pens on the ropes hawks roll

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by wiphan

The amount of pucks Niemi kicked out on rebounds was horrible. It usually takes outstanding goal tending to win the cup. That didn't exist on either side. Toews was outstanding on faceoffs. I don't know if he ever lost one.

I thought Niemmi was the difference last night. He made every save that he needed to. As opposed to Leighton, who let in 2 bad goals, including the winner.
Not sure going forward, because I really haven't watched the Hawks enough to make a fair assessment on him. But it almost seems like the Hawks are one of those teams who are going to outgun you every game and score at least 4 goals, taking some pressure of the goaltending. He was up to the challange last night. But, it's tough to knock the guy after they won cup.

How good the Hawks were on faceoffs is a great point, they were absolutely dominant.

[-BT-]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I thought Niemmi was the difference last night. He made every save that he needed to. As opposed to Leighton, who let in 2 bad goals, including the winner.
Not sure going forward, because I really haven't watched the Hawks enough to make a fair assessment on him. But it almost seems like the Hawks are one of those teams who are going to outgun you every game and score at least 4 goals, taking some pressure of the goaltending. He was up to the challange last night. But, it's tough to knock the guy after they won cup.

How good the Hawks were on faceoffs is a great point, they were absolutely dominant.

AWFUL goals, both by sharp and the anticlimactic winner by kane were pucks that should have been routine stops. Like i kept saying, leighton was playing on borrowed times anyways, they win the cup and he's the franchise 'tender for the flyers for years to come, instead he lets in those softies, he's gonna be on the waiver wire and up and down from A to the N all year long next season.

now is when the real fun begins, getting all those guys back under the cap for next season, especially when you have to justifiy contracts like huet and campbell, in which no other team will take on.

congrats hawks fans

-bt-

[ddthetide]

congrats to the Hawks fans.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by -BT-

AWFUL goals, both by sharp and the anticlimactic winner by kane were pucks that should have been routine stops. Like i kept saying, leighton was playing on borrowed times anyways, they win the cup and he's the franchise 'tender for the flyers for years to come, instead he lets in those softies, he's gonna be on the waiver wire and up and down from A to the N all year long next season.

now is when the real fun begins, getting all those guys back under the cap for next season, especially when you have to justifiy contracts like huet and campbell, in which no other team will take on.

congrats hawks fans

-bt-

I'll say this about Leighton..and the two goals were very soft..but it could have been 5-1 Hawks after the 1st if he wasn't playing really well. The thing is you knew that at some point he would let one or two in. Niemi flat out won Game 2 for the Hawks and was the MVP through the San Jose series. As a rookie who wasn't even supposed to make the team, his job was to not lose any series for the Hawks...and he didn't. Plus he stole a few along the way. The only goalie he faced who might have out played him was Pecca Rinne from Nashvile but he flat out smoked Luonga and Kiprusoff after that.

My Hawks' bias aside, that was as entertaining a Cup final as I've seen in years. Two of the most passionate fan bases in the NHL and just monstrous hitting, great skating and tight games. And the end of series handshakes has to be one of the coolest traditions in any sport.

[dellinger63]

Beautiful day in Chicago and a HUGE!!! turnout for the parade. Wouldn't be suprised if the players get off the buses to greet the sea of red.