WE WENT CUP CRAZY......AGAIN

To See What Happened April 11, Click Here

Last week we spent another hour devoted to our favourite thing in the world, the

We started in the west where Overtime Guru and Vancouver native Dan Vertlieb had a mothful to say. First, we talked about the articles in the Denver Post that went beyond the line insulting Canadians, saying that they did not really know the game of hockey, that Canadian fans are not as knowledable about the game, how Canada is no longer a world power at hockey, how American fans know more about the game of hockey and the slander printed against Canada in the Denver post continues. Dan ripped into the Denver post and defended Canada and its national sport. Sean took over for Dan and applauded the fans in Vancouver for booing the American national anthem. He claimed that those remarks made by the post were unfounded and unfair and deserved a booing. Sean then continued why he had an extreeme dislike for American hockey which began in 1996 and when he goes to hockey games, because of his hatred, he wants to sit down and boo. The conversation then swithced to hockey and how the who were not supposed to be any match for the put up a great fight with three 1-goal games, one of those being settled in overtime and how the Canucks have won a moral victory. All agreed that Vancouver fought the good fight and has a great base to work on for next year.

The discussion then shifted a little to the east where the are tied with the 2-2 in a tight fought series. Last night the Oiles lost their star and captain Doug Weight early in the first period when he brutally hit player Lamie Langenbruner from behind with intent to injure. Despite that fact, they were able to fight it out for a win. Dan started the conversation talking about how he was impressed with the Oilers play of late, how he believed that the longer the series went on, the better the chance the Oilers had because of their youth. He also said he was impressed with the amazing action that had taken place in the first three games. He then went on to discuss the fact that goalie Tommy Salo has been a saviour for the Oilers and despite their youth, Edmonton would not be able to hold on to win the series beacuse all the had to do was shut down the Oilers #1 players. Sean took it from there and began talk about the fact that lost their number one player, but when he posed that rhetorical question to Dan, Eric took over saying that he agreed with Dan, but he initially predicted in 7 and he sees no reason why they can't battle their way to a game 7 victory. He then proceded to change the subject when Sean got offended that Eric took his thunder and began to speak on the issue. He claimed that without their Captain in game 3, the Oilers were the better team and with their Captain there is no reason why they cannot win the next two in a row. Sean continued with his prediction from last week that the Oilers will win in 6 games.

We then switched over to the most suprising series that was already completed, the vs. . The shocked the hockey world by defeating the in 4 straight games and keeping their goal scoring total so low that Patrick Lalime was tied for fourth on the team's scoring leaders with zero goals. Eric started the discussion on how the checked the into submission, he gave them credit for their great defensive play, their lack of stupid penalties, their great scoring and being the overall better team. He then continued to talk about New Jeresy and how they are a completely different team with a balanced attack, a great defence and great goaltending. He also said after the punishing hits that Captain Scott Stevens gave to both Shayne Willis and Ron Francis, if any leaf is skating down the ice with their head down, they are in trouble. Dan spoke next and said how he agreed with that analysis. He commended the Maple Leafs and spoke on the same issues Eric did. Sean echoed Eric's concern about the Leaf players and Scott Stevens but he was quick to point out some mistakes in Eric's arguments. He said that although the leafs played well defensively by blocking shots and checking, their offence was weak and against a goalie like Martain Brodeur, only about three of their goals would have gone in. He continued that Joseph played well but he did not have to steal the series because the Senators missed the net too often. The leafs took too many stupid penalties which will only double and maybe triple in the next series as they try to establish a physical presence against the New Jersey Devils. In all if the Leafs want to beat the New Jersey Devils, they have to play ten times better than they did against Ottawa. That being said, Sean also believed that the Leafs had the capability to do so and they would take the Devils in 7 games. Dan and Eric disagreed and said that the Devils would ultimately win the series in 6 or 7. However, Eric was quick to point out that last year's Leaf team took the Devils who are almost an identical team to 6 games and this year they are better. Eric also condemmed the media because in 1 week Pat Quinn has gone from old dinosaur to saviour and said if the Leafs lose to New Jersey, he will go back to old dinosaur. Dan then pointed out that Eric called Quinn a dinosaur himself last week, Eric acnowledged this and said he still believed that Pat Quinn was a dinosaur. The topic was again about to shift to the vs. series when the midnight marrader himself, Steve Delerosa entered the building to prepare for his show. Sean then invited him into the studio to say his piece on the leafs and Steve completely jumped ship from his comments last week professing his love for the and jumping on the bandwagon. Then CFRC recieved a call from Sean's brother, David Diamond. Dave gave his anlysis on the Edmonton series claiming that Edmonton had what it took. He also told us about the scene of pandimonium in Toronto that took place after the Leafs swept the series.

With Dave on the line, the topic then changed to the vs. series. Dan stayed with his pick from last week that San Jose would upset Edmonton calling on the previous night's game when the San Jose backup goalie came in for an injured Nabokov and faced 40 shots en route to a San Jose win. Eric agreed with Dan, however, Dave and Sean both said that Sl. Louis would be able to take San Jose because they just have too much tallent.

