. 'C' of Red flows from Canada to England
Canadian Press
5/27/2004
CALGARY (CP) - They took a lickin' but the dream's still tickin'.
Horns were still honking and fans were still shrieking on the Stampede City's `Red Mile' Thursday night despite the 4-1 pummelling the Calgary Flames took from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The best of seven Stanley Cup series is now tied 1-1 with Game 3 set for Calgary's raucous Pengrowth Saddledome on Saturday.
"We're proud of our boys and they're gonna bring it home," said Michael Vandenberg, clad in a Flames jersey and the green hard hat that has come to symbolize the lunch bucket Flames.
"It just wasn't their game tonight."
Hoisting his own personal Stanley Cup, Flames fan James Li said Thursday's result is just a blip.
"They lose one, but I am pretty sure we'll have a crazy welcome home party, Stanley Cup, or not," he said. "We're here for them."
More than 19,000 fans crammed the Saddledome Thursday, turning it into the world's largest rec room during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final.
People began lining up outside the arena nearly three hours before the game began on the east coast and latecomers were turned away.
"I guess I should've come earlier," lamented 17-year-old Landon McVeigh.
Saddledome officials were caught off guard by the size of the crowd.
"It's an amazing response," said Libby Raines, vice-president of building operations. "We probably have triple the number of people who were here Tuesday night.
"Obviously we're unhappy we had to turn people away."
Chris Harrop, who came with a group of teens midway through the afternoon, said the Flames will be impressed by the response of their fans.
"I think they'll get a real raz out of this, looking back at their hometown fans and seeing all these people," he said.
The crimson crowd, many wearing red Flames gear, cheered and chanted for hours, erupting every time Calgary touched the puck.
"We're not giving up, that's for sure," said Tyler Pollon, 28. "This won't dampen our spirits."
Flames fever has even spread across the transAtlantic. Hockey-mad fans in London are also caught up in the excitement.
The Maple Leaf pub in London has been videotaping the action off satellite TV and showing the games early the next evening.
Bartender Kevin Harte says the crammed bar went into a frenzy as the Flames went up 1-0 in the series, dumping the Lightning 4-1 in Game 1.
"It was pretty crazy in here," said Harte.
Anyone who reveals the score to the bar's patron's before the end of the game is booted out and not allowed back in, he said.
After missing the playoffs for seven years, the Flames are within three games of becoming the first Canadian team to win Lord Stanley's Cup in more than a decade.
"If it goes to Game 7, we're going to try and get a late (liquor) license and stay open for it," said Harte.
Calgary police took steps Thursday to ease congestion on the section of 17th Avenue that has been dubbed the Red Mile by banning parking on the restaurant and bar strip, west of the Saddledome.
The area has been crammed with thousands of shrieking fans and horn honking for hours after Flame victories throughout the playoffs.
"We're not done for yet, not by a long shot," said a disappointed Ashley Dussault from her perch at the Melrose Cafe and Bar on the Red Mile. "I still firmly believe we're going to win the next game and take the Cup in six."
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
5/27/2004
CALGARY (CP) - They took a lickin' but the dream's still tickin'.
Horns were still honking and fans were still shrieking on the Stampede City's `Red Mile' Thursday night despite the 4-1 pummelling the Calgary Flames took from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The best of seven Stanley Cup series is now tied 1-1 with Game 3 set for Calgary's raucous Pengrowth Saddledome on Saturday.
"We're proud of our boys and they're gonna bring it home," said Michael Vandenberg, clad in a Flames jersey and the green hard hat that has come to symbolize the lunch bucket Flames.
"It just wasn't their game tonight."
Hoisting his own personal Stanley Cup, Flames fan James Li said Thursday's result is just a blip.
"They lose one, but I am pretty sure we'll have a crazy welcome home party, Stanley Cup, or not," he said. "We're here for them."
More than 19,000 fans crammed the Saddledome Thursday, turning it into the world's largest rec room during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final.
People began lining up outside the arena nearly three hours before the game began on the east coast and latecomers were turned away.
"I guess I should've come earlier," lamented 17-year-old Landon McVeigh.
Saddledome officials were caught off guard by the size of the crowd.
"It's an amazing response," said Libby Raines, vice-president of building operations. "We probably have triple the number of people who were here Tuesday night.
"Obviously we're unhappy we had to turn people away."
Chris Harrop, who came with a group of teens midway through the afternoon, said the Flames will be impressed by the response of their fans.
"I think they'll get a real raz out of this, looking back at their hometown fans and seeing all these people," he said.
The crimson crowd, many wearing red Flames gear, cheered and chanted for hours, erupting every time Calgary touched the puck.
"We're not giving up, that's for sure," said Tyler Pollon, 28. "This won't dampen our spirits."
Flames fever has even spread across the transAtlantic. Hockey-mad fans in London are also caught up in the excitement.
The Maple Leaf pub in London has been videotaping the action off satellite TV and showing the games early the next evening.
Bartender Kevin Harte says the crammed bar went into a frenzy as the Flames went up 1-0 in the series, dumping the Lightning 4-1 in Game 1.
"It was pretty crazy in here," said Harte.
Anyone who reveals the score to the bar's patron's before the end of the game is booted out and not allowed back in, he said.
After missing the playoffs for seven years, the Flames are within three games of becoming the first Canadian team to win Lord Stanley's Cup in more than a decade.
"If it goes to Game 7, we're going to try and get a late (liquor) license and stay open for it," said Harte.
Calgary police took steps Thursday to ease congestion on the section of 17th Avenue that has been dubbed the Red Mile by banning parking on the restaurant and bar strip, west of the Saddledome.
The area has been crammed with thousands of shrieking fans and horn honking for hours after Flame victories throughout the playoffs.
"We're not done for yet, not by a long shot," said a disappointed Ashley Dussault from her perch at the Melrose Cafe and Bar on the Red Mile. "I still firmly believe we're going to win the next game and take the Cup in six."
Cheers,
Aquaman
Hodge: Where home-ice really matters
TSN.ca Staff
5/27/2004
Lightning coach John Tortorella has a theory about home-ice advantage.
