TGIF

Great start to the playoff action last night, though wish it was a bit more low scoring since I have both goalies in my hockey pool. I think the rust caught up to the Canucks in the third period because they were not able to sustain their momentum, but I was impressed to see them come back and win the game that seemed to slip their grasps. The Blackhawks should take pride in their Mickey Rourke sized comeback, especially against such a great goaltender. What they have to do now is use that moral victory going forward, into what I always say is the most important game in the series, the second game.



As we hear more and more player’s line up for the surgery table as more and more teams get eliminated it makes me think of how much hockey players sacrifice for the cup. Playing hurt is part of the un-written code passed on from player to player, from broken bones to bruised bodies, it is amazing to hear the stories what these men go through. In the age of sports, where the NFL and NBA injuries are needed to be known for gambling purposes, it is fresh to hear the disclosure. Please puck heads don’t forget what these pure warriors go through.


Lastly, the Top Shelf, or what sniper I am looking forward to this weekend. The rich get richer, as Justin Abdelkader continues to tear up the AHL playoff’s for Detroit farm team Gran Rapids Griffins. This second round pick of the 2005 from Muskegon, Michigan leads the league with 6 goals in the first round start the second round this weekend vs. the Manitoba Moose. The Moose feature one of the top goalie prospects, who one day has to be traded because he is stuck behind Roberto Luongo, Cory Schneider, and it will be fascinating matchup for this top line talent. The Michigan State alum six goals against Hamilton set a franchise record for a single playoff round. This won’t be the first time Abdelkader has face AHL goalie of the year Schneider, as he scored the game-winning goal for Michigan State in the 2007 NCAA championship game against Schneider’s Boston College, with 18.9 seconds left.