Dead Ducks

There is going to be a new Stanley Cup Champion this season! The defending champions, Anaheim Ducks have been eliminated by the powerful Dallas Stars. This was Dallas' first series victory in five years.
Right from the start of the season Anaheim had a target on their backs because after last years championship season the Ducks were said to be the first team since Detroit in '97 and '98 to have enough talent still there to be able to repeat as champions but Dallas had other plans. Many people had the defending champs beating Dallas almost handily because of Dallas' lack of veteran defence. Instead it seemed like Anaheim was the team that lacked the defence. Dallas took control of this series right from game one and never looked back. Taking the first two games in Anaheim came as a surprise to many, but anyone who watched those games could see Anaheim did not look into at all. The Stars made Anaheim look like sitting Ducks the entire series. Dallas out skated, out hit and out hustled their opponent. Goaltender Marty Turco was a big reason for the six game series victory. He gave his team a chance to win in each and every game. Turco had also taken the majority of the blame for early first round playoff exits in 2004, 2006 and 2007. This season he looked to be a goaltender on a mission. If Dallas continues they're superb play they will be a very tough team to beat four times. A fast and talented group of forwards mixed with great leadership in Mike Modano and Brendan Morrow as well as strong defensive play, good goaltending and the grittiness needed to out battle their opponents makes this team a true cup contender.
(Click Here to view highlights from game 6)

In other NHL playoff notes the Detroit Red Wings have disposed of the Nashville Predators and are waiting for their second round opponent. Depending on what happens in game seven between San Jose and Calgary the Wings could face-off against their bitter rivals from Colorado. For anyone who saw game six in Nashville yesterday afternoon, the Preds lost the series when Niklas Lidstrom launched a shot past goalie Dan Ellis from beyond the centre ice line. Shorthanded no less! Ellis came out to challenge at the top of his crease and the puck took one of the craziest bounces I have ever seen. The puck seemed to have went on edge when it landed and bounced top cheddar, ALMOST WATERBOTTLE! It seemed as though that goal took all the wind out of the Predators sails. Chris Osgood shut the door and Jiri Hudler added the insurance marker in the third and the rest is history. But with all do respect to Ellis he was the only reason the Preds even had a chance in this series. He couldn't have played better, personally I think he played above and beyond what everyone expected. The Preds gave the Wings a better series than many people thought and for that the Wings will be better prepared for round two.
(Click Here to view highlights from game 6)
As a Red Wings fan I hope to see one of hockey's greatest rivalries from the late 90's between Colorado and Detroit be revived in the second round and with the way Chris Osgood and Jose Theodore are playing it would be one hell of a series!
Keep your head up and stick on the ice!