NHL

Canadiens Create Magic in a Year of Cultural Feats, Montreal Now Favorite

by Josh Dhani on May 13, 2010


This has been a hockey postseason of the unprecedented and miraculous feats, with the audacity of Canada’s emergence in the NHL to renew a cultural event north of the border. The sport originated in Canada, a prominent atmosphere where the masses are entertained and embraces a thrilling game played on thick layers of ice.

There’s no doubt the homeland is worshipping an astounding moment, a showpiece accomplished brilliantly by the Montreal Canadiens. Who believed that a hockey franchise from the native country would stun the world with its surging dominance in the unfriendly confines at hostile venues, where the Canadiens forced two Game Sevens in two different series? Who would bet an eight-seeded team, raising its notability and declaring admiration for a star-studded performance in two series, while wooing us that winning the Stanley Cup is possible?

Upon glancing at the serious, cohesive, and tough-driven Canadiens, they are currently forging a radiant dream in Canada. Once again, an inexplicable dream transformed into legitimacy, and presented the parallels of Team Canada’s stunning gold medal win at the Vancouver Games over two months ago. That wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. This wasn’t supposed to happen either, but it did.

The NHL playoffs were thrilled to intrigue the hearts of the casual fan and revive a defaced sport in a patriotic nation, overly obsessed with and fond of football and basketball. The cultural standpoints of hockey is an emotional and physical game, known for the high-intense drama and adrenaline rush, known for the physical knockouts and exchanged dukes whenever a player is irritated of the hard hits or high-sticking.

Basically, hockey is experiencing a Canadian dream, all emerging in a year Canada reclaims a sport the homeland originated and taught kids how to compete with cohesiveness, tenacity and physicality—a few elements the Canadiens brought to our attention when they faced off against Washington in the first round and then the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern semifinals. Their instincts were simply impressive, shocking all populace with an eye-opener of defeats. You grasped that Montreal’s psyche was underestimated with the massive size and experience of talented franchises it had to face.

But it turns out that the Canadiens were the unbeatable and challenging team in these playoffs after all, this time dethroning the defending champs with a 5-2 win in Pittsburgh of Game Seven on Wednesday and ultimately clinched a berth to the Eastern Conference Finals. How is this possible?

The Canadiens challenged the Penguins’ tactics with strategic mind games and were successful of minimizing reliance. As a result, it was the second time in their 100-year history that Montreal won consecutive seven-game series in the same postseason. This year alone, the Canadiens were vulnerable of futility and a first-round ouster, before their ultimate effort diverted much assumption that any other team could be honored with the Stanley Cup.

And ever since stunning the Capitals and now the Penguins, the Canadiens are suddenly the elite franchise to survive and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. It’s normal to suggest that this is a wonderful tale being written in the recent chapter of the underdogs. As it stands, they’ve defied the logic of heavyweights by coming to life when it matters, understanding the importance of excelling against the top-of-the-line teams and surmounted to greatness.

In theory, a dynasty was anticipated by the Penguins after winning its first title since the ’92 season, with a world-class superstar and virtuous leader in Crosby, who has knowledge for the game and is exceptional in the sport he engaged in. He has accomplished individual achievements at a very young age, something rarely seen at the premature stages of a career. He was known for receiving the nod, but now it’s the Canadiens getting the praise, particularly goalie Jaroslav Halak, faced with the toughest assignment by protecting the net, stopped the pucks shot in his direction and accumulated a large total of saves.


It figured the Canadiens are very difficult to terminate from contention, as Halak continues his sheer dominance in front of the nets. It’s likely impossible to slide a shot by him, when he faces 40 shots or more. He’s a durable goalie at the right time, defending his domain better than any goaltender in the postseason after shutting down Alex Ovechkin and Crosby. Early on, he was near-perfect in saves and saw 21 shots in two periods, and unfortunately, the Penguins never had an answer to give the Canadians an unsympathetic fight.

Even though they cut into the deficit and scored twice in the second half, it wasn’t enough to rally back late in front of an ecstatic crowd that suddenly sat quietly when Montreal persistently fired shots and extended the lead. At times, Pittsburgh was as cold as a normal Penguin. And deep into the postseason, the Canadiens can beat any team after playing superb defense and firing shots against the defending champs. If you beat the defending champs, who else is there to beat?

