Hawks Clinch Cup on Home Ice; First Time Since '38

77 years!

Stanley Cup Final Starts Wednesday!

It is that time.

But first, congrats to the Oshawa Generals on the thrilling OT win to win the 97th CHL Memorial Cup. CHL. Canadian Hockey League. Not Central Hockey League.

And now, to the Stanley Cup Final, where the Lightning are back in it for the first time since 2004. Remember that series? We all do. The last one before the lockout season in which the entire season was wiped out. Jon Cooper, the Bolts coach, won championships in various levels, and now this could be that chance. The Blackhawks are in their third Cup final in five years. The won in six against the Bruins in 2013.

STANLEY CUP FINAL
(best of seven)
(A2) Lightning v (C3) Blackhawks
Game 1 Wednesday
Game 2 Saturday
Game 3 Monday
Game 4 6/10
Game 5 6/13*
Game 6 6/15*
Game 7 6/17*
*-If necessary.

All games on CBC in Canada (and northern US!). All but the first two Chicago games are on NBC; those games-3 and 4-are on NBCSN.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2015: Conference Semifinals

For the first time in eons, the Flames are back in the conference semifinals. What a great turnaround at the team after missing the playoffs the past few years. With a resurgent Bob Hartley coaching and a promising rookie by the name of Johnny 'Hockey' Gaudreau, they are giving fans in Calgary something to cheer about. But it will be tough as the Ducks await them starting tonight.

Also, for the third straight year, the Wild and Blackhawks will meet in the playoffs, as does the Habs and Lightning, who will meet for the second consecutive playoffs.

Conference semifinals
(Best of seven)
WEST
(1P) Ducks v (3P) Flames
Game 1 tonight
Game 2 Sunday
Game 3 Tuesday
Game 4 5/8
Game 5 5/10*
Game 6 5/12*
Game 7 5/14*

(1C) Blackhawks v (1W) Wild
Game 1 Friday
Game 2 Sunday
Game 3 Tuesday
Game 4 5/7
Game 5 5/9*
Game 6 5/11*
Game 7 5/13*

EAST
(1A) Canadiens v (2A) Lightning
Game 1 Friday
Game 2 Sunday
Game 3 Wednesday
Game 4 5/7
Game 5 5/9*
Game 6 5/12*
Game 7 5/14*

(1M) Rangers v (2M) Capitals
Game 1 tonight
Game 2 Saturday
Game 3 Monday
Game 4 Wednesday
Game 5 5/8*
Game 6 5/10*
Game 7 5/13*
*-if necessary.

In the US it is on the NBC family, while in Canada on the CBC/Rogers platform. Also, the IIHF World Championship for men starts tomorrow, with host nation Czech Republic and USA Hockey in action among the five games on the schedule. USA Hockey's game is live at 9am Central Friday morning on NBCSN.

Stanley Cup Playoffs Quarterfinals 2015: More Canadian Than Ever!?

The 'Hamburglar' Andrew Hammond helped provided action within the last few weeks of the NHL regular season. After a year away from the postseason, the Sens are back in the tournament. What a run.

The Sens are one of five Canadian teams in the playoffs this year that is missing last year's Cup champions Los Angeles Kings. The Hurricanes were the last to miss the playoffs after winning the Cup the previous year, back in 2007.

(best of seven)
WEST
Quarterfinals
(P1) Ducks v (W2) Jets
Game 1: Thursday
Game 2: Saturday
Game 3: Monday
Game 4: 4/22
Game 5: 4/24*
Game 6: 4/26*
Game 7: 4/28*

(P2) Canucks v (P3) Flames
Game 1: Wednesday
Game 2: Friday
Game 3: Sunday
Game 4: 4/21
Game 5: 4/23*
Game 6: 4/25*
Game 7: 4/27*

(C1) Blues v (W1) Wild
Game 1: Thursday
Game 2: Saturday
Game 3: Monday
Game 4: 4/22
Game 5: 4/24*
Game 6: 4/26*
Game 7: 4/29*

(C2) Predators v (C3) Blackhawks
Game 1: Wednesday
Game 2: Friday
Game 3: Sunday
Game 4: 4/21
Game 5: 4/23*
Game 6: 4/25*
Game 7: 4/27*

EAST
Quarterfinals
(A1) Canadiens v (W1) Senators
Game 1: Wednesday
Game 2: Friday
Game 3: Sunday
Game 4: 4/22
Game 5: 4/24*
Game 6: 4/26*
Game 7: 4/28*

