must admit that even if the Wings had beaten Edmonton in six games I think they may have ended up losing to San Jose.
Et tu, YYM?
May I can also point out never having met a Canadian that says "aboot". The pronounciation might be somehow different than the typical American way to say about, but it certainly ain't the oo sound in my experience, despite the stereotype. Correct. The pronounciation is like "a boat", not "a boot".
It may be spelled "about", but it's pronounced "throatwarbler mangrove".
It's all Canadian to me...
Sincerely, Mr. Luxuryyacht.
West San Jose in 6 Anaheim in 6 East Ottawa in 5 New Jersey in 6
West San Jose in 7 Anahiem in 7 East Sabres in 7 Devils in 5
Holy shit. 3:20 in and it's 2-1 Ottawa already?
Yeah, wtf? I started watching the game 5 minutes in, thinking I haven't missed anything -- and there already were 3 goals. This is going to be a fun series.
This is very fun to watch. Is campfire still working?
yup!
must bookmark campfire. had to google it to find it again.
Okay, here's what I'm thinking: Ottawa's defense looked crappy. Emery looked crappy. Normally no problem; they've coming off a long rest and there's obviously a lot of rust. Hopefully Murray works them hard at practice this weekend to get rid of it. However: Emery is a notoriously streaky goaltender, and there is every reason to believe that he won't be able to shake off the rust. So we have two possiblities here: Ottawa and Emery regain their footing and win 4 straight to take the series in 5.Emery collapses and Ottawa gets swept.Sweep or Ottawa in five. There is no middle ground.
Oh lord. You could not conceive of a worse ending to a game than that. Emery needs to be better, but to be fair, I thought most of the goals were the fault of bad defensive play by the forwards. What happened to Ottawa's vaunted two-way game? Two shorthanded two-on-one goals? Cripes. I could shit. I really could.
Truly an amazingly entertaining game. Goals here, goals there! Maybe you're saying: "Where was the defense?" Know what? Shut your talkhole, stupid! Who cares! That was tons of fun! As a fan of neither team, I enjoyed watching every goal. This game should be the poster child for the "new NHL". You know, if the game was like a child, I mean. And if it was a child, I think it would be The Child Inside all of Us. USA! USA! USA! Potvin Sucks! Man, I need another drink.
That game was awesome. I saw the first period, missed all of the second save for the goal to make it 4-4. Missed the goal to put Ottawa up 5-4, was hoping for the tying goal so that I could enjoy some OT, Buffalo got it late! but then Ottawa scored to go up (Smolinski looking soooo smug)! BUT THEN Buffalo scored to tie it at 6. I was thrilled. OT was there for me to watch! but I was out of the room on spofi campfire when the period started and missed the goal. hockey gods! why do you torment me!
Remember when I said the over/under was about 7 goals a game? I really meant 7 goals a game per team. That last minute and a half may have been the craziest thing I've seen since Calgary scored 3 goals in the final minute to beat the Quebec Nordiques (in a regular season game) back in late 80s/early 90s.
What a crazy game tonight in Ottawa (Defense, what's that?). And Bryzgalov gets his second straight shutout for Anaheim (Giguere who?). For those of you in the confidence pool, here is the updated leaderboard.
If some kind soul would point me in the direction of Campfire I would appriciate it. Lost my way and cant get back. Thanks
http://spofi.campfirenow.com/
NoMich, this link is especially for you and all Canes fans.
mkn: I just looked at the leaderboard, and I noticed that my picks are not what they are supposed to be. I picked SJ, Col, NJ, Buff, but the leaderboard shows me with different selections.
I noticed that the leaderboard indicates that I picked NJ over Edmonton.
I noticed that the leaderboard shows how much of an idiot I am...
Fuck it. I became a hockey fan in 2001 after a lifetime of indifference. If my team's going to be as indifferent as I was before hockey, I'm no longer a fan. In brighter news, Lyle Overbay just hit a first-inning grand slam against the A's!
Jesus God. This is painful.
I think I need to get into basketball, at least the Nets have won a game in the second round.
DJE, are you in a large minority up in Canada when it comes to your sports preference (baseball over hockey) and do the Blue Jays have wide spread popularity outside of Ontario or is the rest of Canada indifferent towards baseball? One more question an old high school chum of mine is direcotr of league operations for MLL and he told me lacrosse is the real Canadian national sport, is this true?
Succa - I feel you, homie. I (despite my Leafs tried and true allegiance) have really enjoyed the Sens this year and love the brand of hockey they play. I cannot believe I found myself cheering for them yesterday when Spezza scored with a miunte left and I cannot believe how bummed I am that they lost. So I think there's the culprit. The Leaf fan cheering for the Sens throws the universe out of whack and Buffalo wins. Sorry. Hater - lacrosse was the official national sport of Canada for most of it's history (learned it from them injuns), but I think now today we recognize two national sports. And the Blue Jays have a good following throughout many parts of Canada (mostly the East because of time zones) and the fans are just as hardcore, loyal and knowledgable as any. DJE is very much a minority for liking baseball better than hockey. Baseball is my #2 (but was my #1 as a kid).
