When Jean-Sebastien Giguere was hot, the Ducks flew high. After three rounds of spectacular performances, Giguere turned in a fourth that was simply average.
Unfortunately for this year's Conn Smythe Trophy winner, his opponent in goal- New Jersey Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur- was at least a notch better. In the four victories against the Ducks, three were shutouts; and the fourth coincided with New Jersey's highest goal output of the playoffs.
Simply put, the Devils were the better team in all facets of the game. Aside from the anomalous games five and six, the Devils played typical Devils' hockey- low scoring, but not particularly needing many goals due to their defensive prowess. And most of the time the team needed a goal, they found a way to manufacture one.
At least the Stanley Cup will return somewhere with which it's familiar- the Devils and the Detroit Red Wings have each hoisted hockey's sacred chalice three times each in the past ten years, with the Devils just missing a fourth in their seven-game loss to Colorado in 2001.
Unfortunately for this year's Conn Smythe Trophy winner, his opponent in goal- New Jersey Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur- was at least a notch better. In the four victories against the Ducks, three were shutouts; and the fourth coincided with New Jersey's highest goal output of the playoffs.
Simply put, the Devils were the better team in all facets of the game. Aside from the anomalous games five and six, the Devils played typical Devils' hockey- low scoring, but not particularly needing many goals due to their defensive prowess. And most of the time the team needed a goal, they found a way to manufacture one.
At least the Stanley Cup will return somewhere with which it's familiar- the Devils and the Detroit Red Wings have each hoisted hockey's sacred chalice three times each in the past ten years, with the Devils just missing a fourth in their seven-game loss to Colorado in 2001.
no subject
Date: 2003-06-11 05:14 pm (UTC)*sigh* but what can ya do?
Re:
Date: 2003-06-11 05:39 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2003-06-11 06:14 pm (UTC)You should hear Gary - he went right on the defensive immediately after they won. You could feel the wrath directed toward Josh.
In Memoriam: Roger Neilson
Date: 2003-06-21 12:04 pm (UTC)Associated Press
http://espn.go.com/classic/obit/s/2003/0621/1571185.html
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Roger Neilson, a Hall of Famer who coached more than a quarter century in the NHL, died Saturday.
He was 69.
Roger Neilson's NHL coaching career spanned more than a quarter century.
He had been battling skin and bone cancer, and his death was announced by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman 90 minutes into the NHL draft.
"We'll miss you, Roger,'' Bettman told the crowd that stood for a moment of silence.
Neilson was an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators, and his resume was surely one of the longest ever in the NHL. He was the head coach of eight teams, although he never won a Stanley Cup.
Ottawa was his 10th NHL team, and the Senators' inability to win the Cup this season was a source of considerable dismay for the players. Ottawa lost in the Eastern Conference finals to New Jersey in seven games. His illness forced him to miss some games during the deepest playoff run in Senators' history.
Neilson was elected last year to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builder's category.
"It was so unexpected,'' he said. "You just wonder why you were picked when there are so many others that may seem to have done more.''