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# [Sunday's FTB]: Best of the west; best of the world
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/sundays-ftb-best-of-the-west-best-of-the-world/
- Published: 2015-05-17T11:00:02.000Z
- Updated: 2015-05-17T11:00:02.000Z
- Description: The western conference finals begin, and Canada faces Russia for the world championship
- Author: Species
- Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:15

The Rangers defeated Tampa yesterday 2-1\. Moore scored the game wining goal with only 2:25 left on the clock.

[Lightning fall to Rangers 2-1 on late goal in a close Game 1 - Raw Charge recap](http://www.rawcharge.com/2015/5/16/8615779/2015-nhl-playoffsECF-game-1-lightning-fall-to-rangers-2-1?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)   
The matchup stayed close, but in the end fell in the Blueshirts' favor.

[Rangers vs. Lightning: Moore the Hero, Rangers take Game One - Blueshirt Banter recap](http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2015/5/16/8615665/rangers-vs-lightning-moore-the-hero-rangers-take-game-one?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
Game 1 is in the books and the Rangers have an early 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Final.

The western conference final starts today at 3pm EST. We'll have a preview up later, but if you want to read something about it now:

[Annoying Blackhawks fans coming your way - The Orange County Register](http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ducks-662067-blackhawks-fans.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
They really don't like Hawks fans in Anaheim.

The IIHF world championship finals are also today. The USA faces the Czech republic in the bronze medal game at 10:45am. Canada will play Russia at 2:45pm. Too bad that game is on at the same time as the western conference final. We will cover both games in today's game thread.

[World Championship Preview: Canada vs. Russia - Sportsnet.ca](http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/word-chamionship-preview-canada-vs-russia/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
Canada is going for its first gold since 2007.

[Alex Ovechkin Scores as Russia Moves on to World Championship Gold Medal Game](http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2015/05/16/alex-ovechkin-scores-as-russia-moves-on-to-world-championship-gold-medal-game-gif/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
Ovechkin has just joined the Russian team and is already making an impact.

Perhaps Russia should let Putin join the team.

[Vladimir Putin skates with retired NHLers, scores 8 goal](http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/vladimir-putin-skates-with-retired-nhlers-scores-8-goals-1.3077198?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)s  
Russian President Vladimir Putin played in an exhibition hockey game and scored one goal after another on assists from retired NHL players.

Other news:

[Mike Babcock's Coaching Decision: The Year-by-Year Waiting Game - Winging It In Motown](http://www.wingingitinmotown.com/2015/5/17/8615813/mike-babcock-coaching-decision-one-year-contract-oilers-sabres-maple-leafs?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
We can't go a day without talking about the most desired coach in hockey.

[Mike Emrick’s ‘Nervous Eating’ Overtime Soliloquy From Game Seven Is Even More Confusing Transcribed](http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2015/05/15/mike-emricks-nervous-eating-overtime-soliloquy-from-game-seven-is-even-more-confusing-transcribed/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com#more-86916)  
Was he having a stroke when he said this?

[Confusing decisions may have forced the Canadiens into another 'transition' year - Eyes On The Prize](http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/analysis/2015/5/16/8615453/canadiens-transition-year-bergevin-therrien-confusing-decisions?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
There's such a thing as too much patience, and the Montreal Canadiens might be guilty of it.

[Seen & Heard – Weekend Edition Toronto Sports Media Blog](http://torontosportsmedia.com/sports-and-toronto/seen-heard-weekend-edition-55/19944?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
Mike in Boston has a great roundup of the media's week, including Jays coverage and more on Dean Blundell's ratings. I also agree with this aside on the FHRITP incident: ""