NHL playoffs

Montreal came back from 3 games to 1 down to win their best-of-seven series against Boston. Boston star Chokin' Joe Thornton scored a grand total of zero points in the series. Montreal goes on to play Tampa Bay in the second round.

In the other game seven last night, Vancouver took on Calgary. The Canucks scored with 6 seconds left to tie, but Calgary won in OT and now advances to play Detroit.

Tonight, Toronto and Ottawa square off in their game 7. The winner takes on Philadelphia in round 2.

San Jose will meet Colorado in the other Western second round matchup.

In other hockey news, Igor Larionov announced his retirement today.

The 43-year-old Larionov, the oldest player to compete in the NHL this season, signed with New Jersey as a free agent in September. He had hoped to win a fourth Stanley Cup to cap a professional career that began in 1980 in the former Soviet Union.

The Flyers knocked the Devils out of playoffs Saturday.

"When you leave the game, it's sad," Larionov said. "It's time to move on. There are things in my mind that I want to do, but I'm not going to rush into anything."

He certainly didn't rush into retirement. In his career he won three Stanley Cups with Detroit and two Olympic Gold Medals playing for Russia. Good luck to a great champion.

Posted by Ted at April 20, 2004 05:36 AM
Category: Square Pegs