Mighty Duck (or lack thereof) Fans

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.