Stanley Cup Final player Report Cards | International Hockey Gang

Stanley Cup Final player Report Cards Jun 9, 2004 2:21:49 GMT -5

Post by Jazz on Jun 9, 2004 2:21:49 GMT -5

Report card look at the Calgary Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning after Cup final[/u][/color]

BY PIERRE LEBRUN
Canadian Press
Tuesday, June 08, 2004

TAMPA, Fla. (CP) - A report card look at the Calgary Flames and Tampa Bay Lightning following their seven-game Stanley Cup final:

CALGARY FLAMES[/color]

Forwards:[/u]

Jarome Iginla, A: The superstar captain won't sleep all summer after going scoreless in the last two games with the Cup on the line, but where would his team be without him? It certainly don't win a game in this final without his offence. Led all playoff scorers with 13 goals in 26 games, and led his team with five points (three goals, two assists) in the Cup final.
Craig Conroy, B-plus: Veteran centre was a consistent performer on the team's top line with Iginla, putting up 17 points (6-11) as well as a superb plus-12 rating. Was also key on faceoffs and a top penalty killer.
Martin Gelinas, B-plus: Mr. Clutch had his fourth series-winning goal stolen from him in Game 6. Like many of his teammates, ran out of gas near the end of the series. Third on team with 15 points (8-7).
Marcus Nilson, B-plus: Underrated forward played centre in the playoffs after being a winger most of his NHL career. Solid penalty killer who chipped in the odd goal, a perfect second-line player. Had 11 points (4-7).
Shean Donovan, B-plus: Was sorely missed in the last two games, suffering a right knee injury in Game 5. A terrific skater who played his team's aggressive forecheck to a tee and added the odd goal, collecting 10 points (5-5) in 24 games.
Oleg Saprykin, B-plus: Russian speedster (3-3) kept his best hockey for the Cup final, finding another level when his teammates were running out of gas.
Ville Nieminen, B: Pesky winger (4-4 in 24 games) made a bad decision when he nailed Vincent Lecavalier from behind in Game 4. While his one-game suspension didn't cost his team in Game 5, Nieminen wasn't himself when he returned. But we give him a respectable grade anyways because of his witty quotes throughout the final.
Chris Simon, B: Tough guy (5-2 in 16 games) scored a big goal in Game 3 victory and punished the Lightning with sound body checks.
Stephane Yelle, B: Veteran centre (3-3 in 23 games) was team's top faceoff man and given difficult assignment of checking either Brad Richards or Vincent Lecavalier.
Chris Clark, B: Gritty winger (3-3) exemplified Calgary's crash and bang style.
Chuck Kobasew, B: While the former junior scoring sensation played all 26 games and got only one assist, he was asked to play a checking role and not only did he do it well, he did it without complaining.
Dave Lowry, no grade: veteran didn't play much.
Krzysztof Oliwa, no grade: tough guy played very little.

Defence:

Jordan Leopold, A: Showed offensive vision with 10 assists and looked poised during the final.
Robyn Regehr, A: Rugged two-way blue-liner (2-7, plus-7 rating) showed his heart and toughness by playing with a high ankle sprain in the last 2½ games of final.
Andrew Ference, B-plus: Played a lot of minutes in the final and made smart plays.
Rhett Warrener, B-plus: A few Lightning forwards are limping around for a few days thanks to his thunderous checks.
Steve Montador, B: Played above his means.
Toni Lydman, B: Had immediate impact in Game 5 upon returning from long injury layoff.
Mike Commodore, C: Healthy scratch in last three games but by then the man with the bushy red hair was a hero in Calgary for his spirited play in relief of injured regulars.

Goal:

Miikka Kiprusoff, A: Don't hang the Cup loss on him. He was outstanding, as demonstrated by his 1.85 goals-against average and .928 save percentage.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING[/u][/color]

Forwards:

Brad Richards, A-plus: Joe Sakic's successor stepped from the shadows of his better-known teammates and led his team to the Cup. Led all playoff scorers with 26 points (12-14) in 23 games, and all scorers in the final with nine points (4-5).
Ruslan Fedotenko, B-plus: Clutch in Game 7 with two goals, led team with 12 playoff goals because he paid the price in front of the net.
Martin St. Louis, B-plus: Second in the final with six points (4-2) but didn't dominate like he did in the regular season.
Dimitry Afanasenkov, B-plus: Surprising effort from little-known Russian, a solid penalty killer and effective forechecker.
Chris Dingman, B-plus: Former Flames tough guy really stuck it to his team in the final, playing an effective forechecking game and laying on the body. He was noticed on every shift.
Fredrik Modin, B: Had a terrific playoff with 19 points (8-11) but wasn't quite as effective in the final.
Vincent Lecavalier, B: Had two great performances (Game 2 and Game 7) and five games to forget. Fourth on team with 16 points (9-7).
Dave Andreychuk, B-plus: Went out with a bang, winning first Cup and collecting 14 points (1-13), and was key penalty killer.
Cory Stillman, C: What happened to the 80-point man from the regular season? Healthy scratch in Game 5 and had only seven points (2-5) in 21 games.
Tim Taylor, B: Veteran centre performed his duties off the ice, the calming and reassuring voice when his team was down 3-2 in the final.
Martin Cibak, no grade: played little.
Andre Roy, no grade: didn't play in last two games.

Defence:

Pavel Kubina, B-plus: Had his hands full with Iginla but did a great job in the final games.
Dan Boyle, B-plus: Power-play specialist adjusted to Calgary's forecheck in order to get the puck to his forwards.
Darryl Sydor, B-plus: Veteran blue-liner played his best in the last three games, his Cup experience a valuable force on a roster with barely any.
Cory Sarich, B: Superb in Game 7, playing mistake-free hockey.
Jassen Cullimore, B: His return after a long injury layoff bolstered Bolts blue-line.
Nolan Pratt, B: Tried to keep it simple and stay within his means.
Brad Lukowich, no grade: Didn't dress in final three games.

Goal:

Nikolai Khabibulin, A-plus: Came back strong after shaky Game 1, his play rising with every game. Sensational 1.71 GAA and .933 save percentage.