Stanley Cup Playoffs, Night 40

Like all the Versus promos keep saying, it's do or die time — in this case for the Ottawa Senators. A loss tonight would have put the Ducks a mere win away from raising the Cup. Instead, the Sens took advantage of the shift back to Canada's capital tonight. They got the home crowd behind them and didn't let them down.

Senators 5, Ducks 3
Ducks lead series 2-1
As I expected, the Ducks scored first as Andy McDonald notched a power play tally. But then also as I expected, every time Anaheim scored, Ottawa quickly followed. The first period ended 1-1 after Chris Neil tied things up. The second period would then see five goals — insane the way these playoffs have been going. Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf each scored for the Ducks. Mike Fisher and Daniel Alfredsson scored for the Sens to keep things even at 3 apiece. But the difference-maker in this game was Dean McAmmond who scored with 86 seconds left in period two to give Ottawa their first lead of the night. Anton Volchenkov then scored the insurance goal in the third period. It was a great game and showed how much of an advantage the home team really has. NBC had awesome HD coverage from Scotiabank Place.

Photo: ESPN.com

Well, Maybe Hamilton

This is Hamilton as it relates to Toronto — for my less-geographically inclined readers and anyone who doesn't live in Canada. I don't like the idea of Jim Balsillie buying and moving the Predators to Hamilton, Ontario. What's the point?

A mere 45-minute drive from the Air Canada Centre, a Hamilton team would still probably end up in the Western Conference. I don't know, I haven't really sorted out my feelings on this yet, but it just seems weird. And wrong. But whatever, I'm all for putting hockey teams back in Canada.

Also there's this. Scott Burnside wrote the following piece for ESPN.com.

May 31, 2007
ESPN.com

Balsillie given rights for Hamilton sports complex

You've just got to love this bit of irony.

Two days after NHL commissioner Gary Bettman scoffed at the likelihood of the Nashville Predators moving in the next year or two, and specifically scoffed at the notion they're headed to Southern Ontario, some news seems to suggest that is exactly the plan.

At a City of Hamilton council meeting Wednesday night, Canadian mega-millionaire Jim Balsillie, whose company helped develop the BlackBerry, reactivated an agreement with the city for exclusive rights to the city's main arena, Copps Coliseum. Hamilton mayor Fred Eisenberger said he and Balsillie talked about the agreement.

"He has assured me that he wants to secure a team and he is interested in bringing it to Hamilton," Eisenberger was quoted as saying Wednesday night in the Hamilton Spectator. "Certainly he has the resources to do it and we will leave it up to him to pull it together."

Balsillie has made an offer to purchase the Predators from current owner Craig Leipold. Given the team's declining attendance and scarcity of corporate support in the community, the team could be in a position as early as next summer to break its lease with the city of Nashville and relocate.

Balsillie, whose operation is in Southern Ontario, has been long-rumored to wanting an NHL franchise in the area. But in Bettman's "state of the union" address before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals Monday, the commissioner insisted such talk was pure speculation and that Balsillie told Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly he has no plans to move the Predators.

"I met with Mr. Balsillie last week. Bill Daly and I both did, and I specifically asked him whether or not he had specific plans or intentions with respect to moving the franchise, and he told me he did not," Bettman told reporters Monday. "And so, I think there's been entirely too much speculation in terms of what comes next.

"What's clear to me from meeting with Mr. Balsillie is that he's passionate about the game, would like to own a franchise, and certainly has the resources to do it. Beyond that, there have been no promises. There have been no predictions. And I think if anybody believes that [Nashville] is destined to a particular location, that's more a matter of speculation."

But talk is cheap, which is why Balsillie's renewed control of Copps Coliseum as it relates to the NHL seems to contradict Bettman's position.

The long-held theory has been that if Balsillie's more than generous offer to buy the Predators ($220 million) is green-lighted by the NHL's board of governors by the end of June and the Predators escape their lease, he would like to move the team into Copps Coliseum until a new facility can be built somewhere in the area outside the protected zones of both the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Earlier news reports say Balsillie has purchased a plot of land in the Waterloo area, a plot of land west of Toronto that could conceivably house a new NHL-sized arena.

Hands up for those who believe this is all a strange coincidence. No? Didn't think so.

Selanne Celebrates

Will the Ducks be celebrating big Saturday night or will the Sens stage the beginning of a comeback? I know I've been light on posts here lately but I'm adjusting to a new schedule at work. I now work the morning show and that means being at the station by 4:00 AM. That means trying to sleep during the afternoon which hasn't been easy. Anyway, no excuse. I'll be back on top of things soon.

Stanley Cup Playoffs, Night 39

The big question was whether the Senators could rally and tie the series or allow the Ducks go up 2-0 and make it that much more difficult for them to stage a comeback? Turns out the latter game to pass and Anaheim now has 14 of the 16 wins necessary to take the Cup.

Ducks 1, Senators 0
Ducks lead series 2-0
I'm not sure the Senators want it enough. They were completely dominated by the Ducks despite there being only one goal scored in the game. Samuel Pahlsson got the unassisted tally in the waning minutes of the final period to give Anaheim the two-game edge in the series. It was really something and I'm a little surprised actually. Chalk up another playoff shutout for Giguere but don't discount the very real possibility that this series gets tied up at 2 after heading to Ottawa for the Sens to play in front of their home crowd.

Photo: ESPN.com

Winnipeg Predators?

I know, it's weird. My last two posts have been titled with questions.

