[pete_b]

The Oilers had a little "fun" with their two goalies trying to figure out who is gonna start since Roloson is out. The article said it was very similar to a Oiler "try-out" to see which goalie can handle it. I thought it was a cool article and just wanted to share it. Here is the link http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HKN_STANLEY_CUP?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFA ULT&CTIME=2006-06-06-18-32-36

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Conklin, who played only 18 games during the regular season while battling injuries and stinging criticism, was the first guy off the bench after Roloson was injured Monday night.

The backup didn't exactly instill a lot of confidence when he botched a clearing attempt behind the net, allowing Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour to score into an open net with a half-minute remaining for a 5-4 victory.

Well, How much pressure can he have now?...Once everyone expects you to suck, you can play as lose as you want to...heck, If I am Conklin, I am thinking, I am gonig to be laughed out of the league as it is...might as well go out there and play loose...

[blueandwhite]

One thing I didn't know about Conklin:
He took Team USA to the bronze medal at Prague in 2004…he was 4-0-1 with 1 shutout, 2.00 GAA & .934 save pct…he was also named the tournament's outstanding goaltender & was twice named USA's Player of the Game.
that was 2 years ago.

another tidbit in our paper mentions a game this season where he played the full game and OT but McTavish pulled him before the shootout.
that had to hurt.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

One thing I didn't know about Conklin:
He took Team USA to the bronze medal at Prague in 2004…he was 4-0-1 with 1 shutout, 2.00 GAA & .934 save pct…he was also named the tournament's outstanding goaltender & was twice named USA's Player of the Game.
that was 2 years ago.

another tidbit in our paper mentions a game this season where he played the full game and OT but McTavish pulled him before the shootout.
that had to hurt.

See there...good job blueandwhite girl...Conklin is my boy...Team USA bronze...I am gonig to back my man against that wannabe of a hockey team from the Carolinas...

[pete_b]

Markkanen got the nod today to be the goalie as replacement for Roloson. And from where I am sitting right now, I say that he wishes he hadn't. The score is 5-0 and its still early in the third period. The 'Canes just had their power play goal. This just goes to show that this team has the killer instinct. They don't quit when they are ahead, they keep playing hard.

[blueandwhite]

Give me a big giant nutty break. hey look at us, we won and we played against such disadvantages as our opponents losing their star goalie..aren't we something else? how have we done it? we're amazing!
I'd like to see if the Canes could ever win when they are actually playing a full fledged uninjured team in the playoffs. First buffalo and the long list of missing men, now Edmonton. Pat yourself on the back all you want, i guess.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

Give me a big giant nutty break. hey look at us, we won and we played against such disadvantages as our opponents losing their star goalie..aren't we something else? how have we done it? we're amazing!
I'd like to see if the Canes could ever win when they are actually playing a full fledged uninjured team in the playoffs. First buffalo and the long list of missing men, now Edmonton. Pat yourself on the back all you want, i guess.

It doesn't matter. You can only play whose on the ice. This Carolina team is no fluke. Best record in the East, and now in the Stanley Cup....Regarding the goalie: Both goalies career numbers are remarkably similar. Both only had save % of 88 this year ( Terrible). But career numbers are slightly over 90%. So McTavish will choose by what he sees in practice I guess.

[blueandwhite]

and next game, for sure, we will see Conklin.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

Give me a big giant nutty break. hey look at us, we won and we played against such disadvantages as our opponents losing their star goalie..aren't we something else? how have we done it? we're amazing!
I'd like to see if the Canes could ever win when they are actually playing a full fledged uninjured team in the playoffs. First buffalo and the long list of missing men, now Edmonton. Pat yourself on the back all you want, i guess.

Wow, blueandwhite girl...you got an attitude...(finally)...good for you...you tell them...those Hurricanes should change their logo to a four leaf clover for all the luck the have.

[blueandwhite]

hey what do you mean finally? you mean, because I was giving it all up before?
and I was wrong - apparently the Oilers have a great deal of confidence in Markkanen (funn, I don't) and he'll be back out on the ice on Saturday. Granted, yes, no Oilers managed to find the back of the net, so markkanen was not the loser of the game. I'm just a little nervous. But being at the Rexall centre - it's gonna be loud.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

hey what do you mean finally? you mean, because I was giving it all up before?
and I was wrong - apparently the Oilers have a great deal of confidence in Markkanen (funn, I don't) and he'll be back out on the ice on Saturday. Granted, yes, no Oilers managed to find the back of the net, so markkanen was not the loser of the game. I'm just a little nervous. But being at the Rexall centre - it's gonna be loud.

Naw...ypu just were being too polite...and yeah...a bit negative. But hey, you came out swing...good for you... ...I wanted Conklin in the net as well.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Wow, blueandwhite girl...you got an attitude...(finally)...good for you...you tell them...those Hurricanes should change their logo to a four leaf clover for all the luck the have.

How does a team who had 112 pts in the regular season and ends up in the finals lucky? It seems to me Edmonton is more of the lucky team to be where they are. They eeked into the playoffs by 3 lousy points.

[blueandwhite]

It's not all luck, but it's some - no one's arguing Carolina isn't a great team. But they've had some luck with players on opposing teams going down. Sabres could have whipped them if they hadn't been sore and hurting.
And yeah maybe Edmonton squeaked in but have they ever proven themselves since. They are FAR from lucky, battling against it all.

[pete_b]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

It's not all luck, but it's some - no one's arguing Carolina isn't a great team. But they've had some luck with players on opposing teams going down. Sabres could have whipped them if they hadn't been sore and hurting.
And yeah maybe Edmonton squeaked in but have they ever proven themselves since. They are FAR from lucky, battling against it all.

blueandwhite...darling...sweety.
Listen...injuries are not luck. Lack of injuries are not luck. Being a great hockey team and getting to the Stanley Cup playoffs is not JUST about great shooting, fast skating, awesome defense and godlike goaltending. Its about having the depth to sustain injuries. Its about staying healthy which takes alot of WORK not luck. So lets just face up to the fact that the 'Canes are well ahead of the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals not by luck but by sheer hard work, desire, talent and strength.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by pete_b

blueandwhite...darling...sweety.
Listen...injuries are not luck. Lack of injuries are not luck. Being a great hockey team and getting to the Stanley Cup playoffs is not JUST about great shooting, fast skating, awesome defense and godlike goaltending. Its about having the depth to sustain injuries. Its about staying healthy which takes alot of WORK not luck. So lets just face up to the fact that the 'Canes are well ahead of the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals not by luck but by sheer hard work, desire, talent and strength.

Oh please...hog wash...INJURIES ARE THE LUCK ELEMENT IN ANY SPORT....say what you want about the Canes...but they did get a lucky break with all the injures their opponents have had. You can't be that blind to a simple fact...Are they talented?...without a doubt?...Are they the luckiest team going these days?...Absolutely!