Islanders vs Maple Leafs

	vs
ISLANDERS		MAPLE LEAFS
2-11		1-12

The Aesthetics
A real battle of the titans here on the final day of the tournament. More text-filled logos in this match. Unfortunately, the Islanders logo commits the other sin of incorporating and blatant hockey stick and puck combo. I'm not impressed. This one will go to the Maple Leafs logo.
Maple Leafs

The Nickname
A Maple Leaf logo is thin and flimsy. An Islander could easily crush one under his fishing boots.
Islanders

The Analysis
To put it plainly, I believe a logo should serve as a symbol for a team therefore making redundant the use of the team name in said logo. I get tradition and all that and quite frankly can't see either of these logos being drastically changed. The Islanders tried that once and fans revolted. Still, I have to pick a winner. I'm going with the Maple Leafs because the leaf logo is iconic. There is no need for all the text. Shame it'll only be their second win in my tournament. Time for you guys to decide which logo is best. Come back on Sunday and start making your voices heard!
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Canucks

	vs
SHARKS		CANUCKS
5-8		5-8

The Aesthetics
Water-based creatures bearing teeth are prominently featured in these two logos. And they're both breaking things. The shark is breaking a hockey stick and the whale is breaking through ice. But as far as the overall look, I have to go with the Canucks. It's always been one of my favorites. As for the Sharks logo, while the recent change was an upgrade, they could've done better.
Canucks

The Nickname
Canucks are people and by and large, people are not impervious to Sharks. In fact, sometimes they lose limbs to big fish.
Sharks

The Analysis
Even though there isn't a "Canuck" in this logo, per se, I'm willing to give them a pass on that this time around. I love the Haida-style art and you can't say an orca in ice has nothing to do with Vancouver (which I may or may not have previously said). So here's why they're still getting beat by the Sharks. Call me slow, but I just found the "SJ" hidden in the Sharks' new logo and it's awesome! If you want to find it, check out the black in the fins. Look hard. You have to really want it. It's the last day of the tournament, so it's the final match for each logo.
Sharks

WINNER

2-1

 

Lightning vs Rangers

	vs
LIGHTNING		RANGERS
6-7		3-10

The Aesthetics
Well the text abounds here on the final day of the qualifying tournament. Since both logos use it in excess, we'll just have to look past the text. And call me biased (and I may well be), but I think the Lightning logo is a little more dynamic (though perhaps not as old as the Rangers'). At least there's more to it than just a shield. Maybe one day they'll take my advice and go full on with the Lady Liberty logo.
Lightning

The Nickname
Rangers work way up high in those elevated ranger stations where they are very prone to strikes of Lightning. Or something like that.
Lightning

The Analysis
Since its the last day of the tournament, we'll make this easy. The Rangers logo has the staying power of like a hundred years or something. The Lightning logo has needed an upgrade for the last 10 years. Finally, it's going to get it, though. Maybe then I'd be more apt to give it this point. Still, they sneak by with the win and finish the tournament even.
Rangers

WINNER

2-1

 

Kings vs Sharks

	vs
KINGS		SHARKS
7-6		5-7

The Aesthetics
These two logos both have rather unique color schemes. You don't really see them anywhere else in the league. The Sharks recently introduced a new logo and this is its first time in the tournament. It's certainly an improvement over the previous logo, and even though sharks are grey, not teal, I like the extra color in the logo. What's unfortunate is that they kept the broken stick in the logo. The Kings logo is a good example of how you work in a hockey stick if you absolutely cannot help yourself. Make it subtle!
Kings

The Nickname
As powerful as King may be, if he took a dip in Shark-infested waters, he'd become lunch and nobody would be able to do anything about it.
Sharks

The Analysis
Despite getting an update, the Sharks logo still leaves a lot to be desired. I think the Kings logo is stronger and hey, what says California more than the suns on either side of the crown? Now, if you can, try and resist the urge to tear apart my reasoning. It's flimsy and would never stand up to it. Come back on Sunday and vote for yourself!
Kings

WINNER

2-1

 

Maple Leafs vs Penguins

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		PENGUINS
1-11		3-10

The Aesthetics
Penguins fans, you're in luck for your team's final match of the tournament. Maple Leafs fans, not so much. Sorry, no way to please everybody. And tradition has never affected my judgment as far as this competition goes if you've read any of these before. The bottom line: I don't like text in logos. It defeats the purpose, doesn't it? It's supposed to be a symbol for the team. Here, we should already know who the text culprit is.
Penguins

The Nickname
I'm sorry but we're talking about a Maple Leaf. Even a Penguin could crunch one of those under its little foot.
Penguins

