Ruffian

Thanks for the info! I just got the navy Team USA jersey.

You're right. I tried last spring to book a room for the last few days of the tournament. Closest I could get was Thief River Falls. Then in Nov I was able to book a room in Grafton but it had a 3-night minimum at $150/night! A friend found me another place further away but at $40/night. Meanwhile discussion in Grafton in part due to my experience resulted in the removal of the three night minimum and a reduction to under $100/night. The manager even e-mailed me to re-book there. But when I tried it showed no rooms available. Now I see rooms available again. I was ready to pay a reasonable increase over normal rates because of the special event. Price gouging and the hassle of booking, cancelling and trying to re-book has been a PITA. I'm still trying to find some place closer but reasonably priced for the convenience of my friend.

Excellent post. You can get into a game and cheer while spending most of the time sitting down. There are moments when it is appropriate to stand but after a decent interval you sit again out of respect for others. It really doesn't make sense no matter who you are, student or elderly or someone in between, to have to stand for part or all of a game because some people want to stand and block your view.

Esche has been awesome and Team USA owes him a win. Looks like scratching Hull and some of the older guys has made a difference. Blake made sure that puck went in, eh?

The league issued a statement on Thursday regarding the legal developments. "As we stated at the time the suspension was imposed, we believe the League rendered an appropriate decision, one that was stern and swift," said Bill Daly, the league's executive vice president and chief legal officer. "We did what we believe was right, for the players involved and the sport as a whole. "We, therefore, would have preferred that the Crown not take this action. Having said that, the Vancouver authorities have made their decision and we remain committed to offering our full cooperation in any way we can." I agree that it should be handled by the league. Bertuzzi didn't think about anything beyond hurting Moore but I doubt his intention was for it to go as far as it did. Moore had fought earlier but refusing to turn and fight Bertuzzi(not that he had to) made Bertuzzi's frustration boil over. I'm not saying frustration is an excuse for losing control. We all have to practice that. I just happen to believe that it was a tragic hockey incident which went farther than anyone intended. It still needs to be kept within hockey.

Thanks sprig!

With an impending lockout in the NHL I am looking for alternatives for my hockey fix. I heard that ticket strips for the World Juniors had been sold. Does anyone know if single game tickets are being sold? If so, are there any still available? What does the hotel occupancy in GF look like for that time period now? When I checked for hotels at the World Junior site I was given information for Thief River Falls. Not sure if that means the hotels are already booked or if it means TRF paid a bit more for people to be directed to them first. Is this a viable alternative to GF? Any information would be appreciated. I'd probably only be out that way for the last few days of the tournament before heading further west to ski. Thanks! Ruffian

Late starting games and OT. I just got home from the game. Commodore skated in warmups but did not play.

I heard this afternoon Commodore is out tonight. Lydman is in. I don't have a link but I was told it came from a Dallas paper.

They have 200 $8 seats for each game and have been doing it for at least two seasons. I think it's great they didn't change the policy for the playoffs.

Iginla didn't challenge Lecavalier. Lecavalier initiated that fight. It was a draw. Iginla did not kick ass at the end or at any time. Lecavalier used to fight more often a few years ago so it wasn't a total surprise he dropped the gloves last night.

5 or 7, doesn't matter as long as Tampa wins it.

I agree. Unfrotunately some people are more just fans of a team rather than being fans of the sport too. Iginla is fun to watch. Calgary didn't play in Tampa during the regular season so it's great to have the chance to see them now at their best.

The Lightning were outplayed and seemed unprepared for the Flames. They will make corrections for Thursday's game.

What Khabibulin has had going for himself through the playoffs is he's been following the puck extremely well and has quick hands, very quick hands. Lightning win this one. But I like Calgary too.

Just got home from the game. Flyers ran out of gas. Tampa's scoring depth and toughness surprised them and many Flyers fans, IMO. The Lightning are quick learners and were not about to allow a repeat of Thursday night. Flyers had few chances in the third. I wore my Orange Crush t-shirt and most everyone was cool about it. The people who know me from the regular season and previous playoff rounds were very gracious winners. We were all happy that it was spectacular series. I've said all along the winner in the East would prevail and I'll stick with that although my beloved Flyers are not the representatives as I had hoped they'd be.

Flames/Flyers Flyers!

Which is why you grandfather them in. Incoming players are already used to wearing them.

I could never understand why guys who grew up playing with shields gave them up when playing in the toughest league. They have to get over the idea that tough players, real men, don't wear them. Their eyesight is more important than image. I think shields should be grandfathered in just as helmets were. I doubt a half shield would have helped in JR's case. The puck his jaw below where I think the shield would have reached.

I don't know how you can say the Flyers are cheap and the Lightning are not. Taylor left his feet which in the rule book is charging, when he helped sandwich Pitkanen into getting a concussion. In Game 4 Lecavalier went to the penalty box because he knew he should have. The refs have been awful. It's why things get out of hand and players get hurt. Brashear and Roy get penalties as often for their reputations as for actually doing something. For as much as Primeau may dish out roughness he takes an awful lot in return which is not called because of his size.

I like things like that happening especially if it's my team left holding the cup. They played like they should have last night. It may signal the end of Khabibulin's hot streak. That first goal was not a good one.

I have been saying this all along. Tampa and the Sharks style would be more entertaining for hockey in the long run. Winning with this style will bring other teams into the fold. Winning will have a positive aspect on attendance and popularity in the South. If they don't win they still need to play entertaining hockey with great effort. Fans appreciate effort by the players, the GM and the owner in providing a winning team, or one that looks like it can.

I dislike Kovalev because he is selfish and puts himself before the team with his actions. In the game against the Bruins it was bad enough he stopped trying to make the play but then he ran into his teammate preventing him from making the play. Then blamed his teammate instead of taking responsibility himself. I have no use for someone like that. A player's skill means nothing if he has no heart, no work ethic and is not a team player.