Last night's Game One of the Western Conference Finals at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim showed me the exact reason why hockey fans both in the US and in Canada feel that Anaheim doesn't deserve a team.
While watching the game from the comfort of my bed, I could easily point out about 30-50 empty seats behind the glass, not to mention the empty seats in the upper levels. The crowd seemed less than midly interested with the play on the ice, and completely quieted after Ales Hemsky's check swing goal in the second period.
People, need I remind you that this is a playoff game?? Back in 2003, when the Ducks made the Western Conference Finals, the Pond was one of the loudest buildings left in the playoffs. Last night seemed more like a regular season game versus an Eastern Conference opponent in December. It was embarrasing as a staunch fan and defender of this team. Us real fans don't say "Rock the Pond" for no reason. If you want proof, listen to the season ticket holders in the 400 sections. They know how to get it done.
A message to those "fans": if you don't like hockey, don't understand hockey, or don't even know who is playing for either team, sell your tickets to the real fans. I, as well as some other Duck fans who were not fortunate enough to procure tickets to the home games, would be more than happy to take those corporate gifts off your hands. And your nachos can wait until the intermission.
Mark Crawford to be Named Next Head Coach of the Los Angeles Kings
The latest word out of Los Angeles is that Mark Crawford, most recently fired by the Vancouver Canucks, will be named the Kings head coach at a press conference to be held on Monday. Crawford has previoulsy won one Stanley Cup during his coaching tenure, albeit with an extremely loaded and talented Colorado Avalanche team in 1996.
While Dean Lombardi, the Kings newly hired GM, is a very well respected hockey man around the league (a man who helped build the San Jose Sharks to respectability), I'm not sure that Crawford is a good fit here. Crawford, like Andy Murray before him, isn't known as a "player's coach". He is very demanding, a yeller, and expects all his players to play in his system. Murray was fired because all he was preaching began to fall on deaf ears, as was Crawford in Vancouver.
What the Kings really need at this stage, after having missed the playoffs for the past 3 straight seasons, is a more player-friendly coach. A team that has been plauged by injuries needs a bit of nuturing right now. I'm not sure that Crawford is the nuturing type.
Should I also mention here that Crawford only managed to get a superbly talented team in Vancouver out of the first round of the playoffs only once during his tenure? How well with that sit with Mark Leiweke?
What will be interesting, though, is when the Kings play the Ducks 8 times next season. Crawford against what may have well been his replacement in Vancouver (Randy Carlyle) had Brain Burke not successfully lured him to the Ducks organization. Should make for an interesting matchup.
Stop Asking when Erik Cole will Suit Up for the Hurricanes
Yes, 'Canes fans, I'm talking to you here. I understand as a fan that you are worried about Cole's health, as are many other fans around the NHL. The hit by Brooks Orpik, in my opinion, was a dirty hit. The man suffered what could have been a life-threatening injury. It is great to see him skating again, let alone skating with his team and trying to make a comeback to help his team win, but give the man time, please.
And to the hockey media that is covering this story like Cole is Barry Bonds: stop it! Give the man time to heal. If he doesn't come back this year, and the 'Canes don't win the cup, will you be blaming his not returning for the loss? The fact that the 'Canes are where they are now is a testament to how a team game is supposed to be played. While Cole was enjoying a break-out season, GM Jim Rutherford and Head Coach Peter Laviolette have done a fine job in retooling this team to get to where they are now.
And finally....
Just one question: Should it be considered an automatic win if the Buffalo Sabres score first in a playoff game? Except for Games 3 and 4 of their opening round series against Philadelphia, every time the Sabres score first they win. Their only other loss? When the Ottawa Senators scored first in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals. Carolina might be wise to try and get on the scoreboard first. It might be their only way to make this series actually go to seven games.
Great post. I have not been a Crawford fan ever since asking Ray Bourque to be in the shootout in the '98 Olympics. What defenseman get breakaways? Ofcourse let's not get started with his role in the Bertuzzi incident.
Cole coming back would be a miracle. He had to sit over a month without doing physical activities to stay in shape. He is still nowhere near hockey shape even if his neck/spine was healthy.
Crawford started out as a nuturing coach in the AHL in the early 90's, OK he was pretty mean, too!
The 1995-96 Avalanche weren't particularly stacked . With the exception of Patrick Roy, it was the same team that was in Quebec the previous season.
The empty 100 level seats you're speaking of isn''t a situation exclusive to Anaheim, it's all over the league!. The 100 level of the Air Canada Centre has so many suits there that it looks like the trading floor of the NYSE. Real fans are fotced to miss out while these jackasses are merely there to be seen.