(A2) Lightning v (A3) Red Wings
Game 1: Thursday
Game 2: Saturday
Game 3: 4/21
Game 4: 4/23
Game 5: 4/25*
Game 6: 4/27*
Game 7: 4/29*

(M1) Rangers v (W2) Penguins
Game 1: Thursday
Game 2: Saturday
Game 3: Monday
Game 4: 4/22
Game 5: 4/24*
Game 6: 4/26*
Game 7: 4/28*

(M2) Capitals v (M3) Islanders
Game 1: Wednesday
Game 2: Friday
Game 3: Sunday
Game 4: 4/21
Game 5: 4/23*
Game 6: 4/25*
Game 7: 4/27*
*-if necessary

Rogers/CBC in Canada as this is their first postseason in over a decade. In the US, the NBC-Universal family, including the return of the NHL postseason to USA for the first time since 1985. USA was the NHL's first cable home in the United States for a few seasons, until 1985, when ESPN outbid the network.

Because it's the Cup.

2015 NCAA Division I Men's (Ice) Hockey Tournament Semifinals Thursday!

It's that time of year!

The NCAA Division I men's (ice) hockey national semifinals on Thursday. This year, it's the Toronto Dominion Garden in Boston as the venue, with Hockey East hosting this portion of the tournament.

The craziness in the tournament has been awesome. In fact, no one knew Providence would be in at this state, and with huge performances against the Miami Redhawks and the Denver Pioneers, the Friars are trying to end that 30 year Frozen Four drought.

The main event will pit the Boston University Terriers against North Dakota, meaning we will see plenty of Zane McIntyre in goal, and plenty of moves from Jack Eichel. A blockbuster matchup in the night session Thursday night.

NATIONAL SEMIFINALS
Thursday
Nebraska Omaha v Providence College
North Dakota v Boston University

Both semifinals are on ESPN2 Thursday, and the championship on ESPN for the 32nd(?) consecutive year on Saturday!

It's a Few Days Late, But...

Congrats to the USA Hockey women! Once again world champions!

IIHF Women's World Championship 2015 Malmo: Starts Saturday

Malmo is back in the spotlight, but not for EUROVISION (see 1992 and 2013). However it is for this every two year tradition: the IIHF Women's World Championship.

This year's field of eight is not a surprise, considering these are the same eight who qualified for the Sochi tournament last year, including the host country Sweden.

All eight teams will open play on Saturday, and will last the next two weeks. On Saturday, the 2013 world champions (USA Hockey) takes on the four time defending Olympic gold medalists (Hockey Canada) to help kick off the tournament.

Sadly, there is no US television for this, but try IIHF.com.

NCAA Division I Men's (Ice) Hockey Tournament 2015: Regional Semifinals

After the women championships were crowned over the weekend (Minnesota wins again in D-I), it's now the men's turn.

While half of this year's field for the NCAA Division I men's (ice) hockey tournament are from NCHC or WCHA, the other half has one big intriguing story: RIT.

RIT is back in the tournament for the first time since 2010, where they lost in the national semifinals at Ford Field. The Tigers got an automatic bid for winning the Atlantic Hockey tournament, thus making them the only AHA representative this year. Quite an amazing feat. They face top seed Minnesota State Mankato on Saturday on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

SOUTH BEND region
Semifinals
(1) Minnesota State Mankato v RIT
Nebraska Omaha v Harvard

PROVIDENCE region
Semifinals
(4) Miami Redhawks v Providence College
Denver Pioneers v Boston College

MANCHESTER (NH) region
Semifinals
(3) Boston University v Yale
Minnesota Duluth v Minnesota

FARGO region
Semifinals
(2) North Dakota v Quinnipiac
Michigan Tech v St. Cloud State

Yes folks, regional semifinals and finals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are all on the ESPN family of networks.

JP Parise, 73, Former NHL Player

Link.

Also played in the 'Summit Series' against the Soviets in 1972. Quite a great hockey family.

Jean Beliveau, 83, Former NHL Player (and Stanley Cup Champion)

Link.

Pat Quinn, 71, former NHL Coach

Link.

Great coach. Too bad he didn't win a Cup.

NHL Season Opening Night Wednesday Night!

It's that time again. The NHL season starts Wednesday night. A new era in national broadcasting will also take place that night.

The first game of the season will be yet another chapter in the Habs-Leafs rivalry. Remember when Colton Orr threw down George Parros in last year's season opener? Who knows what will happen Wednesday night. This will mark the first game under the new NHL national television deal in Canada where the CBC will remain, but will have the support of the Rogers family of networks. Flames-Canucks will be their other game on Wednesday night as part of their doubleheader.

