Knoxville Ice Bears

The Ice Bears have won the President's Cup Sunday, winning the finals of the Southern Professional Hockey League.

Knoxville swept the best-of-five series with the Jacksonville Barracudas.  The team was recognized at the Sundown in the City concert festival Thursday evening. The Ice Bears will be recognized again during the Tennessee Smokies baseball game Friday evening.

NHL Playoffs

The playoffs are at the midway point of the first round tonight. I gave predictions last week, and as you'll see, some of them were spot on while others need some tweaking.

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Montreal Canadiens vs. No. 8 Boston Bruins

Montreal has a 3-2 lead and will look to close out the series in Boston Saturday.

My pick last week: Montreal in 5 in five games.

No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 7 Ottawa Senators

As I predicted last week, the Penguins made quick work of the Senators, winning in four games. The Penguins now wait on the remainder of the first round to finish up.

My pick last week: Pittsburgh in four games.

No. 3 Washington Capitals vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Flyers

This series is slanted toward the Flyers as of now. The Flyers have dominated eight of the nine periods played so far. With a 3-1 series lead, the Flyers have all but assured themselves a slot in round two.

My pick last week: Washington in seven games.

No. 4 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 5 New York Rangers

The Rangers have a 3-1 series lead and have looked really good. They play in New Jersey Friday night with a chance to clinch the series. I still think New Jersey will get another win and the series will take six games. After all, that would give the Rangers the series clinching win at home.

My pick last week: New York in six games.

Western Conference

No. 1 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 8 Nashville Predators

I said last week that Nashville had a chance to push Detroit to the limits in the series. After falling down 2-0, the Preds have crawled back in the series and have a chance to take control tomorrow night. I still think Detroit will take the series, but I won't be surprised if Nashville pulls off the upset.

My pick last week: Detroit in seven games.

No. 2 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 7 Calgary Flames

The series will go at least six games as the Sharks are up 3-2. Calgary is at home Sunday with a chance to extend the series. The Flames have really pushed San Jose in the series and I think they will continue to push the Sharks to a game seven. Ther Sharks, however, will pull the series out.

My pick last week: San Jose in five games.

No. 3 Minnesota Wild vs. No. 6 Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche won a pivotal road game last night, taking the series lead 3-2. The series has been close, but it looked as if Minnesota might be poised to take control. They'll have to win at Colorado Saturday to avoid elimination.

My pick last week: Minnesota in 6 games.

No. 4 Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 5 Dallas Stars

This series has played out as I thought they might. The Stars are currently 3-1 in the series. With last night's win, they might take the series in five or six games, but don't count out the Ducks out just yet.

My pick last week: Stars in seven games.