He says it matters only in Game 7. It's not really a factor any other time, and it can be a drawback when it comes to opening a series successfully.
He has seen his theory play out accordingly in Tampa Bay's last two games. The Game 7 elimination of the Flyers was home-ice at its most important - the Lightning getting a lift and the confidence they needed after losing the Game 6 heartbreaker in Philly.
The opening game of the Stanley Cup Final found the Lightning jittery and out of sync. Tortorella knew enough to avoid expressing his belief that the first two games are often easier to play on the road, because saying that now could be terribly deflating, but that is what he thinks.
Earlier in the playoffs, I asked him if he'd be the proof in my argument that many coaches would gladly play the first two games of a best-of-seven series on the road if they could still have four games at home - namely, Games 3, 4, 5 and 7.
Without hesitating, he said, "Count me in - that's home-ice advantage."
It also makes sense from a travel standpoint - one less trip in any series longer than four games, and when you're going from Florida to Alberta and back, who wouldn't like less travel?
The NHL has more important matters to consider, to be sure, but if the Flames win the Stanley Cup as the so-called "road" team in four straight series, somebody is sure to suggest a better way to reward regular-season excellence.
Cheers,
Aquaman
TSN.ca Staff
5/27/2004
Lightning coach John Tortorella has a theory about home-ice advantage.
He says it matters only in Game 7. It's not really a factor any other time, and it can be a drawback when it comes to opening a series successfully.
He has seen his theory play out accordingly in Tampa Bay's last two games. The Game 7 elimination of the Flyers was home-ice at its most important - the Lightning getting a lift and the confidence they needed after losing the Game 6 heartbreaker in Philly.
The opening game of the Stanley Cup Final found the Lightning jittery and out of sync. Tortorella knew enough to avoid expressing his belief that the first two games are often easier to play on the road, because saying that now could be terribly deflating, but that is what he thinks.
Earlier in the playoffs, I asked him if he'd be the proof in my argument that many coaches would gladly play the first two games of a best-of-seven series on the road if they could still have four games at home - namely, Games 3, 4, 5 and 7.
Without hesitating, he said, "Count me in - that's home-ice advantage."
It also makes sense from a travel standpoint - one less trip in any series longer than four games, and when you're going from Florida to Alberta and back, who wouldn't like less travel?
The NHL has more important matters to consider, to be sure, but if the Flames win the Stanley Cup as the so-called "road" team in four straight series, somebody is sure to suggest a better way to reward regular-season excellence.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Lightning draw even with Flames
Canadian Press
5/27/2004
TAMPA, Fla. (CP) - Brad Richards, Dan Boyle and Martin St. Louis scored in the third period as the Tampa Bay Lightning routed the Calgary Flames 4-1 on Thursday night to even the Stanley Cup final series.
The best-of-seven NHL championship is tied 1-1 and shifts to Calgary for Game 3 on Saturday night and Game 4 on Monday night. The Flames are 4-5 at home in the playoffs.
Ruslan Fedotenko scored in the first period for the Lightning, who are 12-1 in the playoffs when scoring first.
"Tonight I think we came out a lot harder and with a lot more desperation," Boyle said. "We knew. The second we stepped off the ice after the last game, we knew we hadn't done enough.
"We did watch tape, but even that ... we just knew."
Ville Nieminen scored in the third period for Calgary.
When asked what his team needs to do better in Game 3, Flames coach Darryl Sutter said "win."
"In the first period other than Jarome (Iginla), our skilled players ... man, our workers worked, but we had some skilled players that weren't as effective in tough areas as their skilled players," Sutter said.
While Calgary dominated a jittery Tampa Bay side in winning the series opener 4-1 on Tuesday night, a hungrier, more aggressive Lightning turned on its speed had the Flames on their heels for much of the second match.
"If you lose two in a row in a seven-game series, you're in trouble," Lightning coach John Tortorella said. "You just have to find ways to win hockey games. Tonight, we did."
The Lightning got the first goal after some dogged work by Vincent Lecavalier, who fed Jassen Cullimore at the point for a shot.
Fedotenko then pushed his own rebound behind the sprawled Miikka Kiprusoff at 7:10.
"(Fedotenko) has been playing well in this series and he just tapped it in," Lecavalier said. "It was a good way to start the game."
It was the first time in 10 games Calgary allowed a goal in the first period and only their fifth opening-period goal allowed in these playoffs.
Kiprusoff kept his team in the game in the second period, thwarting Richards on a short-handed breakaway in the second minute and twice stopping Lecavalier on quick shots after faceoffs.
But renewed Tampa Bay pressure to start the third frame opened the floodgates.
"I thought about taking him out when it was 4-0, just to give him the rest, but he was fine," Sutter said of Kiprusoff. "Really, the shots he was getting were from outside for the most part, other than three or four plays.
"He was fine. I don't think he was an issue."
Richards picked up a loose puck and beat Kiprusoff 2:51 into the third period. The goal was Richards' sixth game-winning goal of the playoffs, the most by any player.
"The goal tonight was good to get us that two-goal cushion," Richards said.
Boyle tipped in Richards' pass from the corner at 4:00 to make it 3-0. The goal came about 48 hours after his Tampa house sustained $300,000 US damage in a fire that broke out late in Game 1.
Boyle acknowledged being shaken up by the fire and seemed concerned about regaining his focus in time for Game 2.
"It was a rough couple days," he said after the game. "But this is the Stanley Cup. I've been dreaming of this my whole life and I just had to put (the fire) aside for a couple weeks.
"That (goal) was awesome."
St. Louis finished a tic-tac-toe play with Lecavalier and Dave Andreychuk at 5:58.
Nieminen picked the puck away from Cory Stillman and scored from the slot on a power play at 12:21 to make it 4-1.
Much of the final period turned into brawling. Tampa Bay's Chris Dingman was ejected after instigating a fight with Chris Simon.
"We've got to be honest with ourselves, they beat us tonight, they were more intense, they were more desperate," Iginla said. "Every team likes to have some energy and be physical and we didn't have enough energy.
"They had it, and we plan on having it next game."