The Analysis
What says Canada more than a giant maple leaf? Not much can really fit that bill. At the same time, I'm not sure a gold triangle really screams Pittsburgh to anyone not familiar with the area. Having said that, both logos are appropriate to their teams, even if they could use a little work here and there. Ultimately though, the penguin in the hockey gear continues to bewilder me. Still, the Pens pull off a win in their final match of the tournament.
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Senators

	vs
THRASHERS		SENATORS
7-6		7-6

The Aesthetics
This match will serve as the finale for each of these teams. Is it weird they're both facing the same direction? I'm not bothered, I guess. What I am bothered by is the stick the bird is holding. Why? It's so unncessary. It's a cool-looking logo, but that stick takes a lot away in my eyes. Let's go with the Sens.
Senators

The Nickname
Senators set aside special reserve land decide whether or not the Thrasher is worth adding to the endangered list. So they've got some power over the little bird. And I think that's all the evidence I need.
Senators

The Analysis
Nothing about the Thrashers logo really says Atlanta to me and that's a shame because it could — and should. The Senators logo just about screams Ottawa and Canada. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out a recent Sens match and you'll understand. Looks like we've got a sweep on our hands today.
Senators

WINNER

3-0

 

Coyotes vs Oilers

	vs
COYOTES		OILERS
5-6		2-11

The Aesthetics
The howling coyote actually gives us something to look at. Is the oil drop at the top of circle meant to be the focal point of the Oilers logo? If not, all that's left is the text and you know how that irks me. Don't you? Notch another one for the desert dogs.
Coyotes

The Nickname
An Oiler is probably a rather rugged fellow. I don't he'd find any need to worry about a little Coyote. Face to face, I think he could take it. Don't ask me how.
Oilers

The Analysis
There are things that bother about the Coyotes logo, small things like the fact that the ear is seen more easily than the eye. The Oilers logo is strong, solid and classic. I imagine it will be one of those that sticks around forever despite the fact that I think it could use an upgrade or two. But who am I to say? It may come as a surprise to you all, but overall, I think it's better than the Coyotes. Oh, and that does it for the Oilers schedule. When next you see them, you'll be placing a vote.
Oilers

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Capitals

	vs
SENATORS		CAPITALS
6-6		4-9

The Aesthetics
The Capitals logo is a word mark, and with only three days to go in the tournament, you should well know that doesn't work well for me. I don't think we need much more of an explanation than that.
Senators

The Nickname
Somebody recently wrote in wondering how this match would go. Here's how I see it. The Capital is where the Senators convene. If there's no Capital, there are no Senators.
Capitals

The Analysis
Aside from the word mark, all the Capitals logo offers are three stars and a hockey stick/puck. Please. The Senators logo offers up a bunch of cool stuff. It's got a gold "O" for Ottawa and a red "C" for Canada. Win-win. And that does it for the Capitals in this tournament.
Senators

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Lightning

	vs
THRASHERS		LIGHTNING
6-6		6-6

The Aesthetics
These two logos are very evenly matched at this stage of the tournament. One of the things I hate almost as much as text in hockey logos are things like blatant hockey sticks that serve no real purpose. Take the stick out of the logo and it only improves it. But even with it, I think it's one of the league's better modern marks. And it doesn't have all that text.
Thrashers

The Nickname
If a Thrasher got struck by Lightning, he would then only serve as someone's lunch.
Lightning

The Analysis
Despite its performance in this tournament to date, I think the Thrashers have one of the best logos in the league. The Lightning have one of the worst, which is why I'm glad to hear they're changing it this summer. One game left for each of these teams.
Thrashers

WINNER

2-1

 

Predators vs Coyotes

	vs
PREDATORS		COYOTES
7-6		5-6

The Aesthetics
Both of these logos are wild animals with wide open mouths. Because of that, there are a lot of similar elements. The biggest difference, aside from color, is the fact that the there's so much more detail in the Predators logo. Normally that wouldn't be a plus, but here it is. The Coyotes logo is just awkward looking to me.
Predators

The Nickname
We've got cats and dogs here. And normally you'd think the dog would beat the cat, but check out the teeth on the Predator. That Coyote never had a chance.
Predators

The Analysis
As a desert icon, the Coyotes couldn't have chosen a better name for the team — not that the Predators didn't. The Coyotes even have great colors, but I liked the original logo better. The Predators logo kind of has a lot of colors. All things considered, I think it wouldn't hurt to simplify it a little. But overall, I find it to be a little better of a logo. The Preds close out their schedule with the sweep.
Predators

WINNER

3-0