I'm a minority in my country because I like hockey more than baseball and football put together.
Cheers, Weedy. This is probably the last year you'll see the Sens in their current form (it's the 94 Expos all over again! Whee!). I'm the only person that thinks the problem is behind the bench. Murray is not the right guy for this squad. But it won't matter, since Chara, Havlat, and one of Heatley, Spezza, or Alfredsson, will be gone next year. Muckler may go after a goalie, but I doubt they'll get anyone who is measurably better than Emery.
I'm a minority in my country because I like hockey more than baseball and football put together. Congratulations! You're honorary Canadian package is in the mail. It contains an orange road hockey ball, a Todd Gill hockey card from 1989, 350ml of the finest Quebec maple syrup (and an empirical to metric conversion chart), a coupon for a free double-double from Tim Horton's (with roll-up the rim), a Trailer Park Boys DVD, The Tragically Hip greatest hits collection and 648 beers (assorted Molson, Labatt and others). Also - one pack of DuMaurier's. Smokes - let's go.
You had me up to the Tragically Hip CD. The beers almost got me back on track. I suppose, however, I could always use the CD as coaster. Back in the mid-'90s, I seriously considered moving to Canada. I did some research and I concluded that they wouldn't take my only two years of college having ass, so I gave up on that notion. Also, at the time, I was a merely a [St]inko's employee.
I do own every Rush LP, have an autographed copy of Cerecus #1, have seen every episode of You Can't Do That On Televison (even the shitty ones after Moose left) I drink Molsen XXX and piss out coors light and I play roller hockey with a puck, not no silly ball, seriously what cool sports use a ball.
Road hockey is a completely different sport. It requires a orange ball, pillow and deeply bruised shins. You had me up to the Tragically Hip CD. The beers almost got me back on track. I suppose, however, I could always use the CD as coaster. Look, the package has the CD in it, I don't make the rules, the Hip is Canadian, they sing about hockey and flowers and winter and shit. It is what it is. Actually, I dig the Hip and hate the Molsons. So, there's that.
My guilty Canadian pleasure BNL. What is so maybe about Katie anyway.
You had me up to the Tragically Hip CD. The beers almost got me back on track. I suppose, however,I could always use the CD as coaster. Wars have started for lesser comments...
Actually down here in the States, we use the red ball. The orange ball is for cold weather, or was that the green one? Shit, I forget. Man its been way too long since I've played.
We need a spofi roller hockey game, although it probably break down to a lot of drinking and illicit narcotics use. I know I can't lace up the skates without a nice pull off of 'ol Johnny Wetknuckles.
It seems that there should be a way to replace the Tragically Hip CD with Hank Snow's 1950s discography. That would go along with the beer so much better. Probably the Trailer Park Boys DVD as well. DOA would be a good replacement too.
OK, I found my balls. The green one glows in the dark.
The original "no bounce" hockey ball No bounce my ass. These balls get hard as a rock in winter temperature. They bounce like any other ball and sting like hell when a slapper catches you on the thigh.
Sorry, HATER, I had to take a little time off this thread as I contemplated my possible hockey retirement. Although Weedy's done a great job of answering for me. I am indeed in a minority, largely due to growing up in Windsor, ON when the Leafs/Wings sucked and the Tigers/Jays were hot and in the pennant races every year. I was the only Jays fan on my block, preparing me well for the life of a Sens fan in Toronto. The Blue Jays definitely have strong pockets of support across the country, but it's not a national fixation or anything. Succa: I'm with you on Murray. He's a decent enough coach, I guess, but he's not right for this team at all. These guys always seem to do a great job of tuning the coach out and playing only when they want to, not when they need to. What they need is a strict taskmaster like Brent Sutter.
it's the 94 Expos all over again! Whee! Don't you dare compare this year's Senators to the '94 Expos. The Expos didn't even get a chance to choke in the postseason.
I just hope you stick with us DJE. If anyone feels your pain when it comes to their suck ass choke artist team its me. As far as abandoning a sport all together I dropped the NBA for three years after the Reggie Miller Incident. My grandmother wouldn't let me watch B-ball after all the damage I caused in the house.
...growing up in Windsor, ON when the Leafs/Wings sucked and the Tigers/Jays were hot and in the pennant races every year. I was the only Jays fan on my block, preparing me well for the life of a Sens fan in Toronto. So, I'm guessing that 1987 was not a good year to be a Blue Jays fans right across the river from Detroit. Aside: Windsor, hey? Whenever there was a band to see in Detroit, my buddies and I would get there early and go to Windsor to pick up cases of Molson Brador. I liked Windsor.
Brador, la plus que bire.
That must be NoMich over on the left, there.
Man, I wish! That guy is hawt!
http://mike.n0wak.com/spofi/ garfield has taken the lead, with 9 out of 11 correct picks!
w00t!
Oh man...if Edmonton wins the series, I'll be trailing the fucking monkey. And she didn't even pick the number of games for each series! *sob*
The fact that I'm beating all but one of the "experts" shows how much they know.
I may actually go 0-fer in this round. w00t?
atleast you get to move to Austin.
Where's round 3's thread? I'm taking Edmonton and Carolina, both in 6.