Notes: Among the crowd were Wayne Gretzky, who drew an ovation when introduced, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback Mike Alstott and Canadian LPGA player Dawn Coe-Jones ... The Lightning dressed seven defencemen for a third game in a row ... The Flames were to fly home immediately after the game ... Some signs in the crowd: Canada equals North Mexico; Hey Stanley, Get Sunscreen.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
5/27/2004
TAMPA, Fla. (CP) - Brad Richards, Dan Boyle and Martin St. Louis scored in the third period as the Tampa Bay Lightning routed the Calgary Flames 4-1 on Thursday night to even the Stanley Cup final series.
The best-of-seven NHL championship is tied 1-1 and shifts to Calgary for Game 3 on Saturday night and Game 4 on Monday night. The Flames are 4-5 at home in the playoffs.
Ruslan Fedotenko scored in the first period for the Lightning, who are 12-1 in the playoffs when scoring first.
"Tonight I think we came out a lot harder and with a lot more desperation," Boyle said. "We knew. The second we stepped off the ice after the last game, we knew we hadn't done enough.
"We did watch tape, but even that ... we just knew."
Ville Nieminen scored in the third period for Calgary.
When asked what his team needs to do better in Game 3, Flames coach Darryl Sutter said "win."
"In the first period other than Jarome (Iginla), our skilled players ... man, our workers worked, but we had some skilled players that weren't as effective in tough areas as their skilled players," Sutter said.
While Calgary dominated a jittery Tampa Bay side in winning the series opener 4-1 on Tuesday night, a hungrier, more aggressive Lightning turned on its speed had the Flames on their heels for much of the second match.
"If you lose two in a row in a seven-game series, you're in trouble," Lightning coach John Tortorella said. "You just have to find ways to win hockey games. Tonight, we did."
The Lightning got the first goal after some dogged work by Vincent Lecavalier, who fed Jassen Cullimore at the point for a shot.
Fedotenko then pushed his own rebound behind the sprawled Miikka Kiprusoff at 7:10.
"(Fedotenko) has been playing well in this series and he just tapped it in," Lecavalier said. "It was a good way to start the game."
It was the first time in 10 games Calgary allowed a goal in the first period and only their fifth opening-period goal allowed in these playoffs.
Kiprusoff kept his team in the game in the second period, thwarting Richards on a short-handed breakaway in the second minute and twice stopping Lecavalier on quick shots after faceoffs.
But renewed Tampa Bay pressure to start the third frame opened the floodgates.
"I thought about taking him out when it was 4-0, just to give him the rest, but he was fine," Sutter said of Kiprusoff. "Really, the shots he was getting were from outside for the most part, other than three or four plays.
"He was fine. I don't think he was an issue."
Richards picked up a loose puck and beat Kiprusoff 2:51 into the third period. The goal was Richards' sixth game-winning goal of the playoffs, the most by any player.
"The goal tonight was good to get us that two-goal cushion," Richards said.
Boyle tipped in Richards' pass from the corner at 4:00 to make it 3-0. The goal came about 48 hours after his Tampa house sustained $300,000 US damage in a fire that broke out late in Game 1.
Boyle acknowledged being shaken up by the fire and seemed concerned about regaining his focus in time for Game 2.
"It was a rough couple days," he said after the game. "But this is the Stanley Cup. I've been dreaming of this my whole life and I just had to put (the fire) aside for a couple weeks.
"That (goal) was awesome."
St. Louis finished a tic-tac-toe play with Lecavalier and Dave Andreychuk at 5:58.
Nieminen picked the puck away from Cory Stillman and scored from the slot on a power play at 12:21 to make it 4-1.
Much of the final period turned into brawling. Tampa Bay's Chris Dingman was ejected after instigating a fight with Chris Simon.
"We've got to be honest with ourselves, they beat us tonight, they were more intense, they were more desperate," Iginla said. "Every team likes to have some energy and be physical and we didn't have enough energy.
"They had it, and we plan on having it next game."
Notes: Among the crowd were Wayne Gretzky, who drew an ovation when introduced, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback Mike Alstott and Canadian LPGA player Dawn Coe-Jones ... The Lightning dressed seven defencemen for a third game in a row ... The Flames were to fly home immediately after the game ... Some signs in the crowd: Canada equals North Mexico; Hey Stanley, Get Sunscreen.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Homesick Canadians watch Flames in Tokyo
Associated Press
5/28/2004
TOKYO (AP) - A group of hockey-starved Canadian ex-pats have found a home away from home in the unlikely environs of Tokyo's bustling Shibuya district.
As hordes of Tokyo commuters fought the morning rush hour, a vocal gathering of homesick Canadian businessmen, English teachers and tourists crammed into the Maple Leaf Sports Bar and Grill at 9 a.m. Friday morning to watch a live telecast of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final between the Calgary Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning defeated the Flames 4-1 to even the best-of-seven series, but there were few Tampa Bay fans in the room.
``It makes me feel like I'm a part of what's going on back home,'' said Vancouver native Neil Moody. ``It's part of our culture and this is a great chance to meet fellow Canadians.''
While coffee was the preferred drink of choice, owner Stephan Black from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, said Moosehead and Labatts Blue would be flowing for the rebroadcast later Friday evening.
A Canadian breakfast of bacon and eggs sold for 999 yen ($12.30 Cdn). The only thing missing was a Don Cherry rant between periods.
Black, a long-suffering Toronto Maple Leafs fan, opened the bar a few months ago and made sure to give the place a distinctively Canadian atmosphere. A beaver pelt hangs from the ceiling next to log paneling on the walls.
Calgary is the first Canadian team to play for the Cup in 10 years.
``We didn't want to miss this,'' said Calgary native Barb Rosko, who is travelling through Japan with her niece Kaitlyn. ``As soon as Calgary advanced, we got on the Internet and found this place. We'll be back for the next game and hopefully the result will be better.''
Calgary may be the overwhelming favourite among Canadian expatriates in Tokyo but it's the Lightning who owe their existence to Japan.
Tampa Bay was awarded an NHL expansion franchise in 1990. Financial woes plagued the deal from the outset and the bid was almost scrapped until former vice-president and GM Phil Esposito got Japanese company Kokusai Green to come up with a fresh infusion of cash.
