Outsports » Stanley Cup Finals

NHL suspends Aaron Rome for the rest of Stanley Cup Finals for hit on Nathan Horton

Cyd Zeigler jr. — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:35:54 +0000

The NHL needed to do something about the increasing violence in hockey, and they started with suspending Vancouver’s thug Aaron Rome (right) for the rest of the Stanley Cup Finals for his vicious hit on Boston’s Nathan Horton. The video is after the jump, but if you haven’t seen it, Rome illegally and violently sailed his shoulder into the unsuspecting head of Horton, leaving him with a severe concussion (that’s a nice way of saying ‘brain damage’) and knocking him out for the rest of the Stanley Cup Finals.

And if I were the head of the Boston Police, I’d have Rome arrested. While the NHL has a responsibility to stop the unnecessary violence, so do we all. A good, hard hit or brief fight where both men have an equal chance: That’s sports. What Rome did: That’s nasty and illegal, and it should be treated as such. Check out video of the evil hit after the jump.

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NBA: Heat vs. Mavericks; NHL: Canucks vs. Bruins: Do you care who wins?

Jim Buzinski — Tue, 31 May 2011 06:58:32 +0000

Dirk Nowitzki

The NBA Finals (Dallas vs. Miami) tips off Tuesday, followed the next day by Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals (Vancouver vs. Boston). Both series look intriguing with some fresh faces in the Finals. For Miami and Dallas, this is their second trip each to the Finals (they played in 2006), while Boston (1990) and Vancouver (1994) have had many seasons go by since they last played for the Cup.

My rooting interests are pretty clear: The Mavericks in the NBA and the Canucks in the NHL. In terms of who I think will win, I will pick Miami and Vancouver.

It will be easy to root against the Heat. After LeBron James’ totally narcissistic “Decision” special last season, count me among those who hope he never wins a title. And I really like Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavs’, a superstar who doesn’t call himself King. And I’ve always liked owner Mark Cuban after he said an openly gay player would make a ton of money in endorsements.

As for the NHL, I simply can’t root for any Boston team because of how obnoxious most Boston fans are when their teams win. And Jim Allen, a great personal friend and Outsports supporter, has liked the Canucks for year, so I will be happy for him if they win. In addition, the last time a Canadian team won was 1993, so the country was long overdue.

So, who do want to win and why?

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Flyers, Blackhawks in Stanley Cup finals

Jim Buzinski — Tue, 25 May 2010 07:02:44 +0000

Here’s a Stanley Cup final that no one saw at the start of the playoffs — the Philadelphia Flyers vs. the Chicago Blackhawks. But it’s a reality after the Flyers beat the Montreal Canadiens in five games, a day after the Blackhawks swept the San Jose Sharks.

This is an intriguing final from a historical perspective. Chicago has not won the Cup since 1961 (when there were only six teams), while Philadelphia’s last title was 1975. It’s not that common when we see a final in pro sports featuring two teams trying to end a long drought. The TV ratings should be strong.I have no real rooting interest, though it’s hard to cheer against a team Outsports’ fave Joe Guckin likes (the Eagles being an exception). So given my prediction track record and to help Joe out in the jinx department, I say the Blackhawks sweep the Flyers in four, all 7-0 shutouts. What do real hockey mavens think? Who do you want and who do you pick?

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Good ratings news for NHL, NBC

Joe Guckin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:02:08 +0000

Granted, the May sweeps ended and the summer television doldrums are upon us, so many network programs are in reruns. Plus, Saturday night has become a true dead zone for network television. Taking all of that into consideration, though, NBC and the NHL have to be happy with the ratings for the first two games of the Pittsburgh-Detroit Stanley Cup finals rematch…despite what the Associated Press would have you believe.

Saturday’s Game 1 had a 2.6 rating and a 5 share, and Sunday’s ratings improved, getting a 3.5/6 with an estimated 5.3 million viewers. (Since the Sunday numbers are overnight numbers, the final numbers may vary.)

Strangely enough, the AP seems to think ratings are down:

Television ratings for Game 1 of the Red Wings-Penguins Stanley Cup finals rematch were down from last year’s levels. The NBC telecast drew a 2.6 rating and a 5 share. That’s compared with a four-game NBC average of a 3.2 rating and a 6 share one year ago.

This article rightly takes the AP to task. The average for the series last year was skewed by the final game, which had a 4.0 rating and 6.8 million viewers, the most-watched NHL game in five years. A better comparison would be to compare it to last year’s individual game ratings — 1.8 for 2008 Game 1 and 1.9 for Game 2, although those games were on Versus. This year, the networks were switched for the first four games.

Unfortunately, that means this year’s series now switches to Versus for Games 3 and 4. With the Red Wings again up 2-0, the league and NBC are undoubtedly praying for the Penguins to win at least one, if not both, games. Since I do want the NHL to succeed despite its poor leadership on so many problems facing the league, do me a favor and tune in tonight and Thursday at 8 pm ET. If you still don’t know where to find Versus in your area click on this link.

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The Rematch….Wings vs Pens

Dax Bauser — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:13:17 +0000

Categories: Hockey, NHL

Tags: Hockey, NHL, Stanley Cup Finals

This is what I’m talking about. The Detroit Red Wings against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Stanley Cup Finals. It doesn’t get better than this. The Penguins Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are on fire with 28 points a piece in the playoffs so far. But don’t ever count out the Red Wings, even if [...]

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