Dan: Thanks for the comments (and for adding me to your favorites as well.
I can only think of one defenseman (or is it defenceman?) that gets breakaways, and that would be Scott Niedermayer. Want proof? See Game 2 against the Calgary Flames in round 1 of this years playoffs. Other than that, Crawford is really just a mediocre coach, and not one that I think is really going to help the Kings. Their major issue is a true #1 goaltender, and how much do you think Leiweike and company are kicking themselves for letting Huet go in a trade??
Leafs: You would be correct in saying it is a problem in other areas as well, not just in Anaheim as far at the attendence is concerned. It just really truly irked me to watch that game last night and watch the crowd barely even cheer after an awesome penalty kill. I know many Americans (especially in Southern California) don't get it, but please, it's still the playoffs!! And as for the Av's of that season, I still think having a Joe Sakic and a Peter Forsberg, along with Patrick Roy, is cause to say they were a bit stacked.
Last edited by whathappnd on May 20th at 10:47 PM.
One thing that has impressed me about Anaheim is how knowledgable the hockey fans have become. Despite the lack of general enthusiasm, they were reacting to calls and plays with the same level of knowledge that you would see in an arena north of the border.
The reason I don't consider the 1996 Avs stacked is that both Forsberg and Sakic had only 2 unspectacular playoff performances to their credit prior to that season(a leagacy of la Nordiques) which made them a less awe-inspiring team then they were a couple of seasons ago. However, despite not being "stacked" by my definition, they certainly were a very talented team.
Leaf: Your point is very well taken regarding that '96 Avs team. We may have a different opinion on talent vs. superb talent of that year, but we are both in agreement that the team was talented.
Fans here (the real ones) are quite the knowledgeable bunch. I am from NY originally, and suffered for many years as a Ranger fan (not unlike yourself as a Leafs fan, to be sure), but the fans here do get it. I really wish there were more enthusiasm; HOWEVER, in such a huge market with 2 hockey teams, 2 basketball teams, 2 baseball teams, not to mention skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing, generating enthusiasm here is very difficult.
Thanks for the comments-I've just checked out your blog and your piece about Belfour and JFJ was hysterical. Oh, and about using the zamboni mid-game to get the excitement level up was priceless! Thanks for adding me to your faves also.
Thanks for the compliments, and for adding me to our favorites list as well.
The #1 problem with the hockey in Anaheim is winning. The Ducks haven't being doing enough of it since their inception. While things are improving on the ice right now, it may take some time for the fans to fall in love with this team.
Never truer words spoken, leafs. I am confident this team will be good for a number of years with all the kids (Getzlaf, Perry, Lupul, Kunitz, etc.) + Scott Niedermayer. Should they repeat what they did this regular season NEXT season, I think more people locally will be interested.
another great post whats. keep up the great work. and Marc Crawford is one of those coaches that I did not care for when he coached the maroon and blue. He is into old school hockey which I do not mind. but the bench clearing brawls really do stop the flow. aside from that leaf is right on about him helping players get better and tougher. Sean Avery will be more effective now that is a definite.
your interaction with one of the first friends I made on this site-- leafsnation--gives proof about your blog; trust me when you are in with leafs, schwartz, dan and letsgoredwings you are on your way. I am not saying that from ego--to the contrary more readership will follow. i will predict next my other friends Drcrab and Gcoach, will read. Once that occurs your favorites will look good to other regulars on this site. you do not have to always agree the community ; it is the tone of the post and the notes to other bloggers. Leaf, dan and schwartz are real good friends of mine, other readers will follow.
Cya round the computer.
Last edited by letsgoredwings on May 21st at 11:15 PM.
thanks lgrw. One thing, though: the Kings released Avery at the end of the season, and he is set to be an unrestricted free agent July 1st. I don't see Avery in a Kings uniform again, and I don't know who would really be willing to give him another chance with that mouth and ignorance of his (Calgary perhaps?)
A woman with a love and passion for all things hockey, baseball and writing. Ergo, here I am. I will primarily be focusing on hockey and baseball, but if another sport so warrants my attention, I will put my thoughts and opinions here, in this space. Well, it would actually be in the space to the left, but you know what I mean.
Allow me to apologize up front if some of my blogs are long...I'm working on that. For the record, should you see any slanted articles towards the following teams: New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Orange County of Southern California of the United States of America, or the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, that would be cause those are the teams I'm truly a fan of. But I will try to be as fair and unbiased as possible.Than ks in advance for reading!