Unlike in Canada, hockey has only a small following in Japan.
Baseball, sumo and soccer dominate the headlines. The fast-paced, physical style of the game just doesn't seem to translate in Japan.
The NBA final, the Super Bowl and the World Series are all shown by national broadcaster NHK, but the Stanley Cup barely gets a mention.
``It's good to see some hockey,'' said freelance writer Rob Peterson. ``All we get over here is Japanese baseball, sumo and soccer.''
There is a Japan Ice Hockey League, but the number of teams is down to four from six with little hope for expansion.
Canadian players, like former Boston Bruins forward Joel Prpic, dominate the league. The six-foot-six, 225-pound native of Sudbury, Ont., had 10 goals and 19 assists in 24 games for the Kokudo Lions this season, while teammate Chris Bright led the league with 23 goals and 16 assists.
Bright, who lives in Calgary in the off-season, recently took Japanese citizenship in order to play for Japan at the world championships and other international competitions.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Associated Press
5/28/2004
TOKYO (AP) - A group of hockey-starved Canadian ex-pats have found a home away from home in the unlikely environs of Tokyo's bustling Shibuya district.
As hordes of Tokyo commuters fought the morning rush hour, a vocal gathering of homesick Canadian businessmen, English teachers and tourists crammed into the Maple Leaf Sports Bar and Grill at 9 a.m. Friday morning to watch a live telecast of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final between the Calgary Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning defeated the Flames 4-1 to even the best-of-seven series, but there were few Tampa Bay fans in the room.
``It makes me feel like I'm a part of what's going on back home,'' said Vancouver native Neil Moody. ``It's part of our culture and this is a great chance to meet fellow Canadians.''
While coffee was the preferred drink of choice, owner Stephan Black from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, said Moosehead and Labatts Blue would be flowing for the rebroadcast later Friday evening.
A Canadian breakfast of bacon and eggs sold for 999 yen ($12.30 Cdn). The only thing missing was a Don Cherry rant between periods.
Black, a long-suffering Toronto Maple Leafs fan, opened the bar a few months ago and made sure to give the place a distinctively Canadian atmosphere. A beaver pelt hangs from the ceiling next to log paneling on the walls.
Calgary is the first Canadian team to play for the Cup in 10 years.
``We didn't want to miss this,'' said Calgary native Barb Rosko, who is travelling through Japan with her niece Kaitlyn. ``As soon as Calgary advanced, we got on the Internet and found this place. We'll be back for the next game and hopefully the result will be better.''
Calgary may be the overwhelming favourite among Canadian expatriates in Tokyo but it's the Lightning who owe their existence to Japan.
Tampa Bay was awarded an NHL expansion franchise in 1990. Financial woes plagued the deal from the outset and the bid was almost scrapped until former vice-president and GM Phil Esposito got Japanese company Kokusai Green to come up with a fresh infusion of cash.
Unlike in Canada, hockey has only a small following in Japan.
Baseball, sumo and soccer dominate the headlines. The fast-paced, physical style of the game just doesn't seem to translate in Japan.
The NBA final, the Super Bowl and the World Series are all shown by national broadcaster NHK, but the Stanley Cup barely gets a mention.
``It's good to see some hockey,'' said freelance writer Rob Peterson. ``All we get over here is Japanese baseball, sumo and soccer.''
There is a Japan Ice Hockey League, but the number of teams is down to four from six with little hope for expansion.
Canadian players, like former Boston Bruins forward Joel Prpic, dominate the league. The six-foot-six, 225-pound native of Sudbury, Ont., had 10 goals and 19 assists in 24 games for the Kokudo Lions this season, while teammate Chris Bright led the league with 23 goals and 16 assists.
Bright, who lives in Calgary in the off-season, recently took Japanese citizenship in order to play for Japan at the world championships and other international competitions.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Troops in Kabul getting Stanley Cup fix
Canadian Press
5/28/2004
KABUL (CP) - The dusty, crowded and dangerous streets of Afghanistan's capital city are just beyond the wall but the handful of Canadian troops gathered at the enlisted ranks mess in Camp Julien might well be a world away.
It's Stanley Cup time - 4:30 a.m, in fact - and a few die-hard hockey fans, members of the Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group, are up to see Game 2 of the NHL final between the Calgary Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Never mind that this French regiment's beloved Montreal Canadiens were eliminated in an earlier playoff round by the Lightning.
These French Canadian soldiers are backing the Flames, the team's noticeable lack of Quebecois talent notwithstanding.
"It's a Canadian team,'' shrugs Bombardier Alain Leclair, a gunner with 5 Regiment d'Artillerie Legere du Canada.
Furthermore, the six soldiers and two civilian workers who sit with large mugs of coffee instead of beer and pizza are watching the CBC English broadcast, even though some of them have little English.
Leclair, who two days ago was firing a 105mm Howitzer at a fly-infested gunnery range outside Kabul, says most like the English announcers better; the French broadcast on RDS, he says, is too parochial, "a bit too Quebec.''
"Another reason that we like CBC is that they are there,'' says Leclair, explaining that the RDS between-period analysts are in a studio back home.
The soldiers - Leclair, two paratroopers, an infantryman, a couple of drivers - and two civilians laugh when Don Cherry appears in a blue wig at the top of the broadcast. They chuckle at his mangling of French names.
They dismiss his earlier rant about French and European hockey players wearing visors, saying he was wrong on the Quebecois but right about the Europeans.
"We like Don Cherry,'' says Leclair, whose two-year-old son has another year before he can start watching hockey with Dad. "He says what he means and he's honest - that's it. You never know what he's going to say next.''
A couple of soldiers hum the national anthem as it is broadcast on the big-screen TV in the hall where soldiers unwind and have a beer during the evening.
They groan when Tampa's Ruslan Fedotenko scores the first goal of the game and Leclair, who has watched the entire playoff, disappears after the second period with Calgary still trailing 1-0.
The sun was just casting its first light when play-by-play commentator Bob Cole assured them: "The night is young.''
