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ravencallscrowsPlayoff hockey, at least by the time things have progressed to the Conference Finals, generally conjures up images of close-fought games between teams of fairly comparable talent. Such was the case in the series between the Ottawa Senators and the New Jersey Devils. This was a good, seven game series.
It's hard to say from the games that the victorious Devils are clearly the better team. They did, however win four of the seven games, and in doing so, earn the right to advance to battle for the Stanley Cup.
If there was a sentimental favourite in the pack this season, it had to be the Senators. Any team which can pass through bankruptcy during the course of a season, complete with missing payroll once, yet still remain competitive has done something remarkable. To do so without missing a stride en route to compiling the best regular season record is on the level of miraculous.
When it came right down to it, this was a duel between goaltenders, and the more experienced Martin Brodeur and his team prevailed over Patrick Lalime and the Sens. If the Senators can manage to repeat what they accomplished this season next year, and Lalime returns to his 2001-2002 playoff form, the cries of "Wait until next year" from the Corel Centre will be a threat, rather than a hopeful refrain.
It's hard to say from the games that the victorious Devils are clearly the better team. They did, however win four of the seven games, and in doing so, earn the right to advance to battle for the Stanley Cup.
If there was a sentimental favourite in the pack this season, it had to be the Senators. Any team which can pass through bankruptcy during the course of a season, complete with missing payroll once, yet still remain competitive has done something remarkable. To do so without missing a stride en route to compiling the best regular season record is on the level of miraculous.
When it came right down to it, this was a duel between goaltenders, and the more experienced Martin Brodeur and his team prevailed over Patrick Lalime and the Sens. If the Senators can manage to repeat what they accomplished this season next year, and Lalime returns to his 2001-2002 playoff form, the cries of "Wait until next year" from the Corel Centre will be a threat, rather than a hopeful refrain.
