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June 22, 2004
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
Rival’s playoff run has Oilers smarting
This was supposed to be the season Edmonton finally turned the corner. After years of first round eliminations or missing the playoffs altogether, the Oilers, inspired by the success of Minnesota and Anaheim last year, thought they had the experience and ingredients to make an extended playoff run. But a miserable midseason slump that had fans calling for coach Craig MacTavish’s head ruined everything. By early January they were in 12th place, 10 points out of a playoff spot. The Oilers put together a valiant stretch drive, gaining points in 24 of 28 games to move into a share of eighth, but a 5-2 loss to Vancouver in Game 82 ended their run. So for the second time in three years they missed the playoffs. The late-season charge was as thrilling as…
Superb Calgary year even without Stanley
Despite a disappointing loss in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, the Calgary Flames exceeded expectations by a red mile. Most in the hockey world didn’t even peg the Flames to make the playoffs, let alone be within a win of the championship. Instead, with a team-first attitude and incredible work ethic - combined with some standout performances from their biggame players Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff - they knocked off all three Western Conference divisional champs and then took Tampa Bay to the deciding game. Would they have won without so many injuries? They certainly would have had a better chance with forwards Steve Reinprecht, Dean McAmmond, Matthew Lombardi, Shean Donovan and blueliner Denis Gauthier, but the question can’t be answered. What is certain, though, is the Flames opened a lot…
Let rebuilding begin after awful season
If the expectation for the Rangers was for the club to be deconstructed from top to bottom while on its way to a humiliating seventh straight season out of the playoffs, then yes indeed, the Blueshirts certainly met that standard. By any other measure, however, the season was an unmitigated disaster punctuated by persistent, angry and loud“Fire (Glen) Sather” chants from the Madison Square Garden gallery that played a role in GM Glen Sather’s late February decision to step down as coach; by the late January concussion that knocked Eric Lindros out of the lineup just as he was asserting himself as the team’s best player; and by the trade-deadline purge that sent nine veterans, - including 17year Ranger icon Brian Leetch-out of town in exchange for draft picks and prospects. SUMMER…
Lightning’s playoff success makes for profitable season
To say the Lightning’s 2003-04 season was a success would be an understatement. Not only did the Lightning have a teamrecord 106 points en route to its first Stanley Cup championship in team history, their playoff run ensured owner Palace Sports& Entertainment would turn a profit on its NHL operation for the first time since it bought the team and the St. Pete Times Forum lease in 1999. Team president Ron Campbell said Palace Sports would clear about $2 million this season compared with previous cash losses of about $50 million. On the ice, the Lightning showed resiliency and maturity and proved that hockey, when played without the dreaded neutral-zone trap, can be played with high energy - and even be fun to watch. Some called Tampa a blueprint for the rest of…
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