The imagery here defines the best team in hockey. There was Brian Gionta setting the tone early with a shot to score on a critical goal, Dominic Moore scored minutes later for the second on crafty turnaround shot and Mike Cammalleri, who is the hottest player in the postseason, scored his seventh goal of the series and extended the lead to three when Chris Kunitz forced a turnover.

Best of all, he taunted and pulverized the Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. All of a sudden, he collapsed and played inconsistently allowing too many shots and reminded us of stumbles last postseason in the earlier rounds. Cammalleri was quicker than most defenders and attacked in an onslaught inside the Penguins zone, finishing for his playoff-leading 12th goal.

Ten seconds into the game, Crosby sat in the penalty box after he was whistled for boarding. And from there, watched hopes degenerate of emerging as NHL’s first back-to-back Stanley Cup champs in years, victimized of the Canadiens’ pressure. They pressured the Penguins, and were able to shut down a ferocious franchise. Even a relentless comeback fell apart, when they fell behind four goals, not even was Evgeni Malkin or Crosby factors and weren’t valuable or active within a critical contest.

And amazingly, Halak was untested and effortlessly controlled the nets with his pivotal saves, a primary essential in the first series against Washington when he clearly agitated and halted Ovechkin. The lackluster performance killed Pittsburgh when it turned over the puck 14 times and had another six stripped.

There was no dynasty writing greatness, but a miracle writing a magical story in sports. All praise goes to Montreal, the newest and cutest hockey tale. We now can remove the underdog tag and realize this isn’t a mirage, but a team built for destruction and dramatic finishes, prevailing on the biggest stage of a best-of-seven series.

“We played Washington, we were supposed to get killed, we played these guys, we were supposed to get killed, it’s just nice to be part of a team that gets it done,” said defenseman Hal Gill.

While most of the world expected a duel between Crosby and Ovechkin, the Canadiens revealed defensive toughness, a well-known trademark and a useful element for prevailing in the spotlight.

“Nobody has given us a chance so it’s a lot of fun to be a part of this,” Cammalleri said. “There’s something pretty special going on here.”

It’s a wonderful Canadian story.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Love or Hate, Boo or Kiss: Titletown Rules In Philly

by Josh Dhani on October 21, 2009

Welcome to Philly, the city of Brotherly Love.

Wait, the city of Brotherly Love, not after the year of 1968 when they booed Santa Claus, becoming notorious for their infamous boos among four major pro sports teams. Fans booed merely anyone who underachieves or criticizes their city and even their own teams.

At halftime of the Philadelphia Eagles game, Philly fans’ booed and hurled snowballs at St. Nick on a snowy day at Franklin Field and watched the last-place Philadelphia Eagles finish the season 2-12, losing to Minnesota. In today’s era, Philly fans’ continues to lack some class. When dislikable athletes remains healthy, they’ll shout out disgruntled boos.

For example, former Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia absorbed a couple of hits that made him daze and confuse, when fans were apparently upset after not getting injured badly. For maintaining good health, it drew booes, as ungenerous Philly devotees badly wished Garcia suffered severe injuries to be replaced by their backup quarterback A.J. Feely.

There have been a number of athletes who have faced scrutiny and criticism, obviously Donovan McNabb’s name is mentioned as a primary target of criticism, getting booed for inconsistency. As a response, he sorely ripped Philly fans, and referred to them as ungrateful supporters when he brought much to the Philly organization.

Notice, you are described as the City of Ungratefully Love and the City that Booed Santa. But, at the same time, fans who craves back-to-back triumph with another championship banner. It’s well-deserving for a town, embracing and explicating true sporting passion. And lately the feverish crowd has been lovely and loyal to the Philadelphia Phillies.

A town filled with pride and dignity, is known for the Liberty Bell, known for Rocky climbing the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Arts, and known for Philly cheesesteak eateries at nearly every corner.

Last year, it was a town known for its reprehensible championship droughts. For the first time since the 76ers won the NBA championship in 1983, a major franchise in Philadelphia won a title.

Teams in all four major sporting leagues had at least a championship appearance in this century, but failed winning a championship in 100 consecutive seasons. That was suddenly snapped when the Phillies dominated and shocked the world, ending an atrocious drought. Once again, the frenzied citizens have something worth celebrating after the Phillies are en route to make its second World Series appearance.

