Ah, don't feel bad about playing defence, bosh. I know what you mean: I've scored maybe four times in my career of 14 years or so. Worst thing is that on the rare occassions you DO rush, nobody covers your posistion for you so you get scored on if you lose the puck. Bloody forwards.

I agree with the new rules, Bosh. They make the game a LOT more fun to watch on TV. They still need some work, though. A big thing that always bothered me was the defensive delay of game (puck over glass, ect) as a minor penalty. It seems to me that people do it for the same reason that they would ice the puck (to change) and therefore should get the same call of "You can't change on the next whistle" instead of a minor penalty. I think there were three or four games I saw that were decided by that rule, which seems...wrong.

Anyways, It's been a great season, Bosh. You gonna keep this site up for the off season, and I certianly expect you to be back next year.

I've got a prediction to make as well. Here's how I see it breaking down:

Offence: Carolina.
So...while there's no doubt that the 'Canes are have the better offense. Yes, the Oilers have had big production from the likes of Hemsky, Horcoff, Smyth, and Pisani. But the Canes have just had amzing production this playoff. There are so many names you could say with people who have been awesome this playoff. Brind'Amore, Commodore, Staal, Hedican, Recchi. The list just goes on. You gotta go with the Canes on offense.

Defence: Oilers.
This is where the Oilers have the depth, and of course there is one that stands above the rest: Pronger. I really think he and Roloson could have beaten the Red Wings by themselves. The man has 17 points this playoff, and only 18 minutes in the sin bin (c'mon, the Pronger of old would have 30-40 by now.) Watching the Oiler defence simply shut down any kind of offense has just been incredible. They stopped the Detroit's skill and they stopped San Jose's speed, so I don't know if we'll be seeing the high scores that the Canes have been showing lately.

Goaltending: Oilers
...but only just. Cam Ward has been amazing this playoff run. After watching him shut down the Sabres forwards on breakaways, I can't see a lot getting past him this series. However...Not only has Rolly the Goalie been denying forwards...he's making them look silly. Making three saves with players laying on top of his legs, making diving leaps to keep errent bounces out of the net, glove-saves, blocker-saves, pad-saves, stick-saves, helmet-saves, holy-shit-how-did-he -do-that-saves. Not to mention he's got two assists this playoff, so he's an offensive threat as well as a brick wall.

Playoff Beards:Oilers
Yes, there is veritable plethora of amazing facial hair on the Hurricanes, not least of which is the amazing Afro-beard of Commodore, but when the captian doesn't have so much as peach fuzz on his chin...sorry. But that's unforgivable.

Prediction: Oilers in 7
I loved watching the Canes, but I gotta belive that Rolly will continue his habit of embarassing offensemen. And when you add the stellar defensive performances the Oilers have been putting up... Granted, Carolina is the best offense that the Oilers will have seen by far, but they've stopped everything else that's been thrown at them...I can't imagine that changing this series. Give them a game or two to get back on their feet after the layoff, and I think they'll go back to shutting other teams down peice by peice.

Language as a natural object; linguistics as a natural science. ,

Younger children may exhibit self-blame that can precipitate feelings of guilt, worry, and anxiety. ,