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Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Sports Editor DAVID LANGFORD • 519-667-4506 • david.langford@sunmedia.ca

PAGE D10 www.lfpress.com/business

It’s anyone’s game

MIKE ZEISBERGER about the NHL playoffs, his Howard recalls that advice ence.” “That’s what (all goalies) are
QMI Agency first postseason run as the as he enters his second Given the Chicago Black- hoping to do come April. I
Detroit Red Wings first-string Stanley Cup tournament. hawks won the Cup with don’t think you necessar-
DETROIT — The crowds
goalie. “Chris told me: ‘I can tell unproven Antti Niemi ily need a guy who has been
are louder, the games more
It was baptism by fire for you about it but experienc- between the pipes, it appears there before.”
intense and the number of
Howard, whose Wings made ing it is totally different. You experience is no longer the Will that spell success for
gooey octopi chucked on to
it to the second round. As have to go through the ups key for playoff goalies. Now an unproven commodity like
the Joe Louis Arena ice sur-
Chris Osgood told him: “The and downs to learn.’ Sure the most important element Philly’s Sergei Bobrovsky?
face increases dramatically.
best tip I can pass on to you enough, I went through my for success seems to be who Or will a vet like Vancouver’s
Those were the lessons for
about the playoffs is that you own bumps and bruises last gets hot at the right time. Roberto Luongo finally meet
Jimmy Howard a year ago
have to learn on the go.” year. It was a unique experi- “Exactly,” Howard said. the high expectations?

1. Roberto Luongo, Canucks 2. Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins

He has won an Olympic gold medal for Canada. He He didn’t play well in a second-round elimination to the
plays for the deepest team in the league. And, most Habs last season but, prior to that, he made back-to-
importantly, Dustin Byfuglien won’t be standing on back trips to the final. Ultimately, Fleury’s success will
his doorstep making his life miserable like he did in be contingent on what contribution, if any, can be
the Canucks’ previous playoff losses to the Hawks. made by Sidney Crosby.
No more excuses for Luongo.
Playoffs

62
Playoffs W L GAA% SO W L GAA% SO

34 17 17 2.4 1 38 24 2.5 4
3. Ryan Miller, Sabres 4. Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers 5. Tim Thomas, Bruins 6. Carey Price, Canadiens
10 Even though Thomas backed up
Miller has been banged Given the problems his We admit it. We were
up for the past couple teammates have encountered Tuukka Rask a year ago, he and wrong when we accused
20 of weeks, an issue that putting goals on the board, his teammates must get over the Habs of dumping the
could ultimately be a Sir Henrik might want to the mental hurdle of blowing a wrong goalie — in this case,
30 key factor here. When seek some advice from fellow 3-0 lead in games en route to Jaroslav Halak. Price had
he’s healthy, Miller can Swedes Daniel and Henrik Sedin a 4-3 second-round collapse an outstanding year. But he
steal a series like he on how to score. Otherwise to the Flyers last season. Time has struggled in previous
40 almost did against the he might need to pitch a few to shed the “chokahs” label post-season appearances,
shutouts if the Rangers are to given them by some of their winning just one series in
50
Playoffs Bruins a year ago.
Playoffs have post-season success. disgruntled fans last spring. his career.