The vs. series was talked about next. Eric started the conversation by defending his pick last week that Detroit would come out of the West. He claimed that with a healthy Yzerman and Shanahan, Detroit would take out L.A in 4 but since they are missing, the team is struggling. Sean then pointed out that with age comes the fact that you are more prone to injury and that has to be part of your consideration when you are making playoff picks. Sean continued that Detroit would win the series in 7 games but it would be very close. Sean's reason behind this was goalie Felix Potvin who had previously played in Toronto. Sean claimed that Felix could not withstand the pressure the wings will put on him and ultimately colapse. Eric disagreed with Sean saying that Yzerman and Shanahan are character guys and missing them in the lineup, will hurt Detroit more than anyone could predict. Dan then spoke and acknowleged both Sean and Eric's points, however he had an additional one in Chris Osgoode. He claimed that Chris Osgoode is the winningest "shakiest" goaltender in the NHL. Although everyone thinks Osgoode is an "X-factor" he has taken his team to a Stanley Cup championship before and he can do it again. For that reason, Dan said he was going to go with the in 6.

Last week we talked about one thing and only one thing.......

That's right, its that time of year and last week we talked about one thing only. We went through a rundown series by series with special guests Greg Hughes of "Discourse That" and the Midnight Marader Himself; Steve Delerosa so without Further aduieux I give you a summary of the eight playoff series:

STARTING WITH THE WEST

�� #1�� vs.� #8��

Debate:
There is little debate in this one, as much as all four of us (Dan, Sean, Eric and Greg) would like to see Vancouver win this one and advance to the second round of the playoffs, they stand no chance against the powerful Colorado Avalanche with a powerplay that consists of Rob Blake, Ray Borque, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Chris Drury. You can also throw in Alex Tanguay anywhere in there and not miss a step. Add proven playoff goalie between the pipes in Patrick Roy and there is no stopping this team. The question is, can Vancouver take one or more games away from Colorado? The general Answer was that a healty Vancouver had a chance, but a Vancouver with an injured Marcus Naslund and Andrew Cassels will not take even one game off this Colorado team.

Consensus:��All four Panalists agree ��in 4

��#2�� vs.��#7��

Debate:
The Detroit Redwings showed their true colours as they went on a massive winning streak at the end of the season to finish in second place and draw the hapless L.A Kings. Again there was little debate that the Los Angeles Kings, who traded away their star defencman and are left with the ever struggling Felix Potvin as their goalie would lose the series. There was debate however in how many games the Wings would need. Eric claimed that with such experience and all star players, Detroit would take the series in 4 while Sean made the case that Chris Osgoode and Norm Miracle are not the best possible goaltending duo and L.A with Luc Robataille, Zigmund Palffy and Adam Dedmarsh would be able to steal at least one game away from the wings maybe two.

Consensus: All four panalists pick�� Sean picks them in 6, Dan in 5, Eric and Greg in 4

#3 vs. #7

Debate:
This game caused a little bit of controversy as guest panalist Greg Hughes started the conversation by professing his desire for the Dallas Stars to win. When Sean challenged Greg on his statement Greg said "The only reason you want Edmonton to win is because they are the underdog from a small Canadian town." This rendered Sean speachless. Greg continued that Dallas is the superior team with better defence, better goaltending and better forwards. Dan claimed that although he was hoping for the Oilers, he believed the Stars were just to good. Sean and Eric on the other hand argued that this is the fifth time in a row that the two teams have met in the post season so they have a good feel for eachohther. They also argued that this was the closest that these two teams were tallent wise since the Oilers lost Curtis Joseph. They continued that Edmonton's desire coupled with the under estimation of the tallent of Tommy Salo, Doug Weight, Mike Greir and Ryan Smyth, the Oilers will pull it off.

Consensus: 2 Gurus (Sean and Eric) pick Eric says Edmonton in 7, Sean says Edmonton in 6. 1 Guru and 1 panalist (Dan and Greg) pick Dan says Dallas in 7, Greg says Dallas in 6.

#4��vs.�� #5��

Debate:
This is the tightest game of the Western confrence with both teams very evenly matched, especially because the San Jose near trade-deadline deal to pick up Mr. Teemu Sellane. St. Louis countered however adding the grit and goal scoring of Keith Tkachuck. However, the big question that comes down to this series is goaltending. Neither team has proven playoff goaltenders. St, Louis has Roman Turek who capped his playoff debut last year by letting in a goal from center ice. San Jose features NHL rookie Evgeni Nabokov who had a stellar first half of the season beating out Steve Shields for the starting job but cooled down a fair bit in the second part of the year. Especially with Steve Shields now traded to Anaheim, the fate of San Jose rests soley on the shoulders of a rookie. Sean and Eric see Nabokov falling to the pressure and Al McInnis' deadly shot while Dan and Greg disagree. "I think St. Louis can taste this series" Says Diamond, "they want it too bad to give it up." On the other side, Dan Vertlieb says St. Louis is too old and Pierre Turgeon can be maintained. The Gurus are once again Split on this one

Consensus: 2 Gurus (Sean and Eric) pick in 7. 1 Guru and 1 panalist (Dan and Greg) pick in 7. Either way all panalists agree it will be a great series to watch.