Unstoppable dominance absolutely has removed memories of a 15-year relapse. As usual, the Phillies are the closet major pro sports team to maintain poise and uplift humanity. Just a year ago, clinching a title restored joy back in a town, where fans supported its major sporting teams through fragile times.

But now, the hangover is over, as a double dose of glory reappears in what is considered to be the greatest championship appearance in history. The 76ers and Eagles were the last two teams to come close at winning it all.

First, the Sixers advanced to the 2001 NBA finals, a sensational playoff run, led by Allen Iverson. But the run ended in five games against the dominant Los Angeles Lakers. Then, McNabb led the underdog Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2004 against New England, losing a heartbreaker on the grandest stage. Following a downfall, they came close to making a Super Bowl appearance in 2002, when they played Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship.

But unfortunately, the Buccaneers’ defense played superb and shocked the Eagles for the win. Before that, the Philadelphia Flyers loss to New Jersey in 2000 after having a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. The Devils won the game late in Game 7, breaking the hearts of a championship-starved town.

Although booing all four of their major pro sports teams, still the loyal crowd deeply falls in love with all four of their major pro sports teams. They aren’t booing now, but are cheering, eager to witness another championship before the century comes to a closure.

Yet again, the Phillies gives a die-hard community opportunities to hold a long-awaited parade down Broad Street, where fans will show aggressively cheer proudly without needing boos as a message to mend its performance level. Yes, a rowdy bunch booed teams before at games and after games.

Usually, when fans boo teams, it’s true signs of love. After all, it’s the City of Brotherly Love.

The best sports fans in America, I might add.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Say It Ain’t So: Why Professional Sports Are Manipulated

by Josh Dhani on May 28, 2009

Written by Graham Brunell

After a 61-foul (including two technicals and a flagrant) NBA Playoff game (3) between the Cavaliers and Magic, I felt I had to bring up a somewhat touchy point — the possibility of altered outcomes in professional sports.

The definition of physical in sports these days is not what it used it be… to say the least. Referees, umpires, you name it, they are all eager to blow the whistle or issue a warning whether the intention was there or not. The amount of fouls in today’s NBA is nothing short of horrendous (as shown in the example above), as well as the amount of fouls, ejections, etc. It all depends on the sport being played.

After the conviction of NBA referee Tim Donaghy (found guilty of gambling on NBA games), there has been a lot of suspicion throughout the Association. After an altercation between NBA referee Joey Crawford and Tim Duncan, many people surmised that he could have been one of the gambling officials in the league.

Another example: the game 6 battle between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings in the 2002 WCFs was perhaps one of the worst officiated games ever in the history of professional sports. The Lakers shot 27 free throws in the fourth quarter, something that would have put them on pace for 108 free throws if they began the game like that. Donaghy told the media that two of the three referees participating in that game 6 called fouls in favor of L.A. to send the series to a game 7, a game that was eventually won by the Lakers.

Another example (although this one was undoubtedly manipulated either in exchange for a reward or because the umpire was instructed to do so by the league)…

During game 2 of the 2005 ALCS between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, there was a critical and possibly even series-changing call. White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzinski was at the plate with two outs and the game tied 1-1. Angels relief pitcher Kelvim Escobar threw what was apparently a “very low” splitter to Pierzinski, who had swung at a pitch that everyone thought had ended the game.

However umpire Doug Eddings had thought that the ball was not caught by catcher Josh Paul, and hadn’t clearly signaled that the play resulted in a no-catch. Pierzinski then ran to first as the Angels walked off the field thinking they had won the game, and as the batter reached first base, the umpire had called him safe. Here’s Eddings after the game, in an attempt to clarify his actions during the at-bat.

“My interpretation is that was my ‘strike three’ mechanic, when it’s a swinging strike. If you watch, that’s what I do the whole entire game. … I did not say ‘No catch.’ If you watch the play, you do watch me — as I’m making the mechanic, I’m watching Josh Paul, and so I’m seeing what he’s going to do. I’m looking directly at him while I’m watching Josh Paul. That’s when Pierzynski ran to first base.”

So you call strike three… but you don’t mean strike three. That… sounds a little fishy. But maybe it’s just me.