But this is very interesting, actually. While talking to the press on the "state of the league" this weekend, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman more than hinted at the notion that with the sale of the Nashville Predators all but imminent, there's a very real possibility the franchise could be moved to Canada.

Now that would suck since the team hasn't even celebrated its 10th birthday, but as far as that goes, how psyched must Canadian hockey fans be? Bettman said it's likely that if the team were to move that it would go to a city where NHL hockey once thrived — such as Winnipeg or Quebec City.

I think that would be really cool, but I think I'm probably biased on that. Changes like this excite me for some reason. It would suck for the fans in Nashville — but how many are there really, anyway?

I've actually been to a couple of Preds games while in Tennessee several years ago. It was fun but the building lacked some sort of excitement that even Lightning games had back then. Still, Canada is the birthplace of hockey and wouldn't it be nice to see them get a team back?

Again, none of this is for sure yet, Bettman was just talking and I thought it was interesting enough to muse about.

Kevin Reilly Fired From NBC?

May 28, 2007
Zap2it.com

Reports: NBC Drops Reilly
'Office' producer Silverman taking role at network

Two weeks after unveiling the network's schedule for 2007-08, Kevin Reilly is reportedly being let go as president of NBC Entertainment.

The change comes after NBC suffered through another season of fourth-place ratings, finishing nearly a full point behind first-place FOX in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic. His job won't be immediately filled per se, but it's expected that Ben Silverman, executive producer of "The Office" and "Ugly Betty," will assume a major role at NBC Universal.

The shakeup, first reported by Deadline Hollywood Daily and later picked up by other outlets, will likely become official within the next couple of days. So far NBC is keeping quiet.

Reilly became president of NBC Entertainment in May 2004, following a stint as head of entertainment at FX, where he established the cable network's original series brand with "The Shield" and "Nip/Tuck." During his tenure at the Peacock, he was responsible for bringing "My Name Is Earl" and "Heroes" to the small screen and championing "The Office." This season he stuck by critical darlings "30 Rock" and "Friday Night Lights" despite low ratings.

Despite those successes, however, NBC has remained stuck in fourth place for most of his tenure as its schedule has lacked the depth of CBS or a monster hit a la FOX's "American Idol." Reilly signed a new contract in March, meaning it probably won't be cheap for NBC to buy him out.

Silverman, a former agent who heads the production company Reveille, will likely have a major oversight role at the network, though his title and exact duties are still being worked out. Reports say he and Marc Graboff, president of NBC West Coast, may split duties involving the network and NBC Universal's syndication and cable businesses.

Reveille productions include "The Office," "The Biggest Loser," ABC's "Ugly Betty" and FX's "30 Days." The company and Silverman have also produced the NBC game show "Identity," USA's "Nashville Star," the American version of "Coupling," "The Restaurant" and Bravo's "Blow Out."

———

Wow. That is all I have to say on the matter.

Stanley Cup Playoffs, Night 38

At last! The Stanley Cup Final began tonight! It was definitely an exciting game and odd in that the Senators blew not just one but two leads to end up dropping Game 1 to the Ducks.

Ducks 3, Senators 2
Ducks lead series 1-0
It was a rather awesome way to open the series. I gotta say, I really don't care who wins this series. At first I was rooting for the Ducks but the Sens just play the game so well. It's a tough decision. Mike Fisher scored just 98 seconds into the game to give Ottawa the lead on the power play. Andy McDonald then tied it midway through the first period. But Wade Redden nabbed a Sens lead once again in the second period, also with the man advantage. But five minutes into the third, Ryan Getzlaf knotted the game for Anaheim again. It was in the final three minutes when Travis Moen scored what would become the game winner for the Ducks who overcame two deficits to take Game 1. Versus had exclusive HD coverage tonight. It's been a while since I got to watch a game on TV. High definition hockey is really quite something.

Photo: ESPN.com

My 2007 Stanley Cup Predictions, Round 4

Sorry it's Sunday and I'm just now getting around to posting these. I'm well aware it should've happened already. Still. I've noticed that my predictions seem to have improved over the course of the playoffs. One thing is for sure, though. They're definitely much better than the first round. So let's go one more time for these playoffs.

Stanley Cup Finals

Ducks vs Senators
Sizing It Up: The final series is always the toughest to predict. Things can go either way. But the nice thing is that for the past several seasons, we've been treated to one of the greatest gifts of playoff hockey — Game 7. I'm hoping that will be true again this year. And while I could go on and on about how the Ducks are a team not be easily put down and the Senators are so strong its nearly impossible to think they could lose this series — and you know, general in-depth analysis — I won't because we already know the Ducks are going to win. This proves it.
The Invisible Crystal Ball Says: Ducks in 7

I've predicted the Ducks to take the Cup in both of the last two rounds and I see no reason to change it in this one. Playoff hockey continues tomorrow night and I'm so excited!

Want to post your thoughts? What do you think will happen in this round? Lay it on me in the comments.

New Duds For The Blades

The ECHL's Florida Everblades unveiled their 10th anniversary jerseys last week. These new unis will be worn next season only and you're wondering why this matters. It's because I live in Fort Myers and these guys are my home team now. I'll probably be writing about them a lot when the season begins.



In fact, I went to my first Everblades game about two weeks ago and had this to say about it if you're interested. The Blades ended up losing the Conference Finals series to the Dayton Bombers this month to see their way out of the playoffs.

They had a good run, though. Here's hoping they do well next year too. Oh and that doesn't mean I'm going to stop following the Lightning. It just means I have two teams to watch now.