Morning Skate: In case you just joined us ...

Monday, April 28, 2008 | Feedback | Print Entry

If you've been traveling abroad or just plain busy, here's a quick update on the four conference semifinals.

Montreal vs. Philadelphia
The Flyers and Canadiens don't seem to like each other. I guess that's not a surprise. The teams split the first two games in Montreal. That's the good news for the Habs, who needed a last-minute power-play goal to force overtime in the series opener. In the extra time, Montreal scored an early knockout, courtesy of grinder Tom Kostopoulos. In Game 2, Kozzy (much easier to spell) went for a different kind of KO when he took a swing at Flyer defenseman Kimmo Timonen after the Flyers netted a key insurance goal in the final minutes of regulation time. Predictably, the coaches exchanged barbs on the off day. That's when you know you have a really good series. So far, Flyer veteran Martin Biron has been better in net than Habs rookie Carey Price. If that continues, Philly is going to win this series.

 
 

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  • E.J. Hradek E.J. Hradek

    E.J. Hradek is a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine, joining the staff prior to its launch in 1998. He began covering hockey as a writer/editor for Hockey Illustrated in 1989. The following year, he beat the Stars to Dallas (by three years), taking over as the editor of Beckett Hockey Monthly. When the Stars finally did arrive in Big D, he hosted a weekly hockey radio show and tried (unsuccessfully) to convert ESPN's Skip Bayless to the greatest game on ice.

    In 1996, Hradek left Dallas, but not the Stars. Relocating back to the New York area, he became a part-time pro scout for the club, seeing more than 100 NHL/AHL games for each of the next two seasons. The scouting gig was a great learning experience, offering a different view of the game.

    Hradek grew up in Tuckahoe, N.Y., about a 40-minute train ride from New York City. Despite the proximity to the Rangers, Hradek embraced the Islanders when the expansion franchise debuted in 1972. Eight years later, he was part of the sellout crowd at the Nassau Coliseum that witnessed the Islanders' first Stanley Cup championship.


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