The hockey populous shifts as the sun pops over the rugged mountains to the east, casting its warm glow on the face of the ruins of the Queen's Palace at the southern end of the sprawling Canadian base.
Some soldiers leave, a few more come in. Their anticipation of some good NHL playoff hockey is quickly erased when Tampa scores two quick goals early in the third period.
"It's all over,'' one soldier sighs after Lightning defenceman Dan Boyle makes it 3-0.
Then dejection sets in when Martin St. Louis adds another.
There are muted hoots and hollers as the game degenerates into brawls.
It ends in the same 4-1 score by which Calgary won the first game, only this time the night - or is that the morning? - belongs to Tampa.
The soldiers pull themselves up out of their chairs and disperse. Another day of patrolling and other dusty duties await.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
5/28/2004
KABUL (CP) - The dusty, crowded and dangerous streets of Afghanistan's capital city are just beyond the wall but the handful of Canadian troops gathered at the enlisted ranks mess in Camp Julien might well be a world away.
It's Stanley Cup time - 4:30 a.m, in fact - and a few die-hard hockey fans, members of the Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group, are up to see Game 2 of the NHL final between the Calgary Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Never mind that this French regiment's beloved Montreal Canadiens were eliminated in an earlier playoff round by the Lightning.
These French Canadian soldiers are backing the Flames, the team's noticeable lack of Quebecois talent notwithstanding.
"It's a Canadian team,'' shrugs Bombardier Alain Leclair, a gunner with 5 Regiment d'Artillerie Legere du Canada.
Furthermore, the six soldiers and two civilian workers who sit with large mugs of coffee instead of beer and pizza are watching the CBC English broadcast, even though some of them have little English.
Leclair, who two days ago was firing a 105mm Howitzer at a fly-infested gunnery range outside Kabul, says most like the English announcers better; the French broadcast on RDS, he says, is too parochial, "a bit too Quebec.''
"Another reason that we like CBC is that they are there,'' says Leclair, explaining that the RDS between-period analysts are in a studio back home.
The soldiers - Leclair, two paratroopers, an infantryman, a couple of drivers - and two civilians laugh when Don Cherry appears in a blue wig at the top of the broadcast. They chuckle at his mangling of French names.
They dismiss his earlier rant about French and European hockey players wearing visors, saying he was wrong on the Quebecois but right about the Europeans.
"We like Don Cherry,'' says Leclair, whose two-year-old son has another year before he can start watching hockey with Dad. "He says what he means and he's honest - that's it. You never know what he's going to say next.''
A couple of soldiers hum the national anthem as it is broadcast on the big-screen TV in the hall where soldiers unwind and have a beer during the evening.
They groan when Tampa's Ruslan Fedotenko scores the first goal of the game and Leclair, who has watched the entire playoff, disappears after the second period with Calgary still trailing 1-0.
The sun was just casting its first light when play-by-play commentator Bob Cole assured them: "The night is young.''
The hockey populous shifts as the sun pops over the rugged mountains to the east, casting its warm glow on the face of the ruins of the Queen's Palace at the southern end of the sprawling Canadian base.
Some soldiers leave, a few more come in. Their anticipation of some good NHL playoff hockey is quickly erased when Tampa scores two quick goals early in the third period.
"It's all over,'' one soldier sighs after Lightning defenceman Dan Boyle makes it 3-0.
Then dejection sets in when Martin St. Louis adds another.
There are muted hoots and hollers as the game degenerates into brawls.
It ends in the same 4-1 score by which Calgary won the first game, only this time the night - or is that the morning? - belongs to Tampa.
The soldiers pull themselves up out of their chairs and disperse. Another day of patrolling and other dusty duties await.
Cheers,
Aquaman
'C' of Red flows from Canada to England
Canadian Press
5/27/2004
CALGARY (CP) - They took a lickin' but the dream's still tickin'.
Horns were still honking and fans were still shrieking on the Stampede City's `Red Mile' Thursday night despite the 4-1 pummelling the Calgary Flames took from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The best of seven Stanley Cup series is now tied 1-1 with Game 3 set for Calgary's raucous Pengrowth Saddledome on Saturday.
``We're proud of our boys and they're gonna bring it home,'' said Michael Vandenberg, clad in a Flames jersey and the green hard hat that has come to symbolize the lunch bucket Flames.
``It just wasn't their game tonight.''
Hoisting his own personal Stanley Cup, Flames fan James Li said Thursday's result is just a blip.
``There's no disappointing us, they've already made us proud,'' said Li. ``They lose, win, I am pretty sure we'll have a crazy welcome home party. Stanley Cup or not, we're here for them.''
More than 19,000 fans crammed the Saddledome Thursday, turning it into the world's largest rec room during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final.
People began lining up outside the arena nearly three hours before the game began on the east coast and latecomers were turned away.
``I guess I should've come earlier,'' lamented 17-year-old Landon McVeigh.
Saddledome officials were caught off guard by the size of the crowd.
``It's an amazing response,'' said Libby Raines, vice-president of building operations. ``We probably have triple the number of people who were here Tuesday night.
``Obviously we're unhappy we had to turn people away.''
Chris Harrop, who came with a group of teens midway through the afternoon, said the Flames will be impressed by the response of their fans.
``I think they'll get a real raz out of this, looking back at their hometown fans and seeing all these people,'' he said, tipping his Flames hard hat with four mini Stanley Cups attached.
The crimson crowd, many wearing red Flames gear, cheered and chanted for hours, erupting every time Calgary touched the puck.
``We're not giving up, that's for sure,'' said Tyler Pollon, 28. ``This won't dampen our spirits.''
Flames fever has even spread across the Atlantic. Hockey-mad fans in London are also caught up in the excitement.
The Maple Leaf pub in London has been videotaping the action off satellite TV and showing the games early the next evening.
Bartender Kevin Harte says the crammed bar went into a frenzy as the Flames went up 1-0 in the series, dumping the Lightning 4-1 in Game 1.
``It was pretty crazy in here,'' said Harte.
Anyone who reveals the score to the bar's patron's before the end of the game is booted out and not allowed back in, he said.
