The Quebec Nordiques, still involved in the playoffs this year, but with free-agent issues next year, need a GM. Preference given to actual fans!
Salary to be commensurate with experience.
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Conference Finals, Game One
Double Overtime needed to settle Quebec-Chicago Game One
I remember watching the Islanders and Capitals battle for 3 overtimes when I was younger, and the thrill of each shot, every turnover, the very idea that that play I was seeing right then could decide the entire game and significantly impact the series...
Fast-forward to last night. We had one of those games, and the thrill is still there.
Conference Final Matchups
Canucks get home-ice advantage (VAN-VAN, CAL-CAL, VAN*, CAL*, VAN*)
*if needed
Nordiques get home-ice advantage (QUE-QUE, CHI-CHI, QUE*, CHI*, QUE*)
*if needed
Schedule
Games run concurrent nights until series is finished
Tuesday, June 2 VAN 3, CAL 1 QUE 3, CHI 2 (ot)
Wednesday, June 3 Calgary @ Vancouver Chicago @ Quebec
Thursday, June 4 Vancouver @ Calgary Quebec @ Chicago
Friday, June 5 Vancouver @ Calgary Quebec @ Chicago
Saturday, June 6 Calgary @ Vancouver* Chicago @ Quebec*
Sunday, June 7 Vancouver @ Calgary* Quebec @ Chicago*
Monday, June 8 Calgary @ Vancouver* Chicago @ Quebec*
Back and forth, firewagon hockey, reminiscent of Denis Savard's Spin-O-Rama or Guy Lafleur's hair flowing out behind on a rush; the Blackhawks and Nordiques battled through five periods, tied at two, before Scott Nichol, the OT hero against the Devils, did it again.
"Man, I smell a pay raise," joked Nichol. "But just for the playoffs."
"Maybe Scott should hold out until the playoffs begin," joked the Quebec GM. "Then we could give him a contract worth millions and it would all even out."
It's easy to joke when you win; the Blackhawks, though, are grimly determined that it won't happen again.
"We had them on the ropes," said a crestfallen Jonathan Toews, who nearly altered the result completely in the first overtime, only to be robbed twice, once on a blocked shot by defenceman Ryan Suter and then having the rebound utterly stolen by Nordique goalie Dan Ellis. "Back to work."
Meanwhile, across the continent, it was just as white-knuckle as the Flames finally strolled into Vancouver to take a run at the Canucks.
You might be forgiven if you expected the Canucks to be a bit rusty after their long layoff; after disposing of the Seattle Storm in four easy games, the Canucks had a long layoff, while the Flames took seven tough and close ones to squeak past the San Jose Sharks.
"Nope," says Mats Sundin. "The coaching staff ran us ragged for three days."
Turns out that was the right strategy; the Canucks were in command from the opening buzzer, and only a flutterer from the slot ("the very definition of a garbage goal", claimed defenceman Colin White, who had a ringside seat) eluded Ilja Bryzgalov as the Canucks popped three past Price.
"We're still catching our breath from the last guys (San Jose)," shrugged Keith Ballard. "I wouldn't read too much into it."
The Flames have made a history out of the comeback, denying both San Jose and Los Angeles the decisive advantage in either series; once again, they find themselves behind the 8-ball.
"It's one game," shrugs Carey Price. "We're capable of bringing it back home with a split."
