STANLEY CUP FINALS: For those of you who were wondering what it would've been like if the Bruins were on the losing end of that spectacular goalie matchup in Game 7 of the Eastern conference finals, Game 1 offered just a taste. With two Vezina-candidate goalies between the pipes, you had to figure it would be a low-scoring affair.
While they didn't score often (hell, nobody did) the Canucks scored late for the only goal of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals in Vancouver on Wednesday night. Raffi Torres put the Canucks on the board with less than 20 seconds left in regulation, eliminating the need for that pesky overtime.
The Canucks went 0-6 on the power play while the Bruins were 0-7 (including a 3 on 5 in the 2nd period) on the evening. So unlike Game 7 against Tampa Bay, the officials did take the whistle out of the pocket- although there were no penalties against either team in the 3rd.
Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo turned aside all 36 shots faced while Tim Thomas stopped 33 of 34 faced in regulation. Game 2 is set to get underway at Vancouver's Rogers Arena on Saturday night at 8 PM ET, 5 PM Pacific Time and will be broadcast on NBC and CBC.
Granted the stakes are much higher in this one, but it's a little early to freak out and collectively hang heads in despair over the outcome of Game 1. The B's got off to much worse starts in their series against Tampa Bay and Montreal, yet somehow made it to the finals.
OTHER STANLEY CUP FINALS NEWS: The NHL has ruled that Canucks forward Alex Burrows will not be suspended after biting the finger of Patrice Bergeron during an altercation at the end of the 1st period. Both players were given offsetting minor penalties for roughing to start off the 2nd period.
OTHER NHL NEWS: In what's likely the biggest news to hit Winnipeg since.....umm.....hmm.....I guess the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway or Trans-Canada highway [care to help me out on this one, Maintobans? -NANESB!], it was announced this week that the Atlanta Thrashers would be moving to Winnipeg, MB upon completion of the sale of the Thrashers to True North Sports & Entertainment.
Winnipeg was home to the Jets, a World Hockey Association that was absorbed into the NHL in the 1970s, up until 1996 when the team departed for Phoenix, AZ to become the Coyotes. There had been much speculation that the financially struggling Coyotes would in fact be the team that would move back to Manitoba, but the organization was able to reach a long-term deal with the city of Glendale, AZ regarding an arena.
After the Winnipeg Jets left town, the city played host to the Manitoba Moose of the IHL and later AHL.
MLB: After taking 3 out of 4 over the weekend from the Detroit Tigers, the Red Sox travelled back to Fenway to take on the Chicago White Sox with Lester, Acves and Wakefield getting the starts over the last 3 games. Wednesday's game featured the White Sox rallying from a 3-1 hole in the top of the 5th to tie the game and eventually go ahead, winning by a 7-4 final. Wakefield went 6 innings in the loss, allowing 7 hits, 4 runs and getting no decision.
The Red Sox will go up against the Oakland A's at Fenway on Friday night at 7:10PM ET. Clay Buchholz (4-3; 3.41 ERA) will get the start against Josh Outman (1-0; 2.08 ERA).
DOWN IN PAWTUCKET: The Pawtucket Red Sox managed to rally against the Norfolk Tides on Wednesday night despite Kevin Millwood only going 2 and 2/3rds innings and allowing 4 runs. Outfielder Darnell McDonald went 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs in the 8-7 win against the Baltimore Orioles affiliated AAA team, getting five runs in the bottom of the 9th.
On Tuesday night, John Lackey started for Pawtucket and went 5 and 2/3rds innings, allowing 3 hits and one earned run. Hideki Okajima came out of the bullpen and got the win in the 11-inning 5-4 win
OTHER RED SOX NEWS: Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, a Japanese news agenct reported. Matsuzaka had consulted with his family in Japan and got a 2nd opinion from a Los Angeles based doctor who confirmed the Red Sox diagnosis.
CELTICS: After an injury plagued season with the Boston Celtics, Center Shaquille O'Neal announced his retirement on Wednesday. The 7ft 1 Lousiana State star had a NBA career spanning 19 season with the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
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