Conference Finals Preview
I realize I've missed two games in each series, but now we have a feel for whose got the upper hand. The QEW Series has more heat being drawn off the ice than on, while the Newcomer Series has been overshadowed by the drama of Toronto-Buffalo. Hard to believe that 10 years ago, this would be Minnesota North Stars and Quebec Nordiques. Hardly a rivalry for the ages.
I listen to the radio in Toronto every morning. Everyday I get to wake up to the sounds of some radio person in Buffalo get into a war of words with quality radio broadcasters; Toronto ones. TV stations are sending their guys into enemy territory, and fans for the other team keep popping up in the home team's arena. How did so many Sabres fans get tickets anyways? Put their life savings together for a grey? Toronto is marketing it for everything they can. Mel Lastman declared this week blue and white week. If the Leafs win, I think June will become blue and white month.
Here's some good trivia: In 1917, the Toronto Arenas (they weren't called the Arenas yet) began play in the new "state-of-the-art" Mutual Street Arena for the 1917-18 season. In 1931, the Toronto Maple Leafs moved into the brand new Maple Leaf Gardens in time for the 1931-32 season. Who won the Cup both those years? Answer: TORONTO. Could we be seeing a three-peat after all?
The Sabres have played without Dominik Hasek this series. I think someone bought the man upstairs a Leafs jersey for his birthday. So far Lindros was out in the first round with a collapsed lung. In the second round, a groin problem (and Dmitri Yushkevich) slowed down Mario Jr. Jagr. Now, in Return of the Groin, Hasek is missing a lot of action. He skated with the Sabres this morning.
In the first game, an empty net post by wunderkind Lonny Bohonos summed up the Leafs game. Buffalo won it 5-4 with Dwayne Roloson in net. It was the first time this year the Leafs scored at least a goal in game 1 of a series. Overconfident, the Sabres were pummelled by the Leafs in game 2 6-3. Both games, the no one on the Leafs had more than 1 goal in a game. Steve Sullivan returned from injury and promptly scored early in the first. Someone sprung Sylvain Cote, a defenceman, who was outhustled and humiliated by Geoff Sanderson in game 1, on a breakaway and he scored. Talk about avenging his error.
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