The Kings will raise yet another Stanley Cup championship banner at home on Wednesday night before their game with the Sharks (not the Shorks). The headliner of the NBCSN doubleheader that night, which will begin earlier with the Flyers/Bruins.

The Kings are the Kings...AGAIN!

For the second time in two years. The Alec Martinez goal that won in second overtime on Friday the 13th:

One of the most memorable goals in Stanley Cup final history.

And the Cup still stays west.

Stanley Cup Final 2014 Begins Wednesday: Broadway Versus Hollywood

We'll guys, we have a New York-Los Angeles pro championship series for the first time since 2002.

When you think New York-Los Angeles championship series, what do you think of? Of course the Knicks-Lakers series of 1970 (featuring Willis Reed's return in game 7) and 1973, Dodgers-Yankees 1981 World Series (the last of the major championship series between the two series), and the 2002 WNBA Finals between the Sparks and Liberty (yes folks, it is still basketball).

Now we have a Kings-Rangers series. The Kings finished third in the Pacific this year, got through the Sharks in the first round, the Ducks in the semifinals, and the Blackhawks in the conference final. For the third straight year (second time in three years), Darryl Sutter and his staff know that it's "fuck the regular season, it's the playoffs that matter." And they live up to that mantra. Did you know after the West final series game 7 that they have been unbeaten in game sevens? That's the fact Jack.

The Rangers on the other hand became the first NYC area team since the Devils in 2011-12 to reach the final. It is also their first since 1994 (and the rest was history). They also have that fresh 1994 car smell. It was in the East final where they sent the Habs home in game 6. The Habs were the only Canadian franchise in this year's playoffs.

With that in mind, the series schedule.

STANLEY CUP FINAL
(3P) Kings v (2M) Rangers
(Best of seven)
Game 1: Tomorrow
Game 2: Saturday
Game 3: Monday
Game 4: 6.11
Game 5: 6.13*
Game 6: 6.16*
Game 7: 6.18*
*-If necessary, of course.

The real finals series. Forget about that other finals series that starts Thursday (see preview tomorrow). In Canada, it's all on CBC, while here in the states, games 1, 2 and 5-7 (if necessary) will be on NBC, while 3 and 4 are on NBCSN.

NHL Conference Semifinal Weekend Underway (And Farewell to TSN)

The NHL's version of the 'Frozen Four' is already underway!

The conference final weekend got started today when the Habs got destroyed at home 7-2 in game 1 of the Eastern final to the Rangers. Rangers lead the series. They play again on Monday.

The Kings are back in the Western final for the third straight season, in a rematch with the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks from last year.

Conference series schedules...
(Best of seven)

WEST
(3C) Blackhawks v (3P) Kings
Game 1 Sunday
Game 2 Tuesday
Game 3 5.24
Game 4 5.26
Game 5 5.28*
Game 6 5.30*
Game 7 6.1*

EAST
(3A) Canadiens v (2M) Canadiens
Game 1 Rangers won
Game 2 Monday
Game 3 5.22
Game 4 5.25
Game 5 5.27*
Game 6 5.29*
Game 7 5.31*
*-if necessary

Both series in the US are on NBC and NBCSN. All seven games of Habs/Rangers on CBC, while CBC will get the Hawks/Kings from game 3 on. TSN will finish their NHL campaign with the first two games of the Western series.

TSN's final NHL broadcast will be in that Kings/Hawks game 2 from Chicago on Wednesday. It will be an end of an era until 2026, so watch those two games for now. TSN has done a lot for the NHL, but they have an even stronger relationship with the IIHF, the sport's governing body. Will miss them, but will continue on a regional basis next season.

Boston Pizza Is At It Again!

Link.

I think they did this before. 2011 Stanley Cup final and a previous playoff series with the Bruins and Habs?

Also the renaming of Sam Adams 'Boston' Lager as Sam Adams 'Montreal' lager!

What about Montreal Baked Beans? Montreal Cream Pie? Montreal Scientific? Montreal Market?

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2014: Conference Semifinals Begin This Weekend!

A stunning come from behind win in OT sends the Wild to the semifinals as they begin their series with the defending Cup champions Blackhawks, on Friday night. The Wild has been 3-0 in game 7's since their first year in the NHL back in 2000-01.

The Habs and Bruins kick start the semifinal round tonight!

