That was one crazy weekend in the NHL. Highlighted by injuries, pancakes, milestones and (pending) Shanabans, our first full weekend of 2012 had it all! Here are the five things that you probably shouldn't have missed out on from the weekend that was:
- Saturday afternoon in Boston was the stage for Game 8 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. The two best teams in the league entered the game with an entire series' worth of trash-talk and it has not stopped since. The game wasn't five minutes old when the two rivals engaged in a melee that saw Milan Lucic get thrown out of the game and lead the way for 11 (this is not a typo) Vancouver power plays. The game ended with angry coaches, a suspended Brad Marchand, hurt feelings, and an injured Sami Salo. But really, who's surprised about that one?
- It's difficult to feel sympathy for the Pittsburgh Penguins considering the wealth of talent they've had access to over the past few seasons, however it's getting to the point where us in the hockey community should probably start feeling sympathy...or just drop our jaws. This season the Pens have missed significant time from stars; Evgeni Malkin, Zbynek Michalek, Kris Letang, and in case you haven't heard: Sidney Crosby. Yet they've maintained a playoff spot all season and until a recent four-game skid they were near the top of the East. Unfortunately, their fortunes didn't improve on Sunday as they lost both James Neal and Jordan Staal to significant injuries. This will make for an interesting stretch-run for Disco Dan's boys. Count on them to pick up a top-6 forward at the trade deadline.
- Jarome Iginla added another credential to his Hall of Fame career on Saturday night by scoring his 500th career goal, all of which in a Calgary Flames uniform. A big Keon to Dion #K2D (start using this tag people, it's gonna be big!!!) congratulations to Jarome. Ever since Theo Fleury was traded 1998/1999 season, Jarome has been the face of the franchise and the only consistent star that they have had. Not that I want him to skip town on his team, but wouldn't it be great to see this man with a big fat Stanley Cup ring on his finger? Don't pull a Sundin, Jarome.
- The Ottawa All-Stars visited the City of Brotherly Love on Saturday afternoon and despite all odds, the home team won. Danny Briere got in a fight and scored a hat-trick, including the game-winner with six seconds left in OT because he's amazing. Why oh why hasn't the Little Man from Gatineau ever been considered for Team Canada? He plays a much bigger game than his 5'10", 170 lb stature would suggest.
- OH MY GOD THEY'RE HAVING A FIRE...SALE! Depending on who you talk to, the Anaheim Ducks have hauled almost everyone onto the front lawn of the Honda Center to go home with whoever makes the best offer. Rumours include Corey Perry to Vancouver (please God no), Ryan Getzlaf to Toronto (please God, do it) and Bobby Ryan to *insert whatever team is being speculated about this week here*. GM Bob Murray still maintains that the Ducks intend to compete to a playoff spot, which will likely require these three fellas. If Murray intends on making the playoffs, he'd better alert the team pretty soon.
- It was a weekend of milestones: Jarome's 500th goal, Ollie Jokinen's 1000th career game, John Tavares' 200th game (156 career points...UN-DER-RATED), and Sami Salo's 3000th career injury.
I can't wait to see what next weekend brings.
PLUS/MINUS
The plus of the weekend obviously goes to Jarome Iginla and his goal-scoring milestone. Something that can't be forgotten though is that Shane Doan scored his first career hat-trick in dramatic fashion. These accomplishments couldn't have been earned by two greater dudes.
Minus of the weekend: Dustin Penner. The man has been criticized over his career for being slow and out of shape, and for being wildly injury prone. It seems that he's managed to combine the two with his most recent pancake related injury. Dustin Penner threw out his back while eating pancakes. The man creates his own punchlines doesn't he? Your move Kyle Wellwood!
Cheers,
@BradMac91
@KeontoDion #K2D
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