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

 

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

 

Flames vs Blackhawks

	vs
FLAMES		BLACKHAWKS
12-1		2-11

The Aesthetics
Both of these teams wrap up their schedule today. Let's see how they fair. You probably already know who I like better for this category. And if you don't, it's the Flames. What's going on in the Blackhawks logo? Do they have a defined color scheme? Is there a way to find it in the logo? No? Meanwhile, the flaming "C" is cool, especially in black.
Flames

The Nickname
Humans have never been able to really control fire, not even Chief Blackhawk himself. A few Flames get out of control here and there and suddenly the entire state of California is under a wildfire watch.
Flames

The Analysis
Many have argued that I'm insane because I don't agree with "many other sports fans" who consider the Blackhawks logo to be one of the best ever. Thing is, I'm insane for so many reasons, and that's not any of them. It's a good solid logo as far as that goes. But as for what makes it one of the best in all of sports, I am at a loss. It looks to me like a well-drawn Indian head that was scribbled on at one point — and then left that way. But, as I've said before, who am I to say? You guys will get to decide once and for all. Voting starts on August 12. Mark your calendars! In the interim, it's a season finale sweep for the Flames.
Flames

WINNER

3-0

 

Oilers vs Ducks

	vs
OILERS		DUCKS
1-11		1-12

The Aesthetics
Lately it seems like all the good logos are facing off. Today, it's a couple of the worst. With barely 11 points between the two of them and only three more days left in the tournament, I think that is fair to say. The Ducks logo is a word mark, nothing more. To some extent, so is the Oilers logo, but at least there's a little more to it. They'll squeak by with this point.
Oilers

The Nickname
We've all seen what happens when Ducks and Oil get together. Not a pretty sight.
Oilers

The Analysis
You've got to give credit to the Ducks on the rebranding campaign this season. They're like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Change a goofy logo, win a championship. The major difference being, the Bucs have a cool logo. The Ducks lack that, though I am a fan of the webbed duck foot in the form of a "D." The Oilers logo, after 20 plus years just still saddens me. I like the red trip and copper in for orange, but it's just not enough. I'm giving this point to the Ducks in hopes they drop the "ANAHEIM UCKS" in the coming season. For now, the Oilers put the lame Ducks out of their misery. Only 17 teams left with matches in the next few days.
Ducks

WINNER

2-1

 

Avalanche vs Stars

	vs
AVALANCHE		STARS
11-2		8-5

The Aesthetics
This is the end of the line for both of these logos in this tournament. But its just the qualifying round. You will get to decide how good they really are. But I'll make this short and sweet. No logo has ever been helped by incorporating the text of the team name.
Avalanche

The Nickname
An Avalanche of snow has nothing on a Star of fire. Forget the snowslide, a big one could incinerate the planet. Then there's no snow to fall on anybody.
Stars

The Analysis
The giant avalanche across the "A" is a classic logo, not that you asked me. I see it being around a very long time. However, I can think of better ways to deal with a logo for the Dallas Stars. Maybe one day we'll get one. Until then, I like the "lone star" element, but not more than the Avs logo.
Avalanche

WINNER

2-1

 

Blues vs Flames

	vs
BLUES		FLAMES
5-8		11-1

The Aesthetics
Well, it's the end of the line for the Blues today. Good or bad, its their final match. And it's a tough one for me. One little nitpick I have on the Blues logo is how the top yellow line inside the "wing" goes too far to the left, almost touching that indented area. I don't know why it bothers me or how it can be properly rectified. And anyway, what's cooler than the flaming "C" logo?
Flames

The Nickname
Flames would burn a Blues man and melt his trumpet. He should stay away from fire.
Flames

The Analysis
I always sort of liked the secondary logo the Blues wore back in the mid-'90s during the period when red was one of their colors. I think a trumpet would make a great logo for them, not that the musical note isn't. But you know me, always one for change. Except for the Flames logo. That one is cool. You know why. Sorry, Blues fans. Not feeling it today, I guess. It was a good run.
Flames