Since this is a Celtics blog, I’ll give you a quick example most of you may recall from last year’s NBA Eastern Conference Finals. During the final game (6) of the Eastern Conference Finals between the C’s and the hated Detroit Pistons, there were a few calls that made me raise my eyebrows. But there was one call so ridiculous that I couldn’t help but jump out of my seat. During a crucial part of the game, Paul Pierce had sunken a three-pointer while being rushed out to by a Pistons defender. However, Pierce not only made the three, but knocked it down despite conspicuous contact between the Pistons defender and Pierce.

To put it simply, the defender basically sprinted towards Pierce, rose up into the air, and hacked at the basketball. Pierce then proceeded to fall backwards, stumbling in the direction of the scorers table. What happened next however, was the real surprise. The referee (Bennett Salvatore) called an OFFENSIVE foul on Pierce, and took away what I thought was going to be an easy four-point play. He’s lucky the C’s won that game, or I would have wrote a letter to the league demanding a punishment for Salvatore.

But that was not the only negative feelings I would have about Salvatore. In future games when Salvatore was part of the crew of officials, it seemed that Salvatore would not cut Pierce any slack, and anyone paying attention to the game could sense Salvatore’s obvious disfavoring for Pierce.

And it’s not just the games. It is projects or activities that take place outside of the exhibitions. During the Mitchell Report (a set of inspectors MLB commissioner Bud Selig hired to convict the performance-enhancing drug users of the league), an innumerable amount of players were humiliated and recognized as players who had tarnished the game because of their drug use. George Mitchell, the man running this operation, was employed by the Boston Red Sox in the past. Isn’t it strange that no Red Sox players that were presently part of the team in that year were found guilty? Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like a coincidence.

After a few examples, I wanted to inform you of a difference in my word choice when giving my personal take on this topic. Notice I’ve been using the word manipulated, and not “fixed” or “rigged.” Why? Because although fixing a game may involve money or other temptations to lead an official to potentially blow the game, “fixed” also requires the specific game to be altered because of peer pressure. Manipulating a game can bring up many more possibilities. For example, let’s say an official has a disliking for another player, coach, and although rare, an entire team. He/she changes the course of the game to the best of his abilities not because of a temptation or pressure from peers, but purely because he/she was not fond of the player/coach/team.

The worst part is, it may not be manipulated. Surprising huh? Well here’s why: if the referees had truly intended to legally call all 61 fouls in game 3, then sports have officially gone soft. There’s really no way around it.

So what are your thoughts? Are professional sports manipulated?

Readers: please keep in mind that his was in no way suggesting that all professional leagues are manipulated, and in no way was it saying that all games had been altered.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Crosby greater than game, Penguins attracts

by Josh Dhani on May 14, 2009


Four months ago, the Steelers clinched a record-setting six Super Bowl victories. The passionate sporting town was known as Steel City, and still prefers that name as the town will always embrace football. But the calendar says May, which means football is out of season until September, which is four months looming. But now, the non-stop talk in town isn’t Ben Roethlisberger’s captivating throw to Santonio Holmes for a classical game-winning catch.

People are buzzing about Sid the Kid and the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL’s most captivating hockey team to witness arguably the greatest player of our time since Wayne Gretzky. Not only the greatest superstar to bring life to an ailing sport, but the greatest rivalry to magnetize and embracing two eminence superstars that introduces stardom as much as the Steelers have done. Having populace admire players such as Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin chances the complexion of a sport in which they have certainly done, felicitating sports followers. In this case it isn’t about hockey, but about embracing high-action packed drama, thrilling templates in today’s sports culture.

In Game 7, the 21-year old made a scene on the national stage, noticeably as much as Big Ben, a Super Bowl icon who shares some of that spotlight with Crosby, a Canadian bred on quest for his first Stanley Cup, in a town that has converted from steel into frozen ice to witness the Igloo present new life of NHL’s main attraction and menacingly the league’s Michael Jordan. He’s not nearly a comparison to Gretzky, and in fact he’s the greatest player to emerge in the history of the league on such a quick notice, accomplishing landmarks that not even Gretzky was able to reach at such a young age. Remember, this is only Crosby’s third year and in that span he has already been named team captain, becoming the youngest to lead among peers, known as Pittsburgh’s charismatic leader.


