Experts offer Stanley Cup predictions

By Joe C. and Eric T.

Joe and Eric's Stanley Cup brackets

Detroit: Last year's champs suffered a great loss when Vladimir Konstantinov (defense) was seriously injured in a car accident. The Red Wings, however, learned to play without him and Sergei Fedorov (#91 center), who held out for more money, is back the Red Wings are even better. The loss of Mike Vernon (goalie, to San Jose) has been filled nicely by Chris Osgood,

Chicago: Trading Keith Carney (defense)to Phoenix for Chad Kilger (center) initially looked like another dumb trade by Hawks management, but Kilger has been a nice surprise. If the Hawks are to have any success in the play-offs, Alexai Zhamnov (#36, center) will have to step it up. Tony Amonte (#10, right wing) simply cannot carry the entire scoring burden. The Blackhawks powerplay will also have to improve. You have to make the other team pay for their penalties by scoring.

New Jersey: The Devils are a great team with balance at all positions. Martin Brodeur (#30, goalie) is playing wonderfully and just needs to keep it up.

New York: With Wayne Gretzky (#99, Center) and Brian Leetch (#2, defense), the Rangers should be better than last year.

Washington: Even with the offense of Pete Bondra, the Capitals don't have a chance at the Cup.

Montreal: The only reason the Canadiens are in the sixth seed is because they play in the weak eastern conference.

Philadelphia: The Flyers are a good all around team. They have great defensive player in Paul Coffey (#77, defense). Their front line is also great with Eric Lindros (#88, center), Rod Brind’Amour (#17, right wing) and John LeClair (#10, left wing). They should be in the Eastern finals.

Buffalo: If Czech Olympic star, Dominik Hasek (#39, goalie) is still on fire when the play-offs come around, the Sabres could be "The Team."

Pittsburgh: The Penguins are second in the Eastern Conference, and they owe it all to Jaromir Jagr (#68, right wing). If they are going anywhere, they need better goal tending.

Boston: All-Star Ray Bourque (#77, defense)--we can't think of much else to say about the Bruins.

Dallas: Former Blackhawk, Ed Belfour (goalie) needs to have a GAA (Goals Against Average) of under 3. Mike Modano (#9, center) will need help from other guys to score. If this happens, the Stars should win it all.

Anaheim: Since Paul Kariya (#9, center) might be out for the rest of the season, some one else will have to pick up the scoring for the Ducks. Teemu Selanne (#8, center) will have to demonstrate real leadership to carry this team.

St. Louis: It is getting close to retirement time for many players on this team (Grant Fuhr #29, goalie, Brett Hull #16, center, Al MacInnis #2, defense). The Blues will show great determination, as this may be the last chance for these stars to win the Cup.

Phoenix: Former Blackhawk, Jeremy Roenick’s knee (center, #97) will need to hold up because he is a key player for the Coyotes. Nikolai Khabibulin (goalie, #11) will need to keep the puck out of the net if they are to have any chance to win.

Colorado: The Avalanche are consistently good and always in contention for the Cup. They just need to play up to expectations.

Los Angeles: The Kings first line has been on fire for scoring lately and needs to carry this momentum into the play-offs. Rob Blake (#4, defense) needs to step up.

Cubs deserve respect this year

By Brad C.

The laughable Cubs of last year are no more. They have picked up several players with plenty of talent. If their players stay healthy, they should have a much better season, banishing memories of last year's dismal performance.

Henry Rodriguez, who comes to Chicago from the Montreal Expos, looks like a good prospect in left field. Other free-agent pick-ups include infielder Jeff Blauser, from the Atlanta Braves, outfielder Matt Mieske from the Milwaukee Brewers, catcher Sandy Martienez, formerly of the Toronto Blue Jays and starting pitcher Terry Mulholland, who returns to Chicago, after pitching for the Cubs last year. Shortstop Micky Morandini was acquired in a trade from the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Cubs have nine players with post season experience. Pitchers Mark Clark and Kurt Miller did not see any playing time but still know what it is like. Jeff Blauser, Lance Johnson, and pitchers Mulholland, Bob Patterson, and Kevin Tapani all have more than one year experience. Reliever Rod Beck and infielders Manny Alexander and Mark Grace all only have one year of playoff experience.

The Cubs starting line-up, assuming players stay healthy, consists of Lance Johnson, centerfield, Sammy Sosa, right field, Henry Rodriguez, left field, Kevin Orie, third base, Jeff Blauser, short stop, Micky Morandini, second base, Mark Grace, first base, and Scott Servais at catcher.

The Cubs play the Sox on Friday, June 5, Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7. On June 5, the promotional event is a travel mug to the first 10,000 fans.

Hasek leads Czech Republic to Olympic gold

By Bob E.

Hockey at the Olympics was one of the most exciting events at the games. This year, most of the competition was between Canada, Sweden, Finland, Russia and the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic, led by goalie Dominik Hasek, was unstoppable.

NHL stars played for most of the national teams. The Canadian team had a lot of the great players, including Wayne Gretzky of the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers captain, Eric Lindros, but they were unable to win a medal and finished in fourth. The Colorado Avalanche's Peter Forsberg led the Swedish team to a disappointing fifth place finish.

The Russian team, led by Sergei Fedorov of the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado's Valeri Kamensky, played well, but Hasek was too much for them, and they had to settle for the silver. The Finnish team won the bronze