June Hockey

[Leafhatred]

As we approach the month of June, we head into uncharted territory for the leaf of Toronto. You see, no leaf team has ever played an NHL playoff game in the calander's sixth month. How bad is that?

The first time a playoff game was played in June in NHL history was in 1992 between Pittsburgh and Chicago in Game four of their Final series. Since then, 18 seperate NHL teams have played a total of 144 June dates. But no leaf. Nope, no representation from the team in the biggest hockey market in the biggest hockey country in the world.

Maybe some leaf players have valid reasons for their aversion to playing hockey in June. Some may have other commitments including summer jobs like spraying lawns and pruning shrubs.

Here's a list of NHL teams who have played into June and the total number games played. Whoa, look at those Red Wings. No wonder they call Detroit "Hockeytown" and Toronto, "Laffland."

Detroit 23
New Jersey 23
Dallas 15
Colorado 10
Philadelphia 9
Buffalo 8
New York Rangers 6
Vancouver 6
Washington 6
Chicago 6
Montreal 5
Los Angeles 5
Carolina 5
Florida 5
Anaheim 4
Tampa Bay 3
Calgary 3
Pittsburgh 2

[KB in Kelowna]

Actually I think hockey in June makes as much sense as baseball in November. The season is too long, and the playoffs thus drag into June.

[MadDevil]

Look at those "damn boring Devils" tied with the Wings on that list for the most games played in June. Too bad they're responsible for the demise of hockey, eh?:laughing:

[Asterix]

June is baseball season, not hockey. I hate having to adjust my summer schedule to watch the playoffs in June, when there are so many outdoors activities to do... wait... I don't have to do that this year! :thumb:

Proof? Montreal has 24 Stanley Cups and look how many games they've played in June! :eek:

[slapshot™]

As we approach the month of June, we head into uncharted territory for the leaf of Toronto. You see, no leaf team has ever played an NHL playoff game in the calander's sixth month. How bad is that?

What...no Oilers listed for June? Hmmm...either there is an error or the season is too long. I'm gonna go with the second one. If the season wrapped up by early May (mid May by the latest) I would be a very happy camper. It's hard to sit in front of the tube when the grass is green and there are leaves on the trees after surviving yet another brutal winter.

[Leafhatred]

What...no Oilers listed for June? Hmmm...either there is an error or the season is too long. I'm gonna go with the second one. If the season wrapped up by early May (mid May by the latest) I would be a very happy camper. It's hard to sit in front of the tube when the grass is green and there are leaves on the trees after surviving yet another brutal winter.

The Oiler glory days were over by 1992 when the first June playoff game was played.
Oiler Cup clinching dates were as follows:

1984 - May 19
1985 - May 30
1987 - May 31
1988 - May 26
1990 - May 24

[slapshot™]

1984 - May 19
1985 - May 30
1987 - May 31
1988 - May 26
1990 - May 24

Back then, the first few rounds were decided by best-of-three or best-of-five. Maybe the League should consider reverting back to that format.

Hockey into June is too long of a season IMHO.

[Mel]

Hockey into June is too long of a season IMHO.

Unless it's your favorite teams playing the games :nod:

[Asterix]

I'd rather have my favorite team win the Cup in May... the way it used to be! 8) :nod: