[Lefty Noob]

The Anaheim Ducks beat Detroit, 4-3, last night to advance to the Stanley Cups Finals.

According to the Associated Press, "Jean-Sebastien Giguere... shut out Detroit for the first two periods as Anaheim built a 3-0 lead, then withstood a three-goal outburst by the Red Wings in the closing period... Samuel Pahlsson's goal with 14:06 remaining proved to be the difference for Anaheim, which meets Ottawa in the Stanley Cup finals."

[blueandwhite]

3 goals for the wings in the third period, though.
close but no.
This will be Selanne's first Cup finals.
Giguere's the dude.
I thought, back a few games this was going to go to 7, but last game set a more positive definite tone for the Ducks - they finished the RW off.

[desertrat]

I sure hope they can win it this time. Losing that 7 game heartbreak series to the Devils was tough in 2003. Go Ducks!

[blueandwhite]

it's a six day break!!!!!
bad decision - this I will lay at bettman's feet - too much time.
will niedermayer have to trim his beard? cause that's some facial mountain man spread he's got.

[Kasey Kahne 9 fan]

can't do anything about the break

[blueandwhite]

but even if the ducks and red wings had gone to 7, this is still long, is it not?

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

but even if the ducks and red wings had gone to 7, this is still long, is it not?

Painfully so. Seems like it's been an eternity already.

[blueandwhite]

yeah, momentum lost.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

yeah, momentum lost.

Not unprecedented, though. the Super Bowl and the NCAA Football championship have even longer gaps before the title game. Not sure why sports do that. Theoretically I guess it's for hype, but as you say, it seems to do more to kill momentum than to build it.

[blueandwhite]

Is it all to do with tv? or is it just, this was the way the schedule was set up nine months ago?

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

Is it all to do with tv? or is it just, this was the way the schedule was set up nine months ago?

That's a good question. I'm guessing TV has at least some bearing on it. Part of it is supposed to be so fans can get travel plans in order, players can take care of their business with ticket requests and whatnot. Part of it is to try and create a media frenzy. In the end, though, not only does it hurt enthusiasm but I believe that quality of play also suffers because of the long layoff.

[blazinsabrez61]

Originally Posted by desertrat

I sure hope they can win it this time. Losing that 7 game heartbreak series to the Devils was tough in 2003. Go Ducks!

i feel the same way
now granted the sabres would have made it to the finals, then no
but ottawa is my most-hated team