By virtue, the presence of Crosby emerged more than leadership. It has immersed amused fans, willing to relish an ailing sport and create a positive bias on an unimportant foreign creation. Witnessing a dramatic superstar or two for that matter is amply gratifying of rejuvenating the inferior NHL, which endears masses, caring more for alluring spectacles and breathtaking moments, other than boredom. At least until now, in the postseason, nothing has being boring, if anything it’s being an addiction for more extravaganza liveliness that Crosby proffered since making his debut, alongside Washington’s antagonist Ovechkin, a showdown never experience when Gretzky or Mario Lemieux worshiped stardom, two studs that posed as idols in their prime.

Now, its Crosby’s and Ovechkin’s turn to translate a bitter rivalry, a scene of epic classics and electrifying city consciousness to rename Pittsburgh when the calendar says mid May to Igloo City, at least the nickname of the Mellon Center suggests it is a proper name. Not only Steelers Country, but Crosby’s Country, where he has lifted spirit to a new level as the Penguins continuously storm to new heights, looming ever closer to a Stanley Cup trophy as Crosby and young-rising 19-year old Jordan Staal could become the youngest in history to participate in the Finals, since the scoring-threat Lemieux led Pittsburgh to back-to-back titles in the early ‘90’s. Since NHL’s crestfallen player’s lockout, they are the hottest team in the postseason, with an overwhelming and convincing 23-15 record, championship caliber prosperity that prolonged when the Penguins clinched the uttermost engaging series and indicated much optimism in the sport with an insecure status.

Well, not as long as there’s an eventful rivalry that interest us, such as Crosby vs. Ovechkin to earn immeasurable plaudits as one of the greatest sporting duels in the history of sports. But sooner than later, it had to come to an end in which only one was allowed to prevail as a legitimate winner. Still, it was a rivalry we craved, wishing for more amusing epic clashes on ice, wishing for more interesting ice wars, particularly at a time when sports faces discomfiture.

Of late, Major League Baseball topples with tattered steroid revelations and the NBA falters from officiating debacles, plenty of ignominy to make you turn your disgusted heads away from the troubling times to an impassioned modern era event, and maybe keep the sport cure from wilting. Good thing Crosby and the Penguins lasted a merciless ice war, both teams forcing seven games in the nature of intense and ambitious challenges. It was Crosby, who advanced on the Capitals’ ice, ousting Ovechkin with an early controllable 4-0 lead en route to a thrashing 6-2 rout, to clinch a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. And if they continue to dominate as they have, without a doubt, they will represent the East and will be a good-natured first option team to hoist the cup only a few weeks away. The Penguins quick start opened up a 2-0 lead in the first period with 16 shots to the Capitals, in which sizzling offensive intensity was the summary of the game early on, furtherance when the five games were decided by one goal, three of those confirmed in overtime.

After witnessing an interesting series, you saw the right team advance, which embodies the kid everyone embraces. Not only in Crosby’s sport, but as a distinguished sports star who exemplifies sports in positive mode to renew the sport as we again revisit since Gretzky and Lemiuex. Players like Sid the Kid represents values of sports and restores essence as the Penguins are appealing, particularly if they add a third championship banner in franchise history.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Crosby vs. Ovechkin: New rivalry faces off supremacy

by Josh Dhani on May 2, 2009


And let them face off in what should be a dramatic series, when the ice is thicker and the nets are larger for an intense series that will observe a scene for the next few weeks. This fanfare event is buzzing louder from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C., where the spectators will add to a modernistic rivalry between two foes that made an emergence as hockey’s main attraction. Even better, they eased their way into sports main attraction. They’re Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, and clearly without them there’s no drama worth watching when there’s only players skating on ice and exchanging dukes twice as vigorous as boxers Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton.

Well maybe.

Take the moment to utter OH UH! It is fine to suggest, and grasp hints that it’s an ice match with non-stop red-blooded conflict. Two marquee stars finally collides on the same ice layer, ready to expose their forceful essence and puissant nature among hockey as each have done well. Crosby, the 21-year old, who in his three year campaign, wears a smile, immaculate away from his ice age. But when he’s on ice it’s an entirely different attitude, hijacking the game with cockiness. Already, he’s been labeled as a self-centered individual and takes more physical poundings and beatings than anyone of his teammates. Swirling around of late is that Crosby might not even stand out as the best Penguin skating, as some argue that Evgeni Malkin is the prime superstar.

