The Open Ice Hits Guide to this Series

This series has been fantastically dead even. It's been great. The ups have sent us soaring, the downs have been lower than low. Being nervous and twitchy from school and the stresses of playoff time, I've decided I can't wait to see how this puppy gets decided, I'm taking things into my own hands.

We have here some of the players from each team. Phaneuf? Lombardi? Roenick?

It's obvious. Phaneuf and Lombardi win this for sheer angelic looks, and of course, for posing with gold medals in their hands.

Roenick loses for looking like a doofus.

Next, let's look at the leaders of both teams.



Jarome Iginla is all business. He has his eye on the goal.

Joe Thornton is still stuck prying breakfast out of the toaster.

Flames all the way.

One of the most important (yet still unrecognized) parts of making it through the playoffs is the ability to stay loose.



Now, on one hand, we have a stolid, family-friendly, and yes, cliche-ridden, stuffy holiday party. On the other hand, we have a rookie really gettin' down. I know which party I'd rather slit my wrists rather than sit through.

This round to the Flames also. See a pattern?

That's all I have to say about today's game. We're the full deal, obviously! Now, we just have to play some hockey.