WINNER

3-0

 

Stars vs Oilers

	vs
STARS		OILERS
7-5		1-10

The Aesthetics
All right, so both of these logos feature the team name as a main element, I'm sorry to say. The Oilers name appears to take up more of the logo than anything else but the the Stars logo also has the city name on it. Which is worse? A single drop of oil is meant to graphically symbolize the Oilers so we'll go with the Stars logo since it at least has a giant star on it.
Stars

The Nickname
Remember that giant ball of fire. Imagine a Star coming in contact with an oil pit. All of the Oilers would be toast. Or, incinerated, rather.
Stars

The Analysis
I thought the Stars logo looked great on all the Stanley Cup champion merchandise back in 1999. It's been a while since we've seen the Oilers logo on that stuff. All right, cheap shot. I apologize. I think despite its tradition, the Oilers might be better served by something like the logo they've been wearing on their third jersey. That was very sharp. The Stars should never ever reconsider their third jersey logo. I recently read where someone called it a "mooterus" which had me laughing out loud for a moment. Sweep for the Stars.
Stars

WINNER

3-0

 

Flames vs Avalanche

	vs
FLAMES		AVALANCHE
10-1		11-1

The Aesthetics
Despite what some readers may think, I actually like letter-based logos. We've got flames on a "C" and an avalanche on an "A." Plus, I've said before that I feel like the Avalanche logo will be an all-time NHL logo classic. But that's not to say the Flames logo isn't already. However, when we look at the elements of these logos, the avalanche is being led by a subtle puck and that is cool.
Avalanche

The Nickname
This is the ultimate battle. Fire and ice. The Flames melt the Avalanche, turning it into a waterfall which extinguishes the fire. That was a pretty good one.
Flames

The Analysis
This is another hard call to make. If you want to know my thoughts on these logos, you should go back and read their previous matches since I'd rather not go through it all again. The deciding factor, though, will be that as one of the few Canadian teams, the Flames logo's "C" can stand for Calgary or Canada. The "A" is only for Avalanche.
Flames

WINNER

2-1

 

Canucks vs Kings

	vs
CANUCKS		KINGS
5-7		6-5

The Aesthetics
This is a hard one. I like both of these logos. How to choose. I actually like the Canucks logo's color scheme better than the Kings. I also like the Haida style artwork. It's very unique in this league. But both of these teams have struggled with an identity for decades, changing logos constantly. But as for right now, I'm going with the Canucks.
Canucks

The Nickname
A King pretty much gets whatever he wants. He can have Canucks do... anything really. Go whaling or something. I don't know. Where are my creative juices when I need them?
Kings

The Analysis
As far as logos pertaining to the team names, a Canuck is not a whale. A King is not a crown, but he wears one. I also like the subtle hockey sticks in the top of the crown and the suns on either side of it. The Canucks logo doesn't offer anything cool like that.
Kings

WINNER

2-1

 

Red Wings vs Avalanche

	vs
RED WINGS		AVALANCHE
4-8		10-1

The Aesthetics
When these teams get together, it's usually the greatest playoff hockey you could hope for. But when comparing their logos head-to-head, there's really no question in my mind as to who takes the cake.
Avalanche

The Nickname
Red-Winged birds have no fearing falling snow as they can simply fly over an Avalanche. Not too close, though.
Red Wings

The Analysis
I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention the longevity of the Red Wings logo. I'd also get an earful from ultra-traditionalists who fear change with regard to the Original Six like the very plague if I suggested an upgrade of any kind for it. But let me just remind you all of the new Boston Bruins logo. No limbs were lost when that was unveiled. So open your minds a little... and accept the fact that one day the Avalanche logo will be looked upon as a sports logo classic in the same way — except better because as of right now, it doesn't need an upgrade. Any changes would only hurt it. You see where I'm going now?
Avalanche

WINNER

2-1