As much criticism as Crosby takes, it does not make sense whatsoever as we must not forget this is a guy responsible for rejuvenating the sport, which was pretty much dead. The resurgence of hockey has made its way back from Crosby’s dominance and fierce mindset, and ripping him is only sending thanks to the icon. Often he’s known for his sensitive outcries, contesting and whining for bad calls. He’s even the league’s test dummy, used as a defensive toy as he’s pounded into the class more often than anyone else. In an entire season, Crosby has being bullied as opponents have turned into villains with their powerful and physical contact. Let’s just say that’s the kind of bombshells he’ll see in this next round against Ovechkin. Not at all is he Mr. Nice Guy, in a feud and one-on-one duel worth having eyes set on. It’s the newborn rivalry of Crosby vs. Ovechkin, similar to the Lakers-Celtics when it was Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird, who joined the league in the late 70’s.

And this era there’s Tiger vs. Phil and Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal, nemesis that have made the game interesting from back-and-forth epic classics, endless rivalries that makes sports grand. To praise the inaugural rivalry of two hockey studs, deciphers the rapid change and outlook on how anything could muster heyday suddenly. Crosby and Ovechkin have indeed propelled an intriguing rivalry because of its boisterous that reaches a crescendo of some bad-blood and prestigious hierarchy. There haven’t been players this exciting since Wayne Gretzky, now it’s back and fully updated with rivalry written all over the resentful faces of Crosby and Ovechkin. One is more physical as the other prefers giving out assist and shots. Of course, it’s Ovechkin, who’s the physical one and thinks Crosby is an emotional whiner, and if so, he might want to duck, hold and cover or continue to take the hard blows.

It’s being emphasized by Ovechkin, the Russian, who has beaten up on Crosby entirely. For obvious reasons, the Russians targeted him in the regular-season, knowing how much his presence and representation means to the league. But at the same time, Ovechkin and other players’ intents are to hinder Crosby as much as possible, and putting a body on him is the lucrative practice for preventing the dynamic superstar of producing unforeseen shots or having possession of the puck to convert on prodigious shots. Giving Ovechkin the slight edge defensively is a good call. The Canada vs. Russia tension has reemerged, and with that said Crosby is the virtuous leader as Ovechkin presents an agitating approach, creativity and hard contact, which irritates Crosby and makes it harder for him to organize a solid shot or create a play for teammates. We waited anxiously to see a newborn rivalry, gradually turning into a one-one-one duel between two of the superb players in the game, none better than Crosby or Ovechkin.

Meanwhile, Ovechkin and Crosby can’t stand each others guts, which indications it will be a physical series and it will be some words exchange. And when you think about it, those are the typical things that generates rivalries. Trash talking and altercations are part of the game, and it’s the distinguishing nature of hockey, entertaining spectator’s and causal fans. Without the fierce boxing on the ice, there’s no fun in the sport in which I’m very sure we’ll see some brawls even though it’s a cruel ordeal to advocate. Its two franchises that don’t care for each other, which makes it more interesting to see with team is more emotional to start the series.

Allow me to say the Penguins, since Crosby is already irritable how the games played out the last time these two teams met. In the past two decides, the edge has gone to the Penguins, but the Capitals are already favorites and either team has yet to face off at center ice. Maybe because they held the advantage this regular-season, but still they must convert their season dominance to the playoffs where winning matters. It’s a supreme battle that might require stitches and might even knock out a few teeth, well, let’s just hope it don’t get that brutal. But crazier than ever, it is the match up and series that could turn into a Game 7 showdown to present NHL’s greatest classic.

For now, it’s an ice war among two of the league’s best. It’s on.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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Capitals-Rangers thrilling series, fascinated unconscious sport

by Josh Dhani on April 29, 2009

As time dwindled down, it was the last of a captivating series, sort of like the one seen in the NBA. Celtics-Bulls have captivated the eyes of basketball devotees. But in hockey, a sport many in the States fail to anoint, finished an appealing series. The Capitals-Rangers was a perfect time to heed the sport, a series that displayed everything a rivalry is made of. In the span of seven games, there was evidence of a rivalry better than the one’s seen in the NBA. There were suspensions handed out by the league and an ill-tempered Rangers’ coach John Tortorella, who chucked a water bottle at fans, which banned him from the luxurious bench to the press box.

