YouTube Tuesday: Kelly Cup Playoff Re-Cap

The National Conference series is all tied up 2-2 thanks to a 7-2 game from the Stockton Thunder. The American Conference series between the Cincinnati Cyclones and Reading Royals is now 3-2 hanks to a huge effort from the Cyclones to win game four 6-4 and win game five 5-0. For some reason, the Royals were not happy about losing two in a row, they seem to have lost their cool. I don't think anyone who was at the Everblades game against the Royals in the early part of the season would forget the three fights in a row, and how much they can behave like a bunch of undisciplined thugs.

Here are three videos of the 5-0 games insanity....










Is it possible the Royals have lost their cool, or are the Cyclones just great when the cards are stacked against them? We won't find out untill 7:35 Tomight. The series between the Steel heads and Thunder will also be played at 9:10 our time (7:10 theirs) tonight as well. If you're interested you can check those game out on the B2 networks like you would for Everblades games.

Remember David Leggio?

This seems to be quite the year for ex-Blades goalies. Both Anton Khudobin and Justin Peters made their NHL debuts this season, both winning in those starts. Now, David Leggio has won a championship in the Finnish hockey league, and been selected to represent the US in the World Championships happening right now in Germany.

In the playoffs with his Finnish team, TPS Turku, Leggio had a record of 5-2, a 1.58 GAA, and a .942 SVP. TPS Turku had fallen on some rough times and was the Cinderella story of the Finnish leagues playoffs (you can find out about that here).

Leggio joins goalies Scott Clemmensen of the Florida Panthers, and Ben Bishop of the Peoria Rivermen. If you are interested in watching the games USA Hockey has a link on it's website for a pay-to view site (sadly, what they charge per international game is way cheaper than what B2 charges for ECHL games).

I'm hoping Leggio gets a chance to prove himself, and maybe find a spot back in the States. Then my game worn, signed 3rd jersey may be worth some money...

Friday Links

Another Friday, another set of links.

- A few months ago, I was planning a post on weird goalie superstitions (inspired by Brusty's pad tapping, and Marc-Andre Fleury's pirouetting). That post never materialized, but this story from a 1977 edition of Sports Illustrated covers the weird to the boring.

- My plan to own a Zamboni may be in danger. This step by step list mentions some things I hadn't thought of...

- A Florida native and admitted Panthers fan is ranked #61 for the upcoming NHL draft. I guess hockey is making (slow) progress down here after all. (via Litter Box Cats)

- Your Wikipedia hockey page- "Sledge Hockey"

- You have to check out this list of the greatest photos in hockey history. I can't decide which is my favorite.

- Turns out, that Ross Carlson "ooh" face wasn't a one time thing...

Kelly Cup Playoff Update

I'm sorry this didn't occur to me sooner.I had assumed everyone would lose interest in the ECHL playoffs once the Blades were out. Turns out, things are getting kind of interesting.

In the American conference, the Royals are stomping yet another team.  They're up 3-0 in their series with the Cincinnati cyclones. A big reason for the Royals getting this far has got to be Matt Dalton. This dude has not lost in regulation in the post season, and he does this all while sleeping on the floor of the team bus.

The Royals take on the Cyclones at 7:05 this Saturday. A win means a trip to the the Kelly Cup Finals to take on the winner of the National conference. You can check out a story on this from a local paper in Reading here.

In the National conference the Idaho Steelheads are up 2-1 in their series with the Stockton Thunder. They had to go into triple overtime for the third game to be decided, eventually leading to a 1-0 win for the Thunder. The next game is Friday at 10:30 (7:30 PT).

If last season is any indication of who will be winning the Kelly Cup, the Royals are a lock. Ask the Stingrays.

YouTube Tuesday

There has been no news from the Everblades lately. It would be nice if the off season would hurry up and end. To hold you over until October, enjoy this odd goal.