Six is the Magic Number

The game: Game 5, Portland Winterhawks vs. Spokane Chiefs (WHL). Pittsburgh vs. Toronto.

Why I chose them: Game 5 - Duh. We're on for Game 6 tomrrow back on home turf. We're up by 3 games in the series, and in an odd coincidence, all three were won on the road. That's why I have a backup plan in case we lose at home again tomorrow: Game 7 shootout. NHL: Pittsburgh's clinched a playoff berth, so it will be interesting to see how they play between now and then. Giguere is kicking it and asking later between the pipes. Games on.

The final scores: Portland 4, Spokane 3. Pittsburgh 5, Toronto 4 (SO).

Monday updates:

Good news from the WHL afterlife: Kurtis Mucha has signed with the ECHL's Stockton Thunder, the AA team for Edmonton Oilers prospects, many of whom go on to the NHL. He's already got his first win under his belt, in a game against Vegas over the weekend. Yes, Virginia, there is hockey in the desert. Get over it.

Could be a sign of things to come: Game 6 tonight, 7 pm, Rose Garden. We are up by 3 in the series and a win tonight advances us to the next round. It's our own version of the Canada vs. US gold medal game. The winner will either tie it or take it. Here's the deal: I'm no good with numbers, I don't like the word can't and I don't care about the odds. I vote for Spokane = TOAST. With butter.

The rules: Section 4, Playing Rules. Rule 400, Players on the Ice. Rule 402, Start of Game and Periods. Rule 410, Change of Players and Goalkeepers.

Highlights:

Rule 400, Players on the Ice. Teams shall not have more than six players on the ice at any time while the game is in progress. Bench minor penalty for too many men on the ice. Quirk: Not only do they list out the six players, they show the words in a configuration that mimics their position on the ice.

Rule 402, Start of Game and Periods. The teams shall start the game defending the goal nearest to their player bench.

Rule 410, Change of Players and Goalkeepers. a) Under the conditions set out in this section, the players and goalkeepers may be changed at any time during the play or during a stoppage of play. b) If, during a substitution, the player entering the game plays the puck or makes any physical contact with an opponent while the retiring player is actually on the ice, there shall be a penalty. Bench minor penalty for Too Many Players on the Ice.

Morals of the story:

The game: These rules are like the 9 to 5 rule for corporate America. It's the hockey version of where to be, the rules you have to follow while there, and when you can work-share with another colleague. And if you don't, there's a penalty, just like an office. Except in this case you get to sit on the bench instead of getting your pay docked for being five minutes late.

Life: I need the too many men on the ice rule for fighting my way off the bus, train or other mass transit en route to work. If people getting on the Max train make contact with me or impede me while I'm trying to exit instead of waiting for me to get off and make room, they shall not be allowed to get on the train and instead serve a bench minor in the form of waiting two to five more minutes for the next train.

Next up on 3/30: Section 4, Playing Rules. Rule 411, Change of Players and Goalkeepers from the Player's Bench During Play.