After missing the playoffs for seven years, the Flames are within three games of becoming the first Canadian team to win Lord Stanley's Cup in more than a decade.
``If it goes to Game 7, we're going to try and get a late (liquor) license and stay open for it,'' said Harte.
Calgary police took steps Thursday to ease congestion on the section of 17th Avenue that has been dubbed the Red Mile by banning parking on the restaurant and bar strip, west of the Saddledome. Four blocks were also blocked off to vehicles Thursday and there was a much larger police presence than in previous games.
The area has been crammed with thousands of shrieking fans and horn honking for hours after Flame victories throughout the playoffs.
But Thursday's loss wasn't dampening spirits.
``Look at these people - do you think they look disappointed?'' said Doreen Joy, as a crowd chanted Go Flames Go behind her. ``They'll still pull it off, maybe finish Game 6 in Calgary.''
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
5/27/2004
CALGARY (CP) - They took a lickin' but the dream's still tickin'.
Horns were still honking and fans were still shrieking on the Stampede City's `Red Mile' Thursday night despite the 4-1 pummelling the Calgary Flames took from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The best of seven Stanley Cup series is now tied 1-1 with Game 3 set for Calgary's raucous Pengrowth Saddledome on Saturday.
``We're proud of our boys and they're gonna bring it home,'' said Michael Vandenberg, clad in a Flames jersey and the green hard hat that has come to symbolize the lunch bucket Flames.
``It just wasn't their game tonight.''
Hoisting his own personal Stanley Cup, Flames fan James Li said Thursday's result is just a blip.
``There's no disappointing us, they've already made us proud,'' said Li. ``They lose, win, I am pretty sure we'll have a crazy welcome home party. Stanley Cup or not, we're here for them.''
More than 19,000 fans crammed the Saddledome Thursday, turning it into the world's largest rec room during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final.
People began lining up outside the arena nearly three hours before the game began on the east coast and latecomers were turned away.
``I guess I should've come earlier,'' lamented 17-year-old Landon McVeigh.
Saddledome officials were caught off guard by the size of the crowd.
``It's an amazing response,'' said Libby Raines, vice-president of building operations. ``We probably have triple the number of people who were here Tuesday night.
``Obviously we're unhappy we had to turn people away.''
Chris Harrop, who came with a group of teens midway through the afternoon, said the Flames will be impressed by the response of their fans.
``I think they'll get a real raz out of this, looking back at their hometown fans and seeing all these people,'' he said, tipping his Flames hard hat with four mini Stanley Cups attached.
The crimson crowd, many wearing red Flames gear, cheered and chanted for hours, erupting every time Calgary touched the puck.
``We're not giving up, that's for sure,'' said Tyler Pollon, 28. ``This won't dampen our spirits.''
Flames fever has even spread across the Atlantic. Hockey-mad fans in London are also caught up in the excitement.
The Maple Leaf pub in London has been videotaping the action off satellite TV and showing the games early the next evening.
Bartender Kevin Harte says the crammed bar went into a frenzy as the Flames went up 1-0 in the series, dumping the Lightning 4-1 in Game 1.
``It was pretty crazy in here,'' said Harte.
Anyone who reveals the score to the bar's patron's before the end of the game is booted out and not allowed back in, he said.
After missing the playoffs for seven years, the Flames are within three games of becoming the first Canadian team to win Lord Stanley's Cup in more than a decade.
``If it goes to Game 7, we're going to try and get a late (liquor) license and stay open for it,'' said Harte.
Calgary police took steps Thursday to ease congestion on the section of 17th Avenue that has been dubbed the Red Mile by banning parking on the restaurant and bar strip, west of the Saddledome. Four blocks were also blocked off to vehicles Thursday and there was a much larger police presence than in previous games.
The area has been crammed with thousands of shrieking fans and horn honking for hours after Flame victories throughout the playoffs.
But Thursday's loss wasn't dampening spirits.
``Look at these people - do you think they look disappointed?'' said Doreen Joy, as a crowd chanted Go Flames Go behind her. ``They'll still pull it off, maybe finish Game 6 in Calgary.''
Cheers,
Aquaman
McKenzie: Flames' big challenge is 'hoopla'
TSN.ca Staff
5/28/2004
The Stanley Cup Final now shifts to Calgary, which has not been very kind to its own hometown Flames.
The Flames have lost two of their last three games on home ice and is 4-5 in the playoffs at the Saddledome. That's home-ice dis-advantage if we ever saw it.
Now when you factor in the whole 'hoopla' of the postseason in Calgary with the fact that the Stanley Cup Final is being held in the city for the first time in 15 years, it can be a real disadvantage for the Flames.
Their opponents the Tampa Bay Lightning had a real tough time dealing with all that excitement and pressure in Game 1 on Tuesday night, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Flames suffer the same sort of concentration problems in Game 3.
You can't just go out there and think you're playing a road game as everyone is excited. Head coach Darryl Sutter has said time and time again for whatever reason, the team starts running around a lot more than they want to when they play at home. The challenge for the Flames is to try and guard against that, as the Lightning will be coming in rested, relaxed and ready to go. John Tortorella's team will also feel that level of excitement and electricity, but have an advantage in the sense that they know they won't have to impress anybody either.
As we saw in Game 2, there was intensity between the Flames and Lightning that culminated with a lot of 'hate' developing between the two teams at the end of the game.
That leaves fans wondering what the carryover might be for Game 3. My guess is that the two teams will have to play physical and smart hockey without dropping the gloves and going crazy.
That said, if either team builds a lead of more than two goals, you're going to get that. That's one of the trademarks of this Flames team, and they have even said it themselves - they are sore losers.
If things don't go their way, you will see a frustration level build. If it's not a frustration level, then it is by design. In any case, the Flames are a good physical hockey team and want to keep that going against the Lightning. But I think everyone agrees that when the puck is dropped in Game 3, the emphasis should be on the physical play and not the craziness we saw in the third period of Game 2.
Cheers,
Aquaman
TSN.ca Staff
5/28/2004
The Stanley Cup Final now shifts to Calgary, which has not been very kind to its own hometown Flames.