(best of seven)

WEST
(C3) Blackhawks v (W1) Wild
Game 1 5.2
Game 2 5.4
Game 3 5.6
Game 4 5.9
Game 5 5.11*
Game 6 5.13*
Game 7 5.15*

(P1) Ducks v (P3) Kings
Game 1 5.3
Game 2 5.5
Game 3 5.8
Game 4 5.10
Game 5 5.12*
Game 6 5.14*
Game 7 5.16*

EAST
(A1) Bruins v (A3) Canadiens
Game 1 TONIGHT
Game 2 5.3
Game 3 5.6
Game 4 5.8
Game 5 5.10*
Game 6 5.12*
Game 7 5.14*

(M1) Penguins v (M2) Rangers
Game 1 5.2
Game 2 5.4
Game 3 5.5
Game 4 5.7
Game 5 5.9*
Game 6 5.11*
Game 7 5.13*

In the US, it is on the NBC networks. In Canada, both East semifinal series are on CBC, while both West semifinal series are on TSN (watch it on TSN while you can).

GAME ON!

It's Spring and It's Stanley Cup Playoffs 2014 Time!

Every season there are some stories to chew on regarding the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including this weird new format. Nevermind on that.

For the first time in six seasons, the Stars are in the playoffs as they clinched the eighth and final spot in the West. Also the Avs are back for the first time in the postseason in a few seasons, surprising because when Patrick Roy took over as head coach, it was a major overhaul. And it worked. At least there will be playoffs in the Pepsi Center--but not the Nuggets!

In the east, the Jackets are finding life in their new digs. After a few seasons, they are back in the postseason fold. The Bolts also missed the playoffs last year, but bounced back this year.

However the biggest SCF story this year is the Habs. They are the only Canadian franchise in the big dance. The six others--including the Jets, Canucks and Senators--all missed the playoffs. Sad, considering that Lord Stanley was last won by the Habs in 1992-93, the last time it was done by a team north of the border.

With that in mind, the conference quarterfinal matchups:

(STOP! Before you proceed, they are best of seven)

(proceed.)

WEST
Quarterfinals
(C1) Avalanche v (W1) Wild
Game 1 4.17
Game 2 4.19
Game 3 4.21
Game 4 4.24
Game 5 4.26*
Game 6 4.28*
Game 7 4.30*

(C2) Blues v (C3) Blackhawks
Game 1 4.17
Game 2 4.19
Game 3 4.21
Game 4 4.23
Game 5 4.25*
Game 6 4.27*
Game 7 4.29*

(P1) Ducks v (W2) Stars
Game 1 4.16
Game 2 4.18
Game 3 4.21
Game 4 4.23
Game 5 4.25*
Game 6 4.27*
Game 7 4.29*

(P2) Sharks v (P3) Kings
Game 1 4.17
Game 2 4.20
Game 3 4.22
Game 4 4.24
Game 5 4.26*
Game 6 4.28*
Game 7 4.30*

EAST
Quarterfinals
(A1) Bruins v (W2) Red Wings
Game 1 4.18
Game 2 4.20
Game 3 4.22
Game 4 4.24
Game 5 4.26*
Game 6 4.28*
Game 7 4.30*

(A2) Lightning v (A3) Canadiens
Game 1 4.16
Game 2 4.18
Game 3 4.20
Game 4 4.22
Game 5 4.24*
Game 6 4.27*
Game 7 4.29*

(M1) Penguins v (W1) Blue Jackets
Game 1 4.16
Game 2 4.19
Game 3 4.21
Game 4 4.23
Game 5 4.26*
Game 6 4.28*
Game 7 4.30*

(M2) Rangers v (M3) Flyers
Game 1 4.17
Game 2 4.20
Game 3 4.22
Game 4 4.25
Game 5 4.27*
Game 6 4.29*
Game 7 4.30*

*-if necessary.

How to watch the games:

• In the US it is on NBC, NBCSN and CNBC.
• In Canada, it is on CBC and TSN (final playoffs ever for TSN) 

Predominantly D-III Union College Wins NCAA Men's D-I Ice Hockey Championship!

It's always great to see these little schools win a NCAA Division I title, no matter the sport. Case in point, Union College, Division III in just about every sport (they are in the Liberty League), with the exception of ice hockey, in which they are Division I. Their win in the national title of men's ice hockey on Saturday against the University of Minnesota in Philly is their first national title (I think) in any sport. Remember the University of Minnesota Duluth did the same thing in 2011?

Think about it. Love the little guys. Congrats to Bill Bennett and his coaching staff, and also ECAC going back to back. They are the hockey conference.

Buzzer Beater in (Ice) Hockey! An Occasion That Happens Every 1 in 10,000 Chances!

Epic finish with .6 seconds left in Thursday's national semifinal of NCAA men's Division I ice hockey between Minnesota and North Dakota.

Ironic it was 22 years after that infamous Duke-Kentucky basketball game winner across the street at the old Spectrum.