April 12, 2003
NHL Playoff Roundup
Not too much excitement on night three in the NHL playoffs. The tightest game was in New Jersey, where the Devils disposed of the Bruins, 4-2. Boston had the game tied in the third period, but the Devils were able to score on a two-man advantage to take the lead for good. Over on Hockey Night In Canada, Don Cherry was livid that any ref would allow a two-man advantage in the playoffs, as the eventuality in the postseason essentially decides the game. Devils lead the series 2-0, as it shifts back to Boston. I don't expect things will be any different there.
In Philadelphia, the Flyers turned in a performance that was just as dominating as their play in game one of their series with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the result was far different, as Philly came away with a 4-1 victory. The highlights of the game came in two spots: first, before the opening faceoff when Leafs enforcer Tie Domi took a shot at Flyers counterpart Donald Brashear; and later, when the two tangled in third period. Series tied 1-1, with game three in Toronto on Monday.
Down in Dallas, the Stars finally woke up, and took it out on Edmonton, 6-1. With Bill Guerin out of the lineup again, and with no timetable for his return, veteran Scott Young stepped up for the Stars, scoring twice. But once the game got out of Edmonton's reach in the third period, the Oilers stepped up the phyicality. The result: six game misconducts in the period and a match penalty for the Oliers' Cory Cross for an attempt to injure. Series tied 1-1, next game Sunday night in Edmonton.
Interesting Dallas fact: during the national anthem, whenever the word stars is sung during the anthem, the crowd shouts along, in much the same manner fans in the Baltimore area shout along with O in the anthem's final verse.
POSTSCRIPT: The NHL has suspended Chicago Blackhawks winger Theo Fleury for six months due to another violation of his substance abuse aftercare program. Looks like the end of the road for Fleury, as his advanced age and track record will probably dissuade any other team from giving him another chance.
CORRECTION: As an eagle-eyed Maple Leafs fan pointed out to me in a note, it was actually Brashear who started things up before the game, not Domi. You can find the clip at TSN's Playoffs page by clicking here, and then following the link to the audio/video section for the Leafs-Flyers game.
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