The Flames have lost two of their last three games on home ice and is 4-5 in the playoffs at the Saddledome. That's home-ice dis-advantage if we ever saw it.
Now when you factor in the whole 'hoopla' of the postseason in Calgary with the fact that the Stanley Cup Final is being held in the city for the first time in 15 years, it can be a real disadvantage for the Flames.
Their opponents the Tampa Bay Lightning had a real tough time dealing with all that excitement and pressure in Game 1 on Tuesday night, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Flames suffer the same sort of concentration problems in Game 3.
You can't just go out there and think you're playing a road game as everyone is excited. Head coach Darryl Sutter has said time and time again for whatever reason, the team starts running around a lot more than they want to when they play at home. The challenge for the Flames is to try and guard against that, as the Lightning will be coming in rested, relaxed and ready to go. John Tortorella's team will also feel that level of excitement and electricity, but have an advantage in the sense that they know they won't have to impress anybody either.
As we saw in Game 2, there was intensity between the Flames and Lightning that culminated with a lot of 'hate' developing between the two teams at the end of the game.
That leaves fans wondering what the carryover might be for Game 3. My guess is that the two teams will have to play physical and smart hockey without dropping the gloves and going crazy.
That said, if either team builds a lead of more than two goals, you're going to get that. That's one of the trademarks of this Flames team, and they have even said it themselves - they are sore losers.
If things don't go their way, you will see a frustration level build. If it's not a frustration level, then it is by design. In any case, the Flames are a good physical hockey team and want to keep that going against the Lightning. But I think everyone agrees that when the puck is dropped in Game 3, the emphasis should be on the physical play and not the craziness we saw in the third period of Game 2.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Weekend Warriors: Cup fever hits Calgary
Canadian Press
5/28/2004
CALGARY (CP) - As the Stanley Cup final moves to Southern Alberta this weekend, Calgary's nearly two-month-long party promises to reach its crescendo while police hope to keep a lid on some of its more revealing exuberance.
Calgary Flames fever has permeated nearly every aspect of life in this rapidly growing Prairie city primarily known for its oil companies and annual stampede.
The hockey team's flaming C logo is everywhere, fluttering on thousands of car flags and plastered to any available window. The most popular bar strip in town and epicentre of celebrations is known locally as "the red mile."
Another side effect of Calgary's unexpected playoff run has been the spring-break-in-Fort-Lauderdale feel to some of the post-game revelry.
One website that offers up countless photos of female Flames fans exposing themselves in various downtown settings claims to have had 1.3 million visitors in the past week.
The partying, which has been intensifying with each Flames' playoff victory, has both good and bad sides, says Rebecca Sullivan, a communications professor at the University of Calgary.
"People are starting to realize that it's OK to be downtown after dark," she says. "And this has been a long standing problem for Calgary, that nobody leaves the house after 6 p.m."
On the downside, she says, "mob mentality is always a pretty dangerous thing to corral."
"With every win, it's had to get a little bit bigger. So when does it stop? How do we keep it from getting too big? How do we keep it from getting out of control?"
Inspector Dan Jahrig, who is in charge of the downtown district for the Calgary Police Service, said the type and size of crowd for post-game celebrations has been fluctuating, depending on what game it is in the series, whether it's a home or away game and what day of the week it's on.
Still, even when the snow flurries began shortly before Calgary defeated the San Jose Sharks to make it into the final for the first time in 15 years, "it didn't put much of a downpour on the celebrations because we've got great spirit here in Calgary," said Jahrig.
The Calgary police have also had fairly significant crowd-management training in recent years from large scale events like last year's G-8 leaders summit meeting to the World Petroleum Congress several years ago.
Jahrig said his officers try to use police persuasion with revellers before force.
"It doesn't matter what offences are occurring, we are taking appropriate, measured actions to hopefully persuade and warn people to stop whatever that offence or activity is."
Another area the police are watching is the recent sport of finding out which downtown hotel the opposing team is staying at and then making as much noise as possible for as long as possible to discourage good, restful sleeps.
"We all like to have our rest and our sleep, so we are aware of that and have been working with the businesses and hotels in the downtown core," said Jahrig.<
For Game 2, the Saddledome hockey arena packed nearly 20,000 people in to watch the away game on large screen televisions with admission being only a tin of food or donation to the foodbank.
And while it was hard enough to get a seat in a bar during one of the first two final series games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, good tickets for Saturday night's game are demanding upwards of $750 a piece.
With the Flames' success being so lucrative, the NHL is coming into Calgary in force on the weekend - backed up by the RCMP - to ensure that only licensed Calgary Flames paraphernalia is sold.
"Obviously we benefit from the sale of licensed merchandise," says Tom Prochnow, vice-president of NHL Enterprises in New York.
"But it really hurts us as an organization more in terms of goodwill with the fans when a fan buys a T-shirt to commemorate a once-in-a-lifetime event of going to the Stanley Cup finals and then brings it home, throws the T-shirt in the wash and it falls apart."
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
5/28/2004
CALGARY (CP) - As the Stanley Cup final moves to Southern Alberta this weekend, Calgary's nearly two-month-long party promises to reach its crescendo while police hope to keep a lid on some of its more revealing exuberance.
Calgary Flames fever has permeated nearly every aspect of life in this rapidly growing Prairie city primarily known for its oil companies and annual stampede.
The hockey team's flaming C logo is everywhere, fluttering on thousands of car flags and plastered to any available window. The most popular bar strip in town and epicentre of celebrations is known locally as "the red mile."
Another side effect of Calgary's unexpected playoff run has been the spring-break-in-Fort-Lauderdale feel to some of the post-game revelry.
One website that offers up countless photos of female Flames fans exposing themselves in various downtown settings claims to have had 1.3 million visitors in the past week.
The partying, which has been intensifying with each Flames' playoff victory, has both good and bad sides, says Rebecca Sullivan, a communications professor at the University of Calgary.
"People are starting to realize that it's OK to be downtown after dark," she says. "And this has been a long standing problem for Calgary, that nobody leaves the house after 6 p.m."
On the downside, she says, "mob mentality is always a pretty dangerous thing to corral."