So the fiercely episodes and physical battles between two brutal teams, anticipated a tense evening at the nation’s capital. It was anticipated that it was going to end in a bloody finish, and it was anticipated that the New York Rangers were attempting to escape with the improbable defeat over the favorable Washington Capitals. Thus, this was unexpected by any means, a seventh game in the first round of a hockey series, was a tangible event and a wonderful feel-good story that grasped our interest as the Rangers damn near surprised the nation at the right place.

A sport we don’t really care for turned into a thrilling festivity that was embraced heavily in part of the world’s greatest hockey player Alexander Ovechkin. That’s why it was a stunning series, when the Rangers controlled fate of the series in the midst of an improbable run that was hindered in Game 7 Tuesday night.

The Capitals celebrated as time expired, embracing a 2-1 victory, salvaged on a tense night in which fans erupted into a rowdy, noisy, red-clapping frenzy. The joyful celebration stopped the improbable, stopped the miracle and stopped the Rangers from advancing to the second round. It was a series that was worth everlasting, and surely the fans are begging for more in the next rounds. And it might come down to another thrilling series, when the Capitals play host to Pittsburgh, a rivalry becoming intense each time they skate the ice. It’s another treat of two young rivalries that’s emerging into a one-on-one duel, Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, the biggest celebrities skating on ice with hockey sticks bigger than the game. Both have magnetized the game, but of course as we know, the series that was breathtaking ended too soon, becoming the mainstream attraction.

And the Capitals finished off the fascinating series, when veteran Sergei Fedorov’s remarkable shot beat Rangers’ goalie Henrik Lundqvist with 4:59 left in the third period, to put the exclamation point on the greatest series by far in hockey. And too bad it might have being the last. Unless the same type of thriller occurs in Penguins-Capitals series. But until then, hockey isn’t the same sport we embraced this past week. I’m sorry, but it’s back to the NBA playoffs “where amazing happens”, a slogan that would have matched the kind of week witnessed in the NHL. But the masses only will watch to see Crosby vs. Ovechkin, or another ravishing series.

It turned out the Capitals pulled off the miracle, and saved their Stanley Cup chances. After all, they’re a liking to hoist the cup and after prevailing through a hard test of the unexpected Rangers, pretty much defined their toughness. Defying the moment and accomplishing it in the final minutes at a desperate and critical moment, with their speed and craftiness to pull it off when it mattered. And any team that came away with the victory was protected, as the venue beefed up security to avoid another fan-coach altercation. After serving a one-game suspension Tortorella returned back to the bench, to stare at the Rangers defensive-challenged. If there’s anything that prolonged the entertaining series, it was the Rangers in-your-face, hard-hitting, physical defense. And on this night none of it worked in their favor, but the last-minute offensive-challenged Capitals managed to capitalize to avoid a first round disappointment.

Still, it’s difficult to win without defense and they certainly stepped it up, protecting their goal and closed it off with the nifty 21-year old goaltender Simeon Varlamov. He shielded the nets and accumulated 139 saves, only giving up seven shots in the entire series. He handled it with calmness and self-assurance, after taken over for the veteran netminder Jose Theodore, who was removed as the starting goalie for his struggles. And the Capitals didn’t have to relay on the veteran goalie to clinch the first round.

With their tenacity and awareness, they found contributions from Milan Jurcina and Shaone Morrison. Each applied the reinforcements defensively, outshining the Rangers cocky and physical defensive-aid Sean Avery. In a contest where intensity was needed, Jurcina racked up a game-high seven hits and two blocks. Morrison finished with six hits and one blocked shot to forestall the Rangers unthinkable clincher.

Now the Capitals will see another series, and Ovechkin will likely win his second consecutive Hart Trophy. He’s the best team player in the league, and the greatest and attractive hockey star among the league. Yes, more attractive than Crosby, yet evidently we’ll see who the better well-rounded star is in the next round. But it was one of the greatest series, and now the league will lose consciousness after it all came to an end. Now you should beg for more breathtaking scenes in hockey, as it seems to be a savor.

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

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