Comeback Win Gives Flames the Series Lead

What a game! The Flames looked down and out in the early in the first period with a 3-0 deficit and Kipper pulled. Just so happens that Cujo gets thrown into the fire and backstops the Flames to a 4 unanswered goal comeback win. That's playoff hockey for ya.

The turning point must have been Sarich's hit on Marleau as he smoked him into the boards. It's too early to find the hit on youtube but it was one of the hardest clean checks I've ever seen.
I'm extremely entertained. So I can't really ask for more...

This now gives the Flames a 2-1 series lead and home ice advantage. They've played well at home this entire season and just need to outwork, outhustle and outhit the Sharks and they could upset the team everyone seemed to be picking as this year's Stanley Cup winner. I like upsets.

UPDATE:

here's the hit everyone's talking about:

Ironhead Clothing

Thought this was a good chance to plug a great Canadian clothing company. I was meaning to buy a new hoodie and I usually get out to this great store called Ironhead once a year. They make great limited run clothing with edgy designs around boxing and hockey. They've only got one retail store and they're located at 1952 West 4th Ave. in Vancouver. They've got super friendly staff and great designs if you're looking for something unique.

Everything is limited print, which makes all your clothing unique. They also make wicked jersey's as well. The only advertising they do is word of mouth and are worn by mostly hockey and boxing athletes. It's a great story and a great company, so if you're looking for a neat gift for someone go check it out...

I'd Give My Left Nut for...

We've all heard how hard the playoffs really are, and how players go to war. Injuries are just part of it. Well would you give your left nut for a Stanley Cup?

Patrick Thoresen just might. TSN has more:

Flyers left wing Patrick Thoresen was taken to the hospital for tests after getting hit in the groin by a shot during Philadelphia's 5-4 loss to Washington on Friday night.

That sounds bad right... this part sounds even worse:

Thoreson went down to block a slap shot by Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green with the Flyers clinging to a one-goal lead early in the third period. The puck struck Thoresen between the legs with such force that after the game he was taken to a Washington hospital Center.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Thoreson might need to have a testicle removed.

Here's a salute to Patrick Thoresen...the kids got balls. For now.

Georges Laraque Media Scrum?

Pens tough guy Laraque, never hesitates to stand up for his teammates. It's his job after all. This time he's taken it off the ice and is fighting back with the media. The Ottawa media to be exact.

Don Brennan, the Ottawa Sun writer who stirred up the Pittsburgh Penguins by suggesting someone from the Ottawa Senators should give Sidney Crosby a whack on his tender ankle, found himself face-to-face with the stern presence of Penguins enforcer Georges Laraque after Thursday's practice.

...At the same time, Brennan, whose suggestion was one of the silliest things to appear in print, wrote in Thursday's Sun that Laraque should “call me that to my face.” Give him full marks for chutzpah if nothing else.

So, with a full house of media and players looking on, Laraque spotted Brennan in the dressing room and marched over. “You wanted me to call you stupid to your face? Well, you're stupid,” he said, towering over the scribe.

Sounds like Don has a death wish. Good luck with that one. The media circus in Ottawa continues. Maybe it'll evolve into a Ray Emery/Don Brennan vs. Georges Laraque/Maggie the Monkey from TSN tag team cage match.

They've got to find something to do with all the time off the Pens will have after they sweep the Sens.

Burn.

UPDATE:

Larry Brooks from the New York Post had this to say:

There's a word for the Ottawa fan boy-writer who called on the Senators to break Sidney Crosby's ankle with an imitation of Bobby Clarke's 1972 Summit Series slash that did the same to the USSR's resplendent Valeri Kharlamov. It's the same word that applies to the editor who allowed the plea to actually appear in the newspaper.

It's spelled, M-O-R-O-N.

March of the Penguins...?

I know it's April, but this post season could be the start of a March of the Penguins to Lord Stanley's cup. The Pens looked dominant, with big Gino Malkin taking charge and leading his team with 3 points. The old man Gary Roberts also chipped in with 2 goals and Marc-Andre Fleury's critics were silenced as he posted his first career playoff shutout.

If they continue this drive through this series, the Sens don't stand a chance. No Alfie, Fischer or Kelly = big trouble for a struggling Senators squad. A very convincing win by the Pens tonight who look built for a playoff drive. They have a strong 3rd and 4th line and Fleury looked solid when he was tested. It's going to be hard to shutdown the offense when there's always powerhouses like Crosby, Malkin and Hossa to shutdown, and strong secondary scoring is present with the likes of Malone and Sykora as well.

As the opening night of the playoffs comes to an end, I'm really impressed with how entertaining the Flames and Sharks game was. Iginla's drive to the net for the winning goal was unreal. An all out Iginlaesque effort. Watch out this could be a long grueling series with the potential for many injuries.

I love playoff hockey. Those Pens I drafted in my playoff pool are looking pretty choice tonight too.