40
Playoffs
30
W L GAA% SO W L GAA% SO Playoffs W L GAA% SO W L GAA% SO
60 22 18 2.4 1 14 16 2.6 1 18 10 8 2.2 1 19 5 11 3.2 2
70 7. Antti Niemi, Sharks 8. Jimmy Howard, Red Wings 9. Ilya Bryzgalov, Coyotes 10. Pekka Rinne, Predators 11. Jonathan Quick, Kings
Last spring’s Cinderella Howard’s laid-back Should get Rinne might get more Quick’s most pressing
80 story lost just six times persona seems like the Vezina and Hart publicity in Music post-season problem
en route to leading the perfect fit in Motown, consideration. City writing country might come from a pair
90 Hawks to the Cup. Can a place where history Don’t forget that he songs. No matter. of absent players on his
he do the same for a shows fans chew up was an outstanding Like Bryzgalov, he’s team — the injured Justin
talented Sharks team goalies and spit them fill-in for J-S a Hart and Vezina Williams and Anze Kopitar.
100 that seems to be flying out. This is a team that Giguere during the candidate who Without them, even
under the radar this accepts nothing less Ducks’ Stanley Cup can win a series Quick’s heroics might not
time around? than a Cup ... or else. run of 2007. practically on his own. be enough.
Playoffs Playoffs Playoffs
W L GAA% SO W L GAA% SO W L GAA% SO Playoffs W L GAA% SO Playoffs W L GAA% SO
22 16 6 2.6 2 12 5 7 2.7 1 23 12 9 2.2 3 6 2 4 2.7 0 6 2 4 3.5 0
12. Dwayne Roloson, Lightning 13. Corey Crawford, Blackhawks 14. Michal Neuvirth, Capitals 15. Sergei Bobrovsky, Flyers 16. Ray Emery, Ducks
This guy led the Oil Crawford is a rookie The Caps crease Philly Bob has been Would be ranked much
to Game 7 of the who will be looking has turned into a one of the true higher if not for some
Stanley Cup final to Niemi’s heroics of doctor’s office on ice, surprises in the league questions about his
against the Carolina a year ago to show with both Neuvirth this season, but his physical state. Not only
Hurricanes back in that experience is and Semyon wobbly play of late did he undergo hip
2006. The key will be not required to win a Varlamov taking leaves us wondering surgery a year ago, he
how he physically holds Cup. Unfortunately, turns breaking down how long it will be was banged up during
up for a potentially his Blackhawks all season long. At before coach Peter the final week of the
Playoffs deep playoff run. team is not nearly certain points, call- Laviolette summons Playoffs regular season.

33
as talented as the up Brayden Holtby either Brian Boucher
30
W L GAA% SO Playoffs Playoffs Playoffs W L GAA% SO
squad that won the has been the team’s or Michael Leighton in
18 12 2.5 1 0 title 10 months ago. 0 best goalie. 0 from the bullpen. 18 12 2.5 3

n TONIGHT’S GAMES n ON PAGE D3 n ON PAGES D4-5

Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. CBC
Phoenix at Detroit, 7 p.m. CBC
Habs-Bruins best series QMI Agency’s NHL experts
NY Rangers at Washington, 7:30 p.m. TSN
Chicago at Vancouver, 10 p.m. CBC
Caps want Cup, heard that before encapsulate all the Eastern and
Nashville at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m. TSN Oilers get first pick – again Western Conference matchups
n GOLF

New season in full swing and already there’s news

T he flagsticks are in the
ground and the courses in
Southwestern Ontario are open,
John Herbert
cover it. You’ll find out here first
what’s going on and what’s new.
We’ll be keeping tabs on
London and area pros Matt Hill,
Economical Insurance Group
of Waterloo — but tournament
directors Maureen Agar and
Carol-Anne Doig have saved the
businessperson Santos Cairno
has purchased Bear Creek in
Strathroy from pro Hugh Getliffe
and troubled financier Robert
pros. Paul Lofgren replaces
Gil Parkinson at Forest City,
Dwayne Swinkles takes over
from Jake Norris at FireRock
which means the golf season is PAR Jace Walker, Andrew Parr, Alan event. The fourth annual will Vanier. Jen Ruddy is the new and Marty Weber replaces Deb
in full swing. McLean and Lisa Maunu. receive financial assistance from shop manager at Bear Creek. Stevens at RiverBend. Longtime
And once again The Free FORTHE COURSE The first putts hadn’t found the Canadian Tour. There will be some new faces Tillsonburg pro Rick Pero has
Press will be the main source for the bottom of the cup and A couple of courses have in many pro shops when you moved to London to assist Mike
London and area readers — and If it’s new owners at a course, already things had changed. new owners. Andy Shaw and show up to hit that first shot. Silver at Highland.))
golfers — to obtain their local a course record, a tournament or Seaforth Country Classic his family have taken over Forest City National, FireRock
golf news every Wednesday. a controversy, The Free Press will lost its main sponsor — the Dorchester Golf Club. Toronto and RiverBend have new see HERBERT | Page D6

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