"With every win, it's had to get a little bit bigger. So when does it stop? How do we keep it from getting too big? How do we keep it from getting out of control?"
Inspector Dan Jahrig, who is in charge of the downtown district for the Calgary Police Service, said the type and size of crowd for post-game celebrations has been fluctuating, depending on what game it is in the series, whether it's a home or away game and what day of the week it's on.
Still, even when the snow flurries began shortly before Calgary defeated the San Jose Sharks to make it into the final for the first time in 15 years, "it didn't put much of a downpour on the celebrations because we've got great spirit here in Calgary," said Jahrig.
The Calgary police have also had fairly significant crowd-management training in recent years from large scale events like last year's G-8 leaders summit meeting to the World Petroleum Congress several years ago.
Jahrig said his officers try to use police persuasion with revellers before force.
"It doesn't matter what offences are occurring, we are taking appropriate, measured actions to hopefully persuade and warn people to stop whatever that offence or activity is."
Another area the police are watching is the recent sport of finding out which downtown hotel the opposing team is staying at and then making as much noise as possible for as long as possible to discourage good, restful sleeps.
"We all like to have our rest and our sleep, so we are aware of that and have been working with the businesses and hotels in the downtown core," said Jahrig.<
For Game 2, the Saddledome hockey arena packed nearly 20,000 people in to watch the away game on large screen televisions with admission being only a tin of food or donation to the foodbank.
And while it was hard enough to get a seat in a bar during one of the first two final series games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, good tickets for Saturday night's game are demanding upwards of $750 a piece.
With the Flames' success being so lucrative, the NHL is coming into Calgary in force on the weekend - backed up by the RCMP - to ensure that only licensed Calgary Flames paraphernalia is sold.
"Obviously we benefit from the sale of licensed merchandise," says Tom Prochnow, vice-president of NHL Enterprises in New York.
"But it really hurts us as an organization more in terms of goodwill with the fans when a fan buys a T-shirt to commemorate a once-in-a-lifetime event of going to the Stanley Cup finals and then brings it home, throws the T-shirt in the wash and it falls apart."
Cheers,
Aquaman
Calgary set to host Lightning in Game 3
Sports Ticker
5/29/2004
CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) -- Canada will host a Stanley Cup Finals game for the first time in 10 years on Saturday when the Calgary Flames meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three.
This is the first Stanley Cup Finals game in Canada since Vancouver hosted Game Six of the 1994 series against the New York Rangers. The Canucks won that game, but lost Game Seven in New York.
Calgary has not hosted the Finals since it defeated Montreal for the title in 1989. The Flames are just 4-5 at home this postseason.
Tampa Bay evened the series at a game apiece with a 4-1 victory on Thursday. Ruslan Fedotenko scored in the first period to give the Lightning the lead and they added three goals in the third period.
The Lightning are 5-2 on the road in the postseason.
Who's Hot:
Tampa Bay - C Brad Richards has a goal and an assist through the first two games of the series and has points in his last five playoff games. The Lightning are 7-0 when he scores in the postseason.
Calgary - RW Jarome Iginla failed to score in Game Two, but had one goal in each of the previous four postseason games.
Who's Not:
Tampa Bay - C Vincent Lecavalier has not scored in his last three games, although he registered a pair of assists in Game Two.
Calgary - RW Shean Donovan recorded an assist in Game Two - his first point in six games.
STREAKS: Tampa Bay has captured Game Three in each of its previous three playoff series.
HISTORY: Martin St. Louis had a hat trick on January 24 as Tampa Bay posted a 6-2 victory on January 24 in the only regular-season matchup between the teams.
LEADERS:
Tampa Bay - Ruslan Fedotenko, 10 goals; LW Martin St. Louis, 14 assists; St. Louis, 21 points.
Calgary - Iginla, 11 goals; C Craig Conroy, 11 assists; Iginla, 18 points.
Injuries:
Tampa Bay - None.
Calgary - D Denis Gauthier (knee); D Toni Lydman (concussion); Matthew Lombardi (concussion); C Dean McAmmond (back).
Cheers,
Aquaman
Sports Ticker
5/29/2004
CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) -- Canada will host a Stanley Cup Finals game for the first time in 10 years on Saturday when the Calgary Flames meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three.
This is the first Stanley Cup Finals game in Canada since Vancouver hosted Game Six of the 1994 series against the New York Rangers. The Canucks won that game, but lost Game Seven in New York.
Calgary has not hosted the Finals since it defeated Montreal for the title in 1989. The Flames are just 4-5 at home this postseason.
Tampa Bay evened the series at a game apiece with a 4-1 victory on Thursday. Ruslan Fedotenko scored in the first period to give the Lightning the lead and they added three goals in the third period.
The Lightning are 5-2 on the road in the postseason.
Who's Hot:
Tampa Bay - C Brad Richards has a goal and an assist through the first two games of the series and has points in his last five playoff games. The Lightning are 7-0 when he scores in the postseason.
Calgary - RW Jarome Iginla failed to score in Game Two, but had one goal in each of the previous four postseason games.
Who's Not:
Tampa Bay - C Vincent Lecavalier has not scored in his last three games, although he registered a pair of assists in Game Two.
Calgary - RW Shean Donovan recorded an assist in Game Two - his first point in six games.
STREAKS: Tampa Bay has captured Game Three in each of its previous three playoff series.
HISTORY: Martin St. Louis had a hat trick on January 24 as Tampa Bay posted a 6-2 victory on January 24 in the only regular-season matchup between the teams.
LEADERS:
Tampa Bay - Ruslan Fedotenko, 10 goals; LW Martin St. Louis, 14 assists; St. Louis, 21 points.
Calgary - Iginla, 11 goals; C Craig Conroy, 11 assists; Iginla, 18 points.
Injuries:
Tampa Bay - None.
Calgary - D Denis Gauthier (knee); D Toni Lydman (concussion); Matthew Lombardi (concussion); C Dean McAmmond (back).
Cheers,
Aquaman
What a intense 1st period! The fight between Lacavalier and Igilna was awesome. This has been one of the best Stanley Cup finals I have seen in years.
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